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Discover Calgary: Northeast Calgary

Calgary’s northeast has the best shopping, dining, and most affordable housing in the city – there, we said it! Well-connected to all transit and with quick access to the airport, Deerfoot Trail, Stoney Trail, Airdrie and beyond, northeast Calgary is the perfect place to set down roots. Commutes are a breeze, and excellent road infrastructure leading to and from this quadrant means great access to downtown and back any time of day. The light industrial park in the northeast is home to incredible hobby and special interest shops, thrift and antique shopping, restaurants, clothing and fabric stores, and more. Even if you don’t choose to make it home, it’s well worth a visit! 

If you prefer to connect to nature, some of Calgary’s most amenity-rich parks are located in this quadrant, complete with dog parks, ponds, paved trails, and more.

 

Recreation

  • Big Marlborough Park
  • Bottomlands Park
  • Cityscape Wetland
  • Crossroads Community Garden
  • Genesis Centre and Skatepark
  • Harvest Hills Community Garden
  • Henry Viney Arena 
  • Laycock Park
  • Munro Park
  • Oasis Water Park
  • Prairie Winds Park and Swimming Pool
  • Renfrew Aquatic and Recreation Centre
  • Renfrew Athletic Park
  • Renfrew Community Garden
  • Rotary Park and Spray Pool
  • Saddletowne YMCA
  • Stew Hendry Arena
  • Tom Campbell’s Hill
  • Village Square Leisure Centre
  • Vista Heights Park
  • Vivo for Healthier Generations
  • Vortex Action Sports
  • West Nose Creek Park

Recreation 

  • Village Square Leisure Centre is known throughout the city as one of Calgary’s top multi-purpose facilities with a wave pool, dive tank, hot tub, water slides, fitness studio, gymnasium, arenas, and a skatepark! 
  • Genesis Centre in Martindale is another popular sport, event, and recreation centre. The 255,000-square-foot facility features indoor field houses, a gymnasium, sports and fitness areas, a public library and events centre. The northeast is also home to Henry Viney Arena and Stew 
  • Hendry Arena.
  • If you like golf, there is no shortage of places to swing a club. McCall Lake Golf Course, Harvest Hills Golf Course, and Calgary Elks Lodge & Golf Club are all situated in NE Calgary.

Amenities

  • Activate Calgary - North
  • Axe Games
  • BATL: Axe Throwing
  • Big Fun Play Centre
  • Bowling Depot
  • Calgary Climbing Centre Hanger 
  • Cineplex Odeon Sunridge Spectrum Cinemas
  • Cobb’s Adventure Park
  • Confined Escape Rooms
  • CrossIron Mills Mall
  • Deerfoot City
  • Escape Capers YYC
  • Escape Ops
  • Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park - North
  • Game Over Escape Rooms
  • Hide N Seek
  • iFly
  • Laser City Laser Tag
  • Level 1 Escape Room and VR Arcade
  • Live Edge Axe Throwing
  • Marlborough Mall
  • Monster Mini Golf
  • Pacific Place Mall 
  • Peter Lougheed Hospital
  • SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas & XScape Entertainment Centre
  • SPEEDERS Calgary
  • Splitsville Calgary Meridian
  • Stone Creek Adventure Golf
  • Sunridge Mall
  • The Big Box - Family Entertainment Hub
  • The Hangar Flight Museum 
  • The Locked Room
  • Treehouse Indoor Playground - North
  • Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
  • YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre

Private/Charter Schools:

  • Aurora Learning Calgary
  • Bethel Christian Academy
  • Calgary Chinese Alliance School
  • Calgary Islamic Private School
  • Columbia College
  • Delta West Academy
  • Heritage Christian Academy
  • International School of Excellence
  • Italian School of Calgary
  • Little Angels
  • New Heights School and Learning Services
  • Park Place Centre
  • Renfrew Educational Services - Child Development Centre
  • Sundance Centre
  • Tyndale Christian School

 

Parks, Playgrounds & Green Spaces

There are several great parks in northeast Calgary, but the one we love most is Prairie Winds Park. This large park underwent an 11.9-million-dollar renovation from 2014 to 2017 and features outdoor skating, a spray park, a wading pool, playfields, playground, a tennis court, basketball courts, pathways, fitness stations, a zipline, and more. 

Northeast Calgary is also home to Big Marlborough Park, Bottomlands Park, Laycock Park, Munro Park, and Rotary Park. For dog lovers, Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park has off-leash areas, hiking trails, and panoramic views of Calgary's skyline.

 

Places to Shop

When it comes to malls, the northeast may have more shopping centres than any other quadrant! Sunridge Mall, CrossIron Mall, Pacific Place Mall, and Marlborough Mall are all located in this area. There are also several local and international markets located in the northeast.

Deerfoot City is also located just off Deerfoot Trail and 64 Avenue NE. This outdoor, 1.1-million-square-foot shopping centre includes anchors like The Rec Room, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Cabela's, Goodlife Fitness, Dollarama, and Winners.

 

Food Scene

Whatever you like to eat, it’s in the northeast. Lower rents and more space mean that northeast Calgary has an incredible variety of independent restaurants, cafes, and import grocery stores. Whether you’re looking for fresh paratha or a hot bowl of khao soi, you’ll never run out of new places and new dishes to try! Northeast Calgary is also known for its breweries, including Minhas, Zero Issue, Common Crown, and Tool Shed. 

Are you a brunch fan? Don’t miss Queen’s Breakfast Cocktails, as well as OEB Breakfast Co., Blue Star Diner, and Diner Deluxe.

 

Entertainment

The airport is not the only hub of aviation in the northeast. The Hangar Flight Museum is also located here. You can learn about Western Canada’s aviation history in a drill hall that was built as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War. 

If you prefer to keep your wheels on the ground, SPEEDERS Calgary is located in the northeast, offering an adrenaline-filled racing experience, perfect for challenging drivers of all skill levels. 

Many indoor play places, including the Big Fun Play Centre (the biggest inflatable park in North America), are located in the northeast.

The quadrant is also home to a number of axe-throwing locations, mini golf, escape rooms, bowling alleys, and more to fill your evenings and weekends with fun.

For the movie buff in your house, this quadrant has several movie theatres like Cineplex Odeon Sunridge Spectrum Cinemas and SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas & XScape Entertainment Centre.

If your idea of fun takes place outside, don’t miss Cobb’s Adventure Park. Check out their kangaroo petting zoo, pedal carts, tractor rides, giant slides, blacklight mini golf, and more outdoor fun! 

 

Things to Consider

Proximity to the airport can be both an opportunity and a challenge. While many neighborhoods are under flight paths, overnight air traffic is limited and isn’t usually a significant source of noise pollution. There are tons of small street festivals and community festivals held in this quadrant every year, which makes it a very exciting place to be! 

Lower rents and lots of new housing developments in the northeast make this a promising place to live for young families. In the past, parts of this quadrant had slightly higher crime rates than in other parts of the city, but much of this reputation is fading with time. 

If you are looking for tons of great things to do, excellent accessibility, a healthy work/life balance, and a sense of community, look no further than Calgary’s new northeast.

 

New Neighborhoods in NE

Cornerstone

With over 2,500 homes already establishing the foundation of this vibrant community, families can immediately enjoy an array of amenities including lush park spaces, a serene wetland, storm pond, fun playgrounds, and a convenient commercial complex. 

“This is where families flourish, surrounded by nature, convenience, and a community that grows with you,” says Melanie Gowans, the Vice-President of Sales, Marketing, and Interior Design at Shane Homes. 

 

Homestead

Inspired by the prairies surrounding the land, Homestead is an up-and-coming community waiting to be discovered. Plant your roots where fields of wheat wave good morning and a Rocky Mountain horizon guides your way into the city. 

“With direct access to Stoney Trail and 80 Avenue NE, Homestead is the perfect mix of rural and city life,” says Kristina Plank, the Marketing Manager of Excel Homes. “Minutes away from the Genesis Centre, established shopping centres, and Calgary transit stations. Start your journey to new home ownership with one of our front-drive garage or laned homes!”

 

Huxley

Huxley offers a harmonious blend of urban convenience and the tranquility of a small-town setting that caters to families at every stage of life. Through thoughtful community design, Genesis Land is dedicated to enhancing the natural beauty of the environment through lush, green spaces and the creation of a serene wetland park. 

“Whether your interests lie in outdoor activities, easy access to downtown Calgary and major thoroughfares, or proximity to amenities within walking distance, Huxley provides the opportunity to live closer to the things that bring you joy,” says Olga Mardones, Marketing Manager of Genesis Land Development Corporation. 

 

Lewiston

“The welcoming community of Lewiston is ideal for families with its planned park sites, diversity in home types, and its proximity to an abundance of amenities and activities. It offers a tight knit community feel, which is a perfect place for families to grow,” says Pamela Burns, the Director of Sales & Marketing at Sterling Homes.

 

Livingston

Livingston residents enjoy vast spaces intentionally designed to facilitate connections with family and neighbors. Whether it's running, biking, walking, or skiing, the pathway network and pedestrian-friendly streets provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. With 250 acres of open space, parks, and prairies, there's plenty of room for unique adventures. From the off-leash dog park to the bike pump track and three parks equipped with accessibility features, Livingston offers something for everyone.

 

Cityscape

Nestled within a picturesque natural setting, Cityscape’s location was strategically chosen for its stunning surroundings, offering residents an idyllic environment to thrive in. With a thoughtful incorporation of parks, trails, and various amenities, Cityscape was designed with the community's enjoyment and wellbeing in mind. At the heart of Cityscape lies a sprawling 115-acre environmental reserve, encircled by a scenic walking path, providing residents with a tranquil oasis to explore and appreciate nature. This reserve seamlessly connects to the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway, a remarkable 138km pathway network, right at residents' doorsteps, making it the longest urban pathway in North America.

 

Savanna

Savanna epitomizes the perfect blend of quality living and unparalleled convenience, situated within the beloved community of Saddle Ridge. Embracing smart growth principles, Savanna is a vibrant urban enclave, offering residents a dynamic living experience. 

Strategically positioned, Savanna enjoys seamless connectivity to key thoroughfares such as Stoney Trail, Metis Trail, and Deerfoot, as well as easy access to the Saddletowne LRT Station. These transportation arteries effortlessly link residents to all corners of the city, ensuring convenient commutes and exploration opportunities.

 

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