Standing between the famous Bow River and towering downtown skyscrapers, East Village boasts some of the most vibrant city life in Calgary, all while still being able to exude that appealing small town charm.
If you’re here to discover that for yourself, good. Prepare to navigate the East Village like a true pro written by someone with an undeniable love for the place! When you finish this, we hope you’ll start to love Bow River as much as we do!
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How to Get Around East Village Calgary
Taxis: To get a taxi in East Village, there are three easy options: you can call the dispatch company at 403-777-1111 and ask for a ride, flag down the one you see on the street, or walk to the nearest taxi stand.
Bus: To make your bus ride in East Village more convenient, we suggest visiting this website beforehand for the updated bus routes and schedules. It tells everything in real time. Additionally, you can prepare the MyFare app before your ride for faster transactions. Otherwise, you can also prepare cash or your monthly pass card.
The C-train: C-train is a quick and affordable option to navigate the East Village. A single ride will only cost you CA$3.50! For added convenience, check out the moovit app for the train schedules.
Cycle: You can also explore East Village with the convenience of a bicycle. It’s pretty safe to cycle around the area so you shouldn’t encounter any problems.
Where to Stay in East Village
Alt Hotel Calgary East Village
Address: 635 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G1, Canada
Phone: +1 587-441-6635
Pricing: $$
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The Alt Hotel Calgary in East Village sits on a convenient spot near several boutiques and eateries. Additionally, there are plenty of attractions around with downtown being just a few minutes walk.
Most of their rooms offer stunning views of the surrounding cityscapes. Because of the windows, the room feels bright and homey.
During your stay, you’ll get to enjoy their convenient amenities like the gym, 24-hour convenience store, as well as delicious dining options.
HI Calgary City Centre
Address: 520 7 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0J6, Canada
Phone: +1 403-269-8239
Pricing: $
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HI Calgary is perfect for budget travelers who don’t want to spend a lot of cash but want to stay casual and comfortable.
Certainly not luxurious, the building nonetheless looks like an interesting apartment complex, which makes visitors feel more at home.
Their lounge is where you’d see other guests hanging out while playing pool or chatting on the couch. Additionally, you can also have your alone time while you’re here by reading one of the many books on the shelves or by surfing the web on one of the computers.
Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
Address: 711 4 St. SE Suite A, Calgary, AB T2G 1N3, Canada
Phone: +1 587-352-2020
Pricing: $$
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The Hilton Garden Inn is a chic hotel perfect for travelers who appreciate style and sophistication on a budget. This hotel being just 15 minutes away from the airport is what makes it appealing for a lot of the visitors.
Moreover, they also boast of various amenities like indoor pool, fitness centre, on-site restaurant, and many more.
Where to Eat in East Village
Freshslice Pizza
Address: 515 4 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2J1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-273-7374
Pricing: $
Website
Freshslice Pizza is a popular local pizza chain in Calgary. They’re recognized for their thin crust slices in flavors such as garlic lovers feast, pepperoni feast, and pesto feast. You can even make your own pizza by choosing from their many toppings!
Fortuna’s Row
Address: 421 Riverfront Ave, Calgary, AB T2G 0C2, Canada
Phone: +1 403-243-0069
Pricing: $$
Website
Fortuna’s Row is a Latin American restaurant known for its beautiful contemporary interior. In the morning, it feels chic and stylish, but at night, it becomes a lovely space for intimate gatherings.
Their food options are of course, just as dazzling. The lomo saltado and milanesa are definitely the showstoppers. They also offer other appetizing treats for anyone looking for some Latin classics like tacos and empanada.
Parlour Ice Cream
Address: 537 Riverfront Ave, Calgary, AB T2G 1K2, Canada
Phone: +1 250-300-7071
Pricing: $
Website
Parlour Ice Cream is a well-loved ice cream spot in the East Village neighbourhood.
Their handcrafted ice creams come in different flavors. A lot of them are considered classics like pistachio, vanilla, and cookies & cream.
That said, they also come in interestingly unique flavors such as saffron rose and key lime pie. They’re definitely recommended, especially if you have adventurous taste buds!
King Eddy
Address: 438 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0R9, Canada
Phone: +1 403-829-6016
Pricing: $$
Website
King Eddy is for adventure-seekers who like to enjoy their meals with tantalizing live music performances. This is why this venue is also popular in the local music scene.
Of course, people don’t come here just for the performances! Their food menu is also worth the visit.
For those who want a filling and satisfying dish, we suggest getting the buttermilk fried chicken or the Thai red curry chicken. Otherwise, you can just get snacks like mushroom bulgogi bao.
They also have an extensive alcohol menu, so be sure to check that out as well!
Panago Pizza
Address: 609 6 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1S4, Canada
Phone: +1 866-310-0001
Pricing: $$
Website
A lot of locals like Panago Pizza because of the wide range of flavor options they have on their menu.
Their most-ordered pizza flavors are cheese and New York deli. That said, we find that the panago classic can also easily rival the two.
By the way, they also have an assortment of dips you can order with your pizza. Try the blue cheese dip with the veggie Mediterranean pizza and let it rock your world.
Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
Address: 618 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-457-2245
Pricing: $$
Website
Sidewalk Citizen Bakery never fails to pique the culinary interests of the people passing by the store. Because of the mouthwatering displays they have, we’re not surprised!
We’re big fans of their sourdough sandwiches, which come in three delightful flavors – curry chicken, eggplant pesto, and chickpea salad. Their grilled cheese is also very good.
What to Do in East Village
Learn about the local music at Studio Belle, Home of the National Music Centre
Address: 850 4 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1R1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-543-5115
Website
Studio Belle is an interesting museum recommended to those who want to know more about the local music scene. They have over 2,000 artifacts visitors can enjoy! They also have several interactive displays to help bring out your inner musician.
Think you won’t be able to stop by? Don’t worry. They also have curated online exhibits you can enjoy anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
Learn more about Canada’s history at Fort Calgary
Address: 750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-290-1875
Website
Fort Calgary is a museum where people can catch glimpses of local history through exhibits that highlight the Blackfoot, Treaty 7, and many more. It basically tells the story of how the Canada you know and love came to be.
They also host several fun and interesting programs like guided walking tours and art workshops.
Go on a walk at EV Dog Park
Address: Calgary, AB T2G 0G1, Canada
Directions
The EV Dog Park is a nice area for both residents and visitors to walk around and enjoy the large open green space. Since it’s catered especially to locals who want to find a decent area to walk their furry friends, you’d be able to see a lot of dogs while you’re here.
If you’re a dog-lover like us, it’s certainly a plus. There are also benches scattered in the area, where people can enjoy the sun or a delicious bagged lunch.
Fish for trout at the Bow River
A small chunk of the East Village neighbourhood is made up of the beautiful Bow River. It’s famous for its stunning nature views and the various activities people can enjoy while they’re here.
In this article, we’re going to focus on the most popular form of entertainment at the Bow River – trout fishing. A lot of locals fish here all year round but the ideal times are around Mid-May to late October.
You can borrow fishing gear if you failed to bring your own at Sports Rent or Squatchy Waters Fly Fishing. The latter is perfect for beginners who don’t have an idea how to fish because the guide will also deliver instructions to help you fish like a pro.
Take photos of The Upside Down Church
Address: 712 5 St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W8, Canada
Directions
The Upside Down Church is a popular local attraction because of its quirky and eccentric nature. It’s a sculpture meant to look exactly as what people call it.
It was crafted by artist Dennis Oppenheim and was originally called Device to Root Out Evil.
Where to Shop in East Village
Real Canadian Superstore Calgary 6th Ave
Address: 428 6 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G7, Canada
Phone: +1 825-513-9510
Website
If you’re a visitor, it’s most likely you want to try the local snacks. The Real Canadian Superstore offers almost everything Canadians love.
This includes several nostalgic snacks and traditional goodies like ketchup potato chips and more. Additionally, they also have a well-stocked bakery and deli that are worth checking out.
