Calgary’s Most Walkable Communities

Calgary is a vibrant city that is constantly re-establishing culture, cuisine, and trending interests. There is an ever-growing amount of summer activities, festivals, and community events to get involved with, often right outside our doors.

If you’ve lived in Calgary for any amount of time, you know just how unpredictable our weather can be. Snowing one hour and gloriously sunny the next, our spring months can be a bit of a tease.

As such, we’ve learned to make the most of pleasant weather – getting active is a priority with winter months as long as ours.

For an idea of which communities to check out as the sun shines, we’ve compiled a list of our top-rated walkable communities in Calgary. Though we’ve made mention of the Walk Scores for these communities, please note that they don’t always give an accurate representation of how “walkable” these communities are. It’s better to talk with local experts – like us – for the best insights.

We hope you enjoy this article, and perhaps a stroll through the neighbourhoods we’ve mentioned. Who knows – maybe you’ll like one enough to stay a while!

Altadore

Altadore is a truly eclectic community in both the residential and commercial sense. Here, you can find an array of character homes nestled between larger multi-million dollar infill developments. Near both Sandy Beach Park and River Park, there are many opportunities to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.

Included in Altadore’s diverse list of shops and restaurants are mainstays such as Monogram Coffee, Springbank Cheese Co., and The Garrison Pub & Eatery. You can also find stellar clothing stores like Clothing Bar Boutique and Crabapple Clothing Company.

If shopping isn’t your thing, there’s a multitude of interesting ways to spend your spare time in nearby South Calgary. Check out the Military Museums or the incredible Josette Art Gallery. For an experience beyond browsing, head to the Alberta Craft Gallery and get more involved.

Whether you’d like to go for a quiet stroll down the river or check out some of the wonderful businesses here, you’re sure to appreciate Altadore for the authentic neighborhood it is. Altadore has a Walk Score of 65 and was established in 1945.

Aspen Woods

The Aspen Woods community of Calgary is renowned for its incredible mountain views and wonderful amenities. These include exquisite grocery shops Blush Lane Organic Market and Sunterra Market, exceptional restaurants such as Haru Sushi Bar, Diner Deluxe, and the lovely A Ladybug Bakery & Cafe, as well as many other interesting businesses. Shop Aspen Landing for a charming variety of stores that emphasize seasonal fun.

Take a trip to Edworthy Park and enjoy the scenic beauty of the fir trees and Lawrey Gardens, or for a refreshing outdoor experience closer to home, explore the Strathcona Ravine. While its establishment in 2001 makes Aspen Woods a fairly new community, what it lacks in age it makes up for in beauty. Aspen Woods has a Walk Score of 41.

Hillhurst & Sunnyside

Hillhurst and Sunnyside, commonly known as the Kensington area, are established favourites when it comes to Calgary’s best neighbourhoods. With a wide array of shops, restaurants, and performance venues – including spots like the Plaza Theatre and Skyline – there’s always something to see or do.

Whether you want to stop in at the Regal Cat Cafe to enjoy some feline company, choose a new read at Pages Kensington (and maybe something to go with it from Kensington Wine Market), or pick out an incredible gift from Livingstone & Cavell Extraordinary Toys, you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll enjoy your time in this great neighbourhood.

Foodies will find a haven here with the phenomenal selection of quality cafes and restaurants. Establishments such as the Sunnyside Natural Market, the Oxbow, Vendome Cafe, Pulcinella, and Niko’s Bistro ensure there’s absolutely no shortage of great eats.

The Kensington area is known for its high-quality, unique businesses and community-oriented staples. Riley Park is a well-known place to enjoy a day, with incredible gardens, a great wading pool, and lots of space to play with a cricket pitch, playground, and vast, green lawns.

People watching in Kensington Village can be a fun activity in itself, as you will find an array of metropolitan as well as eccentric individuals enjoying a stroll or attending to business here. This area has a fantastic Walk Score of 77.

West Springs & Wentworth

West Springs is a lovely southwest Calgary community that was also established in 2001. At the edge of our incredible foothills and just a stroll away from many great metro amenities, West Springs is dynamic in its offerings as a community.

Minutes from a variety of golf courses, there are tons of opportunities to get active here with WinSport nearby as well as a variety of biking and walking paths. A family favourite, My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe is a great place to stop after an adventurous day. Or perhaps you’d rather have a sundae while out shopping at the great businesses throughout West Springs Village and West 85th.

If you’d prefer to have a phenomenal meal, we highly recommend Mercato for an incredible dining experience, or the popular Yuga Traditional Indian Bar & Kitchen. West Springs has a Walk Score of 45.

Care For an Ice Cream?

If you’re in the West Springs/Wentworth area, stop in at our headquarters to say hello! We’re located at 809 85 Street SW and we would love to hear from you. Mention this blog post and we’ll take you out for ice cream at our favourite ice cream shop, My Favourite Icecream Shoppe.

Where to?

We sincerely hope that this informative list has given you some ideas on where to spend your steps this summer. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to take visitors or even a new home, we’re proud to share our local knowledge and expertise. Contact us to learn more about these communities or any other favourites you see listed on our website.