Situated in the foothills of Canadian Rockies about 90 minutes away from Banff National Park, Calgary often serves as the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. But the city is becoming a destination in its own right. The city’s strong economy has drawn a young population and led to the establishment of a range of attractions.
Get a different perspective of the city from the top of Calgary Tower. An elevator takes you to the top of the 191-meter tall tower, where you get 360-degree views of the city as well as the Rocky Mountains, its foothills, and surrounding prairies. The tower’s coolest view is from the glass-bottomed observatory deck 525 feet above the street. You can also pick up a free audio guide to learn a little about the city as you take in the view. If heights don’t make your stomach turn, grab a meal at the Sky 360 Restaurant. You can enjoy the sights from the rotating restaurant while having a delicious meal.
Calgary may be home to over a million people, but its zoo houses more than 1,000 animals. The zoo is divided into six areas, including a penguin area with penguin walks in the winter, and a Prehistoric Park with life-sized dinosaur models (don’t worry—they aren’t real, so you won’t need Chris Pratt to save you). For those on Panda Watch, the zoo’s Eurasia area has Giant Pandas. Choose a time to see them when you get your ticket or be prepared to wait in line.
Out of Canada’s 100 largest cities, Calgary has the sunniest days. Its winters are relatively mild for the region, due to the Chinook Winds and its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, but the weather still tends to be cold and snowy. The city’s elevation and aridity mean that summer days are warm and then cools off at night. The city has a hockey team (the Calgary Flames) as well as a CFL team (the Calgary Stampeders) and a newly established Canadian Premier League soccer team (Cavalry FC). The world-famous Calgary Stampede, known as the “the greatest outdoor show on Earth,” takes place over 10 days in July and features one of the world’s largest rodeos, a parade, shows, and other competitions and exhibitions. So honestly, there's no bad time to visit!
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