As Calgary leaves behind the random snow flurries of spring and the grass gradually grows greener, the time for finals ticks nearer and nearer by the day. With only over a month left of the school year, students will soon be getting ready for their final units to end, and the inevitable final exams that precede them. However, as every student already knows, studying can be a long, arduous process, and sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back just to unwind and relax before continuing. I am going to share some of my personal favourite spots to go to take a break in the city of Calgary, whether it’s to hang out with friends or take a quiet walk by the river.
Take a break with Nature
Prince’s Island Park
Located on a tiny island in the Bow River, directly north of the city center, Prince’s Island Park has been a longtime favourite of residents across Calgary. Along with hosting the Folk Music Festival every year, the urban park is always full of energy; you can always see at least one person speeding around on a bike or the increasingly popular electric scooters. Whether you simply want a quiet place to sit by the river or spend some time with family in the highly-rated River Cafe, Prince’s Island Park is a great place to visit when you need a break from a screen.
Location: Prince’s Island Park, 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5N4
Fish Creek Provincial Park
If you are in the mood for a long day in the sun, Fish Creek Provincial Park has more than 100 kilometres of hiking and biking trails to lose yourself in (not literally thankfully), as well as a boat launch, the McKenzie Meadows Golf Course, The Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, and the Sikome Aquatic Facility for a great day at the beach. Considering it’s the second-largest urban park in Calgary, the number of fun activities makes sense.
Location: Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary, AB
Nose Hill Park
Of course, I could not leave out Calgary’s largest park. If you have a dog, Nose Hill Park is a great place to relax with your pet in the off-leash areas stretching across the park, or simply you can just walk and enjoy the amazing views of the Rocky Mountains from the top of the hill. Despite being surrounded by 12 residential areas, it still gives the effect of rugged remoteness, and it’s a great place to escape any business of the city without actually leaving the city. Just try to be wary of the occasional coyote that might appear…
Location: 5620 14 St. NW
Devonian Gardens 
The Devonian Gardens remain to be Calgary’s only indoor public park, the botanical gardens have been dubbed the “urban oasis” in the city’s center. Located on the top floor of the CORE Shopping Centre, the garden is home to waterfalls, trees, and thousands of plants all encased in it. The CORE shopping center itself is home to over 100 retailers you can browse through, and it’s a wonderful place to stop by with friends as you can spend your time shopping or simply exploring the mall before ending off in the lush and open spaces of the gardens.
Location: Devonian Gardens, CORE Shopping Centre, 333 7 Ave SW 4th floor, Calgary, AB
Even if none of the options appeal to you, I still recommend getting some much-needed fresh air during your studying. Not only will you feel more relaxed, but research shows it boosts your endorphins (bettering your mood) and replenishes your mental battery so you can concentrate even more.
Have fun in the city
Kensington
From restaurants to cafes to escape rooms, Kensington has dozens of attractions and places to de-stress after a long week of studying. There are numerous things to do in the area, including The Hexagon Board Game Cafe, where you can stop by for a coffee and a snack, or dive deep into one of the many board games on offer! With shelves filled with every game you can imagine, it’s not hard to figure out why this is such a popular place with young students, especially those wanting to get away from the stress of exams. If you want something more fast-paced, just across from the cafe lies a building specializing in escape rooms. Whether it’s for a big party, or just to hang out with a small group of friends, the escape rooms are always a blast. The area as a whole is located near the core of downtown, with the river just a small walk away from all the buildings that you can enjoy once the games are done, and you can always pop into one of the many restaurants that line the Kensington road.
The Rec Room
If you are a student living in Calgary, it’s very likely you have at least heard of The Rec Room. The building is an ultimate gathering place for family and friends, including restaurants, pool tables, axe throwing, and a ridiculous amount of arcade games that you can enjoy. It is an absolutely perfect place for a night out to relax, or even to celebrate once exams are done, and you can experience something new and exciting while you do it.
Overall, these are just some of my personal favourites around the city to go around exam time, but there are dozens of others littered around. The most important idea is to know that everyone needs a break, and the city has great opportunities for some stress relief if you know where to go.
The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
– Sydney Harris
