Calgary
stands conspicuously and confidently on the spacious plains
of southern Alberta. Blocks of mirrored skyscrapers make
the city look new, which it is: Most of downtown has been
built in the past 25 years. The city's major businesses
are in keeping with this modern image -- oil and gas and
high technology. It's among Canada's fastest-growing cities;
new residents arrive daily, seeking employment and the good
life.
But there's still a wild, frontier side to the town. Cattle
lands and farms surround it, and the Rockies rise dramatically
to the west. Calgary has acquired a sophisticated demeanor
while retaining a cocky, entrepreneurial spirit that stems
from the independent, self-reliant cowboy culture that was
the city's foundation.
This mixture of the urbane and the untamed gives the city
much of its vitality. It's even reflected in the major events
associated with Calgary. The same town that showed off its
cosmopolitan qualities for the 1988 Winter Olympics also
puts on a cowboy hat each summer for the Calgary Stampede,
the mammoth rodeo that is by far the best-known event in
Alberta.
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Fort Calgary Historic Park
This centre gives visitors a hands-on look at early Calgary
life. Fort Calgary lies on 40 acres of riverside park. The
interpretive centre reconstructs the original 1875 fort,
a facility Mounties built after being dispatched from the
settled East to establish law and order among pioneers,
and to stop the culturally devastating whiskey trade. Visitors
can grab a bite of chow, or indeed a shot of whiskey, at
the on-site restaurant.
Prince's Island Park
Statistics say that Prince's Island is one of the most used
urban parks in North America. Come here on a sunny day and
you will not doubt it. Way back when, the Island was used
to catch felled trees floating down the Bow River from logging
projects upstream. Now this bit of serenity in downtown
serves as a favourite venue for joggers, football tossers,
family picnics, flocks of Canada Geese, buskers, Shakespearean
actors and nearly every major festival that Calgary hosts.
This is also a great place for a quiet paddle down the river.
Admission is free.
Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park
Attractions Canada recently voted this park the top outdoor
site in the country. It features more than 1,100 animals
from around the world and an ever-growing portfolio of innovative
exhibitions, which allows guests to get up close and personal
with grizzly bears, moose and wolves. Life-sized dinosaur
models lurk in the badlands of the Prehistoric Park, and
the more genteel setting of the botanical park includes
a butterfly garden.
Spruce Meadows
One of the world's great equestrian facilities is located
in the rolling ranch lands just south of Calgary's city
limits. Built and maintained by the Southern family, this
sprawling site is now home to some of the world's top show-jumping
events. The facilities are also a year-round attraction
for horse-lovers and aspiring competitive riders. Competition
occurs on six different grass rings, including the main
venue that pulls in more than 30,000 spectators for events.
Four major competitions take place during the season, the
biggest in mid-September. Event admission varies; visiting
at other times is free.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Canada's largest living historical village is divided into
a pioneer Northwest Mounted Police outpost and a 1910 Main
Street. The latter has a working antique amusement park,
with rides that are safe even for small children. Other
attractions include a working full-scale locomotive thundering
through the park, and on nearby Glenmore Reservoir, a vintage
double-decker sternwheeler ship that takes visitors on lake
cruises. Shops and restaurants are plentiful in the park,
including a turn-of-the-century bakery. All park staff work
in costume and character.
Olympic Plaza
During the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, this city
square was the focal point of much of the event, including
most of the medal ceremonies and laser and fireworks displays.
Tens of thousands of people jammed into the square on any
given evening. The square looks much as it did then and
is now the focal point for many civic events, particularly
for welcoming successful athletes home from recent Olympic
Games. The large area in front of the stage is now a wading
pool in the summer and flooded for ice skating in the winter.
Calgary Science Centre
This science and technology learning center attracts many
visitors for its notable Discovery Dome Theatre, a huge
dome screen equipped with digital sound. There is a series
of exhibitions for children, with plenty of hands-on learning
stations. A food kiosk and a science-oriented gift shop
round out the experience.
Calgary Tower
Although some of downtown Calgary's office towers are actually
taller, the Calgary Tower remains the city's most distinctive
landmark. At more than 30 years old, it remains a popular
visitor attraction, providing a panoramic view of the mountains
to the west and the surrounding foothills and prairie. The
dining room rotates, allowing visitors the chance to relax
with a meal while viewing the entire city from their window-side
tables at the Panorama Dining Room or Tops Grill.
Taste of Calgary
Eau Claire Market hosts this annual celebration of the best
of Calgary's cuisine. Restaurants from around the city converge
to offer visitors samples of their signature dishes. Over
30 restaurants and beverage companies are represented. Visitors
purchase tickets, at sample-sized prices, in exchange for
a taste of the food and drink on offer. This is a great
opportunity to discover some of Calgary's fine restaurants
and to try ethnic cuisine from around the world. There is
also live entertainment, and admission is free.
Eau Claire Market
Located at the northern edge of downtown, the market is
home to numerous restaurants and theatres. You'll also discover
a unique selection of retailers not usually seen in suburban
malls, including specialty stores dedicated to children's
and women's clothing, imported art and handicrafts, and
extraordinary gifts. High-end dining is an option at several
cafes in the market proper, while several others, including
the Hard Rock Cafe, Joey Tomato's Kitchen, and the tiny
1886 Cafe, are in the immediate vicinity. Other features
include an IMAX theatre; Cinescape, a multi-screen first-run
movie theatre and entertainment arcade.
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