If you're riding the train from the north east or the south, this is the first stop downtown and the start of the free fare zone. There isn't a ton of stuff in the immediate area, but most notably you've got City Hall, Bow Valley College, the Central Library, Olympic Plaza, Theatre Calgary, and the start of Stephen Ave.
There's a Tim Hortons adjacent to the westbound platform and a Second Cup inside the Central Library and that's about it for small shops at this station.
This station has a few shelters which can get pretty crammed on cold or rainy days, but if you just want to have a seat while you wait for the next train there are more than enough benches.