If you’ve been watching the brilliant FX show Fargo, and are familiar with Calgary, you may well have recognized a few places. All three seasons of the show were filmed in Calgary, and when stars such as Ewan McGregor (season 3) were there, it definitely caused a buzz around the city. Hot new show Wynonna Earp is currently being filmed in Calgary, and new studios at the Calgary Film Centre are set to now attract more shows. Over the years, lots of top shows and movies have been shot there. Many of these Calgary Filming locations are easy to find and open to the public, so you can check them out on your next visit. Here’s a list to get you started:
The Bear’s Den Restaurant. Located just outside of Calgary, this seriously cool spot was featured in a key scene of Fargo (season three, episode five). The interior is amazing, with 16ft high ceilings, cherry wood walls, and lots of taxidermy on display. Head there for a decadent meal of Alberta beef, elk, bison, or fish, and enjoy the classic style it exudes.
Bespoke Nightclub. Wynonna Earp filmed a scene for its second episode here, but you can head there for house and hip-hop DJs on Friday nights, and rap and old-school R & B on Saturdays.
Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall. Come here and two-step where scenes for both Brokeback Mountain and Cool Runnings were filmed. Even if you hate country music, this is such a neat place to visit (and they have a mechanical bull, so there’s that too).
Heritage Park Historical Village. Most recently, the blacksmith shop there was used in a scene for Wynonna Earp. Back in 2007, many scenes from Brad Pitt western The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford were shot there.
The Inglewood Neighbourhood was used for lots of scenes in season three of Fargo. Check out the Delightful Cafe which looks like an old-school diner (and was given a neon DINER light for filming) but serves great Vietnamese food. Pub Swan’s of Inglewood was also used, and is a sweet spot to head for a pint and British style pub food. Just across the street from there is the apartment building used as Gloria’s place.
Many of the outdoor scenes for season three of Fargo were filmed in beautiful Bragg Creek, just east of the city.
Winsport. If you loved Cool Runnings, then you can check out the bobsleigh runs at Winsport, site of the 1988 Winter Games, and even see the Jamaican Bobsled Team’s bobsled by the main entrance.
If you’re coming to the city and want to stay close to these Calgary filming locations, we have beautiful and comfortable Calgary suites to suit your needs. Contact us to find out how we can accommodate.