Located in the Canadian Province of Alberta, Calgary lies between the Elbow River and the Bow River. Nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, the city enjoys a booming tourist industry every winter. Calgary is Alberta's largest city and the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada - after Toronto and Montreal.
The city is used as a base by skiing enthusiasts, as it's just a short drive away from some of the Canadian Rockies' most popular resorts. The nearby Banff National Park, which is home to Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise. But there's plenty to keep you occupied in the city itself. Calgary has a wealth of stylish eateries, craft beer brewers, and vibrant nightspots.
Calgary's downtown area is relatively small, which means most people can walk around it within a day. The city's northern and southern districts are separated by the River Bow. Centre Street separates the city's east and west districts. Use these landmarks to find your way around the city on foot.
A stunning, panoramic view of Calgary and the surrounding areas of natural beauty is available at the top of Calgary Tower. Ascend the 191-meter structure and spend an hour or so on the circular Observation Deck. You can stand on a reinforced glass bridge and look down to the street between your feet.
Calgary might be a Canadian city, but it is heavily influenced by the USA. Many locals call it "Cowtown," thanks to its Wild West image. There are regular rodeos, country music concerts, and cattle shows in the city - creating a dynamic, exciting experience that's unlike anything else in Canada.
Visitors are spoilt for choice for exciting things to do and see in Calgary - and here are three of the most popular.
A great day for all the family awaits at Prince's Island Park. This huge urban green space covers more than 50 acres of the city. There are several trails that take you through forests of cottonwood trees. Or if you want to immerse yourself in the arts, head to the park's outdoor theatre - home to regular festivals and stage productions. And just a short walk over a footbridge takes you to Eau Claire Market, which is packed with food stalls from around the world.
There's a huge selection of quaint, independent stores and cafes at The Entertainment District. Found in and around 17th Avenue, this vibrant area of the city is renowned for its quirky shops and family-run restaurants. You'll find everything from rare vinyl records to handmade jewelry here.
If you're interested in natural history, spend a few hours at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. You'll find artifacts and exhibits that chart more than 65 million years of Planet Earth. The museum is home to more than 30 complete dinosaur skeletons and a range of interactive exhibits. You can also learn how paleontologists go about dating fossils and bones. This fascinating treasure trove of history is located in the Drumheller area - about an hour's drive from downtown Calgary.
Calgary is synonymous with both culture and the great outdoors - which is why so many great events are held in the city every year.
One of the city's most popular annual events is the High-Performance Rodeo. This celebration of the arts is held in 18 different venues around Calgary. It's a combination of music, film, dance, and cabaret, and it lasts for three weeks every January. Shows take place in many of the city's most iconic buildings, including the Calgary Tower, the City Hall and the Big Secret Theatre.
Pop culture, movies, and comic books take center stage every year at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. This family-friendly event is one of the biggest in the world, and it features a huge selection of workshops, exhibits, and vendors. If you're lucky, you'll get to see some of the world's biggest movie stars take part in panel discussions in front of thousands of adoring fans.
Every year in early May, Calgary hosts one of North America's biggest beer events. The Calgary International Beerfest showcases more than 700 beers - from the city, Canada, and the rest of the world. More than 200 brewers attend to launch new products and provide free samples. Attendees also get the chance to learn the basics of brewing and enjoy open-air music concerts.
Calgary enjoys warm summers and cold winters. It's not unusual for temperatures to drop well below freezing during December, January, and February. July is the city's hottest month; temperatures can reach the mid-80s. However, the Chinook winds tend to have a cooling effect. Calgary is on Mountain Standard Time, which is two hours behind New York and Toronto. Most people travelling to Canada from abroad need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
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Trendy food spots, boutique shops, lively nightlife, excellent museums and, of course, the wonderful Canadian countryside which surrounds the city. Here you'll find plenty to do in both winter and summer.
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From Canada you have the options to fly from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Calgary.
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