Recently when surfing social media I found several articles like “The Ten Best Instagram Spots in New York City”, or Paris, or London - add name of any major tourist city. This got to thinking why don’t I do fun blog about where the best places are for visitors to take photos in Calgary..

For this blog have chosen to focus my “Best Instagram Places (BIP)” in our City Centre neighbourhoods. Some are obvious, while others are more off-the-beaten path. I have tried to identify a diversity of places, from public art to public spaces, from art galleries to pubs, from streets to shops. But I have to warn you, I love public art spots.

Fun Fact: The term “Kodak Moment” was popularized in the 1970s by a Kodak advertising campaign that focuses on capturing cherished, personal event worth capturing on film. The idiom became a part of everyday language to describe a special memory, deeply connecting the Kodak brand with people's significant life events.

Let’s get started:

Kensington / Bridgeland / Riverside (North of the Bow

The Rainbow Bridge underneath the LRT across from Senator Patrick Burns Memorial Rock Garden is a fun spot for a photo. The Garden is not bad either.

The Heart icon is made for taking selfies to send to family and friends.

These quirky trees at Flyover Park in Bridgeland/Riverside are a definite BIP..

There are lots of fun BIP in the Calgary Zoo, like the dinosaur park.

Kids love the butterfly exhibit for a unique photo spot.

The interior of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is like walking into an “icon painting.”

The “message sign” on the Bridgeland Market changes regularly with fun comments that make for a great instagram shoot.

For treasure hunters, the Sunday Hillhurst Flea Market would be a great BIP.

Kensington’s Cat Cafe is a fun IGP, as is Higher Ground Cafe or The Roasterie.

The Bow To Bluff swings is a quirky BIP.

Taking a photo at the top of the Crescent Height stairs with the Calgary skyline in the background is popular with visitors.

Inglewood / Ramsay

How about a photo in the window of The Next Page bookstore or perhaps on the street passing by?

For those into vinyl at photo in the stacks at Recordland is a must.

Inglewood’s Pedal Pubs make for fun photo opportunity, either while pedalling on the street with friends or just a quickie in their yard.

Or perhaps you are travelling with your dog, then you might send a photo home from Cold Garden Beverage Company lounge.

A definite off-the-beaten-path BIP is the outdoor lounge at the corner of 21th Ave SE and 11th St SE.

Best off-the-beaten-path cafe is Cafe Rosso in the old Dominion Bridge steel site.

Eau Claire / Prince’s Island

The Peace Bridge is a very popular BIP year-round.

Found this couple enjoying a stroll along Bow River Promenade taking photos and they let me take this one to share on Instagram.

I am think the world’s longest bench is located along the Bow River Promenade in Eau Claire would make a fun photo opportunity.

Beltline /Mission / Stampede Park (aka South of the tracks)

The Beltline bike racks are fun, very urban.

The Chinook sculpture in Barb Scott Park makes for a uniquely Calgary photo.

The rainbow sidewalk on the south side of Memorial Park is a fun and meaningful IGP.

The Spirit of Water sculpture on the plaza at BMO Centre in Stampede Park makes for unique BIP.

Found these kids, hiding in the sculpture. How cute?

Also at Stampede Park is the “By The Banks of the Bow” a huge sculpture of horses, that kids love to climb on and have their photo taken.

A photo with Van Gogh at Masters Gallery on 4th Street would be fun to send to your artsy family and friends.

Perhaps a photo of your picnic in Memorial Park would make your friends jealous.

A photo of Calgary’s 17th Ave SW aka Red mile would make a great Instagram photo.

*Alexander Caldwell’s sculpture located on the 12th Ave SW sidewalk at the entrance to the Galleria at Park Central condos near the corner of 4th S. SW. makes for an intriguing selfie.*

Downtown Calgary

Stephen Avenue Walk downtown’s pedestrian mall is full of great photo spots.

The Reading Room at the Central Library is a BIP.

Or perhaps under the Chinook Arch with the bobbing Trio sculpture in the background.

A photo with the Stampeding horses at the Court House says “I’m in Calgary.”

Send a photo of you with Calgary’s Ampersand and you are sure to get some interesting responses.

Perhaps the most photographed spot in Calgary is with these two “Fat Cats.” The real title is The Conversation.

NYC has it stock market bull, but Calgary has “Outlaw” the Calgary’s Stampede’s famous bull.

Or you could get a photo along Barclay Mall (aka 3rd St SW) with its picturesque gardens.

Or perhaps you want to showcase Calgary’s unique urban design.

Downtown boast a different festival every weekend from May to October.

The upside down church in East Village would turn some heads on Instagram.

Perhaps a photo of you hanging our with he locals in East Village’s River Walk is more your thing.

Sadko (red) and Kabuki (yellow) the perfect sculptural couple are waiting to have their picture taken with you.

Wonderland aka the White Head on the plaza of The Bow office tower invites you to get inside her head and take a photo.

How about a photo in the Udderly Art Pasture? Located on the second floor of the Centennial Parkade, part of the 16 km indoor walkway called the +15 in downtown.

Last Word

A hundred years ago, when you were travelling you would send postcards home with brief comments on the back like “wish you were here” or “you would love this place” or “missing you.” Today postcards are pretty much a thing of the past.

Best Instagram Places: Calgary City Centre