Photo Via Lost_in_the_Midwest/Shutterstock
There’s a certain point in spring when Calgary starts to feel like it’s coming back to life, and Heritage Park is usually part of that shift. The Historical Village is set to reopen this May, bringing back one of the city’s most recognizable summer spots.
It feels instantly familiar, even if you haven’t been in a while, with old-school streets, steam trains rolling through, and that step-back-in-time feeling that always hits a little differently in spring.
The Historical Village opens for the season on May 16, bringing back one of Calgary’s most iconic spring attractions as the weather starts warming back up.
As you walk through the 127-acre site, it feels more like a small town rather than walking from exhibit to exhibit. You can start by hopping on the antique steam train, visiting farm animals, or taking a look inside recreated historical buildings that showcase what life was like in Western Canada.
One of the most iconic parts is the paddlewheel boat experience, which offers the perfect chance to take in the water of the Glenmore Reservoir on a sunny spring day.
And of course, it would not really be a visit to Heritage Park without the food stops. The candy shop and ice cream parlour are very much part of the experience, adding to that nostalgic feel.
Another major highlight is the Gasoline Alley Museum, which greets you as you enter the gates of the park. The museum stays open year-round and, according to Heritage Park, holds one of the world’s largest collections of antique vehicles, vintage gas pumps, and automotive memorabilia.
If you’re planning to head to the Historical Village when the season opens, it’s worth setting aside a full day. The park is large enough that rushing through takes away from the whole experience, since part of the charm is just wandering around, exploring, and stopping whenever something catches your attention.
Weekends tend to be the busiest when the weather warms up, so going early in the day or midweek can make it feel a bit more relaxed.
Parking is available on-site for $13 per day, and once inside, everything is very easy to navigate without overthinking.
Heritage Park is an amazing place to learn about Calgary’s history without feeling like you’re sitting in a classroom. It’s immersive and exciting, and it gives you a look at how our city grew into what it is today.
When: Historical Village opens Saturday, May 16
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: General (16+) $14.95, Children (3-15) $8.95
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