I've been living in Calgary since 1994, and one thing is for sure - Calgary is an awesome city. From golfing one of the 61 courses in and around the city, to visiting the Calgary Zoo or Calgary Tower, your sure to be entertained by all our city has to offer! Now let me be your guide to some of my favorite attractions in and around Calgary...

NOTE: All Prices In Canadian Dollars

Exchange Rate as of Tuesday, July 24th, 2001: 1.00 US Dollar = 1.54 Canadian Dollars

The Calgary Stampede
Perhaps the most well known attraction in Calgary is The Calgary Stampede, also known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth." Taking place in early July each year and running for 11 days, the Stampede offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages. You can check out the chuck-wagon races and bull riding at the Rodeo, hop on a few rides on the Midway, or even catch a show or event on one of the stages around the grounds. Perhaps you'd like to try to win a prize at one of the many Midway Games Vendors or try your luck in the Stampede Casino (over 500 slots and 75 table games). Whatever your preference, there is lots of choice at the Calgary Stampede. I attend the Stampede every year or two and it's a blast every time! This years entry ticket price: (doesn't include rides, games, or grandstand shows) $10.

http://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede/

The Calgary Tower
If there is one thing I'll never get tired of in this city, it's the Calgary Tower. At a height of 190 meters (626 feet), the views are quite breath-taking. You can see for miles around the city and into the country-side, including an amazing panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains. It even has a rotating restaurant at the top for your dining pleasure (it's quite expensive so I've never sampled the food myself). Cost: Adults $7.95 , seniors and youths $5, ages three to 12 $3, infants free.

Calaway Park
Located 10 KMS (6.2 Miles) West of the city, Calaway park is "Western Canada's Largest Outdoor Family Amusement Park." There are 27 rides and 20 food stands to choose from. In addition there is also shopping, a mini golf course, and an RV Park and Campground nearby. My favorite ride at the grounds is the Corkscrew roller-coaster which is small, but delivers a good thrill! It's definitely a great place to take the kids.

Cost: Regular (7 - 49 years) $19.50, Junior (3 - 6 years) $14.00, $12.00 After 5 PM Rate (3 years & up) $9.50, Children 2 and Under FREE, Family of Four $60.00.

http://www.calawaypark.com/

Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park
Located just outside of Downtown Calgary, the Calgary Zoo is a popular destination with a wide variety of things to see. In addition to over 1000 animals from around the world, you can also check out the Tropical, Arid, or Butterfly exotic gardens. The Calgary Zoo also has a Prehistoric Park which is a recreation of a dinosaur era (the Mesozoic). A great destination for everyone (I went with a date to it last year, and it was a blast). Cost: $10 adults and seniors, $5 age 2 to 17.

http://www.calgaryzoo.ab.ca/

The Glenbow Museum
The favorite destination of my parents, the Glenbow Museum has a wide range of cool exhibits & collections spread across three floors. The collections document the history of Western Canada and include cultural history, military history, and mineralogy. The museum's exhibitions include First Nations, Western Heritage, and Warriors. My personal favorite is the military history section which includes lots of guns and neat military stuff!

Cost: Adult $10.00, Seniors $7.50, Students/Youth $6.00, Child (Under 3) Free, Family (two adults and up to four children) $30.00.

http://www.glenbow.com/

Golf
If there is one thing Calgary has plenty of, it's golf courses! With 61 in and around the Calgary area, you have plenty of selection to choose from and a wide variety of course types and prices. If your ever in the area, my personal favorite courses are Mckenzie Meadows ($42 and up), Elbow Springs ($49 and up), Maple Ridge (city course, $28), and just a half hour outside the city is Carstairs Golf Course ($34.25 and up).

A Few Things To Keep In Mind
Traffic in Calgary can be very congested with the incredible growth rate the city has been experiencing for the past 10 years. If possible, while you are visiting Calgary avoid the major routes between rush hour times which are: 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM (especially Deerfoot Trail). Other than those times, the roads in and around Calgary tend to be not too bad for traffic.

Lots of streets in Calgary have names and are not numbered so when traveling around Calgary, it's a good idea to plan ahead. In addition, it is a MUST to have a city map on hand at all times and even a cell phone if possible in case you lose your way and need to call someone for assistance.

Other Attractions I've Yet To See
Even though I've lived in Calgary for 7 years, I still have not seen quite a few of the other attractions. Here's a sample: Fort Calgary Historic Park (open May 1st to October 8th, 2001), Heritage Park Historic Village, Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre, Museum Of The Regiments, Naval Museum of Alberta, Canada Olympic Park, and Calgary Science Centre. As I get around to seeing more of these attractions, I'll update my Epinion!

Final Comments
In addition to all the attractions the city has to offer, there are also many to see just an hour or so drive away. To the west of the city is Banff and the Rocky Mountains, and to the North-East is Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. So if your still trying to decide where to go on vacation this year or next, I suggest you put Calgary on your possible destinations list. I'm confident you won't be disappointed.


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug