I'll be in Calgary for a (Wednes)day in January. Is there anything to do?

I've tagged the NMC and aerospace museum. Any food worthwhile?

Also—anything to know about taking an early (0600) departure?

What do you like to do? January could be bitterly cold and you'll probably want to stay indoors (NMC and aerospace museum are good choices) or a Chinook could roll in and bring warm weather for the day. If there is nice weather I would suggest visiting the NMC and then wandering down towards the river and walk along the pedestrian paths which leads you into downtown. Make your way to Stephen Avenue which is a pedestrian street and it has plenty of restaurant choices. The Calgary tower offers a nice view of the city although the price is $18.00 to enter. There's also the Glenbow Museum if you are interested in local history.

Since you have an early flight I'd suggest staying at or near the airport and taking transit (there's a direct bus available) to downtown for the day if you don't want to rent a car.

FYI: the Aerospace Museum's location isn't really transit-friendly but it's about a 10-15 minute drive from the airport.

Thanks for the tips; planning to stay at one of the airport hotels to make the departure easy-going.

Is bus to downtown the best option? I was figuring on trying public transit, but I could rent a car if that's much easier. I'm used to winter-weather driving, but my experiences with Montréal winters suggested it's not worthwhile. Aside: I've had friends really enjoy visiting Banff, but I figured for a single winter day better just to stay in Calgary—correct? Winter photography is a minor hobby, but I figured that'd be exhausting. And I'm sure if I've extra time I can find something worth shooting in the city.

The Glenbow looks appealing. If the aerospace museum is difficult to access it could be skipped. Is it really 10-15 min. drive from the airport? It looks quite near.

If you just intend to stay in the core I would take transit. Parking in downtown Calgary is pretty pricey and I would skip the car for that reason alone. Downtown is easily walkable and if it's cold outside you can still get around by the interconnected pedestrian walkways called the Plus 15. If you want some photos over-looking the downtown or the mountains I'd rent a car just to get around to different parts of the city.

If you have the whole day I'd consider Banff - weather-depending of course. It takes a little over an hour to get out there and there are plenty of spots in and around the town that would give you some nice photographic opportunities! You could be drive out in the morning and be back by 5 or 6pm easily.

...and you are right - the Aerospace museum is only about 5 minutes away if you take the highway (I never go that way ).

Edit: If you want some photography locations for either Calgary or Banff PM me and I can direct to some.

I agree with radnab. IF you have the full day & are renting a car, go see Banff & Canmore...........you won't be disappointed.

Calgary has good ethnic food, but its buried in the suburbs and far away from downtown. If you chose to stay in town, forget about the options above & consider instead:
- afternoon tea/stay? at the Palliser (recommended the Gold Floor, now renovated);
- go for a walk at/near Bow River. There are lots of young people who live in YYC, and they are big on outdoor activities! e.g.:
http://calgarysbestwalks.ca/index.php/book-events/
- visit the Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Thanks very much for the ideas Antonio8069 and radnub.

I'll have to make up my mind about taking it easy in the downtown core vs. taking a trip out to Banff, but given that I'm not sure when I'll next be in the region I'm leaning toward the latter.

Antonio8069—do you mention Canmore as a town of interest, or is it primarily of note as a gateway to the park?

Canmore is nice! Very hip, good rests and much closer to Calgary than is Banff. If you do go, park off the strip and walk the CBD......the best way to see Canmore.

Bolding is mine. It's not 'much closer'. Banff is 15 minutes from Canmore which is 75 minutes from Calgary. Once you're in Canmore you're very close to Banff.

I will agree that Canmore is a nice little town with plenty to explore on its own. You can probably visit both towns in the same day as well as check out a lake or two in the area.

I spend a lot time in Calgary for work, and favorite winter activities on a cold day would be visiting Glenbow museum (unique artworks from around the world, especially First Nation culture, amazing collections of minerals), strolling in the shopping centre and taking a break in the tropical garden on the top floor; visiting Calgary Zoo (easily accessible by train from downtown); swimming in the Hyatt pool on the 18th floor with the view!

Calgary in January can be 50 to 60 degrees, or it can be zero (first one, then the other) so making rigid plans a month and a half away can be difficult.

The Calgary Zoo is one of the best anywhere and you could kill an entire day there. I would personally avoid the area around the river through downtown there are just too many vagrants and some of them are severely disturbed. For the river I would head to Edworthy Park which is west of downtown for good pictures I would head to SAIT which is just a quick train ride from downtown.

I'm under the impression this is currently closed.

Any changes to these recommendations for August? I have an afternoon to spend before heading up to Banff for a long weekend. Will have a rental car, but would it be better to Uber into downtown?

Well, there will not be freezing weather during the day @:-)

OTOH, it can be freeze at night late in August

The will still be nice, and the walk along the river just across from downtown more pleasant

Thank you for the recommendation, so will it be more cost effective to Uber downtown and pick up the rental car in the evening when my friend arrives? I'm not sure what parking and Uber/Lyft costs in Calgary.

Sorry, can't help you there as it's been a while since I've been to Calgary, moreover I would not need to arrange for transportation (except email / phone call).

Hopefully a local will chime in, but I believe the parking situation downtown hasn't gotten better since last time I was in town