Standing among Downtown’s gleaming skyscrapers, the Calgary Tower is a must-see. The Observation Deck offers a panoramic view of the city, the prairies and the Rocky Mountains to the west. A walk across the glass floor suspended over the city street below can be an unnerving experience. You can enjoy lunch or dinner in the revolving restaurant, SKY 360.
Things to see in Calgary
Tourist offices
Address: 200-238 11th Avenue SE (administrative office), Beltline, Calgary, T2G 0X8, Canada
Tel: +1 403 263 8510.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1700.
www.visitcalgary.comVisitor centres in Calgary offer maps, brochures and travel advice. You can drop into Tourism Calgary’s main office downtown or look out for the mobile kiosk in summer. There are also visitor centres at Calgary International Airport's domestic arrivals level (daily 0600-2300) and international arrivals level (daily 0800-0100). You can pick up brochures at various other locations, including at the customer service desks in the Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Road SE and the CF Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Trail SW.
Discount coupon booklets are available free of charge at tourist information centres and at the Calgary Tower all year round. You can also find money-off coupons for major attractions at www.calgaryattractions.com/coupons.
On scenic St George's Island, Calgary Zoo is home to a huge line-up of critters. You can see grizzlies and caribou in the ‘Canadian Wilds' exhibit or gaze at gorillas and giraffes in ‘Destination Africa’. Snow leopards, red pandas and penguins are also on show. Meander through botanical gardens and encounter life-size dinosaur models in the Prehistoric Park.
This museum’s three floors house an extensive collection celebrating the Canadian West. The permanent collection follows the development of the west through Canadian indigenous art, early European depictions of First Nations peoples, native crafts and fur trade exhibits. ‘Nitsitapiisinnii: Our Way of Life’ showcases the traditions and history of the Blackfoot people.
This huge working museum showcases the settlement of western Canada through restored buildings and characters in authentic heritage costume. You can also ride aboard a steam locomotive, an antique Ferris wheel, historic streetcars or the SS Moyie, an early sternwheeler. The Gasoline Alley Museum displays vintage cars, while Heritage Town Square represents a 1930s to 1950s street.
Housed in a futuristic, colour-changing building, this science centre contains four galleries of hands-on fun: ‘Being Human’, ‘Earth & Sky’, ‘Open Studio’ and ‘Energy & Innovation’. Beyond these, there’s a Creative Kids Museum with interactive programmes for kids up to eight, an atrium for live demos, an outdoor park and planetarium shows in the Dome Theatre.
At this 1988 Winter Olympics venue, you can practise skiing and snowboarding or barrel down the bobsleigh track. In summer, you can take a ride on a zip line from the ski jump tower at speeds of up to 120kph (75mph) or ride the 25km (16 miles) of mountain biking trails.
A glitzy contemporary building in the East Village, Studio Bell is a multi-purpose musical venue and exhibition space. It’s home to the National Music Centre, with interactive exhibits related to music in Canada. It also encompasses the iconic King Eddy Hotel live music venue and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, as well as a 300-seater concert hall.
A vast amusement park, this popular place has over 30 rides, from a traditional carousel, dodgems and gentle kiddie rides to stomach-churning experiences including Free Fallin’ (where you plummet 12m/40ft) and whirling ride The Storm. Expect to get wet on Timber Falls! log ride or take a trip on the Rocky Mountain Railroad. There are also daily live shows.
In a contemporary building at Canada Olympic Park, this attraction guides you through Canada’s sporting history, achievements and athletes. You can check out hundreds of sporting artefacts and try numerous hands-on simulations. Athletes inducted into the hall of fame include hockey great Wayne Gretzky and Formula One racer Jacques Villeneuve.
Fort Calgary dates from 1875, when the Canadian government dispatched a troop of North-West Mounted Police to cross the Bow River and build a fort. Today you can visit a reconstruction of the fort amid 16 hectares (40 acres) of parkland. An interpretive centre outlines Calgary's development via artefacts, audiovisual displays and walks along the river.
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