One of the top attractions of Canada, Calgary, is the biggest and most populous city in the province of Alberta. It is located at the confluence of the Elbow River and the Bow River in the transitional area between the Canadian Prairies and the Rocky Mountain Foothills.
This alluring city is best known for its cowboy tradition and is often referred to as the Texas of Canada and Cowtown. Another top attraction of the area is its Calgary Stampede, better known as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, which lasts ten days every July and attracts more than a million visitors from around the globe.
Besides all this, the city is known for being tourist-friendly, too. However, if you are planning your Calgary excursion and are stuck with the bundles of tourist attractions this city holds, left wondering what to skip and what to not, you have got to the right place! In this article, we will take you through how you can enjoy your Calgary excursion to the fullest. Without further delays, let’s get started!
Interesting Facts about Calgary
- Calgary is Canada’s third largest city, where over 120 languages are spoken, like WOW!
- This city has more days with sunshine than any other major Canadian city; even the number is found to be 333 days per year.
- It boasts a population of 1.4 million people and is one of Canada’s ten most populous cities.
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in the entire history of Calgary was 45°C.
- The majority of the Calgary population is young, as the median age has come out to be 37.2 years only.
- Around a quarter of the entire Calgary population is foreign-born.
- It boasts the second largest urban park in Canada, i.e., Fish Creek Park.
- Some reliable sources have claimed Calgary to be the cleanest city in the world.
- Weather in Calgary is way unexpected, as the temperature can rise by up to 20 degrees in hours due to the Chinook winds.
- January tends to be the coldest month here, and June tends to be the rainiest one.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Calgary?
The ideal time to visit Calgary is from late May to the end of September. Besides offering the best weather conditions, these months also host most of the festivals Calgary is well known for. These include Lilac Festival, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary Pride, and more.
April and October offer fine weather, but these have chances of snowfall, too, limiting you to your hotel. However, when booking a tour, dedicate at least two full days to exploring most of Calgary’s charm.
5 Must-Visit Places in Calgary
1. Calgary Tower
Calgary Tower is one of the most important landmarks of Canada, as it was constructed to celebrate Calgary’s 100th anniversary. This 190-meter-long tower was primarily named husky tower, but later it got renamed Calgary Tower.
From the observation deck and glass floor, up at 4029 feet, you can immerse yourself in panoramic 360-degree views of the scenic skyline, giant rocky mountains, picturesque plans, and more.
You can also enjoy the worth joyful experience of elevated dining at either the rotating SKY360 or the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. The former is your best bet for festive drinks, while the latter is known for the scrumptious Alberts beef it offers.
2. Calgary Zoo
Although Calgary is home to several zoos, the one crowning the list remains Calgary Zoo! From the diversity of animals it boasts to its successful breeding programs, educational programs, and more; several things can be attributed to its immense popularity among tourists.
You can find more than 1000 animals, including mountain goats, grizzlies, and more. Featuring a wilderness of mountain gorillas, hippos, and giraffes; it’s like a piece of Africa on Canadian land. Other attractions on the site are a butterfly conservatory, botanical gardens, and Centre of Conservation and Research.
3. Glenbow Museum
If you are a history enthusiast, this place is for you! Established back in 1966, the Glenbow Museum boasts a collection of rare exhibits depicting the historical development of Western Canada. While stepping into the museum and exploring its collection, you will feel like stepping back in time.
Here, you get to learn about the lives of the North West Mounted Police and early fur traders, the development of the oil industry, and more. To enjoy your visit to the fullest and dive into the details of the featured collection, we suggest going on a guided tour.
4. Prince's Island Park
Situated to the north of downtown Calgary, prince’s island is an expansive 50-acre verdure linked to the mainland via three pedestrian bridges. As it’s adjacent to the famous Eau Claire Market, most tourists make a joint tour of these attractions.
Here, you can either participate in multiple lively activities or just lay back on the lavish greenery to relax when breathing in the fresh air and taking the picturesque landscape views. Several outdoor concerts are also held in summer, and biking and parking areas are also present.
5. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Where are the sports fanatics? This attraction is for you! Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is located in WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park and covers an expansive area of 40,000 square feet.
On your visit, you can hook yourself in an adventurous experience of shadowboxing against the legend Lennox Lewis. This museum also features the torch to light the Olympic Winter Games of 1988. Moreover, this hall of fame inducts over 600 Canadians. Believe, you will surely know about most of them, but the shocking thing for you will be, “Were they Canadians?”
