Calgary/City Centre

Calgary City Centre refers to the most urban and dense area of Calgary. The area is best known as the location of the Downtown Commercial Core.

Understand
The following neighbourhoods are a part of Calgary City Centre:

By CTrain
CTrain LRT lines both run on 7 Avenue S in downtown downtown: the Red Line (Route 201) runs from Tuscany station in the Northwest to Somerset/Bridlewood station in the south (serving both the Southeast and Southwest), passing attractions the Stampede grounds. The Blue Line (Route 202) runs from Saddletowne station in the Northeast, to 69th Street station in the Southwest. LRT platforms are labelled with reference to station termini rather than by compass direction, and the trains are well signed. 7 Avenue S is a free-fare zone.

There is no direct access to the Calgary International Airport; however, travellers can take the Blue Line to McKnight-Westwinds station and transfer to bus #100.

By bus
Calgary Transit operates numerous bus routes into the City Centre. Routes of interest include:


 * Express (limited stops)
 * #300 (BRT): connects to the Calgary International Airport via Centre Street.
 * #301 (BRT): serves north/central Calgary (both Northeast and Northwest) via Centre Street; terminating at the North Pointe Park & Ride.
 * #302 (BRT): connects the Southeast Calgary, including the South Health Campus.
 * #305 (BRT): connects to Kensington and WinSport (Canada Olympic Park) in Northwest Calgary.
 * MAX Purple (#307): connects to Inglewood, Forest Lawn, and East Hills in Southeast Calgary.
 * ICE (Intercity Express Service: #901 & #902): operated by Airdrie Transit, connects to the city of Airdrie.

There are numerous bus routes, see Calgary Transit for additional information. Routes of interest include:
 * Regular Service
 * #1: Kensington and Bowness in Northwest Calgary to Inglewood and Forest Lawn in Southeast Calgary.
 * #2: runs down 17 Avenue SW (west of 8 Street SW) and Centre Street.
 * #3: runs down Elbow Drive, 4 Street SW, and Centre Street.
 * #6: runs down 17 Avenue SW (east of 17A Street SW) and 1 Street SW.
 * #90: runs down 11 Avenue SW (westbound) & 12 Avenue SW (eastbound) west of 1 Street SW.

By car
Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2), is the main north-south freeway, passes east of the City Centre, and can be accessed primarily via Memorial Drive (which connects to 4 Avenue S and 5 Avenue S in the downtown core), or alternatively via 17 Avenue SE and 9 Avenue SE. Crowchild Trail passes on the western edge of the City Centre, and can accessed primarily via Bow Trail (becomes 6 Avenue S and 9 Avenue S in the downtown core), with both Memorial Drive and 17 Avenue SW providing alternate routes. Macleod Trail is the main access route from the south, while 14 Street W, Centre Street, and Edmonton Trail (becomes 4 Avenue S and 5 Avenue S in the downtown core) provide northern access. Centre Street between the downtown core and 20 Avenue N has lane reversal during peak periods, so be mindful of overhead electronic signs.

Calgary's downtown core is bounded by the Bow River to the north, the railway tracks to the south (between 9 Ave S and 10 Ave S), 11 St W, and 4 St E. Almost all of the roads in the downtown core are one-way, so look carefully at your map for the direction of traffic on each road when planning your trip. When driving in downtown, watch for one-way signs. 7 Avenue S in the downtown core is for Calgary Transit buses and C-Trains (trams) only; cars driving on 7th Ave may be ticketed and will definitely draw stares and glares from waiting transit commuters.

For many years, parking in downtown Calgary has been the second most expensive in North America, after New York City's. Parking fees of over $25/day are not unusual. Street parking in downtown (and many other parts of the city) is through the city's ParkPlus system. You will find a ParkPlus pay station in every block. Before you leave your parking spot, note the 4-digit ParkPlus zone number on a sign near your car. Also note your rental car's licence plate number. Go to the ParkPlus pay station, where you will need to type in that information, and pay for your parking either with a credit card or with coins ($2, $1, $0.25). If you set up a ParkPlus account before your visit, you can pay using your cell phone. The MyParking app can help you find available parking more quickly.

On foot
Downtown Calgary is a compact area which is easily accessible on foot. The pathway system, Eau Claire Market area and Stephen Avenue Walk (8th Avenue) are the primary walking destinations of downtown workers in the warmer months. In the wintertime, everyone navigates their way around the downtown core via the Plus 15 system, so called because the enclosed walkways joining buildings are approximately 15 feet (5 m) above ground.

By bicycle
Calgary has cycle tracks in the downtown core. (A cycle track is a bike lane that is protected from other traffic by physical barriers, such as concrete medians.) Check the City of Calgary's cycle track map for details.
 * The 7th St SW cycle track goes from the Bow River to 8th Ave SW.
 * There are cycle tracks along 5th St W, 8th Ave S-Stephen Avenue Walk-9th Ave S, and 12th Ave S.

There are pathways along both the Bow and Elbow rivers. Cycling is not allowed on 7 Avenue S between 1 Street SE and 8 Street SW as it is reserved for Calgary Transit vehicles and emergency vehicles; offenders risk a $350 ticket.

Cyclists must obey the same rules of the road as other vehicles. All cyclists must have a working bell on their bike, and cyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. Only cyclists under 14 may ride on sidewalks.

Skyline
Many Calgarians are understandably proud of the city's collection of skyscrapers. What's more impressive are the clear views you can get of downtown from certain spots around the city, sometimes with the mountains in the background. ''Some of these listings are in different districts. Their listings are in here because the views are of central and pertain to the article.''



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

Hospitals
There is no hospital in downtown Calgary. There nearest hospital is: