Easy Family Fun in Calgary, Alberta: Fall Edition
When fall arrives in Calgary the leaves fade to shades of gold, crimson and burnt orange, the sunlight softens, and the crisp mountain air brightens the endless blue sky.
Family fun in Calgary is plentiful year-round, but some things are just more fun in autumn! Explore one of these family-friendly places before winter appears.
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Table of Contents
- Confederation Park
- Edworthy Park/Douglas Fir Trail
- Fish Creek Provincial Park
- Calaway Park
- Granary Road
- Calgary Farmyard
Confederation Park
Suggested Visit: 1 – 2 hrs
Ages: All ages
What to Bring: Backpack/Water bottles/Snacks or lunch/Stroller or wagon for little ones/Bikes
What to Do: Confederation Park is filled with established trees and shrubbery. This pretty, northwest park is an excellent setting for nature-loving family fun in Calgary. In autumn the foliage is not to be missed!
As a popular place in Calgary for a picnic, walk or bike ride, the spacious park also has tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and a wetland area among other things.
At the north end of the park kids will want to pause to check out the unique natural playground that uses natural elements to inspire play.
There are public washrooms in the Parks Building near the playground, and you’ll find multiple free parking lots at various access points.
Edworthy Park & Douglas Fir Trail
Suggested Visit: 1 – 2 hrs
Ages: All ages
What to Bring: Backpack/Water bottles/Snacks or lunch/Bug Spray
What to Do: Looking for a place in Calgary to capture that quintessential fall family picture? Edworthy Park is our first choice. When the autumn leaves shine, the colors here are spectacular.
If you wander the park, you’ll find many settings that can serve as the perfect photo backdrop. Two spots I can recommend include the colonnade of mature trees or the railroad tracks (watch out for trains!).
You can access the park from lots on both sides of the Bow River, but we prefer parking on the southwest side.
Four basic, older playgrounds can be found throughout the grounds, along with a scattering of picnic tables and shelters, fire pits, and BBQs. Some picnic areas can even be reserved ahead of time.
Similar to Confederation Park, Edworthy Park is also a picturesque and favoured park for typical outdoor family fun in Calgary. But there’s also a somewhat hidden hiking here, the Douglas Fir Trail.
The 2.5 km trail is unpaved and winds uphill through majestic Douglas Fir, spruce and poplar trees.
When you reach the Douglas Fir Lookout Platform you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of the Bow River and its adjacent neighborhoods.
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Fish Creek Provincial Park
Suggested Visit: 1 – 2 hrs
Ages: All ages
What to Bring: Backpack/Water bottles/Snacks or lunch/Stroller or wagon for little ones/Hats/Sunscreen/Bug Spray/Bikes
What to Do: Tucked quietly within city limits, Fish Creek Provincial Park provides numerous paths for walking, jogging and biking. In the fall, we like to park near the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre to access the adjacent paved paths for a bike ride.
And before we leave, we can’t help but stop at the nearby Annie’s Cafe for an ice cream treat.
You’ll also find places to fish, day use areas with picnic tables, and fire pits. It’s a great place for a family and/or friends gathering, and in fall you won’t have to compete with the heat.
Parking is free, and there are washrooms at the Visitor Centre and elsewhere in the park.
Calaway Park
Suggested Visit: 3 – 4 hrs
Ages: All ages
What to Bring: Backpack/Water bottles/Snacks or lunch/Stroller or wagon for little ones/Hats/Sunscreen/Bug Spray
What to Do: As October approaches, instinctively children begin thinking about Halloween. One local attraction that gets into the spirit is Calaway Park. Visit on Halloweekends to experience Hallotown.
There are a variety of rides for all ages, family-friendly shows, and carnival games. Candy and souvenir shops sit near the entrance and exit.
Standard amusement park food is available for purchase, but we like to bring in our own food and water. Instead, we splurge on tasty treats such as cotton candy and delicious cinnamon and sugar mini-donuts.
Parking is free in a large lot, and it’s normally easy to find a spot.
Arrive first thing to avoid crowds, although coming in late afternoon can also be a great time to visit. In fall the park is only open on weekends; it closes for winter in mid-October just before Halloween.
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Granary Road
Suggested Visit: 2 – 3 hrs
Ages: All ages
What to Bring: Backpack/Water bottles/Snacks or lunch/Stroller or wagon for little ones/Hats/Sunscreen/Bug Spray
What to Do: There’s lots of family fun in Calgary itself, but south of the city is the unexpected bustling attraction Granary Road.
Thirty-six acres include a busy Farmer’s Market and their creative Active Learning Park. The Active Learning Park has themed playgrounds and educational displays along a loop that circles from the market and restaurant buildings.
In summer it can get hot. Playing will be much more pleasant if you visit in autumn.
The apple tree shaped Orchard Playground is by far the coolest structure here, but my kids have the most fun on the in-ground trampolines at the Frog Pond Fun Pad.
The market building has a sizeable selection of food vendors, produce in the garden centre, and other shops selling various merchandise.
Granary Road tends to be crowded, and the entrance lines long. You may want to plan accordingly by arriving at opening. Parking is free.
Calgary Farmyard
Suggested Visit: 3 – 4 hrs
Ages: All ages
What to Bring: Backpack/Water bottles/Snacks or lunch/Stroller or wagon for little ones/Hats/Sunscreen/Bug Spray
What to Do: When we lived in Texas, we would visit Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo as one of our Halloween traditions every October. When we moved to Alberta we searched for a replacement, and discovered the Calgary Farmyard.
My children love this place – it’s genuinely some of the best outdoor family fun in Calgary!
It’s an amusement-packed farm – you can easily spend hours here.
There’s a large and engaging playground, zip lines, miniature train, ropes course, and so much more. Free games are sprinkled throughout – we particularly like the pulley puzzles called Wall Ball.
My son favorite activity is the jumping pillows, while my daughter adores the animals in the petting zoo and Bunnyville.
Although it’s an amazing place to visit in spring and summer, in fall you can pick your own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch just in time for Halloween!
The 10 Acre Corn Maze is also ready to go then, and includes a Kiddie Maze for the littles.
Pack your own picnic or purchase food on the premises. Portable toilets are available, and parking is free.
Family Fun in Calgary: What Will You Do This Fall?
Autumn is an ideal time to get outside for some family fun in Calgary before the snow flies! Some additional popular places to visit in fall include Heritage Park, Shouldice Park, and Prince’s Island Park.
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