Calgary in 2 Days for Friends - Topgolf group bays — playful, social sports
A lively 2-day summer weekend in Calgary built for a group of friends: markets and neighbourhood browsing, a playful Topgolf session, music + nightlife, a music-centre visit, riverside dining and craft-beer vibes. Easy groups, shared-cost options, and active energy throughout.
Highlights
- Topgolf group bays — playful, social sports
- Studio Bell – National Music Centre
- Prince's Island Park & Bow River strolls
- Calgary Farmers' Market local bites
- Live music at the King Eddy
- Kensington & Inglewood neighbourhoods for bars and boutiques
Itinerary
Day 1
Market morning, neighbourhood wandering, playful Topgolf afternoon, riverside dinner and live music to wrap the night.
Morning: Calgary Farmers' Market — grab coffee + shared bites
Start with a lively local market: fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lots of vendor stalls — perfect for grazing and splitting tastes.
Tips from local experts:
- Go early (9:00) to beat weekend crowds and get the best pastries; vendors sell out by late morning.
- Bring a small cooler or insulated tote if you want to buy sharable charcuterie or craft sauces to split later.
- There’s limited parking on busy weekends — consider a quick Rideshare or park in a nearby lot and walk to the market together.
Mid-morning: Stroll Inglewood — boutiques & coffee
Explore Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood: indie shops, galleries, and relaxed coffee shops — great for group photos and window-shopping.
Tips from local experts:
- Park near 9 Ave SE or use local street parking; Inglewood is compact and easy to cover on foot with friends.
- Pop into a boutique and split small souvenirs or locally roasted coffee beans as a group memory.
- If you want a lively café seat, aim for spots near 10th Street SE — those patios are social and group-friendly.
Lunch: Ship & Anchor — casual pub lunch with craft beers
A classic Calgary pub known for a broad beer list and roomy tables — ideal for a boisterous group lunch.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a table in advance if you’re 4–6 people — they have long communal tables that handle lively groups well.
- Share a couple of flights or pitchers to keep costs down per person; ask servers about local beer recommendations.
- Try to sit near the windows or patio (weather permitting) for a more social scene and easy people-watching.
Transfer: Travel & check-in to Topgolf area
Short drive or rideshare to the Topgolf complex — use this time to grab tickets, sign waivers, and pick a bay.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a bay in advance for a guaranteed group slot and to split the hourly fee evenly between everyone.
- Carpool or take a rideshare — Topgolf parking can fill up on weekend afternoons.
- Confirm arrival window with your bay reservation; arriving 15 minutes early helps with orientation and ordering food/drinks.
Afternoon: Topgolf — bays, games & shared drinks
A playful, social activity with technology-driven golf games that are easy for beginners and entertaining for groups.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a private bay for your group and split the bay fee; food and drink tabs can be opened per-bay to share costs.
- Bring comfy shoes — you’ll be standing and cheering; games are beginner-friendly so everyone can join in.
- Ask the staff for bay-level music or playlist options to keep the vibe fun for your group.
Break / Hotel check-in and recharge
Freshen up and rest for an hour before evening plans — regroup and change into evening attire if desired.
Tips from local experts:
- Use this hour to consolidate shared receipts and split pre-dinner tabs (many apps work well) so dinner flows smoothly.
- If someone needs a quick nap, set a 30–40 minute alarm so the whole group isn’t delayed.
- Drop off any purchases from the morning so you don’t carry bags to dinner or the music venue.
Dinner: Charbar — lively riverside Argentinian-inspired meal
Charbar in East Village sits by the Bow River and serves large plates great for sharing — a group favourite for atmosphere and food.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a table or let the host know you’re a group of 4–6; they often seat larger groups comfortably if arranged ahead.
- Order a few shared plates to sample more menu items and lower individual cost — their grilled dishes are made for sharing.
- Ask for a riverside or patio table if the weather is warm for sunset views along the Bow.
Night: Live music at the King Eddy — classic Calgary venue
Finish the night with live music at the historic King Edward Hotel music room — intimate, iconic, and energetic.
Tips from local experts:
- Check the King Eddy event schedule in advance and reserve or buy tickets early for popular acts to avoid sell-out nights.
- The venue is intimate — arrive together to secure a group spot; there are often limited tables for small groups.
- Public transit or rideshare is convenient late-night; parking near the venue can be limited on event nights.
Day 2
A cultural and riverside day: skyline views, the National Music Centre, riverside lunch, neighbourhood browsing in Kensington and craft-beer wind-down with optional 17th Ave nightlife.
Morning: Calgary Tower — skyline photos and city orientation
Quick, iconic Calgary viewpoint — great for group photos and a fun way to start the day with a skyline overview.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy tickets online or arrive early for the elevator queues; morning light is great for photos of the Rocky Mountains on clear days.
- If anyone is uneasy with heights, there are solid viewing areas and spots away from the glass floor.
- Combine this stop with a quick coffee at a downtown café nearby to keep the group moving without a long sit-down.
Mid-morning: Studio Bell — National Music Centre
Hands-on music exhibits and immersive galleries showcasing Canadian music history — engaging for groups who like culture and interaction.
Tips from local experts:
- Book timed-entry tickets in advance for groups; guided highlights tours are available and work well for a compact visit.
- The exhibits are interactive — plan for people to take turns at hands-on stations and capture fun group videos.
- There’s limited on-site locker/storage space; if you bought market goods the day before, leave bulky items at your hotel or car.
Lunch: River Café on Prince's Island — relaxed riverside meal
A scenic lunch spot nestled in Prince's Island Park — share starters and enjoy the outdoor setting in summer.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a table and request patio seating when possible — summer patio spots are prime for groups.
- Share the tapas-style starters and a couple of mains to taste more and keep costs even across the table.
- After lunch, take the short riverside path for quick skyline photos — golden-hour early evenings are especially nice if you return later.
Afternoon: Prince's Island Park stroll & Bow River photos
Digest with a relaxed walk through the park; great open green space and easy conversation for a group.
Tips from local experts:
- The pathway network is flat and easy — ideal for a social pace and group pictures near the river.
- There are shady spots and benches if someone wants a breather; watch for festival setups in summer (may limit some paths).
- If anyone wants a quick dip, remind them Calgary’s river is cold—plan for photos and relaxed scenery rather than swimming.
Late Afternoon: Kensington — indie shops and cafés
A friendly, walkable neighbourhood with boutiques, coffee houses, and patios — good for more shopping or a relaxed drink.
Tips from local experts:
- Park once and walk the strip — there are several group-friendly patios and larger cafés that welcome noisy groups.
- Kensington has lots of quirky boutiques; split souvenirs among the group or pick one memento to share.
- If a few in the group want to continue the active vibe, you can rent bikes nearby to explore further along the river.
Early evening: Last Best Brewing & Distilling — craft beers and shareable plates
Local brewpub with a friendly atmosphere and big tables — ideal for tasting flights and splitting snacks.
Tips from local experts:
- Order a few tasting flights so everyone can try multiple beers and agree on a couple of pints to share.
- Their menu is share-friendly — put several plates in the middle and split; ask for boards designed for groups.
- If you want to move on after one spot, ask the server for a couple of local bar suggestions nearby on 17th Ave.
Evening: 17th Avenue SW bar hop — casual end to the weekend
Hit a few lively bars and pubs along 17th Ave — lots of choices, group-friendly spaces, and easy rideshares at night.
Tips from local experts:
- 17th Ave is best experienced on foot — plan a walking route and pick 2–3 bars so the night stays energetic without dragging.
- Many bars have late-night food if your group needs another snack; check for trivia or live bands on event nights.
- Use a rideshare queue or staggered pickup points when leaving — parking this late can be tricky, and rideshares are efficient.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 2 |
| Highlights | 6 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | 1 |
| Restaurants | 3 |
| Total Activities | 14 |
| Total Places | 14 |
| Activities Types | Attraction, Neighborhood, Restaurant, Transfer, Experience, Break, Nightlife, Culture, Meal, Outdoor |
