I was speaking with a friend the other day over coffee when she announced she was going to have to sell her inner city condo and move to a house. She said with her 3 year old son, there just weren’t enough activities around.

This got me thinking about the common lament of kids: “There’s nothing to do!” This is not so about Calgary’s downtown and inner city areas. Calgary’s core offers a multitude of activities, parks and destinations for the younger set, even in the cold winter months.

Devonian Gardens – in the heart of Calgary is an oasis! A 2.5 acre climate controlled garden located on the 4th floor of an office building and shopping center, with reflecting pools, koi fish to feed, water falls, and an indoor playground for the kids to burn off some extra energy. Located directly on the LRT line, nothing beats this spot when it’s 20 below outside!

W.R. Castell Central Library – also located directly on the LRT line is the central library. On the second floor is the children’s section, loaded with books for all ages, videos, CD’s and computer terminals, too. Once you are finished, you can get a snack at the Good Earth located at the main entrance.

Triangle Gallery – while in the area, why not give junior a dose of art appreciation at the Triangle Gallery, located in the city hall building.

Calgary Science Centre – located at the opposite end of downtown is the Telus World of Science. Kid’s of all ages can spend the whole day here. Wow town for the 3-5 year olds, discovery hall (3 levels) for the older kids, big screen movies and an outdoor playground are but a few of the great activities this wonderful facility has to offer.

Eau Claire Market/Prince’s Island Park – in both the summer and winter this area along the banks for the Bow River is great for kids and families. The indoor market has a great selection of shops and services, roving entertainers in the summer and probably the best kids water park in the city in the summer! Prince’s Island Park offers lots of green space, walking paths and a huge playground designed for kids of all ages. Located along the Calgary River Pathway system, you could spend all day biking / walking / roller-blading.

YMCA – Also in the Eau Claire area, the YMCA is a premier sport and recreation facility for the whole family. Their programs for kids and adults alike are second to none and cover all age groups.

Calgary Zoo – just on the outskirts of downtown and a short LRT ride, is the Calgary Zoo. Spend a day with the animals!

Riley Park – A short walk across the river and up 10th Street is another great summer spot with a great playground, tons of green space and a wading pool/water park. Don’t miss this on a hot summer day.

With so much to offer her family, I wondered why my friend was considering leaving the downtown area. Whether you have kids or not, why not check out some of these ideas for yourself!