The city of Airdrie is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities! With a thriving population of over 80,000 residents, Airdrie is a dynamic and vibrant community which is rapidly developing its own unique identity. It is the fifth largest city in Alberta, but projections suggest it will be the third largest (behind Calgary and Edmonton) within the next 20 years.
Airdrie is also a very young city. The average age of Calgary’s “neighbor to the north” is 35 – many young families with multiple children call this growing city home. There’s no shortage of things to do with your kids! With venues for live theatre, public art, parks, pathways, playgrounds, a library, a recreation centre, outdoor sports and much more, there are plenty of amenities to keep your whole family active year-round in Airdrie.
Sports & Recreation
Great Things to Do
Independent schools
Parks, Playgrounds & Green Spaces
With 70 playgrounds, 140kms of maintained pathways, and 1,110 groomed parkland acres, Airdrie is a great place to get outdoors.
Airdrie’s newest addition to the parks and playgrounds community, Chinook Winds Regional Park, offers more than 55 acres of developed parkland space and an abundance of activities for kids of all ages. Amenities and activities at Chinook Winds Regional Park include more than 2kms of paved pathways, three playgrounds, a skate park, a spray park, a multi-use court, two concessions, public washrooms, beach volleyball, four volleyball courts, and eight ball diamonds.
Nose Creek Regional Park is a 20-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Airdrie. This newly enhanced park boasts an amphitheatre, concession area, and fire pit, and is home to Airdrie’s famous Festival of Lights in December. The space also offers picnic tables, a covered shelter, and nature trails, making it the perfect
location for many community events. Nose Creek Pond also stocks trout twice over the summer months and offers fishing.
There is no shortage of places to bring your fur family as well. Airdrie has six off-leash areas for dog owners and their pups to enjoy.
Places to Shop
Calgary’s premier outlet shopping destination, CrossIron Mills Mall, is a five-minute drive from south Airdrie. CrossIron Mills is the biggest one-level shopping centre in Alberta, and has more than 200 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. This mall has everything you need (and probably a few things you don’t!).
Right beside CrossIron, you will find New Horizon Mall, with one discovery after another. The growing community of local merchants, personal services, artisans, and fresh market vendors is a fun place to explore on the weekends, and the huge venue hosts a number of family-friendly events throughout the year.
Snap! Collectibles and Treasure Trove Comics & Collectibles have everything the pop-culture buff in your family could ever dream of. From books and memorabilia, to games and action figures, you can spend hours in these hidden gems.
Arguably, Airdrie’s business with the most unique name is Where on Earth… Antique Mall & Vintage Marketplace. Where on Earth… is a local, family-owned-and-operated business spanning 15,000 square feet, with over 60 vendors carrying vintage items.
Airdrie also has a weekly Farmer’s Market during the spring and summer months that features everything from original quilts and hand-crafted art, to fresh potatoes and greenhouse produce.
If you have an artist in the family, check out Muk-Luk Magpies Stained Glass Emporium for supplies, classes, studio space, custom glasswork and exceptional giftware, antiques, art, jewelry, and pottery.
Food Scene
The Airdrie Ale Trail is a self-guided trip to the local craft breweries, each with their own distinct story and experience. From award-winning brews, to unique seasonals, to community collaborations, your new favorite beer is waiting to be discovered. The Trail includes 948 Brewing Company, Atlas Brewing Company, Balzac Craft Brewing Company, and Solutions Brewing.
It may also come as a surprise that this city outside of Calgary has such a vibrant and diverse food scene!
Flavours of Montreal is as authentic as they come. With specialties like hand-carved Montreal smoked meat, poutines, and tourtière, you will be convinced you have been transported to Quebec. Thai Charm Eatery serves up some of the best Thai food you will ever have. Ferraro Truly Italian does not disappoint, and makes a great date night spot. Paros on Main is a staple in the community for its authentic Greek food.
The newly renovated 525 Restaurant and Patio sits on a beautiful golf course, so you can have your dinner with a view! Other notable locally owned-and-operated hot spots include Street Galley Food and Wine, The Mash, Abe’s Diner, Jam’s and Cheryl’s Country Kitchen.
Airdrie also has all of the family dining chains you’re used to. You can find Boston Pizza, Montana’s, Boardwalk Fries Burgers Shakes, Cora Breakfast and Lunch, Ricky’s All Day Grill and more.
There are a number of fun candy, pop, and ice cream shops located around the city. Your kids can go sugar crazy at Over the Top Pop Shop, Rocket Fizz, Sweet Tooth Candy Company, and La Diperie.
If you prefer your sweets in doughnut form, don’t miss a trip to Maverick’s Donuts, Dough Bits Dessert House, or take the 15-minute drive to the Donut Man in Crossfield - you will not regret it!
Things to Consider
Public art contributes to an improved quality of life for all city residents, and Airdrie has taken this to heart. Public art pieces that can be viewed in the city include Îethka Stoney Grandmother's Teachings Sculptures, Canada 150 Mosaic Project and the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument in Nose Creek Regional Park; Totem Poles in Gwacheon Park; Centennial Sphere at City Hall, and Street Art Galleries at three local parks.
Airdrie is growing fast and that means new amenities are coming in all the time. Construction has begun on a new library and multi-use facility that is set to open in the winter of 2025. This community facility and public library is envisioned to be a landmark destination that offers a wide variety of opportunities, both indoor and outdoor, for citizens to gather, connect, and learn. The facility will be 73,000 square feet, with 53,000 for the library and 20,000 for the multi-use space.
Another major milestone in Airdrie's growth and progress is the completion of the 40 Avenue interchange that connects the southwest portion of the city to Highway 2. The $65-million project was completed in October 2023 and has improved commute times, enhanced safety, and boosted economic development in the bustling city.
Airdrie is home to several new and developing neighborhoods, each offering unique features and amenities. These neighborhoods cater to diverse lifestyles and preferences, offering a range of housing options, recreational facilities, and community-oriented features. Here are a few notable ones:
Bayview
Bayview, by Calbridge Homes, is a developing community. It offers an idyllic setting with big-city amenities in a close-knit community. Residents enjoy stunning green spaces, 6km of canals, walking paths, and a peaceful, family-friendly lifestyle in Airdrie.
New Neighborhoods in Airdrie
Chinook Gate
Life in Chinook Gate is four seasons of fun, where families come to play and prosper. This community is located just steps from Chinook Winds Regional Park, which boasts 55 acres of outdoor amenities and spaces for the whole family.
“Inside the community, we have a playground, pond with a pathway around it, and greenspaces for residents to enjoy outside of their homes,” says Mary Aucoin, Senior Manager of Marketing for Brookfield’s Calgary Communities division. “This community is proud to have a maintenance Homeowners Association, where they provide events and programming, an enhanced community maintenance program, and create opportunities for connection between neighbors.”
There is a future school site within Chinook Gate, so children can go to school close to home for added convenience! Duplex, laned, and front garage homes are available by three different builders; Brookfield Residential, Excel Homes, and McKee Homes, to meet all housing needs for any size family that chooses to call this community home.
CobbleStone Creek
Experience life at a different pace in CobbleStone Creek by Excel Homes! Serene and picturesque, this new Airdrie community is home to simple living in this idyllic location. “This family-friendly neighborhood offers many green spaces and parks right outside your door, which is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors while being close to town!” says Kristina Plank, Marketing Manager for Excel Homes.
Cooper’s Crossing
When you buy a home in Cooper’s Crossing, you join a community rich with green parks, scenic ponds, and active playgrounds. This established neighborhood features a fully networked pathway system connecting homes to schools, shopping, and parks, making walking and biking convenient and enjoyable for staying active and healthy.
Goldwyn
This new community offers the opportunity for residents to own large, single-family estate homes in a location only a 20-minute drive away from amenities in Calgary and Airdrie. A 30-minute drive away from Calgary’s downtown core, urban amenities for shopping and dining are easily accessible — allowing residents
of Goldwyn to enjoy the best of both worlds. For shopping nearby, residents can stop by the shops in Airdrie or visit the nearby shopping development of CrossIron Mills.
“In Goldwyn, residents enjoy the peaceful privacy of prairie estate living, while also enjoying the convenience of nearby amenities,” says Erin Cripps, Sales & Marketing for Melcor Developments. “Goldwyn is the perfect community for those who enjoy spending time in the natural beauty of the great outdoors.”
Key Ranch
Located on Airdrie's west side, Key Ranch is one of Airdrie's latest communities, offering families a blend of urban convenience and the untouched nature and the beautiful Key Ranch Pond.
Key Ranch offers residents the opportunity to select a home that meets their needs and enriches their way of life. “With easy access to major traffic routes, convenient shopping amenities, schools, parks, and the great outdoors, there is room to grow,” says Joanna Madden, Marketing Coordinator for Akash Homes.
Lanark Landing
Lanark Landing offers a blend of affordability, community amenities, and a family-friendly environment, making it an attractive option for families looking for a place to grow. “We offer energy-efficient duplex and front drive homes - perfect for active, all-terrain families,” says Katie Duffin, Marketing Specialist for Homes by Avi. “Lanark Landing boasts multiple green spaces, and features a pump track for the more adventurous kids.”
Midtown
“We are thrilled to have been building homes in Airdrie for several years, creating spaces where memories are made and futures begin,” says Melanie Gowans, Vice-President of Sales, Marketing and Interior Design for Shane Homes. “Currently, we are proud to build in Midtown and Cobblestone, and are excited to announce our upcoming project in a new community, Vantage Rise, later this year.”
Midtown offers a welcome sense of openness in the midst of a growing city, making it one of the most desirable places to live in Airdrie. With plentiful outdoor conveniences such as Nose Creek Park and Woodside Golf Course, and easy access to a variety of amenities interwoven amongst inspiring new homes, you’ll find the perfect backdrop to have it all.
Southwinds
Southwinds in Airdrie is a vibrant community by Mattamy Homes that stands out for its unique feature – the first reconstructed nature preserve in southwest Airdrie. This community offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and modern conveniences, providing residents with ample green spaces, parks, and recreational areas.
Vista Crossing
A few minutes from Airdrie, Visa Crossing offers a picturesque community with 160 acres of natural beauty. It features numerous parks, wooded paths, a community center, nearby schools, and a golf club. The area boasts 4kms of walking trails, 5 acres of protected wetlands, 20 acres of green spaces, and a community garden. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a mini soccer field, outdoor hockey rink, skateboard park, and sports fields for soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, and a running track in Crossfield. Families can relax at the pond, stocked annually with rainbow trout, or visit tot lots, picnic areas with fire pits, a splash park, and playgrounds.
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