High Energy Calgary

Our Local Expert Says:

This is one of the best parts of Calgary. There are many areas of the city pathway that make you forget you are in the center of a big city. If you're walking, start at Eau Claire market, cross the walking bridge into Princes Island park and enjoy all the open space. If you're running or biking, there are signs all over that let you know the distance from one landmark to the next. Bring bread to feed the many Canadian geese that hang out along the pathways, or to throw into the river and watch the geese fight for it. Avoid the area East of Eau Claire market, up until the 4th St. bridge, as this is a popular spot for homeless people and junkies.

Description:

Calgary boasts the largest pathway system in North America. Nearly every day of the year, regardless of the weather, you can find Calgarians running, walking, riding, rolling and even skiing along 360 kilometres of paths. The network twists its way through countless municipal parks, alongside rivers and reservoirs, past skyscrapers, into valleys and through mini-forests, fields of wildflowers and other surprises. Use of the pathways is absolutely free. Maps are available from several outlets. Contact Calgary Parks and Recreation for information.

Description:

This white water rafting company offers trips that range from mild to wild. They specialize in expeditions on three of Alberta's best rafting rivers: Red Deer River, Highwood River and Ram River. The programs offered include scenic half-day float trips, thrilling one- or two-day white water adventures, and five-day expeditions up the Ram River. Trips include all necessary gear, and on overnight trips enjoy volleyball games, river body surfing and sauna-inspired relaxation.

Our Local Expert Says:

Open until 3am, this place is famous for drawing the late-night snacking crowd.

Description:

This tiny restaurant across the street from the Government Building makes delicious Vietnamese food and submarine sandwiches. It is a pleasant change from the run-of-the-mill, and you can choose from a variety of dishes. The submarine sandwiches are their biggest sellers, and you can choose from sate beef, chicken, combo or clubhouse. If you like food with a little bite to it, ask them to add a healthy squirt of chili sauce.

Our Local Expert Says:

Edworthy park is one of my favorites in the city. It runs along the city pathway trail, but the Douglas Fir trail gives you the option to go for a hike in the woods, with beautiful views. If you have the energy to climb to the top of the hill at the park's entrance, there's a beautiful view of the downtown skyline. Edworthy park also has a great off-leash dog park.

Description:

With about 70 acres of natural parklands within the city limits, and adjacent to the river pathway system, Edworthy is a beautiful spot to walk and relax during the winter or summer. The pathway system is popular with walkers, runners, rollerbladers and cyclists, and the Douglas Fir trail leads off the main path into a forested hike with a fantastic viewpoint at the top. There is also an off-leash park here, at the top of the hill, where your dog can meet, play and run around with other dogs. Bring along your camera because there are many beautiful sites in the area.

Our Local Expert Says:

Voted one of the Top 5 Sushi Restaurants in Calgary by Avenue magazine in 2008.

Description:

Presentation is everything at Hana Sushi, where preparation and attention to detail characterizes all of their food. The fish is cut generously into thick slices, with none of the spare servings usually associated with sushi houses. The specialty of the house is the lacquered Bento Box, which contains noodles, a salad, a meat dish, sushi and a rice dish. It provides a full meal for even the largest eater. The food is ready almost immediately, and the servers are always prompt and courteous.

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:

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:

There are usually hundreds of little cafes in every city, most of them nearly identical. The Good Earth, however, stands apart in this city. Patrons are assaulted with a solid wall of heavenly aroma as they walk in the door which is a mix of fresh baking, crushed coffee beans and a hint of vanilla from the famous steamers. The interior resembles a log cabin, with warm pine paneling on the walls and a loft above for diners who want privacy from the busy main floor. The bulletin boards are a hotbed for fitness enthusiasts, with notices for yoga, martial arts, and aerobics classes and seminars lining the walls. There are also dozens of beautifully-framed pictures of local scenery, most notably the Rocky Mountain foothills.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you don't have time to get out to the mountains for some cross-country, COP is a really great track and very convenient. Although it's not the toughest track in Alberta, it's still a good workout.

Description:

Open from November to April, this 2km track is perfect for any level of cross-country skier, and the track is lit so it is open for both day and night time (to 9PM) skiing. Expert instructors are available for lessons, and this is one of the best tracks to learn on in Calgary. It's very easy to get to COP, and it's only a few minutes from Downtown.

Our Local Expert Says:

There is a café and ice cream shop in the park. You can also rent paddle boats and canoes and play mini-golf. Hours vary by season so check the website before you go.

Description:

Just another of Calgary's many beautiful parks, Bowness Park is a great location for some outdoor fun in any season. Just beside the Bow River, it features an outdoor skating rink, cross-country skiing and a concession in the winter. In the summer, there's a wading pool, a cafe, picnic area and canoes and paddleboats for rent, and mini golf. This is also a good spot to put your raft in the river if you're planning to 'float the Bow,' a popular summer activity for locals and visitors. You can rent rafts from many sporting good stores in the city.

Description:

South Glenmore Park is an unspoiled park and grassland that line's the south side of Calgary's Glenmore Reservoir. Tennis courts and a playground are available, too, but the primary attraction is the set of docks of a small, city-run sailing school. On weekends, landlubbers can rent sail boats and take to the water. Walking or cycling leads into the largely-wild Weaselhead Natural Area, where lucky visitors can catch a glimpse at such wildlife as beavers, deer and various breeds of waterfowl. South Glenmore Park is truly worth a visit!

Description:

Set in a basin below the ever-expanding South Calgary suburb of McKenzie, this course runs alongside the Bow River and while those famed waters are never in play, there are plenty of ponds on the layout to feed balls. One of the newest public access courses in the city, the 6,500-yard layout was designed to challenge players of all levels, but frustrate none of them. Warm up at the driving range or refresh at the clubhouse, which is complete with pro shop and lounge.

Description:

Kart World Family Fun Centre has Calgary's fastest go-kart track and over 100+ karts to choose from, including the Tom Cat racing kart, which promises to be very fast. The miniature golf is one of the few remaining mini-golf locations in Calgary. And, the bumper boats are pretty rare in Calgary, too, but ideal for hot summer days! The laser tag is also a big hit. Kart World is great for parties because of its BBQ area, picnic tables, and variety of things to do.

Description:

Like the name suggests, look for healthy and delicious food at Extreme Pita & California Yogurt. They offer healthy 'build your own' pitas with fillings like fresh vegetables, gourmet meats, the classic falafel and other vegetarian selections and freshly made pitas. As an added bonus, they reserve a section of the grille strictly for their vegetarian customers. The dessert menu features a dozen different types of yogurt ice cream with their promise of no added chemicals or water in any of the ingredients.