Located at the intersection of Centre Street and 9th Avenue South, the iconic Calgary Tower resembles an Olympic Torch.  This is never more evident than on the rare and special occasions when the flame atop the tower is lit.

Construction of the 191m tall observation tower was completed in 1968 at a cost of $3.5-million. The tower remained the tallest structure in Calgary until 1983. Located at the heart of Calgary’s downtown, it is accentuated by a colourful LED light display daily between sundown and midnight, and again from 5am until sunrise.  Local, national and even global events are frequently recognized by the City, when solidarity is shared by lighting the tower with appropriate colours.  Look out for the traditional red in February at Valentines Day, green in March on St Patrick’s Day, red and white in July on Canada Day, orange in October on Halloween, and red and green in December over Christmas.  There are a spectrum of other colours and occasions celebrated throughout the rest of the year, so check your diary, or else check the tower!

View the Calgary Tower Lighting Schedule here

On a clear-weather day there is little more satisfying when visiting the tower than catching a ride to the top and soaking up the 360 degree views from the enclosed observation deck.  Orientate yourself with the layout of the city beneath you.  Enjoy views of the Rocky Mountains to the west and the endless Prairies to the east. 

For the adventurous amongst you, step out onto the glass floor of the observation deck hovering 155m above 9th Avenue and enjoy the momentary surge of adrenalin while the rest of your tour party step back, marvelling at your courage and applauding your heroism while bombarding you with photographs. 

As part of your visit you can enjoy a meal at the revolving Sky360 restaurant to commemorate your experience.  Remember to make a meal reservation ahead of time if you expect to go for lunch or dinner over a busy period. And, if you purchase an entree, they will cover the cost of your elevation fee and give you access to the observation deck. Be sure to confirm this before you buy your elevation ticket.

Consider including the Calgary Tower as part of our recommended two-hour or half-day tours if you’re short of time during your stay in Calgary.

For more awesome city skyline vantage points read about our favourite locations here.

Getting there

Navigate to the Calgary Tower here.

You can reach the Tower by car, bicycle, public transit and the Plus 15 skywalk.

• For public transit access, you can plan your visit using the City of Calgary transit website;
• If you are arriving in your own vehicle, limited street parking is available in the vicinity. All parking requires payment. Consult local signage or calgaryparking.com for more details;
• If you are arriving by bicycle, consult the City of Calgary’s bicycle pathway maps here. Bike racks are available on the sidewalk beside the tower. For safety reasons, remember to bring a bicycle lock.