Mission is a community located on the southern fringe of downtown Calgary. It is a neighbourhood that is rich in history and my favourite community in the city. Mission started as an area for French Speaking Catholics in the late 1800's and back then was called Rouleauville.
Much of the French history of Rouleauville has been lost to Anglicism, although evidence of Mission's French roots can be seen when visiting the old Rouleauville square which has tons of information about the history of the area. The streets in Mission have had a numbered system since the 1970's but some of the street signs still show their former French names, as a nod to its past.
Today, Mission is a laid-back beautiful area of the city. You can walk down 4th Street and enjoy the diverse range of restaurants and specialty shops, wander along the side streets to check out unique heritage homes, walk or run along the Elbow river, chill out with friends or alone with a book on the rocky beaches on the banks of the river or enjoy a walk or some shade with a blanket at Lindsay Park. Each spring, Mission hosts the annual 4th Street Lilac Festival (postponed until 2021 due to Covid-19).
So, get yourself down to beautiful, historic Mission to try out these four feel-good activities before summer is over!
1. Sensory Deprivation Float at Clear Float Spa
Step into the warm, Epsom salt-filled water in your float pod, close the lid, take a deep breath and leave your troubles and anxiety behind for 60 blissed out minutes of relaxation, quiet and meditation.
Why do I float?
Regular floats at Clear Float have improved my qualify of life. It like an hourlong meditation session. When I'm done, I feel a sense of calm and peace. I feel creative and am able to look at anything that may be bothering me objectively and work though it efficiently and effectively. It is hands down one of my favourite self-care rituals.
Benefits of Floating:
I learned about floating when I was listening to an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast and a few days later, my friend Benn asked if I wanted to check out Clear Float. The benefits of floating includes absorbing magnesium through the skin through the Epsom salt in the water, the lowering of stress, reduced anxiety, enhancing mental clarity and improved sleep. It feels good to float after a workout and I experience less muscle tension. The water is the roughly the same as body temperature and there are no phones, conversations or distractions so it's incredibly peaceful and allows for being alone with one's thoughts. Lastly, my skin feels beautiful when I get out.
Why is Clear Float my favourite float studio?
Whether you like your water temperature cooler or warmer, the amazing staff keeps my preference on file and has my pod water's temperature to my liking prior to arrival. I appreciate that I always feel welcome when I walk through the doors and that the location is clean and quiet.
I also like that I can choose what sounds/tracks I listen to while I'm in the pod. Check out Clear Float's website to preview tracks here so you know what you'd like to listen to for an hour. My favourites are Creativity and Rain. They also provide complimentary post float hot tea or Tru Buch kombucha. I love Tru Buch's ginger kombucha so much and it is the cherry on the top after a beautiful float. Floaters also have the option of relaxing in the post float Zen room. Oh, and there's free parking in the attached parkade. I recommend not eating a huge meal or having caffeine before a float.
**I've got a giveaway in conjunction with Clear Float Spa happening right now. The lucky winner will receive a complimentary float. This is the perfect opportunity to try floating if you haven't already. I am sure that you will love it. Check my Instagram page; @nicowalkerlyons for contest details!**
2. Self-Guided Calgary Historical Walking Tour - Mission and Cliff Bungalow
Just when I thought that I had seen and done it all in Mission, I found something new! Last fall, Benn and I were looking for something new to do in Mission. After a bit of research, I stumbled on the Mission Self-Guided Walking Tour by the City of Calgary. Download your free guide here (and check out other Calgary Walking Tours) here
I really enjoyed learning more about the history of Mission and seeing the homes and buildings - some of which are almost exactly the same as the original structures as pictured in the brochure. This walking tour gives you the opportunity to explore the neighbourhood at your own pace. I loved catching all of the tiny details that made me fall in love all over again with Mission.
3. Picnic at Lindsay Park or at the Rock Beach
Choose your own adventure: Take a few steps into Lindsay park and you'll feel like you've escaped the city. Enjoy a lovely few hours under the canopy of trees and walk along the paths that line the Elbow river. Bring a blanket and pick up your provisions from Mercato Gourmet at the corner of 4th street and 23rd avenue.
4. Marlow Floralworks Secret Tea Garden
A secret no more! There's no shortage of coffee shops in Mission, but if you're like me and you don't drink coffee, or just want to try something new - check out the Secret Tea Garden. It's a serene, lovely space and is a perfect place to start or end the day.
Located right on 4th Street behind Marlow Floralworks, once you enter the garden, the city seems to disappear behind you. Suddenly, you're embraced by trees overhead and surrounded by plants, flowers and quiet, interrupted only by the trickling of water from the fountain.
The garden is a breath of fresh air and I absolutely loved enjoying the gorgeous space. They have an interesting tea menu with offerings by the pot or cup, along with tasty treats to accompany your selection. I visited in the morning because I wanted to enjoy some quiet time and it was perfect. I could see me back here again enjoying tea and those soft, delicious quinoa cookies while devouring a book or over a nice conversation with a friend. It is a place to linger and savour all summer and if we are lucky, into fall.
I really hope you head down to Mission to enjoy one or all of these places/activities. They're wonderful to enjoy on their own or as a full day outing, with friends or as a peaceful day on your own. Let me know how you enjoy whatever you choose to do and be sure to enter the Clear Float giveaway on my Instagram page.
Until next time,
Nicole x
Looking for other fun things to do in and around Calgary? Check out these posts:
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My name is Nicole and I am a Calgary based lifestyle and travel blogger with a focus on alcohol free living. During this period of self-isolation and physical distancing, like many others, I've been more focused on lifestyle than travel. This time has given me the opportunity to slow down and find ways to stay inspired, have fun, stay fit and eat well without travelling too far from home.
While I am inspired by beautiful Instagram pages and blogs that feature nomad travellers living and working from beaches in enviable locales – but that’s not my reality. Even though I don’t normally travel for extended periods of time, I have always had great times and made amazing memories on my getaways.
I noticed that short trips are definitely not showcased as frequently as longer getaways. There are people who don’t wish to be away from home for long periods of time. There are also people like myself who love to travel, but because of their schedule or lifestyle have decided they will not travel for several weeks or months at a time. For us like-minded folks, I've decided to create a community for those who love short getaways and life without alcohol.
Get in touch: Find me on Instagram. Follow along for more photos and behind the scenes stories.
Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using those links, you don’t pay anything extra but I will receive a small commission