Calgary has more than 8 riveting experiences for you to explore the streets.
Will you try to save Calgary from a terrifying cosmic crisis? Find the truth behind mysterious Chinatown doors? Find your perfect match?
Only one thing is for certain, it’s your adventure.
Find out more about the experiences by clicking on the images below, or see the map below for locations to adventure. You can download the free Story City app here:
You’re invited to discover downtown like you never have before – following secret missions, courting fictional suitors, hunting down secret doors, or battling shadow monsters! In partnership with the Story City App, The City of Calgary’s Downtown Strategy has launched free real-life choose your adventures to get Calgarians active and exploring the streets of downtown. Using the Story City App, head out into the city and solve puzzles using both your real-world environment and stories built by local artists. Each chapter is placed in landmarks or local hidden gems and adventurers must make their way to each location to unlock the next chapter of these riveting, entertaining story experiences.
HEARTBREAK SPEEDRUN (Downtown): 16+ RATING
Created by: Miranda Martini, Art by: Nastassia Mihalicz, Music by: Alixandra Cowman, Narration by: Briana Trotter, Voiceover by: Aisha Kueh (Birch), Michael Vetsch (Luca), Briana Trotter (Olivia), Hans Wackershauser (Additional Voices)
Nine dates. Three prospective suitors. One broken heart. This is the run. Will you be able to speedrun your heartbreak, or is it game over for romance? This offbeat dating sim will take you to local haunts and hidden gems while telling a funny, heartfelt story about what it’s like to date with a broken heart.
This adventure starts at Peace Bridge.
THE NOT-SO-SECRET DOOR IN THE BACK OF A CHINESE RESTAURANT(Downtown): G RATING
Created by: Phillip Henry Wu, Art by: Sofiya Iurkevych, Music by: Lindsey Walker, Narration by: Thalia Altura, Voiceover by: Michael Vetsch, Briana Trotter.
Secret doors have been appearing all over Chinatown. No one knows where they came from or what lies beyond their threshold. Do you have the gumption to crack this paranormal case wide open, or will you discover an even deeper mystery from those you meet along the way?
This story starts at the Silver Dragon restaurant (106 3 Ave SE).
Created by: Kevin Weir, Art by: Sofiya Iurkevych, Music by: Alixandra Cowman, Narration by: Hans Wackershauser, Voiceover by: Briana Trotter
Obsidian towers are tearing the barrier between dimensions apart, but Calgarians are going about their day-to-day lives oblivious to the cosmic crisis consuming everything around them. All Calgarians, that is, except you.
This story starts on the corner of 2nd St SW and Waterfront Mews St.
A SPY FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S LAB (Downtown): G RATING
Created by: Alison Bloxham, Art by: Nastassia Mihalicz, Music by: Alixandra Cowman, Narration by: Hans Wackershauser, Additional Voices by: Briana Trotter
Welcome, Agent 24. The City of Calgary has been threatened with a biochemical toxin set to be released into the city’s water supply in only one hour. Your mission – should you choose to accept – is to obtain an antidote from Dr. Aberrant. Proceed with extreme caution. The City of Calgary’s fate rests in your hands.
This story starts in Olympic Plaza.
More Experiences in Calgary
THE CURSE – A WIZARD’S QUEST (Downtown): G RATING
Created by: Crystal Richards, Holly DaRoza, Roxanne Richards, Voiceover by: Crystal Richards, Holly DaRoza, Roxanne Richards, Jaliel Lazaro.
It is the eve of the bi-annual congregation of wizards at the magical Devonian Gardens. You embark on an adventure of thrills, discovery, action, and culinary eats. Why you might ask? Well, you are a wizard just ridiculed a magical creature and have been cursed. You may have just told your last bad joke.
This adventure starts at the Devonian Gardens
Winners of the Calgary Story City Create-a-thon 2024.
THE CALGARY PARABLE (Downtown): G RATING
Written by: Angelica Ng, Art by: Rose Enns, Music and Narration by: Aaron Quan, Edited by: Halen Deng, Game designed by: Rowan Sommerfeld, Photography by: Samuel Cheffins, Halen Deng, Sound Effects and Audio Mixing by: Bella Ley
“Earthly inhabitant. I need your help.” An unknown caller is asking you to take them to locations around downtown. Will you follow their demands for a chance to be rewarded for your obedience? Or will you decide to go against their wishes? The choice is yours.
This adventure starts at Olympic Plaza.
This story was create during the Calgary Story City create-a-thon 2024.
WONDERLAND – BUILDING A LEGACY (Downtown): G RATING
Created by: Urban Explorer
A boom and bust real-estate adventure. Do you ever wonder if you have the skills to create a legacy by building connections, hotels, railroads and retail stores?
In this adventure mixing Monopoly-style choices with Calgary history, navigate Calgary’s boom and bust real estate cycles to emerge an icon (or tycoon!) with lasting monuments to your success.
Your quest for riches begins at the Wonderland Sculpture by The Bow, on the corner of 6Av SE and Centre St.
This story was create during the Calgary Story City create-a-thon 2024.
NAPI (FRIEND) STORIES (Downtown): G RATING
For the Truth & Reconciliation self-guided walk, just download the Story City App, search for ‘Napi (Friend) stories’, and head to Stephen Ave to explore.
Join 8 young, Indigenous men, as they share their downtown journeys, perspectives, stories, and art.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the resilience, contributions, and enduring spirit of Indigenous men in Calgary’s downtown core. Let their stories inspire and enlighten you as we walk this path of cultural exploration and mutual respect.
Through this immersive journey, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the experience of the Indigenous communities in our downtown core and how building connection to land and one another is important to overcoming challenges in our efforts for truth and reconciliation. The storytellers, carefully selected in collaboration with USAY, share their lived experiences, triumphs, aspirations, and art, providing unique insights into the complex tapestry of Indigenous life in the heart of the city.
Uplifting, heart-warming, and earnest, across this self-guided walk along Stephen Ave, you will be invited to reflect, share, create your own art, and add your stories to the fabric of the city.
Just download the Story City App, search for ‘Napi (Friend) stories’, and head to the corner of 4th St and Stephen Ave to explore.
Calgary Downtown Association (CDA), and Urban Society for Aboriginal youth (USAY), teamed up with Story City, an interactive storytelling platform for location-based content, to tell the stories of 8 indigenous young men in the heart of our city and community.
