Pick up a copy of Historic Downtown Calgary (a free City of Calgary guidebook, complete with map) if you want to learn about the historic sandstone buildings on Stephen Avenue as you shop. Within the tome’s pages you will learn, among other things, that “… on July 19, 2002, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada declared a portion of Calgary’s original downtown one of only three National Historic Districts in Canada. As a well-preserved commercial street, the avenue bears eloquent witness to the emergence of the modern retail sector in Canada from 1880 to 1930.”

You can read more about its past on a plaque mounted along Stephen Avenue: “A record grain harvest, an endless stream of settlers and the developing agricultural and industrial hinterland created a frenzy of speculation in Calgary between 1909 and 1913 … Hammers never stopped … day or night and large brick and sandstone business blocks quickly replaced wooden buildings, transforming the avenue into a match for eastern business centres.”

Given the popular strip’s history it should come as no surprise that western is a still a huge theme today on Stephen Avenue.

There’s an eclectic mix of fun western items to be lassoed on the Avenue, from cowboy/cowgirl boots, hats, belts, moccasins, and purses, to jackets and products for the home—from decorative chests, picture frames, miniature chuckwagons and wine racks, to candle holders, dreamcatchers or even light switch covers.

You can shop for western-themed items at a number of stores on the avenue, including Riley & McCormick (started in 1901, manufacturing tack to the horse industry); Lammles Western Wear (large display of western décor, including cool horseshoe salt and pepper shaker holders); Micah Gallery (higher-end art, including Haida totem poles); Glenbow Museum Gift Shop (inspired by museum collections); and Kanata (souvenir-style finds and a large selection of moccasins).

At the Calgary Shoe Hospital & Western Store, they’ll outfit you for Stampede, fix your boots and even sell you a double-beer can holster to inspire some beer-slinging Stampede swagger.

There are also authentic western products for the home, of course, which include western Canadian First Nations products such as carvings, blankets and pottery and Pendleton blankets from Oregon.

For more than 15 years, Micah Gallery has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading aboriginal and western art galleries. Located in the Ashdown Building (1891) it features authentic handcrafted items of North American Native and western art, luggage, paintings, carvings, Pendleton blankets from Oregon, leather jackets, Haida totem poles (from $3,500) and small wooden cabinets.

At the Glenbow Museum Gift Shop, in the Glenbow Museum (western Canada’s largest, with three major temporary exhibits per year and 20 permanent galleries), you’ll find all weather metal animal sculptures (moose, bear, rooster, cow, pig, deer, buffalo), copper plates by First Nations artists, a good selection of coffee table books, Pendleton blankets, inukshuks, ceramic tiles and masks.

 Kanata is worth checking out for the wide assortment of Canadian souvenirs, as some of the items can also work as home décor. There’s a placemat with all NHL logos for $1.25 and a good assortment of moccasins (moose hide, elk, deer, sheepskin) to wear around the house, made in Quebec by Laurentian Chief.

Although the obvious appeal of Stephen Avenue is turn-of-the-century sandstone architecture, outdoor cafes and restaurants, the Glenbow Museum and Olympic Plaza, if you’re shopping for your home, you may want to step into the The Core (Calgary Eaton Centre/TD Square) and Banker’s Hall for a reprieve from the summer sun. You’ll find all kinds of home décor on the lower level of the six-floor Hudson’s Bay Company and dozens of retailers in the inter-connected malls.

Back on the street, go to Winners and take the escalator to the second floor where you’ll find well-priced treasures for your digs in small patio tables and chairs; lanterns; vases; framed prints and mirrors; wicker chairs; baskets; wooden model airplanes and cars; decorative masks; magazine racks; clocks; serving trays; salad bowls; cookware; pitchers; glasses and more.

Many Calgarians are familiar with the excellent selection of books available at McNally Robinson Booksellers, but not everyone knows you can also shop for pottery, luggage, stationery, tea and coffee sets, bath lotions and soaps in between perusing the stacks for a good read. There are three levels of books, a large magazine area and the Prairie Ink Restaurant on the upper level.

Although it’s a gallery with exhibits, the Art Gallery of Calgary also peddles arts and crafts in its front area that are worth a look.

At Twigs, merchandise changes seasonally. The store sells plants and flowers along with pots and hanging baskets, but also features an interesting variety of other items, including Woodstock Chimes—the original precision-tuned wind chimes created by professional musician Garry Kvistad, handcrafted from innovative designs and tuned to scales from different world cultures. (You might want to check to see if your condo allows them in the bylaws, however.)

If you’re a wine aficionado, descend to the lower level of the Alberta hotel building to The Cellar Fine Wines, Spirits & Accessories (where you’ll find wine tasting Wednesdays and Thursdays) and take a look at German crystal maker Schott Zwiesel’s Top Ten Series wine glasses, wine racks, stainless steel champagne buckets and accessories. Of course, the well-stocked boutique also sells corkscrews, rapid ice coolers, decorative bottle stoppers and decanters. 

Stephen Avenue also serves up some of the best eateries in Calgary. Guidebook author James Martin calls it a place for “really safe spelunking, with appetizers”, describing Casa de la Salsa, Bear and Kilt Freehouse, The Dubliner and Beat Niq as a “smattering of subterranean bars and restaurants.” There’s also Baraka Café, Pita Express, James Joyce Irish Pub, Julliard Restaurant & Lounge, Catch, Flames Central and others, many of which feature sidewalk patios. Where Magazine recently included “restaurant patios on Stephen Avenue, ubiquitous during warm weather” on its list of 30 Things We Love About Calgary.

Your Stephen Avenue shopping experience can also include a Glenbow Museum visit (check out its collection of European and contemporary art, wide range of objects chronicling the history of western Canada), a POWER walk guided, historic tour, and a look at what’s happening in and around Olympic Plaza, where Olympic athletes were awarded their medals in ’88. The first Thursday of every month brings 12 hours of free outdoor fitness classes, a patio party, market, sustainable gardening demos, music, dance, art, talks, tours, food and drink specials—all within three blocks of Olympic Plaza.

And right on Olympic Plaza, there’s a statue of Nellie McClung and friends. Where Magazine lists it as one of “five statues to pose by.” Those unfamiliar with the significance will learn here it was McClung who challenged the definition of “persons” in the British North America Act. Artist Barbara Paterson portrays the women at an imaginery moment in 1929, the year women were officially deemed persons in Canada.

One block south of Stephen Avenue, you can ride the Calgary Tower elevator to 360-degree views of Calgary and surrounding area. You can see the older buildings along Stephen Avenue from the observation deck, which also features a glass floor.

On the walk
Riley & McCormick
220 8 Avenue S.W.

Lammles Western Wear
211 8 Avenue S.W.

Micah Gallery
110 8 Avenue S.W.

Glenbow Museum Gift Shop
130 9 Avenue S.E.

Kanata
116 8 Avenue S.E.

Calgary Shoe Hospital
& Western Store
112 8 Avenue S.W.

Winners
128 8 Avenue S.W.

McNally Robinson
120 8 Avenue S.W.

Art Gallery of Calgary
117 8 Avenue S.W.

Twigs
121 8 Avenue S.W.

The Cellar Fine Wines
100 - 137 8 Avenue S.W.