Capture the Spirit of Calgary

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a great spot for people watching. If you are visiting during the summer, find a restaurant along Stephen Ave with a patio and sit and watch the power lunch rush, or the after-work drinks excitement.

Description:

Stephen Ave.'s cobblestone streets mark the core of downtown Calgary. Not only does it offer restaurants, bars and pubs, cafes, shopping, art galleries and more, several of the buildings along the street are more than 100 years old and beautiful architectural works. Check out the Old City Hall, the Hudson's Bay Company and the old Bank of Montreal Building. Also nearby are the Calgary Tower, the main library, and the downtown shopping mall.

Our Local Expert Says:

The top of the tower now includes a glass floor. On a clear day you can see the Rocky Mountains. There is also a rotating restaurant at the top.

Description:

Although some of downtown Calgary's office towers are actually taller, the Calgary Tower remains the city's most distinctive landmark. Officially opened in 1968, it remains a popular visitor attraction, providing a panoramic view of the mountains to the west and the surrounding foothills and prairie. On the observation deck there is access to binoculars, multimedia information kiosks and the thrilling Glass Floor Experience. 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. Tops Grill, located above the observation deck, is open seasonally and offers a light menu.

Our Local Expert Says:

Olympic Plaza at Christmas is a wonderful place to enjoy winter! It's very close to Stephen Ave, so a hot mug of hot chocolate is never far way.

Description:

In 1988, Calgary became the first Olympic city to present medals at one specific location, ie. Olympic Plaza, which is in the heart of Calgary's Downtown next to City Hall and Stephen Ave. It is now home to festivals, winter skating, and summer lunch-breaks. Each year there is a famous Stampede breakfast held at the Plaza, and many Calgarians gather for Canada Day firework celebrations on July 1.

Our Local Expert Says:

Just East of the Chinese Cultural Center is Chinatown, which has great small shops, a mall and many Chinese and Asian restaurants.

Description:

The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre is a 70,000-sq.-ft. Celebration of Chinese culture and multi-culturalism in downtown Calgary. The brightly decorated building features a museum, a library a gift shop and the highlight – a central dome modelled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, designed by Chinese artists with 561 hand-painted dragons on the ceiling and blue tiles imported from China. The Chinese Cultural Centre is in a perfect location to include in a tour of downtown. Adjacent are Chinatown, the Eau Claire Market and the river pathway system.

Our Local Expert Says:

The 1988 Winter Olympics are a source of pride for Calgary, and these facilities are part of an athletic legacy that continues for all Canadians. Few other cities in the world can offer you this type of experience!

Description:

Many consider the 1988 Olympic track to be one of the finest in the world. This is your chance to have a professional driver take you down an Olympic bobsleigh course, which will pull 5Gs around 14 corners at speeds up to 120km/h.  Truly, this is an unforgettable, 60-second adrenaline rush and a fine legacy to the Games.

Our Local Expert Says:

COP is a great, affordable way to learn how to ski without having to make a long trip out to the Mountains. There's fun for every level of skier, but you won't find it challenging if you have much experience.

Description:

Canada Olympic Park (aka COP) is a major attraction in Calgary, welcoming over 1 million visitors per year from all over the world. It has Canada's second largest ski school, the only urban half-pipe in North America, as well as a host of other unique athletic activities, such as bobsleigh, cross-country, and mountain biking. This is a great spot to learn, if you're a beginner, especially if you want to take on the Rocky Mountains next! It is also a great place to learn about the history of the 1988 Winter Olympics and other Canadian athletic accomplishments.

Description:

The Flames moved from Atlanta to Calgary's Stampede Corral Arena in 1980, bringing Calgarians their piece of the Canadian obsession with hockey. Three years later, the Flames moved into their new digs in the Olympic Saddledome, one of sport's more oddly shaped shrines. The regular season runs from October to April. The playoffs, in which the Flames have of late been participants, stretch into June.

Our Local Expert Says:

This lively market, which offers fresh produce from local farmers, also has lots of little shops, restaurants, and performers to keep you entertained while you shop. It's a destination, as much as a market.

Description:

The Calgary Farmer's Market is open year-round, with longer hours in the summer. It recently moved from Currie Barracks, in the SW, to Blackfoot Trail, in the SE. The new facility is set to open by February 2011.
The market is home to some of Alberta's best fresh produce, baked goods, homemade products, crafts and much more. It also has restaurants and an eating area, as well as fantastic coffees, so it's a great place to come for brunch or lunch. Come in the morning to avoid a bigger crowd. And don't eat until you've tried all of the many free samples, especially the Saskatoon Berry pie.