Explore the Cascading Rocky Mountain Foothills of Calgary in Alberta Province, Canada
by Paul H. Green
Who says the Old West is only held captive in Western films from long ago? When you visit Calgary, you'll get the feel for the West again! Calgary is located in the province of Alberta, Canada and is often called the "Heart of the New West (TM)," that is to say, the New "Canadian" West.
It's a city found tucked away in the foothills of Canada's gorgeous Rocky Mountains. Calgary invites you to explore the culture, beauty, and many attractions of the Canadian West. Though the city's population reaches beyond a million people, it's still clean, safe, friendly, and inviting to travelers from all walks of life. Calgary's attractions, serene natural beauty, and seasonal appeal for summer and winter months make it a choice destination for families.
Things to See and Do in Calgary
While in Calgary, you can choose from a variety of activities no matter what your interests. There are parks and nature paths, relaxing spas, mountain peaks for hikers, rafting and canoeing, golfing, cultural attractions, and more. So if you want to glide down a snow-covered mountain on a snowboard or attend a local festival, Calgary has plenty to do for all.
On the Adventurous Side of Calgary
If you're an "Old West" fan who wants to explore the "New West," the Calgary Stampede Park www.calgarystampede.com/ offers a little of both. You can attend a rodeo, see the Stampede Showband and Showriders, attend a horse race, tour a ranch, and much more. The Stampede Park has a full itinerary each year of fun events that any true Westerner wouldn't want to miss.
At Olympic Park, you can take a bobsleigh ride or go skiing in winter. During summer, the park's vast terrain invites you to go biking, hiking, have a picnic, and explore nature. Prince Island Park hosts many events and festivals throughout the year and features picnic areas, pathways and hiking trails, cross-country skiing, flower gardens, canoeing, and a full service restaurant called the River Cafe.
Other outdoor points of interest include Devonian Gardens, Fish Creek Provincial Park, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, and the Pearce Estate Park Interpretive Wetland.
If you enjoy horse races, there's the Stampede Race Track. If you want to try a few golf courses while in Calgary, there are several courses including Maple Ridge, Lakeview, McCall, and Confederation.
Family Fun in Calgary
If vacationing with kids, Calgary is a great place to visit with fun-filled adventures for all ages. There's plenty to keep the kids busy from amusement parks to nature parks. At the Bow Habitat Station, located on the shore of the Bow River in Calgary, children can explore the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and see an unusual collection of wetlands. There are new exhibits and ever-changing environments so each visit can be interesting.
For a change of scenery, take the kids along to see a horse jumping show at Spruce Meadows www.sprucemeadows.com/ . Tournaments go on from February to October with summer shows being held outdoors. During each tournament, there are intriguing exhibits, a county fair, a historical village to explore, and other fun activities the kids are sure to enjoy.
The whole family can spend a day at Calaway Park www.calawaypark.com , the largest outdoor family amusement park in Western Canada. The park has 30 rides including Air Gliders, the Adrenaline Test Zone, the Ball Crawl, Balloon Ascension, Boulder Bumpers, the Berry Go Round, and more. There are also numerous attractions and live shows.
While you're in Calgary, don't forget to take the family to the Calgary Zoo www.calgaryzoo.org . Within the zoo are sections where you can see unique animals in areas similar to their natural habitat. Some of these sections include the Australian area, Canadian Wilds, Destination Africa, Creatures of the Night, Eurasia, and Primates. The zoo also offers a Zoo Train, Conservatory, a Prehistoric Park, a cafe, and colorful botanical gardens.
Touring the City
Once you've explored all the nature you want in Calgary, it's time to try the city life for a while. You can visit museums such as the Aero Space Museum of Calgary, the Glenbow Museum, the Naval Museum of Alberta, the Nickle Arts Museum, or the Firefighters Museum.
In performing arts, there are operas, music and jazz clubs, performing arts theaters, mystery theaters, dinner theaters, and more. You can even explore Chinese culture at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre in Chinatown.
A Soothing Spa Visit
After several days of going here and there to discover the city of Calgary, you'll be ready for a day of relaxation. One of the local spas can provide just the wind-down you need. A few local spas include the Banff Upper Hot Springs, the Mountain Oasis Retreat Spa, the Oraoxygen Spa, the Radium Hot Springs, and the Satori Day Spa. You might even check with your hotel or resort beforehand to see if they offer a spa.
Shopping in Calgary
If you're an avid shopper, you won't be disappointed in Calgary. The city offers many shops, florists, fashion department stores, markets, souvenir and gift shops, Western wear stores, shopping centers and malls. There are several upscale districts with specialty shops. Also, Stephen Avenue Walk is a zone for pedestrians only that's lined with shops, all leading to a shopping complex that covers five blocks.
Local Festivities in Calgary
No matter what time of the year you visit Calgary, you're likely to be there when a special event or festival is taking place, whether it be a rodeo, celebration festival, holiday activity, expo, etc.
In summer, a few popular events include Canada Day, Alberta Heritage Day, Calgary Dragon Boat Race Festival, Calgary International Blues Festival, and the Mayor's Environment Expo. There's the Easter Eggstravaganza and the Spring Whoopup in spring. For winter, there's a High Performance Rodeo, Calgary Winterfest, and Winefest. For fall, Calgary hosts Wordfest, Lions Festival of Lights, and 12 Days of Christmas at Heritage Park along with several other events.
Calgary also offers unique activities that you rarely find elsewhere such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, canyon ice walks, dog sledding, and horseback riding.
Consider Calgary as your next family vacation destination. Every member of the family will find plenty of enjoyment in Calgary, Canada!