10 Indoor Things to Do in Calgary: Where to Go When it Rains

If you’re living in Calgary, rainy days don't have to mean sitting at home feeling bored. The city has many indoor places to have fun, learn new things, and stay dry.

There's something for every age and interest, from music spots to science centres. These places let you turn a gloomy day into an exciting one.

Quick Tips for Rainy Days in Calgary

• Try instruments at the National Music Centre (adults $24.50, kids $16.50)
• See planes up close at the Hangar Flight Museum (plan for about 2 hours)
• Bounce at Flying Squirrel trampoline park, great for burning off energy
• Look through the glass floor at Calgary Tower (adults $23, kids $10)
• Play in 200+ hands-on exhibits at TELUS Spark Science Centre

Cool Calgary Museums and Art Spots

Some of Calgary's most popular attractions are its fascinating, interactive museums, where you can spend hours learning and having fun. Each one offers something different, so pick what matches your interests.

Studio Bell: The National Music Centre

The National Music Centre lets you do more than just look at music stuff—you get to try it out yourself! Home to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, this Downtown East Village attraction shows off famous Canadian artists and their achievements.

You can play real instruments and even check out the Rolling Stones' mobile recording bus. It's open daily and costs $24.50 for adults and $16.50 for kids.

The Hangar Flight Museum

The Hangar Flight Museum in Northeast Calgary is packed with cool planes and tells the story of Canadian flying history. You'll see real military and civilian aircraft that show how planes have changed over time.

You can climb into the cockpit of a Huey helicopter used in Vietnam missions or peek inside a replica Sopwith Triplane from WWI. Their CF-100 Canuck jet fighter is one of only a handful left in the world.

Plan to spend about two hours looking at the planes and learning about the pilots who flew them. It's perfect for anyone who loves planes or wants to learn more about them.

The Military Museums

Eight different museums under one roof showcase Canada's military past at The Military Museums. Visitors to the Altadore neighbourhood museums can see over 1,000 items, including vehicles, uniforms, and weapons, that tell the story of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The hands-on displays help you understand what life was like for soldiers and how military history shaped Canada. Learning about this important part of Canadian history is worth the admission price, and its location in one of Calgary’s best neighbourhoods enhances your visit.

Jump Around and Play in Calgary

When kids (or adults!) need to burn off energy, these indoor play spaces are the answer.

Treehouse Indoor Playgrounds

Treehouse Indoor Playground is an exciting playplace with locations in both North and South Calgary. Designed for children 12 and under, it features a large multi-level play structure, slides, trampolines, arcade games, and interactive floor activities. 

There are dedicated toddler and baby zones to ensure safe, age-appropriate fun for little ones.

Trampoline Parks and Play Centres

Places like Flying Squirrel let you bounce, flip, and play no matter what the weather's doing outside. Flying Squirrel has two locations: one in Southeast Calgary and another just outside Calgary International Airport near Harvest Hills.

These parks have jumping zones, foam pits, and climbing walls that keep everyone moving. Visitors can rest easy because safety comes first, with trained staff watching over everything. 

Get Smart at Calgary’s Science Spots

Science can be super fun when it's hands-on, and that's exactly what you'll find at Calgary's science centres.

TELUS Spark Science Centre

TELUS Spark Science Centre in City Centre Calgary has over 200 things you can touch, play with, and learn from. Kids love the Creative Kids Museum section where they can build, create, and explore.

Don't miss the Infinity Dome theatre with its cool 360-degree films that wrap all around you. The prices are fair, making it a good choice for families wanting to mix fun with learning in the Bridgeland-Riverside neighbourhood.

Stay Active Indoors

Bad weather doesn't mean you have to skip being active. Calgary has great indoor options for keeping fit.

Southland Leisure Centre

This Southwest Calgary centre has a heated pool with waves, slides, and play areas for all ages. You can swim laps, splash with kids, or just relax in the hot tub.

Beyond swimming, the centre offers a wide range of fitness classes, from cardio to strength training. It opens early and closes late, so it fits almost any schedule.

House of Skate

For fans of roller blading and roller skating, House of Skate is the place to cruise, dance, and roll it out when the weather’s less than ideal. The indoor rink is a great spot for birthday parties, and they offer everything from roller skating lessons to summer camps.

Just remember to bring your safety gear! They also offer lessons if you're just starting out or want to improve your skills.

See the City from Above at Calgary Tower

Get a different view of the city from one of Calgary’s tallest buildings (and one of its most famous landmarks). Standing nearly 191 meters tall, Calgary Tower gives you amazing views of the city and the Rocky Mountains. 

The brave can stand on the glass floor and look straight down at the Downtown Calgary streets below.

For this high-up adventure, adults pay $23 and kids $10. After checking out the view, grab a meal at the Sky 360 Restaurant, which slowly rotates to show you the entire city while you eat.

Experience Calgary’s History

Step back in time at these places that bring history to life in fun ways.

Heritage Park

As Canada's largest living history museum, Heritage Park has over 180 old buildings and displays that show what life was like long ago. 

People dressed in old-time clothes act out history and tell stories about the past, and this interactive, historically accurate feature has made it one of the top kid-friendly activities in Calgary. This Eagle Ridge area attraction hosts annual special events that make history fun for everyone.

While the various exhibits are spread out and require walking outdoors between them, exploring them keeps you mostly indoors. In addition to the heritage houses, there are shops, dining, a working steam train, and historical demonstrations.

Gasoline Alley Museum is entirely indoors, and it shows off vintage vehicles, gas pumps, and signs. There are also lots of fun auto history stories to discover!

Where to Go When Rain Strikes

Next time the forecast shows rain, don't cancel your plans—just move them indoors! Calgary's indoor spots offer fun, learning, and activity for everyone.

Each place gives you something different, from hands-on science to historical adventures to active play. Pick the one that sounds most interesting and turn that rainy day into a great day.