A winter urban walkabout is the perfect family outing as there is something for everyone. Christmas lights, sunrises, chickadees, wild Christmas trees and hot chocolate endings. Let’s walk!
\n \nChristmas Lights and Downtown Views
\nCrescent Heights, Kensington and Sunnyside NW
\nIn December, the colorful light displays on the houses throughout Crescent Heights makes this area the perfect spot for a Christmas lights walk. The combination of towering downtown skyscrapers and the bright, compact, and elaborate light displays on Crescent Heights homes is dramatic and impressive. Continue your walk to the hillside trails or stairs and descend McHugh Bluffs to Sunnyside, or walk further east along the escarpment to Centre Street and continue across the Bow River to Chinatown. Keep walking along Centre Street to see the impressive Wonderland sculpture at the Bow building, followed by the Telus Sky Northern Lights display. This 160,000 square foot, dynamic LED-based art installation is a spectacular, ever-changing explosion of color: telussky.com/public-art. You can make your way back along the Bow River Pathway and cross the tubular Peace Bridge before returning along Sunnyside side streets to a cafe pit stop. Climb the escarpment back to big city views.
\nStarting point: Crescent Road NW. Park anywhere in Crescent Heights or the Sunnyside LRT.
\nTasty pitstop: Kensington Road and 10 Street are home to many tasty spots. Check out the Regal Cat Cafe on 10 Street for your feline fix or sit by the fireplace with a hot chocolate at the Higher Ground Cafe. Build a picnic lunch at the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery on 10 Street, or walk west on Kensington Road to grab a made-to-order Italian sub at Peppino’s, followed by a cupcake from Crave.
\nChristmas Trees, Chickadees, and Views
\nBritannia Slopes and Sandy Beach SW
\nConnecting neighbourhoods on foot is my favorite way to get to know a city. Begin your walkabout in Britannia Plaza and walk west towards the Britannia slopes. Take the pathway downhill to the river trails along the north side of the Elbow River. Add your decoration to the wild Christmas tree that gets lots of holiday love throughout December. Bring some seeds for the friendly chickadees that enjoy landing on your hands. Walk along the Elbow River before crossing the Sandy Beach Bridge and climbing to River Park, an off-leash park with stunning views of the river valley and downtown. Loop back through River Park to Sandy Beach or continue to Sifton Boulevard to walk through Elbow Park to Mount Royal, where views of the downtown are stunning from Evamy Park. Loop back to the pedestrian bridge at Elbow Park School. Turn off at 10 Street and follow the trail uphill to Britannia Drive. Walk along the escarpment soaking up Rockies views before stopping to warm up with a hot drink and tasty treat in Britannia.
\nStarting point: Britannia Plaza SW (Elbow Drive and 50 Avenue SW)
\nTasty pitstop: Lina’s Italian Market Cafe on Elbow Drive for pizza and hot drinks, Monogram Coffee, or Village Ice Cream when warm winds are blowing during a Chinook.
\nFolk Art, Free Libraries, and an Art Gallery
\nInglewood, Ramsay and River Walk SE
\nEclectic neighbourhoods make for the best urban hikes. Inglewood is home to old-fashioned corner stores, historic homes, buildings from the early 1900s, and surprises like folk art and Little Free libraries along with many cafés to warm up and enjoy a hot drink and some lunch. Choose to walk along the Bow River, through St. Patrick’s Island and stop at the playground or bring a crazy carpet and try the sledding hill (don't forget your helmet)! Or begin the walk with a climb to the top of Scotsman’s Hill, soaking up the Rockies and downtown views before descending the staircase to the RiverWalk, near Stampede Park.
\nLoop back to the East Village, stop for a hot drink or tasty treat, or continue along 9 Avenue and head indoors to check out the Esker Art Gallery. This private non-commercial gallery is impressive, and it is free to explore. Tour the latest exhibition – there are three shows each year – or register for and take part in one of the gallery’s many educational events. Free contemporary art programming, designed to make art accessible to all ages, is offered to anyone who is interested. Tour the birds nest boardroom or settle into the comfy couch sitting area, where visitors are encouraged to relax and enjoy the views.
\nStarting point: Street parking on 8 Street and 8 Avenue SE, or Bridgeland LRT
\nTasty pitstop: Apprentice Café on Bellevue Avenue is across from a wonderful accessible playground. You could try Maisie Eatery in the SAM Centre at Stampede Park, Sidewalk Citizen at the Simmons Building on RiverWalk, Café Gravity in the Esker Building, Rosso Coffee, Canela Vegan Bakery Café or Good News Coffee; all three on 9 Avenue SE.
\nFor a handy Google Map of each route, visit: tinyurl.com/4cuz8r75
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Lori is the author of Calgary’s Best Walks: 45 urban jaunts and nature strolls and Calgary’s Best Bike Rides: 50 urban cycle tours and pathway pedals. She is the owner of Fit Frog Adventures where she leads year-round urban walks, hikes, and snowshoe days. Lori presents about all things walks and biking. Connect with her, see upcoming events, and get signed copies of her books on Instagram @lorifitfrog and at fitfrog.ca and at bookstores and cool shops throughout Calgary.
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