A Guide to Rotary Park in Calgary That’ll Have You Wanting to Spend All Your Free Time Here
As much as I love visiting community spaces, it can get pretty hectic sometimes. The weekends are especially busy, with the most popular parks in the city being crowded.
Some days, they get so full of crying toddlers and yelling parents that it defeats the purpose of going out to relax. This is why Rotary Park has become one of my favorite parks in recent years.
I stumbled upon this park due to its vicinity to other attractions. To my surprise, it has tons of features and great views, but I’ve never seen it packed with people.
It’s never empty either. It gets just the right amount of people for it to still feel lively but peaceful.
This place has brought me so much joy that I’ve decided it’s time to share it with others. You can learn more about why Calgary’s Rotary Park is so great with this handy guide.
Where is Rotary Park?
Rotary Park can be found at 617 1 St NE. It is situated on top of a hill east of Centre Street and north of Memorial Drive.
How to Get to Rotary Park
Via Light Rail: You can get to Rotary Park by riding the CTrain and stopping at Centre Street station. From there, the park is only a short walking distance away.
Via Bus: There are several bus stations within walking distance of Rotary Park, such as the ones at Nb Westwinds Dr @ N. Of 54 Av NE and Eb 44 Av NE @ 36 St NE. You can take transport lines 43, 38, and 555 to get there.
Via Private Car: Set your car’s GPS to ‘Rotary Park’ to find the best route. Upon arrival, you can find free parking near the park’s entrance.
What to Do in Rotary Park
Practice your photography skills
– Media credit: cityofcalgary
Rotary Park is a treasure trove of great views — all you need to know is where to look.
It’s not uncommon to see people having casual photoshoots at the different corners of the park. Depending on the season, it’s easy to capture vibrant scenery, especially with the abundance of trees around.
Having Calgary’s skyscrapers as your portrait background is a particularly famous shot to take here.
However, our favorite vantage point has to be right behind the Centre Street bridge lion. If you angle it perfectly, it looks like he’s overlooking the city the same way Mufasa and Simba did at Pride Rock in Disney’s The Lion King.
Cool off at the Spray Park
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Kids of all ages will have the time of their lives at Rotary Park’s play spaces. The Spray Park is especially popular among the young ones during the summertime as a way to beat the heat.
The buckets, tunnels, and spray runners are a great source of entertainment for the older kids. Smaller children won’t feel left out though, because there are smaller spray guns that they can use.
Parents won’t have to worry too since there are always attendants around who are trained in first aid. There are also picnic benches nearby if you wish to keep a closer eye on your kids.
The water automatically turns off when the place is empty. The Spray Park has vibration sensors that can detect when there are no kids around, effectively saving water and energy.
Let your dogs run around
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Rotary Park isn’t just a great park for humans, it’s awesome for pets as well!
It’s got a spacious off-leash area where plenty of dogs run around and interact with one another. All sizes of dogs are welcome to zoom here as much as they want.
The owners all tend to be friendly and responsible so it’s a nice way to meet new people and socialize.
Just remember to keep tabs on your dog because there have been several coyote sightings in the area throughout the years. It’s not something to be super worried about, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when your beloved pet is involved.
Where to Eat near Rotary Park
River Cafe
– Media credit: rivercafeyyc
Address: 25 Prince’s Island Park, SW
Phone: +1 403 261 7670
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday – 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
River Cafe is for those who think that the view is one of the most important parts of the meal. Its location on Bow River makes the outdoor terrace a magical setting that elevates the food to new heights.
Maybe it’s because it’s so close to the water but we can’t help but order the oysters each time. They’re always so fresh and delicious that we have to keep reminding ourselves not to eat too much.
When it comes to mains, the wild boar always comes to mind. The chefs prepare it so perfectly that the tenderness and flavor never fail to amaze us.
As for the wine, the best course of action is to ask their staff for recommendations. They’re very charming and have never been wrong when it comes to what pairs best with your dish.
Silver Dragon Restaurant
– Media credit: silverdragonyyc
Address: 106 3 Ave SE
Phone: +1 403 264 5326
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
At first glance, ordering at Silver Dragon may seem overwhelming. They’ve got over 200 dishes on their menu and it’s hard to decide where to begin.
But just like how the Chinese usually dine, ordering multiple dishes and sharing them with your loved ones is highly recommended. Trust us, just trying one kind of dumpling here is not enough.
This restaurant has been in Calgary since 1966 and it’s always been popular. By dinner time, you’ll notice that almost every table is full.
However, the staff is consistently excellent. Throughout your time here, you’ll be well taken care of while your orders come out of the kitchen quickly one after the other.
Where to Stay near Rotary Park
Fairfield Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown
– Media credit: fairfieldcalgarydowntown
Address: 239 12 Ave SW
Phone: +1 403 351 6500
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- 24-hour front desk
Fairfield Inn & Suites may seem compact from the outside, but this hotel has everything you’ll need during a Downtown stay.
First of all, guests get a nice selection of hot and healthy food to choose from as part of their complimentary breakfast. You’ll get to fill up on yummy food before setting out for the day.
You’re definitely going to need the energy to walk because this hotel is surrounded by retail stores and souvenir shops worth checking out. Popular attractions, including Scotiabank Saddledome (scotiabank saddledome) and BMO Centre, are also nearby.
After a long day of exploring, nothing will feel as good as sinking into the hotel’s plush beds. Even though the rooms aren’t the most spacious, they’re well-designed and quiet, ensuring that you’ll have a peaceful night’s sleep.
The Dorian, Autograph Collection
– Media credit: thedorianhotel
Address: 525 5 Ave SW
Phone: +1 403 300 6630
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours:
- 24-hour front desk
Bookworms are going to love staying at The Dorian, which is named after one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous characters. There are many design choices that are perfectly in theme with the story of Dorian Gray, from the wall decor to the bedding.
But even if you haven’t read the book, it won’t stop you from enjoying the hotel at all.
The rooms are luxurious and beautiful, and so are the showers. They provide premium toiletries that’ll help you pamper yourself throughout your stay.
Although, we have a feeling that the elegant rooftop bar is going to be your favorite place to indulge in. Apart from the delicious drinks, it has striking views of the city that’ll make you feel like you’re on top of the world.