Whether you want the modern vibe of urban life or the beauty of the countryside, Calgary can offer the best of both worlds. The city is perfectly situated for tourists who wish to discover the Rocky Mountain resorts as well as the national parks that are within close reach. However, Calgary itself offers shopping, entertainment and culture all nearby along with annual festivals, excellent restaurants and the renowned Calgary Stampede. Temperatures vary widely in Calgary, peaking at around 17-23°C through the summer months and dropping as low as -15°C during winter evenings. Calgary International Airport takes around 11hrs to reach from UK airports.
| perfectly situated for tourists who wish to discover the Rocky Mountain resorts as well as the national parks.... |
Best for...
Calgary's wealth of entertainment and tourist attractions is enough to keep even the most demanding of holidaymakers happy...
The diversity of Calgary means there's something for everyone including families who will be drawn to the many entertainment options and the dozens of tourist attractions and festivals. Partygoers will find that Calgary's nightlife is as varied as its daytime offerings with everything from the theatre to bars, gay clubs and dance venues. However, the biggest draw for most tourists is the incredible scenery that includes one of the busiest skiing scenes in the world.
What to do...
You certainly won't be short of things to do in Calgary, with the Calgary Stampede definitely the area's biggest tourist attraction. The event draws more than one million visitors a year and features a real rodeo, chuck-wagon races and concerts. Indeed Calgary has a rich sporting legacy with the Olympic Park playing host to skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, as well as mountain biking and luge. The Pengrowth Saddledome is the home of the Calgary Flames if you wish to experience some authentic Canadian hockey, while the Hart House is the home of Canada's infamous wrestling family. Race City Motorsport Park is massive for stock-car racing fans, while horse racing can be enjoyed at Stampede Park.
Elsewhere, Calgary boasts numerous attractions such as the Calgary Zoo, which is Canada's second largest, and offers more than 100 rare animals as well as a variety of birds, life-size dinosaur models and many native species. Glenbow Museum is well worth visiting on a rainy day and covers more than 93,000sq ft, while Fort Calgary chronicles the area's history with guided tours and visual presentations. If you really want to keep the family entertained however, head to Calaway Park, which is the largest amusement park in western Canada.
Bowness Park is a great place to ski and enjoy the walking trails that circle the area. The lagoon is a skating rink during the winter and there are mini golf courses and pedal boat rides to enjoy. There are also many resorts throughout the Rocky Mountains, many of which are in close reach, particularly in the Banff National Park area, which is around a two-hour drive from Calgary.
If it's international cuisine you want, you'll be spoilt for choice in Calgary's restaurants, such as the Dutch and German inspired breakfast options at De Dutch Pannekoek House, local specialities at the Graze Grill with its seven-foot menu, and Italian gourmet dining at La Strada. However, the most famous restaurant is Calgary Tower with its revolving dining room that offers exceptional views of the city.
By night, the Plaza Theatre offers first-run films from around the world while the Globe Cinema showcases many independent offerings. If you want to go to a pub The Crazy Horse is atmospheric, but The Warehouse has a notorious reputation. Cowboys, is one of the hottest clubs in the area, with locals adopting the "cowboy" mentality and the female staff often given incentives to be surgically enhanced. There is also a buzzing gay and lesbian scene in Calgary, with many bars and clubs catering to the market.
Shoppers should head to Willow Park Village which has over 60 shops, and Market Mall that offers a little bit of everything including quaint jewellery stores.
