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Calgary is where the foothills meet the prairies. Where the gateway to the Rocky Mountains gives it a wondrous skyline. Every year Calgary puts on a wild western fling called ‘The Calgary Stampede’. This is just one example of the excitement that makes Calgary a tourist destination. In 1988 Calgary hosted the World Olympics and began to draw a lot of international attention. Since then, this city has expanded itself and grown into a great trade and commerce city. There are four quadrants that make up this city and they are divided by the several rivers that run through them. There are many great things to see and do in Calgary so don’t miss your chance to come visit.

Calgary Pictures

Things to do in Calgary

The Olympic Plaza and Arts District is usually on the top of everyone’s list. Here you can see where the 1988 Winter Olympics took place. In the summer the water-filled plaza is a hub for waders and swimmers. In the winter it’s a perfect spot for ice skating. There are also many museums in this district. The Calgary Tower offers a great 360 degree view of the city. Prince’s Island Park is a nice spot for visitors to get a good view of the skyline of the Downtown Office Core skyscrapers. The Downtown Office Core itself is made up of a network of raised sidewalks and bridges, which connect the densely close buildings to each other. Quite the site to see. It is one of a kind in North America. Right outside of the city is the actual Olympic Park, where you can find the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and take a ride up to the top of the ski jump where you’ll get a fantastic view of the city. Finally if you’re interested in theater, this city has several wonderful theaters and districts that support the arts. EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts is the central hub and houses three major performing arts theaters.

Nightlife in Calgary

Cover charges at nightclubs are at most $5 or $10. (Note these are in Canadian dollars so the amount may vary) Eau Claire Market is the home of the Garage, which is a hip warehouse style billiards club. There is live music most nights and a large bar. Warehouse nightclub and HiFi nightclub have the typical hip-hop and electric music and the dancing doesn’t stop until sunrise on the weekends. Looking for something different? The Elbow River Inn Casino is a nice alternative to the usual nightclub scene. There are a few others, and one grea thing to note about them is that a good amount of the profits go to charities. As with any urban city, there are many pubs and bars. Remember that Canada is known for its beer, so make sure you try an ice beer or microbrew. The most famous labels are Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian.

Dining in Calgary

Take note that while Calgary has no signature city dish, it considers the Albertan Beef Dish its own. The people here love beef and even invented a Chinese-Canadian dish: Ginger Beef. It goes without saying that most restaurants will serve you a wide variety of prepared beef dishes. In the theater district there are a couple wonderful dinner theaters. The Stage West Dinner Theater and Jubilations Dinner Theater have shows while diners eat an array of delicious food. There are some great restaurants in China Town, the third largest China Town in Canada. In the business core you’ll find the more upscale restaurants with a great selections of different types of food. If you are looking for a bite on the run or a cheap dish, grab something off of a cart. Calgary is considered to have the cleanest cart food.

Shopping in Calgary

Kensington, one districts in Calgary, is also a great place for shopping. Located along the Bow River on the north side of the city you can find many bohemian and creative shops. 17th Avenue has the more upscale shopping with top designer shops. Stephen Avenue Walk is noted as being a central local for shopping, eating, and relaxing. This is not a street to miss. Also while in Calgary, you might want to stop by a farmer’s market–especially if you are on a budget. The downtown farmer’s markets are scattered around the city and you can find some great deals.

Calgary travel tips

• The Caeser Cocktail got it’s start in Calgary–try one during your visit!
• If you’re in town during the Stampede–a celebration of western heritage and cowboy culture started in 1912–go! It’s a time when all the locals loosen up and have fun, and greatly represents the city’s diverse and interesting cultural past.
• Due to the cold temperatures and large amounts of snow, almost all of downtown Calgary is accessible through tunnels and enclosed skywalks. Enjoy taking in the sights from above!