Annual Pass Christmas Gift Guide for Calgary Families – Calgary Attractions

Looking for a Christmas gift or trying to decide which annual pass is worth it this year for your family? Here’s all the information you need about annual passes to Calgary attractions this year (2015).

1. Calgary Zoo

Location:  1300 Zoo Road NE
Parking: $8 per day. Included with Engage and Inspire level memberships.
Open Season: All year long.
Day Pass Cost: Adult (16-59 years) $24.95, Child (3-15 years) $16.95 (approx $2 less during low season)
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: 3 Levels of passes – Connect, Engage and Inspire.
  Connect – Child $27, Adult $60, Guest $70 Includes gate admission only – no parking.
  Engage – Child $35, Adult $80, Guest $90 Includes gate admission, parking and additional perks.
  Inspire – Child $75, Adult $120, Guest $130, Includes gate admission, parking, all the engage perks and premium perks.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: Child – 2 visits for connect pass, 3 with engage pass. Adults – 3 visits for connect pass, 3 visits for engage pass including parking.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $174 for connect passes (no parking), $30 for engage passes.
Other Benefits: A variety of extra benefits for engage and inspire members. Engage includes get spotted button, wildlife kids club, $10 buddy pass and more. Inspire also includes unlimited zoolights admission, monthly guided tours and annual opportunity to visit the zoo ranch.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Zoolights requires additional admission for connect and engage pass holders.  Other special events and Galas may require ticket at an additional cost.
Food: There are multiple food kiosks as well as two cafes.  You can also bring in your own food and have a picnic.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review: Review of the Calgary Zoo in the Winter

2. Telus Spark – Calgary Science Centre

Location: 220 St. George’s Drive NE
Parking: $5 per vehicle. Included with Gold membership.
Open Season: All year long.
Day Pass Cost: Adult (18-64) $19.95, Youth (13-17) $15.95, Child (3-12) $12.95.
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost:
Green: Adult $60, Youth $48, Child $42 – includes gate admission only – no parking.
Gold: Adult $90, Youth $65, Child $55 – includes gate admission, parking and additional perks.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: Child – 4 visits for  green membership, 5 with gold membership. Adults – 3 visits for green membership, 4 visits for gold membership including parking.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $210 family pass (green membership) – 2 adults and up to 4 kids. $290 for Gold passes (2 adult passes and 2 kid passes 3-12 years).
Other Benefits: All passes include reduced or free rates at participating science centres and children’s museums. Gold passes also include $2 off admission for guests, special rates for HD Digital zone, camps and events. Priority registration, 10% off cafe and store.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Some travelling exhibits, special events and the HD Digital Zone may require you to pay an additional cost.
Food: There is a Cafe on the 2nd floor. You can also bring in your own food.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

3. Heritage Park

Location:  1900 Heritage Drive S.W.
Parking: Free parking lot.
Open Season: Mid-May until Mid-October. The Gasoline Alley Museum is open year round.
Day Pass Cost: Adult (18-64) $24.99, Youth (13-17) $17.99, Child (3-12) $12.99. (reduced rates for Gasoline Alley admission in the Winter)
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: Adult $67.00 (15-64 years), Child $39.00 (3-14 years), Family pass $169.00
Annual Pass Plus: $82.00 (15-64 years), Child $54.00 (3-14 years), Family pass $229.00
Annual Pass Break Even Point: Adults and child passes break even at 3 visits.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: Family pass option for 2 adults and up to 4 kids – $169.00
Other Benefits: Admission to most special events including Once Upon a Christmas and the Gasoline Alley Museum. All rides are now included with membership. 10% off retail products in the Haskayne Mercantile Block.
Annual Pass Plus benefits: 10% off ticketed events (excluding Day Out With Thomas and Ghouls’ Night Out), 10% off retail (exclusions apply), 10% off food and beverages, $5 off single gate admission coupon, Early booking privileges
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Day Out With Thomas requires additional tickets.
Food:  There are different food options inside the park as well as just before you enter the gates. You can also bring your own food and have a picnic.
Suggested Age Range: All Ages.

4. Calaway Park

Location: 245033 Range Road 33, Calgary, Alberta
Parking: Free parking lot.
Open Season: Mid-May to Mid-October
Day Pass Cost: Regular (7-49 years) $37.95+GST, Junior (3-6 years) $31.00+GST, Fifty Plus (50 years & up) $29.00+GST.
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: Annual passes are available for $111.95+GST. Annual passes go on sale a few times each year. Until January 1 passes are on sale for $37.95+GST (that’s the same as one regular admission!). Passes will be on sale in the spring – beginning in March for $43.95+GST each.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 3 visits for a regular pass,  4 visits  for a junior pass. Passes on sale tend to pay off in two visits.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $447.80+GST if bought at full price. $151.80+GST if bought before January 1.
Other Benefits: discount admission coupons for family and friends.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: None. Pass covers admission for any day in their operating season. Some rides and games are an additional cost.
Food: There are a number of places throughout the park where you can buy food, snacks and drinks. You can also bring in your own food.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review:Calaway Park with Young Kids

5. Butterfield Acres

Location: 254077 Rocky Ridge Road  (Just North of Rocky Ridge)
Parking: Free parking lot.
Open Season: April through September.
Day Pass Cost: Adults – $14.99 + gst, Children (able to walk to 17) $11.99 + gst.
Free for Children: not yet walking.
Annual Pass Cost: Adults – $31.99 + gst, Children (able to walk to 17) $23.99 + gst.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: Adult passes break even on the third visit. Children’s passes break even on the 2nd visit.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $111.96
Other Benefits: None.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Pumpkin Hunts, Easter Egg Hunts, Pony Rides.
Food: concession open daily in July and August and weekends other months. You can bring in your own food and have a picnic.
Suggested Age Range: 12 and under.

Review: Butterfield Acres

6. Glenbow

Location: Downtown – 130 – 9 Avenue S.E.
Parking: There are a number of indoor and outdoor spaces you could park downtown. The Civic plaza parkade (322 9 Ave SE) is probably your best best if you are looking for indoor parking for the Glenbow. It is run by the parkplus system and has $5 parking evenings (beginning at 6pm, weekends starting at 11am on friday and holidays. It is otherwise $2.75 per half hour. You can travel the entire way to the Glenbow inside from the parkade – it is a significant walk. Easily accessible by c-train.
Open Season: Open all year.
Day Pass Cost: Adults $16, Youth (7-17) $10. Family (up to 2 adults and 4 youth) $40
Free for Children: 6 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: Adult $55, Family pass (for 2 adults and up to 4 children) $90.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 4 Visits for an adult pass. 3 Visits for a family pass (with two youths).
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $90.
Other Benefits: Discounted Glenbow admission passes for guests, discounts at the Glenbow Museum Shop and on tickets to special programs and events, free or discounted admission to eleven reciprocal gallery and museum partners across Canada
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Some special events require an additional cost.
Food:  There is a small restaurant just outside the Glenbow with snacks, beverages, pre-prepared sandwiches as well as sandwiches and hot meals made to order.
Suggested Age Range: All ages will enjoy the museum but kids under 7 are free.

Review: Glenbow Museum

7. Calgary Tower

Location: 101 – 9^th Avenue SW
Parking: pay parking available at the The Tower Centre Parkade. Easily accessible by c-train.
Open Season: Open all year long.
Day Pass Cost: Adults (13-64) – $18.00, Child (4-12) $9.00.
Free for Children: 3 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: Annual Pass for 4 people $149.00. Pass will cover any 4 people for the year.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: Breaks even at 2 visits if used for 4 adults or 3 visits if used for 2 adults and 2 children.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $149.00
Other Benefits: None.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: N/A
Food: Sky 360 Restaurant 155 meters up the tower – revolves once every 45-60 minutes. Elevator ride is complementary with purchase of an entree. There is also a small gift shop on the observation deck, where you can buy candy, pop and souvenirs. There is a larger gift shop on the main floor.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review:Calgary Tower with Kids

8. Fort Calgary

http://www.fortcalgary.com/visiting/membership/

Location: 750 – 9th Avenue SE
Parking: Free parking in lot.
Open Season: Open all year.
Day Pass Cost: Adults $12, Youth (7-17) $7, Child (3-6) $5.
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: $20 for an individual, $45 for a family.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 2 visits.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $45.
Other Benefits: Discounts at the Fort Calgary Gift Shop, Special invites to Fort events.
Food: The Deane House restaurant is adjacent (but currently closed for renovations).
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review: Fort Calgary

9. Bow Habitat Station

Location: 1440-17A Street SE
Parking: Free parking lot
Open Season: Open year round.
Day Pass Cost: Adults – $10 for discovery centre, $5 for fish hatchery tour, $14 for both. Youth (5-17) $6 for discovery centre, $3 for fish hatchery tour, $8 for both. Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) – $30 for discovery centre, $15 for fish hatchery tour, $45 for both.
Free for Children: 4 and under.
Annual Pass Cost:
Discovery Pass: Adults $30, Youth (5-17) $18.
Discovery Plus Pass: Adults $50, Youth (5-17) $30.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 3 visits for adults and children.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $96 for discovery pass, $160 for Discovery Plus pass.
Other Benefits: One family fish hatchery tour is included with membership. Basic membership includes admission to public events.  Plus membership also includes 10% off the gift shop, 2 $10 buddy passes, event and program offers, member only events, 1 free fishing rod rental, priority registration.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Some special events are not covered by the annual pass.
Food: There is a small cafe inside the Bow Habitat Station that may be open seasonally. There are also picnic tables in the park area outside.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review: Bow Habitat Station and Fish Hatchery

10. Military Museums

Location: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW
Parking: Free parking in lot.
Open Season: open all year.
Day Pass Cost: Adults $10, Youth (7-17) $4, Family $20.
Free for Children: 6 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: $10 for junior membership (under 18), $50 for family membership
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 3 visits for a family or junior membership.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $50.
Other Benefits: invitation to select functions at the museum.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Some special events may not be covered by annual membership.
Food: Snacks and drinks may be purchased from the vending machines located in the lounge. Food and drink are not permitted in the galleries.
Suggested Age Range: Best for children school-aged and older.

11. The Hangar

Location: 4629 McCall Way NE
Parking: Free parking lot.
Open Season: open all year.
Day Pass Cost: Adult $10, Student (12-17) $7, Child (6-11) $5, Family$25
Free for Children: 5 and under.
Annual Pass Cost:
Voting member: Adult $60, Family $150 (2 adults and up to 4 children).
Friend of museum: Adult $30, Family $75.
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 3 visits for an adult basic pass, approximately 3 visits for a family pass.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $75 for a basic pass.
Other Benefits: 10% off gift shop, invitations to programs and events. Voting memberships also receive two free guest passes and free admission to museum special events
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: some special events are not included in basic annual membership such as Aviation Calgary Expo and Wings & Wheels on Father’s Day.
Food: No food services on site.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

12. Calgary Corn Maze

Location: 284022 Township Road 224, Rockyview, Alberta
Parking: free parking
Open Season: Approximately the End of July to the End of October.
Day Pass Cost: Adult $13.25, Child (3-17) $12.25.
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: Annual pass for 1 person $33.60, for a family of 2 $60.90, family of 3 $85.05, family of 4 $109.20, family of 5 $131.25 (prices include GST).
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 3 visits.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $109.20
Other Benefits: 10% off food and beverages, skip line-ups on busy days.
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Friendly Fire and Lost Treasure’s Mining are not included in the cost of the annual pass.
Food: 3 food service buildings serve snacks, drinks and lunch items. You are also welcome to bring your own food for a picnic.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review: Calgary Corn Maze

13. Cobb’s Corn Maze

Note: I can’t see where you can buy 2016 Seasons passes in time for Christmas

Location: 1500 84 St NE  Calgary
Parking: free gravel parking lot
Open Season:   August to the end of October
Day Pass Cost: Adult $13, Child (3-17) $12.
Free for Children: 2 and under.
Annual Pass Cost: Annual pass for 1 person $33, for a family of 2 $31 per person, for 3 $29 per person, for 4 more $28 per person, for 5 or more $27 person (2015 rates – 2016 rates were unavailable at the time of posting)
Annual Pass Break Even Point: 2-3 visits.
Annual Pass Cost for a Family of 4: $112
Other Benefits: 10% discount on food and beverages,
Special Events not Covered by Annual Pass: Activities not normally included with general admission.
Food: Two food buildings side by side include a cookhouse and the Sugar Shack – Hot food such as fries, poutine, mozza sticks, hot dogs is available.  The Sugar Shack has all kinds of candy, popsicles, packaged ice cream and cold drinks. You can also pack a picnic lunch and eat it in the park. There are plenty of picnic tables.
Suggested Age Range: All ages.

Review: Cobb’s Corn Maze