Things to do in Calgary
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Peter's Drive-In
In 1962 Peter's opened its doors and locals have been flocking there ever since for the super-thick shakes, burgers off the grill and fries done the way they should be. It's a true drive-in, so either bring the car along or be happy to eat on the lawn out front. On a Friday night, it's a popular hangout for the automotive set.
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Flames Central
The place to be to catch a hockey game on the big screen. The huge interior of what used to be a cinema has been transformed into the sports bar to end all sports bars. With more TVs than an electronics shop, you'll definitely get a good view of the game - just make sure you're not cheering for the Oilers. There is an on-site restaurant and it has concerts from time to time.
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Melrose Café & Bar
Right in the epicenter of cool Calgary culture on 17th Ave, Melrose has been starting and finishing nights out since it was cool to go there and watch Melrose Place. The gourmet pizzas are great to share over one of the many beers available on tap. The patio is legendary and the scene is an electic mix of lounging locals.
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Koi
It's not every place you can have a great meal of Asian-inspired tapas while being serenaded by the spun wax of a good DJ. Sharing food with friends is the idea here, but the trouble is, the food's just too good to share.
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The Broken Plate
Great Greek food right in the heart of Kensington, one of the coolest neighborhoods in town. Yummy pastas, pizzas and traditional Greek fare are the go in the open, light-filled dining area.
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Le Chien Chaud
Gourmet hot dogs? Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but delicious they are. With more varieties of tube-steak than previously thought possible, this place can even cater to vegetarians.
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Mountain Equipment Co-op
MEC is the place to get your outdoor kit sorted before heading into the hills. It has a huge selection of outdoor equipment, travel gear, active clothing and books.
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Nellie's Kitchen
Nellie's has long been a favorite place to start the day, catch up with friends and attempt to quell a hangover. Awesome big breakfasts, bottomless coffee and funky style are the hallmarks of this 17th Ave stalwart. Nellie's is a growing empire these days, but the original is still the best.
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Heritage Park Historical Village
Want to see what Calgary used to look like? Head down to the Heritage Park Historical Village and step right into the past. With a policy that all buildings within the village be from 1915 or earlier, it really is the opposite of modern Calgary. There are 26 acres of re-created town to explore, with a fort, grain mill, church, school and lots more.
You can ride on the steam train, catch a trolley and even go for a spin on the SS Moyie, the resident sternwheeler, as it churns around the Glenmore Reservoir. Heritage Park has always been a big hit with the kiddies and is a great place to soak up western culture. At the time of research major expansion was underway, so expect…
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Fish Creek Provincial Park
Cradling the southwest edge of Calgary, the huge Fish Creek Provincial Park is a sanctuary of wilderness hidden within the city limits. Countless trails intertwine to form a labyrinth, to the delight of walkers, mountain bikers and the many animals who call the park home. There was severe flooding in the park a few years ago, washing away many bridges and, in many cases, severely impacting the landscape.
The park is slowly returning back to normal with the assistance of the city and Mother Nature. There are numerous access points to the park, which stretches 20km between 37th St in the west and Bow River in the east. From downtown, take bus 3 via Elbow Dr.
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Calgary Zoo
More than 900 animals from around the world, many in enclosures simulating their natural habitats, make the Calgary Zoo one of Calgary's most popular attractions. Besides the animals, the zoo has a Botanical Garden with changing garden displays, a tropical rainforest, a good butterfly enclosure and the 6½-hectare Prehistoric Park, featuring fossil displays and life-sized dinosaur replicas in natural settings.
Picnic areas dot the zoo and a café is on site. During winter, when neither you nor the animals will care to linger outdoors, the admission price is reduced. To get here, take the C-Train east to the Zoo stop.
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Open Sesame
In the cavernous basement of the Smugglers Inn Steakhouse, this Asian fusion noodle house is something you have to experience. You can order off the menu, but the way to go is to make it yourself. You just choose the meat or seafood you want to be in the stir-fry and then they give you a bowl to cruise through the buffet.
Load up on veggies, grab a few scoops of your choice of sauce and then drop it off at the kitchen where your meal is stir-fried and brought out to you. Great fun - but if you don't like your meal, the only person to blame is yourself.
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Glenbow Museum
In the heart of Downtown, have a look for the stunning Glenbow Museum. The Glenbow is a world-renowned museum that traces the recent and not so recent history of Calgary and Alberta. Contemporary art exhibitions and stunning artifacts, dating back centuries, fill its halls and galleries. With an extensive permanent collection and an ever-changing array of traveling exhibitions, there is always something for the history buff, art lover and pop culture fanatic alike.
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Calgary Parks & Recreation Department Office
Calgary is a cyclist's, walker's and runner's dream with more than 400km of paved paths within the city limits. Many of them cruise along the rivers and bisect the many urban parks. You can easily go from one end of the city to the other without having to worry about traffic. To plan your route, check out the Calgary Pathway & Bicycle Route Map, available for around C$1 from the Calgary Parks & Recreation Department Office and from most bike shops.
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Calgary Tower
This 1968 Calgary Tower is an iconic feature of the Calgary skyline. There is little doubt that the aesthetics of this once-proud concrete structure have passed into the realm of kitsch, but, love it or hate it, the slightly phallic 191m structure is a fixture of the downtown area. The views from the top are fantastic and there is even a revolving restaurant so you won't miss a thing. Back in '88, the Olympic flame burned brightly on top of the tower.
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Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Inside the impressive Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, built by skilled Chinese artisans in 1993, you'll find a magnificent 21m-high dome ornately painted with 561 dragons and other imagery. Its design was inspired by Beijing's Temple of Heaven. The 2nd and 3rd floors frequently house changing art and cultural exhibitions. Downstairs, the museum holds Chinese art and artifacts, including a collection of replica terracotta soldiers.
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Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Get the flock over here and look out for some foul play at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. With more than 260 bird species calling the sanctuary home, you are assured of meeting some feathered friends. It's a peaceful place with walking paths and benches to observe the residents. There is a small interpretive center to give you some more information about the birds, complete with displays that are popular with the young ones.
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Cowboys
After recently relocating to a fresh location, this legendary Calgary hotspot has lost none of its hedonistic reputation. Everyone from Prince Harry, Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince ('Purple Rain' Prince, that is) have all had a boogie at Cowboys, the cavernous nightspot to see and be seen. Stetsons and tight Wranglers are the norm here, but even if that isn't your scene, the eye candy alone is worth a visit.
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Calaway Park
Children of all ages will enjoy Calaway Park, Western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park. It features 30 rides from wild to mild, live stage entertainment, 22 food vendors, 28 different carnival games, a trout-fishing pond and an interactive maze. The youngsters will love camping at the amusement park, close enough to town to be not too far to drive. During the Stampede it runs a shuttle into town.
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Canada Olympic Park
In 1988 the Winter Olympics came to Canada for the first time. Calgary played host and many of the events were contested at Canada Olympic Park. Located near the western edge of town along Hwy 1, you won't be able to miss the distinctive 70m and 90m ski jumps crowning the skyline. Check out the Olympic Hall of Fame and learn about some great Canadian athletes and the story of the Calgary games.
reviewed
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High Trails of the Canadian Rockies
15 days (Calgary)
Trek the classic trails of Waterton, Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks.
Not LP reviewed
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Telus World of Science
You'll wish science class was as fun as the Telus World of Science. Kids get a big bang out of this user-friendly and very interactive science center. There is a giant dome, where light shows depicting the cosmos are projected, and a whole raft of other things to discover. Plans are in the works to move on from its current Bow River location, so it's best to phone ahead.
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The Hop and Brew
Imagine if you took an old house, turned it into a dive bar, and then had a great party every weekend. Tucked down a quiet street just off the main drag, The Hop and Brew has got some style. The converted house has a bar upstairs and down, a pool table up top and winding steps right through the middle. Good tunes, grungy atmosphere and plenty on tap.
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True North Tours
Working in conjunction with and operating out of the HI-Calgary hostel, True North Tours is a great option for the young - or the young at heart. It offers energetic tourism with an emphasis on getting out there and doing stuff. Multiday trips including meals and accommodations are its specialty - it's a great way to save some loonies.
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River Café
Take the stroll over to Prince's Island to find this magnificent dining option, where the food is prepared with passion and love. Ingredients are sourced locally and meant to be savored at a relaxed pace. The stunning setting and mouthwatering cuisine make the River Café a standout in a town full of great places to eat.
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