Calgary/Southwest

Southwest Calgary large, mostly suburban residential area the has some of the city's more prestigious neighbourhoods. Divided by the Elbow River and Glenmore Reservoir, the area is known by its parks and Heritage Park. Macleod Trail is the boundary between the southwest and southeast quadrants for significant portions, but for the purposes of this guide all points-of-interest adjacent to Macleod Trail are included are listed under Southwest Calgary. The area south of Fish Creek and west of the Bow River, which includes a portion of Southeast Calgary, is informally known as the "Deep South".

By CTrain

The CTrain Red Line runs parallel to Macleod Trail and runs south to Summerset-Bridelwood, while the CTrain Blue Line runs west along Bow Trail and 17 Avenue SW to 69 Street SW. Stops of interest include:
;Red line

• Anderson: near Southcentre Mall
• Chinook: 3 blocks east of Chinook Centre at 61 Avenue SW
• Heritage: transit hub with bus connections to Heritage Park and Mount Royal University

;Blue line

• Westbrook: transit hub with bus connections to Mount Royal University

By bus

Southwest Calgary is connected to other parts of the city by Calgary Transit. The following routes are good ways to get in and around:

• MAX Teal (#306): express bus with limited stops; connects Mount Royal University and Heritage Park with Westbrook station (CTrain Blue Line) and Heritage station (CTrain Red Line); continues into Southeast Calgary; major streets include 37 Street SW, 14 Street SW, and Heritage Drive.
• #2: runs down 17 Avenue SW (east of Sarcee Trail), connects to City Centre
• #3: runs down Elbow Drive (north of Heritage Drive), connects to City Centre and Heritage station (CTrain Red Line)
• #9: connects Mount Royal University with Westbrook station (CTrain Blue Line) and Chinook station (CTrain Red Line); continues into Northwest Calgary and the University of Calgary; major streets include 37 Street SW and 58 Avenue SW.
• #20: connects Mount Royal University and Heritage Park with Heritage station (CTrain Red Line); continues into Northwest Calgary and the University of Calgary; major streets include Crowchild Trail, 14 Street SW, and Heritage Drive.

By car

Macleod Trail and Crowchild Trail are the main north-south arterial routes that connect with the City Centre, with Crowchild Trail continuing into Northwest Calgary. Glenmore Trail is the major east-west arterial into Southeast Calgary, and connects with Sarcee Trail which provides access to the Trans-Canada Highway in Northwest Calgary. Bow Trail and 17 Avenue SW provide alternate access from the western neighbourhoods into the City Centre. Stoney Trail (Highway 201) ends Macleod Trail (as of May 2019), however an extension is under construction to complete its status as Calgary's ring road.

Neighbourhoods of interest

• Marda Loop / Garrison GreenMarda Loop contains a large number of quaint shops, restaurants, and services and is a real up and comer area and would be a great place to check out. Marda Loop, centered on the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 20th Street SW, is the older of the two areas and in mid-August hosts the Marda Gras Street Festival along 33 Avenue between 19 Street and 23 Street SW. Garrison Green is a newly developed residential/shopping district immediately to the south of 32 Avenue that features its own mix of eclectic shops and old-towne storefronts.

• ParkhillParkhill is a neighbourhood south of downtown. It is a quite wealthy area that once had many old homes. Today it is home to a range of modern designs, with few old homes still standing. It's a very interesting neighbourhood to visit.

Attractions

• The Military Museums

  phone: +1 403-974-2850
  address: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW
  The most extensive military museum in Canada outside of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, this facility houses galleries devoted to four local army regiments, galleries for the air force and navy, and several general interest galleries. It covers Canadians' service in the Boer War, the World Wars, the Korean War, the Cold War, and post-1945 operations with the UN and NATO including Cyprus, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. There is an outdoor historical vehicle display. Formerly the Museum of the Regiments.

Learn

• Mount Royal University

  phone: +1 403-440-5000
  address: 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW
  Mount Royal University was founded in 1910 and moved to its present campus in 1972. It was granted university status in 2009, and offers 12 degrees and 32 majors.

• Ambrose University

  phone: +1 403-410-2000
  address: 150 Ambrose Circle SW
  Private Christian liberal arts university; official Canadian school of both the Church of the Nazarene and The Christian and Missionary Alliance.

Parks

• Glenmore ReservoirThe Glenmore Reservoir and Dam are located on the Elbow River, they were constructed in 1932 to provide safe and sufficient supply of drinking water. The City of Calgary offers sailing lessons and boat rentals on the reservoir. The reservoir is home of the Glenmore Sailing Club, the Calgary Rowing Club and the Calgary Canoe Club for both social and organized sporting events in Calgary. From May 1 to October 31 the reservoir is open for fishing, sailing, rowing and canoeing. Swimming in the reservoir is not permitted. There are popular pathways and bikeways looping around the perimeter of Glenmore Reservoir that are open all year.

• North Glenmore Park

  address: 7305 Crowchild Tr SW
  North Glenmore Park borders the north side of the Glenmore Reservoir and has a tennis court, pathways, playgrounds and many picnic areas. It is the area surrounding the north side of the reservoir and is the home to both the Calgary Canoe Club and Calgary Rowing Club.

• South Glenmore Park

  address: 90 Ave & 24 St SW
  South Glenmore Park is the area surrounding the south side of the reservoir which includes the Weaselhead Natural Area. It is also home to the Variety Children's Park, a playground and water park that is accessible to disabled children. South Glenmore Park also houses the Glenmore Sailing School.

Battalion Park

address: 3001 Signal Hill Dr SW

A tribute to local soldiers that trained for the First World War at the former Sarcee Camp, this small park has an interpretive 500-m-long walking trail/staircase up the side of a steep hill. Soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force left enormous battalion numerals spelled out in whitewashed stones on the hillside, which have been restored as a permanent memorial. The trail also includes a monument and a self-guided tour with historical tablets and photographs. Most of the numbers are easily seen from the parking lots of the nearby Signal Hill and West Hills shopping centres.

Edworthy Park

address: 5050 Spruce Dr SW

Edworthy Park sits in a valley along the Bow River in southwest Calgary and includes the majestic Douglas Fir Trail and historical Lawrey Gardens.

River Park, Sandy Beach & Britannia Slopes

address: 50 Ave & 14A St SW

River Park, Sandy Beach and the Britannia Slopes together form a popular park and recreation area for Calgarians. This regional park is located north of the Glenmore Dam and along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary.

Stanley Park

address: 4011 1A St SW

Located along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary, Stanley Park is a favourite destination place for picnicking, swimming, canoeing, tobogganing and lawn bowling.

• Heritage Park

  phone: +1 403-268-8500
  address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW
  One of the largest living historical villages in North America, on 66 acres of land near the Glenmore Reservoir. Attractions include a working passenger train, 155 historical exhibits, a candy store and bakery, old fashioned amusement park, and riding on the S.S. Moyie, a paddlewheel boat. In the winter, only a few attractions are open.

• Gasoline Alley Museum

  phone: +1 403-268-8500
  address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW
  The museum is open year round unlike the Heritage Village.

Spruce MeadowsJust south of the city on Highway 22X, Spruce Meadows is a world-renowned show jumping and equestrian facility. When there are major events at Spruce Meadows, a free shuttle takes visitors from the Somerset/Bridlewood C-Train station (Route 201) to Spruce Meadows. Check Spruce Meadows website for dates and times.

• ATCO FieldSpruce Meadows also owns Cavalry FC, a soccer club that started play in 2019 as a founding member of the Canadian Premier League. Cavalry plays in a modular stadium on the facility grounds.

Grey Eagle Resort & Casino

phone: +1 403-385-3777

address: 3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Tsuut’ina Nation

Over 40 table games, 24/7 poker room, over 900 slot machines. The Grey Eagle Event Centre is an all ages and non-smoking facility featuring various acts.

Jubilations Dinner Theatre

phone: +1 403-249-7799

address: 1002 37 St SW

Similar to Stage West, with more of a focus on musical parodies of popular television shows.

The Comedy Cave

phone: +1 403-287-1120

address: 9206 Macleod Trail SE

Suburban shopping

• Chinook Centre

  address: 6455 Macleod Trail SW
  Calgary's largest indoor mall and one of the best shopping experiences in the city for variety and amount of retail shops. Anchor stores are Hudson's Bay, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

• Southcentre Mall

  address: 100 Anderson Road SE
  A very large indoor mall in south Calgary.

• Westbrook Mall

  phone: +1-403-24-0052
  address: 1200 37 Street SW
  Small indoor shopping mall in west Calgary.

• Britannia Plaza

  phone: +1 403-297-1884
  Small eclectic shopping centre offering a selection of exclusive stores independently owned by local entrepreneurs.

• Shawnessy

  address: Shawville Boulevard SE
  A group of three outdoor malls (power centres); featuring The Boulevard Shopping Centre, Shawnessy Village, and RioCan Shawnessy.

• Signal Hill Centre

  address: Richmond Road & Sarcee Trail SW
  A large outdoor shopping centre (power centre) in SW Calgary. Just north of the very similar Westhills Shopping Centre.

• Westhills Shoppping Centre

  address: Richmond Road & Sarcee Trail SW
  A large outdoor mall (power centre) in SW Calgary. Includes a small outdoor toddler playground in the southernmost part of the shopping centre, near Plum. Just south of the very similar Signal Hill Shopping Centre.

Farmers' markets

• Granary Road

  address: 22606 112 Street W, Foothills MD
  Public market and active learning park.

Specialist shops

• Alberta Boot Company

  phone: +1 403-263-4623
  address: 50 50 Ave SE
  Get the right gear for the Stampede with the only manufacturer of Western boots in Alberta. Custom orders are available.

• Fair's Fair Books

  phone: +1 403-255-4011
  address: 104 61 Ave SW
  Second hand book store; second location located in Inglewood.

Budget

• Avenida Food Hall & Fresh Market

  phone: +1 587-620-0219
  address: #426 12445 Lake Fraser Drive SE
  Upscale urban food hall incorporating the elements of farmers' markets. Fresh produce also available.

• Boogies Burgers

  phone: +1 403-454-2902
  address: 2129 33 Ave SW
  Large burgers on a fresh bun served in many one of a kind creations. Shakes made with real ice cream & milk; regular, spicy & yam fries.

• Heritage Bakery & Deli

  phone: +1 403-686-6835
  address: 1912 37 St SW
  Central & Eastern European homestyle cooking.

Mid-range

• Belmont Diner

  phone: +1 403-242-6782
  address: 2008 33 Ave SW
  A traditional diner serving breakfast all day and lunch after about noon. On weekends be sure to get there early as the line can be half a block long because of its popularity and smaller seating capacity. Breakfast can run you up to $15 but it's well worth it because there are generous portions and all made for your order.

• Chianti Café

  phone: +1 403-547-5020
  address: #444 10816 Macleod Trail SE
  Regional Italian restaurant chain. Appetizers, soup, salad, pasta, seafood, veal, chicken. Lunch menu and takeout available. Mains $6–24.

• Diner Deluxe

  phone: +1 403-457-3000
  address: #104 350 Aspen Glen Landing SW
  Canadian, using local and sustainable ingredients.

• Grumans

  phone: +1 403-452-6561
  address: 5103 Elbow Drive SW
  Jewish-inspired (mostly) traditional deli featuring knishes, latkes, and Montreal smoked meat.

Splurge

• Cassis Bistro

  phone: +1 403-262-0036
  address: #105, 2505 17 Ave SW
  Cuisine of southern France.

• Elbow Room

  phone: +1 403-460-8128
  address: 802 49 Ave SW
  Broad menu of steak, tacos, share plates & healthy options.

• Smuggler's Group

  address: 6920 Macleod Trail SE
  Four restaurants located in one building, catering to a variety of tastes.

• Smuggler's Inn

  phone: +1 403-253-5355
  Burgers, a salad bar & steakhouse classics served in a comfy space with dark woods & fireplaces.

• Bolero

  phone: +1 403-259-3119
  Brazilian steakhouse featuring fixed-price meals with skewered meats served tableside.

• Open Sesame

  phone: +1 403-259-0123
  Pan-Asian fare, including custom stir-fry dishes.

• Tango Bistro

  phone: +1 403-253-4365
  Sustainable seafood, steaks & other upscale bistro dishes, plus cocktails.

International

• Hearts Choices

  phone: +1 587-352-0993
  address: The Brick Plaza, 9679 Macleod Trail SW
  Thai-vegan cuisine.

• Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus

  phone: +1 403-243-7757
  address: 2439 54 Ave SW
  Dutch cuisine and crêpe-style pancakes known as pannenkoeken.

Take-out only restaurants

• Dragon's Lair Burger Co.

  phone: +1 587-349-4376
  address: 1200 37 Street SW
  Mom & pop burger joint located inside Westbrook Mall.

• Glamorgan Bakery

  phone: +1 403-242-2800
  address: #19 3919 Richmond Road SW
  Family-owned bakery specializing in Dutch heritage baking & sweets; locally prominent for their cheese buns.

• Village Ice CreamTrendy ice cream shop with dairy-free options.

• Village Ice Cream - Britannia Plaza

  phone: +1 403-457-9808
  address: 820 49 Avenue SW

• Village Ice Cream - Garrison Corner

  phone: +1 403-454-5862
  address: 2406 34 Avenue SW

• CRAFT Beer Market

  phone: +1 403-216-2337
  address: 100 Anderson Road SE
  100 local and international beers, including a one-of-a-kind weekly cask brew, and an extensive list of wine, cocktails and spirits.

• Marquee Beer Market

  phone: +1 403-287-2500
  address: 4630 Macleod Trail S
  Live music venue.

• Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dance Hall

  phone: +1 403-253-1100
  address: 9615 Macleod Trail S
  Year-round destination for all things Western: line dancing, country music, and more. Very popular during Stampede Week.

• Marda Loop Brewing Company

  phone: +1 403-585-8087
  address: 3523 18 Street SW
  Brewpub

• National Westhills

  phone: +1 403-685-6801
  address: 180 Stewart Green SW
  Restaurant & entertainment venue inspired by North American tastes, with games and events, extraordinary food, and select craft beers.

• Wild Rose Brewery

  phone: +1 403-727-5451
  address: 4580 Quesnay Wood Dr SW

Cafés

Starbucks and Tim Horton's are everywhere in Calgary. If you're looking for something different, try one of these.

• Analog Cafe

  phone: +1 403-910-5962
  address: #11 100 Anderson Road SE
  Local coffee chain serving Fratello coffee (sister company).

• Ladybug Bakery & Cafe

  phone: +1 403-249-5530
  address: 2132-10 Aspen Stone Blvd SW

• Monogram CoffeeNational award-winning with over 20 years of experience in sourcing, roasting and serving coffee.

• Monogram - Altadore

  phone: +1 587-893-0444
  address: 4814 16 St SW

• Monogram - Britannia

  phone: +1 403-619-6207
  address: 800 49 Ave SW

Phil & Sebastian Coffee RoastersPhil & Sebastian buy green coffee and operate their own roasterie.

• Phil & Sebastian - Chinook Centre

  phone: +1 403-255-4900
  address: 6455 Macleod Trail SW

• Phil & Sebastian - Marda Loop

  phone: +1 403-686-1221
  address: 2043 33 Ave SW

Waves Coffee House

phone: +1 403-217-0300

address: #160 30 Springborough Blvd SW

Budget

• Canadas Best Value Inn Chinook Station

  phone: +1 403-264-0030
  address: 5307 Macleod Trail SW

• Econo Lodge South Calgary

  phone: +1 403-252-4401
  address: 7505 Macleod Trail SW

• Mount Royal University Guest & Visitor Housing

  phone: +1 403-440-6275
  address: 200 Mount Royal Circle SW
  Fully furnished one-, two- and four-bedroom apartment and townhouse units on the Mount Royal campus in southwestern Calgary (address is for the administrative office, not the residences). Two- and four-bedroom units have private bedroom keys, and include local phone calls, voice mail, and wireless internet.

• Stetson Village Inn

  phone: +1 403-271-3210
  address: 10002 Macleod Trail SE
  15 min walk to Southland LRT (tram) Station.

Mid-range

• Best Western Plus Calgary Centre Inn

  phone: +1 403-287-3900
  address: 3630 Macleod Trail SE
  5 min walk to 39th Ave LRT (tram) platform. No pets. Complimentary breakfast, indoor pool.

• Carriage House Inn

  phone: +1 403-253-1101
  address: 9030 Macleod Trail SE
  Large desk, TV, mini-refrigerator. Pet-friendly.

• Days Inn Calgary South

  phone: +1 403-243-5531
  address: 3828 Macleod Trail S
  =5 min walk to 39th Ave LRT (tram) platform.

• Delta Calgary South Hotel

  address: 135 Southland Dr SE
  10 min walk to Southland LRT (tram) Station.

• Grey Eagle Resort & Casino

  phone: +1 403-719-8777
  address: 3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Tsuut’ina Nation

• Holiday Inn Calgary Macleod Trail South

  phone: +1 403-287-2700
  address: 4206 Macleod Trail S
  4-star hotel offers amenities, including, meeting and convention space and casino

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary South-Macleod Trail S

  phone: +1 403-225-3000
  address: 12025 Lake Fraser Dr SE

• Calgary Public Library

  phone: +1 403-260-2600
  Wi-Fi available, free memberships available only to Calgary residents, guest passes available.

• Fish Creek Library

  address: 11161 Bonaventure Drive SE

• Giuffre Family Library

  address: 3223 14 Street SW

• Nicholls Family Library

  address: 1421 33 Street SW

• Shawnessy Library

  address: 333 Shawville Boulevard SE

• Signal Hill Library

  address: 5994 Signal Hill Centre SW

• Southwood Library

  address: 924 Southland Drive SW

Hospitals

• Rockyview General Hospital

  phone: +1 403-943-3000
  address: 7007 14 Street SW

Urgent Care Centres

• South Calgary Health Centre

  phone: +1 403-943-9300
  address: 31 Sunpark Plaza SE
  Urgent care centres deal with issues which are not life-threatening but require attention within the same day or evening. For serious and life-threatening health concerns always go to your nearest emergency department, or call 911. Problems which urgent care centres typically deal with include broken bones, sprains, asthma, cuts, dehydration, infections, and pain.