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A man in a black beanie and hoodie attentively viewing a wall display of portraits inside an art gallery.

Weekend Getaways from Calgary: Canmore Art Edition

07/01/2025

For art lovers looking for weekend getaways from Calgary, they don’t need to look far. Just a short drive down the highway, Canmore boasts a bustling and diverse local scene full of art galleries, photography and do-it-yourself art experiences that will get your creative juices flowing.

Canmore is also as easy as it gets when it comes to weekend vacations from Calgary. Not only is it only an hour from the western edge of the city, but it also boasts great dining options, great breweries and centrally located hotels like the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. which are nearby to all that the thriving art scene has to offer.

Design your own art adventure using this list of creative ideas. 

Discover Local Art at Our Hotel & Restaurant in Canmore

Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre for your weekend getaway from Calgary will bring you closer to local art than you may know! Our partnership with the Canmore Art Guild means you’ll find breathtaking local works on the walls throughout our hotel. Like what you see? All of the pieces are for sale and get swapped out every few months. 

When dining at TABLE Food + Drink, you’ll experience local art in a different way. Canmore artists have created beautiful works on the restaurant walls, contributing to the refreshingly local experience we provide our guests!

Art Galleries in Canmore

A woman sitting on a wooden bench in an art gallery, viewing abstract paintings displayed on the white wall in front of her.

Canmore Art Guild Gallery

The Canmore Art Guild’s Gallery is located inside Elevation Place, less than a 10-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. That makes it a perfect first stop on any art weekend getaway from Calgary.

The gallery showcases over 40 local artists and attracts 15,000 visitors a year who come to check out its fascinating mix of natural landscapes, wildlife photography, and more abstract forms.

The large display space is centrally located and part of Elevation Place, a community hub and recreation centre that also features a climbing gym, library and swimming pool.

Fallen Leaf Gallery

Less than a 20-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and easily accessible through the free ROAM Transit System, the Fallen Leaf Gallery celebrates local artists from Canmore and across Canada.

With a mix of established artists and emerging talent, the gallery offers a curated selection of oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings, as well as sculptures of bronze, metal and stone.

Much of the art is inspired by the picturesque surroundings of the Canadian Rockies, making the Fallen Leaf Gallery a uniquely Canmore destination and a must-see stop on weekend getaway from Calgary for art lovers.

Art Country Canada

This family-run gallery is just a 15-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and is located right in the middle of the lively downtown, making it a perfect stop between coffee and a meal.

The gallery has a gorgeous selection of soapstone and hard-carved woods, as well as original paintings from Canadian artists like Robert Bateman and Darren Haley. Much of the art on display has a truly Western Canadian flare.

All In The Wild Gallery

  • Address: 712A Main Street
  • Website: www.allinthewild.com

Jason Leo Bantle has been passionate about wildlife photography his whole life, and his incredible work draws admirers from around the world.

His Canmore gallery is just a 15-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. It features absolutely stunning work highlighting Canada’s incredible natural beauty and the wildlife that populates the country, especially the Rocky Mountains.

The Avens Gallery

The Avens Gallery is a genuine Canmore original, featuring work from over 40 highly accomplished Western Canadian artists. The gallery has been open since 1986 and features an unrivalled selection of landscapes, wildlife, and sculptures that make it a must-visit for anyone on an arts-focused weekend getaway from Calgary.

It’s less than a 15-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, too.

The Three Sisters Gallery

  • Address: 700 Railway Avenue

The Three Sisters Gallery was opened in 2013 by the Town of Canmore Public Art Committee and features rotating exhibits from local artists and from across the country. It’s located on the second floor of Elevation Place, just a few short blocks from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, and can be a great place to discover new and emerging artists.

Public Art

Canmore has made it a priority to install original pieces of public art for anyone to visit around town for over two decades. The results have been stunning.

Pieces like “The Big Head” have become must-see stops for visitors on weekend getaways from Calgary and beyond, while “Touchstone” in front of Elevation Place is a powerful tribute to the town and its natural history.

The Town of Canmore has an interactive map that makes it easy for visitors to plan their routes as they attempt to take in as much of the public art as they can while in town.

Create Your Own Art

Colorful ceramic tile artwork with "Fun with Fleckles!" written on it, surrounded by painting tools and sample color tiles.

Crock A Doodle

Located just steps away from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, Crock A Doodle is a pottery painting studio that offers activities for guests of all ages. It’s the perfect way to spend some downtime after a day touring Canmore’s galleries while on a weekend getaway from Calgary.

Drop-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended, and there’s no better way to finish off a day taking in fine art than making some of your own!

Haley Potter Studio

Haley Potter is a ceramic artist who recently moved to Canmore to open a community pottery studio after growing up on Prince Edward Island.

Her studio offers one-and-done group lessons that can be booked in advance. In this 2-hour session, you’ll learn how to throw on the wheel and take home your own hand-made piece of pottery. 

ArtsPlace Adult Parties

  • Address: 950 8 Avenue
  • Website: www.artsplacecanmore.com

ArtsPlace is a vibrant community arts centre in Canmore that offers classes, performances, and events designed to help locals discover, explore, and celebrate the arts.

The centre also hosts private parties for groups of adults, a great way to explore your creative side while bonding with friends or family. They offer clay and painting parties, and ArtsPlace is only a 20-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

Book Your Weekend Getaway from Calgary!

Guest arriving at Coast Hotels in Canmore during winter, featuring a snowy entrance with festive decorations and a welcoming atmosphere.

Located within walking distance of Canmore’s best art galleries, the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is the perfect place to stay when you are going on a weekend getaway from Calgary. 

With fine dining at TABLE Food + Drink inside the hotel and amenities including a modern gym, pool and hot tub, our Canmore hotel has everything you need when you return from taking in all that the town’s bustling art scene has to offer.

Call us today for more information at 403.678.3625 or book online today.