As inflation, global instability and airline disruptions continue to reshape consumer behaviour, Calgarians are rediscovering the joy of staying close to home. Staycations are not only back, but they are also thriving. With countless family-friendly activities, natural attractions and unique experiences just beyond the doorstep, Calgary is proving to be an ideal destination for summer adventures without the airport lineups or exchange rate woes.
“Airlines have been less reliable in the last few years. Cost of living prices have stimulated desire to stay closer to home,” says Joey Couture, founder of New Age Travel and Services, a Calgary-based RV rental company. “And the devaluation of the Canadian currency makes travelling internationally less appealing.”
Instead of long-haul flights, many families are turning to local and regional travel to reconnect – with nature, with each other and with the city itself. From floating down the Bow River to road-tripping through Alberta’s mountain parks, Calgarians are embracing new ways to explore familiar ground.
A River Runs Through It
Calgary’s summer bucket list now includes a stress-free river float, thanks to The Paddle Station, a local business designed for simplicity and spontaneity. “We make it incredibly easy for locals and visitors to experience Calgary from a fresh perspective – floating right through the heart of the city with no need to transport or inflate any equipment,” says Mike McKeown, owner of The Paddle Station.
The concept is simple: guests book online, show up riverside and paddle off in a pre-inflated raft or kayak. “What sets The Paddle Station apart is our unmatched convenience, dedicated service and shared love for the river,” adds McKeown. “We take care of every detail, from set-up and safety briefings to equipment and route support, so guests can focus on relaxing and having fun.”
Operating seasonally from late May through mid-September, The Paddle Station caters to all ages, with life jackets and safety briefings included in every rental. “It’s a fantastic option for family outings, reunions, birthdays and creating unforgettable summer memories with kids,” says McKeown. Even children under four are welcome, so long as they have a certified life jacket.
The service has earned top marks from families, tourists and corporate groups alike. “Family Fun Canada listed us as the number one bucket list experience in Calgary this summer,” notes McKeown. “Nothing says teamwork like navigating a raft together.”
Rolling Retreats: RV Adventures on Alberta Roads
While Calgary’s inner-city offerings are gaining traction, the open road still calls. RV travel is seeing a post-pandemic boom, fueled by a desire to disconnect from devices and reconnect with the land.
“Post-pandemic, lots of travellers want to appreciate and connect more with nature,” says Couture. “We see Albertans taking longer road trip vacations with us now versus pre-pandemic days.”
New Age Travel and Services offers modern camper vans that blend the comforts of home with the freedom of the road. “Your hotel and vehicle are combined,” Couture explains. “Anywhere you go, you have all that you need.”
The benefits of RV travel are extensive: simplified packing, reduced reliance on restaurants and hotels, and the rare opportunity to be fully present. “These places drop your screen time by virtue of connection and the opportunity for doing other activities,” Couture notes. “Less screen time equals more quality, present moments. We find renters come back from their trips calmer than when they left.”
RV trips also provide cost control in a turbulent economic climate. “Cost and budgeting are far easier in your own currency,” says Couture. “Plus, the current exchange rates make it more expensive to travel outside our country.”
Popular destinations for Calgary-based RVers include the Banff-to-Jasper loop, widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking drives in the world. “These two national parks are well-protected with a plethora of activities – hiking, canoeing, shopping, restaurants, campfires, waterfalls and sightseeing,” Couture explains.
Highway 40’s Kananaskis and Peter Lougheed Park are also client favourites. “You drive down a valley surrounded by trees, mountains and lakes,” he says. “Taking your camper van or RV means you can stay overnight at a campground and forgo driving back and forth.”
The company’s origin story is rooted in experience. “We lived the van life before it became a hashtag,” Couture says. “Sleeping in a car was our most effective way to explore remote locations at an affordable cost… We started the company because we want to share this alternative with the world.”
History, Heritage and Hands-On Fun
Opened in 1964, Heritage Park has been a Calgary favourite for generations, preserving and celebrating Western Canada’s past through immersive, hands-on experiences. From Gasoline Alley Museum’s antique automobiles to an authentic steam train ride, the park brings history to life for all ages.
Families can enjoy early 1900s carnival rides like the historic Ferris Wheel, visit a recreated First Nations Encampment with cultural demonstrations or cruise the Glenmore Reservoir aboard the S.S. Moyie paddle wheeler. With over 200 exhibits across 127 acres, Heritage Park blends education and nostalgia in a uniquely Calgary way.
Classic Thrills at Calaway Park
Another Calgary family favourite for more than four decades, Calaway Park has been delivering outdoor summer fun since it first opened its gates in 1982. As Western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park, it continues to delight guests with 32 rides, live stage shows, and immersive attractions like Cinemagic 3D and the Haunted Hotel.
Located just 10 minutes west of the city, and en route to the Rocky Mountains, families can spend the day enjoying classic thrills on the Vortex roller coaster and Bumper Boats, then wind down with midway games or a picnic overlooking the Rockies. With a single admission covering unlimited rides, Calaway Park remains an affordable, memory-making tradition for generations of Calgarians.
Connection Close to Home
Across all of these experiences, one theme is clear: local leisure is about more than saving money or avoiding delays. It is about creating meaningful connection. “In the age of technology, it is easy to lose touch with the simple joys of being together,” says McKeown. “Floating down the river, you are fully present, with nature, with the people you are with and with the experience itself.”
Couture agrees. “Most families and couples roam relatively remote areas. These places drop your screen time and increase quality, present moments.” This renewed appreciation for time spent close to home may be one of the most lasting takeaways of the past several years. And in a city like Calgary, where rivers, rails and roads intersect, there is no shortage of opportunities to make those moments count.
From navigating a raft through downtown, to riding a steam train into the past, to waking up in the Rockies with the mountains as your front yard, Calgary’s staycation scene is redefining what it means to get away – without actually going away.
