Calgary hotels

Calgary is where the wild west meets the rest of the world. It's a young, fun, cosmopolitan city, which makes the most of its cowboy heritage, its multi-cultural make-up and its rich cultural life.

The Glenbow Museum introduces the history of the Canadian First Nations alongside the wonders of the world. The colourful past of the Mounted Police unfolds at Fort Calgary, while the Heritage Park Historical Village recreates the sights and sounds of the city before 1915. For a bird's eye view of the skyline, take a trip up Calgary Tower.

The area around Calgary is becoming a hot new film location, and from the city you can easily visit the grounds graced by the stars. Brokeback Mountain was filmed in Fort McLeod and Kananaskis, while Robbie Williams' road trip movie RV was partly filmed on the Crowsnest Highway and in Milk River.

This is a cowboy town, and it's the place to buy your boots, hats, belts and buckles. Inglewood District specializes in antiques, books and furnishings, while Stephen Avenue Walk in the downtown district has more than a thousand shops selling everything from Western wear to designer shoes, books and CDs. Upscale Uptown 17th Avenue has art and boutiques.

Calgary is a fabulous city for outdoor enthusiasts. Rollerblade in Prince's Island Park, or rent a bike and take a ride along Bow River Pathway. In winter, the locals head to St. Andrew's Heights for tobogganing, or lace up their skates and take a spin on the Bowness Park lagoon.

Calgary has a thriving arts scene. Visit the galleries and cafés of Art Central, or see contemporary pieces at the Art Gallery of Calgary. The Alberta Ballet twirls through a rich repertoire, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has now been playing for fifty years, while the Calgary Opera presents classics from Cinderella to Carmen.

Alberta is famous for its beef, but there's more to Calgary than steak and burgers. 4th Street flaunts more than 30 restaurants serving dishes from across the globe. Inglewood is great for cosy cafés and pubs with ambience, while Uptown 17th Avenue is known for its trendy bistros and Kensington blends cafés with more exotic fare.

Step into space with a new innovation at Calgary Tower. The recently installed glass floor on the observation deck means you can look straight down on the city, seemingly suspended in mid-air.