Calgary Area, Canada

What to do in Calgary Area, Canada

Heritage Park

More than 100 authentic structures were collected from all over western Canada, relocated here and populated with a costumed staff of "villagers." Buildings range from an 1850s fur-trading post to an early-20th-century town. Ride steam trains, horse-drawn buses, and paddle-wheel steamers, and don't miss out on the theme snacks like sarsaparilla, beef jerky, and fresh apple pie!.

The Saskatoon Farm

Almost unknown outside this region, the saskatoonberry has been a prairie staple for thousands of years, but it seems the Saskatoon secret is out. "We have what is almost a cult following," says the owner. Fifty of his 600 acres are devoted to the saskatoonberry, a large quantity of which is "U-Pick" in an orchard on the pristine river valley. In an adjacent shady grove there's a general store and approximately 70 buffalo!.

Heritage Walking Tours

It's a little-known fact that Butch Cassidy came to visit the Sundance Kid in Calgary in the 1890s, and they met at Sundance's very own saloon here on Atlantic Avenue (now 9 Avenue). Calgary is steeped in historical tales like this, and many of the sites that remain are visited on these walking tours.

Ballooning

It's a sensation you never forget - gently floating up and away as the earth drifts off below you. Calgary is one of the hot-air balloon centers of the world, and these showy aircraft are a singular, serene way to sightsee. Planning your tour for a specific route is impossible because balloons drift entirely with the wind, while a ground crew (packing champagne for your landing celebration) chases you across the province trying to predict where you'll land!.

Vintage Rail Travel

The Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion, inspired by Europe's Victorian stations, is the departure point for a new venture in restored luxury vintage railcar tours. Train fanatics equate this excursion with the Orient Express and the Trans-Siberian Railway. The thrill of the ride is, in essence, its lack of thrills as we now define them. It's a fulfillment of the increasing longing for a time when traveling meant relaxing on a leisurely tour of exotic but well-trod paths - the antithesis to the modern obsession with athletic adventure travel. .

Glenbow Museum

Calgary's premier art and history showcase is ranked among the top museums in Canada. Comprehensive displays are devoted to Alberta's First Nations inhabitants, early European settlers, and latter-day pioneers. The children's museum is a new highlight, and the mineralogy collection, cache of arms, and armor exhibits are superb.

Eau Claire Market

Located on Barclay Parade next to the entrance to Prince's Island Park, this immense market is chock full of sundry stores, food stalls, restaurants, and cinemas including the ultra-cool interactive Cinescape arcade and bar. The food market is stock-piled with fresh produce, seafood, meats, deli and bakery goods, wine, flowers, and exotic imports.

Calgary Tower

The Observation Terrace of this 626-foot-high edifice is the unbeatable place to go for amazing views of Calgary. There's also the revolving Panorama Dining Room, Tops Bar and Grill, and a gift shop.

Devonian Gardens

Alberta's largest indoor garden occupies 2+ acres in the heart of downtown. The enclosed rooftop garden displays more than 20,000 mostly tropical plants along nearly a mile of walkways dotted with fountains, waterfalls, bridges, and a reflecting pool that turns into an ice skating rink in winter. You'll also find a sculpture courtyard, permanent gallery of rotating exhibits by local artists, and musical performances.

Canada Olympic Park

The site of freestyle skiing, bobsled, luge, and ski jumping events during the 1988 Olympic Winter Games is now a year-round attraction, with a full-service ski hill open to mid-March, and restaurant. It's right in the city, so you can easily spend a few hours, a whole day, or a even a night trying out the slopes, snowboard halfpipe, or the hair-raising luge and bobsled rides. Rentals are available as well as lessons for all ages and abilities.

Calgary Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Prehistoric Park In the middle of the Bow River, St George's island is home to more than 1,400 animals (many endangered), living in the natural environs of Canada's 2nd-largest zoo. The Canadian Wilds section replicates endangered Canadian ecosystems and the Prehistoric Park displays 22 dinosaur replicas in a re-creation of their extinct world.

Butterfield Acres

A favorite spot for all ages, this hands-on farm invites you to interact with the animals and join in hay rides, pony rides, skating, and tobogganing. If you want to escape Jack Frost, join the farm family indoors to warm up with hot apple cider or hot chocolate.