6 Places to Learn Something New in Calgary

This imaginatively curated, innovative museum is home to Western Canada’s largest art collection, which includes an amazing selection of North American paintings, and Inuit art from the first days of commercial art production. The museum also celebrates world culture, with an astonishing selection of Asian sculptures dating back as far as the 1st century.

Devoted to the incredible triumphs and tragedies of the Canadian Forces throughout history, this complex encompasses several separate museums and galleries. It brings history to life with interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to walk through a First World War trench, and experience an air mission briefing in a real World War 2 Nissen hut.

Also known as Arts Commons, the EPCOR Center is the beating heart of Calgary’s performance scene. It features an amazingly eclectic year-round program of toe-tapping musicals, acclaimed dramas, children's shows, concerts, and arthouse film screenings. Whatever your interests may be, this is your 1-stop destination for a first-rate cultural fix.

Perhaps Calgary’s most striking cultural attraction is its extensive collection of public artworks. An array of abstract sculptures and vibrant murals give a unique, futuristic edge to an ever-evolving cityscape. World-famous Spanish artist Jaume Plensa has created jaw-dropping sculptures in major cities all over the world, from Chicago to Singapore. His contribution to Calgary’s cultural landscape is a giant wire mesh sculpture of a young girl’s head, installed at the base of the city’s tallest tower, The Bow.

Calgary is home to one of the largest mosques in North America. This vast, gleaming white structure dominates the local skyline with its strikingly modern, shimmering steel dome and steel-capped minaret. In its prayer hall hangs a staggering, 400 kg chandelier. Visitors are more than welcome to explore this unique landmark at their leisure, and guided tours are also available.

This unique, interactive sculpture is an intriguing addition to the Beltline neighborhood. It’s best viewed in the evening, as it’s illuminated in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors. You can even create your own light sequence by waving your hands or playing a video on your phone in front of it. Chinook Arc is by Joe O’Connell, Blessing Hancock and Creative Machines.