Calgary
Recommended Tours
Calgary is a city that has always thrived on adventure, from the cowboy antics of the first ranchers to the rough and tumble oil booms to the looming slopes of Banff National Park, which have tempted and challenged adventurers from all over the globe for the last century.It is not surprising then that the majority of excursions in and around the city glorify the great outdoors, from the deep powder of mountain ski resorts to the world famous trout fishing on the Bow River. Don’t be alarmed if you feel that you aren’t the adventurous sort—there are hundreds of more sedate ways to see the city.
Tour One: Walking
When you first arrive in town, the fastest way to get oriented is to take a trip to the top of the Calgary Tower, where the entire city is spread out over 600 feet below. The restaurant and lounge in the observation deck rotate slowly, giving you a 360-degree view.
Exploring the city on foot is easy if you take advantage of the paved walking and cycling trails linking downtown with most of the residential areas and municipal parks. From the broad, tree-lined boulevards separating Eau Claire Market and the Bow River to the twisting walkways of Fish Creek Provincial Park, it is possible to ride from one end of the city to the other without ever leaving a bike path. If you feel like a gentle stroll along the riverfront, Prince's Island Park along the Bow River provides a quick getaway from the bustle of the downtown streets. Bicycle and in-line roller skate rentals are available during the summer, and maps issued by the city detail routes and points of interest.
Tour Two: Off the Beaten Path
If you want to get off the beaten path and see parts of the mountains invisible from the tour buses, guided horseback rides are offered at several ranches in Kananaskis Country. These rides last anywhere from an hour to several days, and are relatively inexpensive. Some ranches also offer bed and breakfast facilities for those wishing to stay overnight.
Heritage Park Historical Village and Fort Calgary Historic Park are two sites that allow you to discover the pioneer way of life with turn of the century buildings, artifacts, and guides dressed in period costume. The Glenbow Museum details the history of Western Canada, as well as its exhibits on cultures the world over.
The Calgary Zoo and Prehistoric Park features a recreation of life in Alberta 60 million years ago, complete with life-sized dinosaurs. If you want to take a drive in the country, visit the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, a small town two hours north of Calgary. This famous museum is a World Heritage Site, and is the site of hundreds of dinosaur fossil discoveries.
Tour Three: Outdoor Sports
A relaxing time can be had floating down the Bow River, which runs from Banff to Calgary, in a canoe, raft or drift boat. At Chinook River Sports, guides are available to help you navigate the twisting channels, and they can show you the best places to fish for the famous Bow River brook trout. Hunters seeking antelope, white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep in Kananaskis Country can secure the services of a guide through one of several outfitting companies in the area.
Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, is open for tours year round; its most impressive sites include the 90-mile ski jump and the bobsled track. The top of the ski jump tower is the highest point in Calgary, and can be rented out for parties and conventions. The Bobsled Bullet is a modified bobsled that you can ride at speeds of over 55 miles an hour.
For an aerial view of the city, hot air balloons and operators at Rainbow Balloons Over Calgary can be rented to gently waft you over the city. A balloon ride can last from an hour to an entire day, and is the most peaceful and relaxing way to take in the city, the mountains rising to the west, and the prairie gently rolling away to the east.
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