The perfect recipe for a staycation in Calgary East Village

When planning a staycation, the first thing to think about is location. Choose a neighborhood you love or that you want to discover. The key to a perfect getaway in your own city is to make sure you’re close to everything you want to see and do!

Ania was thrilled to spend her staycation in her favourite Calgary neighbourhood. For her, the one-of-a-kind vibe of East Village transformed the city like never before by mixing old factories, modern buildings, local shops and restaurants, all in the spirit of supporting local artists and businesses. Her favourite spot in this burgeoning area? The Simmons building. It’s an old matress factory that was converted into an event space — but ultimately, it’s just a fabulous place to hang out!

After you’ve determined the perfect location, make sure you mix in a dash of fun! When travelling, Ania looks for exciting and out-of-the-box activities that let her experience an area to the fullest! For starters, she and her partner Tyler had a blast renting bikes at Bow Cycle (located right across from Alt Hotel Calgary East Village) and riding to the farmer’s market in Kensington, rolling over the iconic Peace Bridge along the way. Next, they stopped at funky St.Patrick’sIsland Park to appreciate its many art installations. Later in the afternoon, the couple rented kayaks from The Paddle Station and paddled down the river to enjoy the city from a different point of view. Having a fresh perspective on the skyline and the numerous bridges that can be seen from under It was a highlight of their stay. The journey starts at Shouldice Park and takes about three hours to complete (it can also be done on a paddle board or even a floatie). At the end, simply dock at St. Patrick's Island Park and go on with your day — the company takes care of transporting your watercraft back to the starting point. How convenient is that?

A great trip wouldn’t be complete without amazing food! If you're looking for a unique experience, head to NUPO, a japanese restaurant focusing on vegan and vegetarian plates and sushi owned by Chef Darren MacLean. Try the delicious aged sablefish, which is a part of the chef’s tasting menu! You won’t regret it!

For a full gourmet day, Ania recommends trying Chixx EggShop for breakfast, a delicious local restaurant that stands as an homage to the owner’s mothers recipes. To get the perfect East Village experience for lunch, have a pizza and a strawberry lemonade (the best in the city) at Connie and John's pizza. To be a little extra, have it on a pizza floatie like Ania! To end the day perfectly, have a feast at Charbar, an Argentine inspired restaurant where you’ll get the amazing meat and seafood plates. Ania’s personal favourite was the giant shrimp, so big you end up eating it like a lobster! After your meal, head to the rooftop to watch the sunset with a drink to cap off the night.

The final ingredient in the perfect Calgary staycation recipe is a comfortable haven where you can get a good night’s sleep. With its floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of the neighbourhood, Alt Hotel Calgary East Village is ideally located to allow guests to enjoy this vibrant area to the fullest, all in a safe and secure environment.

Have a great staycation!