Calgary the Cowtown

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and is the oil capital of Canada. The city got the nickname “Cowtown” due to its long history as the center of a cattle-rearing region.

Back in the 1880s the ten-day Calgary Stampede began and is the highlight of the summer here. Its famous rodeo is called “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” in July. There is a big parade, rodeo competitions, chuck wagon races, concerts, stage shows, a fun fair and so much more. It takes place in Stampede Park.

Only a day trip from Calgary, Banff National Park and the town of Banff offer amazing mountain vistas.

Among the highlights here is Lake Louise known for its turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

The lovely Fairmont Chateau is a luxury hotel on Lake Louise.

You can stroll along the lake shore trail and have great views all around taking the Lake Louise Gondola.

Calgary Zoo dates back to 1917. It is the largest and most visited zoo in Canada. The zoo is located on St. George Island in the Bow River. It is home to more than 1,000 animals including rare and endangered species.

Among the highlights are the Land of Lemurs, Destination Africa, and the Canadian Wilds.

Children enjoy the Prehistoric Park attraction with full-sized replica dinosaurs.

Heritage Park is a typical village with reconstructed historical buildings and costumed interpreters from four different time periods. Among the highlights here are an 1860 fur-trading fort, a 1930s town square, and you can ride the old steam engine around the park.

You can get a paddle wheel tour boat for a scenic cruise across the Glenmore Reservoir. The reservoir is popular for sailing, canoeing, and rowing.

The Rocky Mountaineer is a privately owned rail tour that runs between Calgary or Jasper and Vancouver. It runs on the historic Canadian Pacific Line through the Rocky Mountains.

At Canmore, you can enjoy seeing the snow-capped Three Sisters, a group of mountain peaks.

For breathtaking views head up to the top of the Calgary Tower. The viewing platform has a glass floor and there is a revolving restaurant. It is the tallest structure in the city. You can see a movie here about the building of the tower.

West of the city in the foothills of the mountains are the towers of WinSport. This is home to the Calgary Olympic Park and was the site for the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988. On the hill, you can ski and snowboard. Other sports are bobsled, zipline, toboggan, snow tube, and mountain biking.

Prince Island Park is a large green space to the north of downtown Calgary. It is located on an island in the Bow River. The park is adjacent to Eau Claire Market. The park is connected to the mainland by three pedestrian bridges. There are places for walking and biking, In the summer you can enjoy outdoor concerts and plays.

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Center is located in the East Village area of Calgary. The structure includes the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Collection. All of these museums have a collection of 2,000 music-related artifacts as well as old and rare instruments. You can enjoy daily performances and concerts. There are educational events and workshops and guided tours are available.

Fish Creek Provincial Park is the second largest in Canada. It offers walking trails through forest areas and along the creek. Some trails connect with others and crisscross the city. The park has been designated a natural area and is home to some 200 different bird species. You can also enjoy fishing, swimming, and biking.

Core Shopping Center on the 4th level offers something unexpected.

Devonian Gardens are indoor gardens with 550 trees, sculptures, fish ponds, fountains, and a 900-square-foot living wall. There are about 10,000 plants.

Fort Calgary was the first outpost of the North West Mounted Police. It was established in 1875 at the confluence of the Elbow and Bow Rivers. The fort foundations can still be seen.

The Fort Calgary Museum has information about the founding of the city.

On the other side of the bridge is Deane House, built in 1906 for the fort's commandant. Today it is one of the finest restaurants in Calgary.

On-site is a gift shop and a theater showing related movies.

Spruce Meadows is a world-renowned equestrian facility. You can get a tour of the stables, watch show jumping, and dressage champions in training. Outdoor tournaments take place in the spring. On-site is a football stadium, retail vendors, and dining facilities.