Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Begin your sightseeing adventure at Contemporary Calgary and the newly named Cowboys Park before making your way east along the Bow River trail. This GPS-guided tour will introduce you to Calgary’s skyline, urban parks, cultural sites, and historic landmarks, all while sharing the city’s rich history and diverse cultures.

See the massive stone building, a former planetarium now being transformed into Contemporary Calgary art gallery. Learn the fascinating history of how three art groups merged to secure and renovate this iconic architectural landmark.

Marvel at Canada's largest free outdoor skate park, a massive 75,000-square-foot facility and training ground for famous local riders.

Discover this massive red-brick fortress, an active Canadian Forces reserve armoury designed in Tudor-Gothic Revival style.

Admire the striking design that echoes ancient Chinese Buddhist Temples, standing in beautiful contrast to the modern downtown skyline. Learn about its spiritual inspiration and discover why visitors call it an incredibly peaceful and serene spot.

Stand at the geographical and historical heart of the city, and uncover why this powerful waterway is the reason Calgary exists.

Uncover the story behind this globally praised architectural feature and its role in connecting the city's pathways.

Discover the park's history, from its origin as a log channel to its current role as a peaceful wetland habitat and gathering spot.

Uncover the story of this area's resilience after the devastating 2013 floods and its role in sustainable urban environmental preservation.

Welcome to this beautiful Chinese cultural park, a fixture that celebrates and preserves Calgary’s historic Chinatown community. See the prominent granite sculpture, "In Search of Gold Mountain," and uncover the story of the pioneering Chinese people across Canada.

Uncover the dramatic story of how the original fragile beasts you'll see here were replaced with modern replicas, securing one original for a "royal retirement."

Observe this monument of solemn remembrance dedicated to the millions of Ukrainians who perished in the Holodomor, the Soviet-inflicted genocide-famine of 1932-1933.

Discover the Bow River's surprising global fame as one of the world's top three streams for fly fishing, boasting an average of 2,500 trout per mile. Learn which specific fish species attract anglers from around the globe.

Uncover the dramatic history of the island, from a 1960s campground to its stunning 2015 transformation into the gorgeous public space you see today.

Uncover the dramatic story of how the entire site was demolished, hidden beneath a railway yard for 61 years, and eventually rediscovered by archaeologists.

Discover how this new structure honors the past while providing dedicated multi-use pathways and critical flood resiliency for the future.

Discover two contrasting historical treasures: the beautifully restored Deane House, famous for its spooky past as a boarding house, and Hunt House, one of the oldest and most architecturally significant buildings in the province.

Check out the modern 12th Street Bridge, a vital link that replaced a century-old crossing, and learn about its $26 million upgrade for pedestrians and cyclists.

Check out the modern 12th Street Bridge, a vital link that replaced a century-old crossing, and learn about its $26 million upgrade for pedestrians and cyclists.

Hunt for the unique "stone pancake" art piece called Ripple, a large, contemplative circle symbolizing the flow of the Bow River and Indigenous teachings.

Welcome to Inglewood, officially recognized as Calgary's oldest community, established immediately after the 1875 founding of Fort Calgary.

Step into the historic Bridgeland community, established in the 1880s by Russian-German immigrants and once affectionately known as "Little Italy."

Uncover the secrets of one of North America's largest enclosed fish hatcheries, which raises countless trout to stock Alberta's waters.

Enjoy the view, watch kayakers navigate the rapids below, and access kilometers of surrounding trails perfect for a stroll or a bike ride.

Discover how this spot, severely damaged in the 2013 flood, was rebuilt with two different routes to create an awesome experience for both Class 2 and Class 3 adventurers.

Cap off your tour at this expansive ecological treasure trove anchored by a vital 15-hectare wetland and beautiful interpretive trail.