Travel Article: Best of Calgary

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Calgary Skyline at Night¹

Born of cowboys and the wild frontier back in 1875, Calgary is a city that today boasts the best of both the old west and a modern metropolis. Located in southern Alberta, Calgary is known as the Heart of the New West� and its deep-rooted western hospitality nurtures a familiar small town spirit in what is actually a big, bustling, cosmopolitan city. Gleaming skyscrapers sprout from the plains, proud monuments to the success of the area's booming oil industry, while clean streets wind between them, jammed with a diversity of restaurants, bars and world-class shops. As the road leads west from the city, prairie quickly gives way to the magnificent Rocky Mountains; it's Calgary's location and weather that inspires a love of the outdoors within its inhabitants. The biting cold brings with it a snow sports culture that thrives in the city, while the sunniest summers illuminate Calgary�s beauty. No matter what time of year it is, Calgarians typically go about their days under the biggest, bluest skies that stretch over a city that combines the best of a rich, western heritage, a vibrant urban lifestyle and a unique climate.

THE BEST OF WINTER

Renowned for its chilling winter climes, the city boasts a remarkable saving grace: Chinook winds. Blowing in a sporadic few days of relief every now and then, these warming winds can raise mid-winter temperatures to a balmy 15�C (59�F) . On days that insist on freezing to -30�C (-22�F), Calgarians soldier on, getting to and fro via the heated +15 � a network of elevated corridors that connect major downtown buildings and make up the world's longest skywalk system.

Hockey Hype


	Home of the Calgary Flames, the Pengrowth Saddledome²

As the city begins to cool in preparation for winter, Calgary's pride and joy � the Calgary Flames � prepare to set the ice on fire during the National Hockey League season. Beginning in October, the NHL sends Calgarians into a fevered frenzy as they scream cheers in support of their team at home games held at the state-of-the-art Pengrowth Saddledome, centrally located in the southeast of downtown. The energy inside this impressive stadium is truly electric but for those unable to get there, live, televised action can be caught at Calgary's most popular sports bar, Melrose Cafe & Bar. Located on the hip 17th Avenue, also known as the Red Mile during hockey season, Melrose packs in hundreds of fans raising the local brew (namely Big Rock Traditional Ale) to over 150 flat-screen TVs on three floor levels. Getting swept up in the hockey hype is unavoidable during the NHL season and for those wanting to look the part, the best place to get Flames jerseys and paraphernalia is at one of the Fan Attic stores.

Winter Woolies and Gear
Once in the throes of a Calgary winter, one needs the proper gear in order to survive. The proudly Canadian co-operative, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), has all the winter apparel one could possibly want with locations across Canada, including an expansive store in downtown Calgary. Anyone can become a member of this environmentally-friendly co-operative for a nominal fee, gaining access to high-quality, durable and sustainable products that include outerwear, thermal under-layers, fleecy mid-layers, athletic and sports wear, as well as an unlimited range of outdoor equipment and accessories. This exciting store is all about the outdoors and is the best browse for clothing and gear any time of year. Just north of downtown on 14th Street, Ski West also gets Calgarians' votes for the best place to equip oneself for winter. As Calgary's largest ski shop it's the favoured destination for an extensive selection of top brand skis and equipment, including stylish, high-tech ski wear that looks good both on and off the mountain.

Slippery Slopes
Of course, with world-renowned ski resorts like Banff's Sunshine Village and Lake Louise within a two hour drive from Calgary, the city's residents are a bit spoiled for choice when it comes to weekend skiing and boarding. However, for a few quick runs after work, Calgarians are even luckier to have Canada Olympic Park right on their doorstep. Just a 15-minute drive west from downtown, off the Trans-Canada Highway, Olympic Park made a name for itself during the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. Since then, it has continued to play host to recreational skiers and snowboarders, training athletes and competitions. A great place to learn, this ski hill offers instructional programs and lessons for all ages and abilities. Bobsleigh and luge rides are also very popular, and in summer North America's fastest zipline and mountain bike trails draw visitors to this top site.


Canada Olympic Park³

To wind down after a day out taming the slopes, pull up a stool and grab a local brew (try the Wild Rose Raspberry Ale) at Calgary's favourite downtown pub, the Rose & Crown. Or, for serious apr�s-ski therapy, book a massage at one of the city's prime spas, Oasis Spa & Wellness Centre.

Warming Up the Insides
One of the best ways to warm up during winter is by enjoying a hot, satisfying meal and nothing satisfies more than a fat, juicy steak of grade AAA Alberta Beef. Buzzard's Restaurant & Bar serves up some of Calgary's best beef within an extensive menu of cowboy cuisine that also includes organic, local bison (buffalo) and Alberta lamb. Centrally located on 10th Avenue, this extremely popular restaurant offers guests a real southwestern experience with rustic ranch decor and friendly hospitality. For something a little fancier, The Ranche is an elegant, heritage experience that is well worth the drive to Fish Creek Provincial Park. Set in a restored century-old farmhouse, this fine restaurant indulges the palate with regional gourmet cuisine, including Alberta beef, caribou and Rocky Mountain seafood.

THE BEST OF SUMMER

Calgary�s summers can be fleeting, but it is said that the best things come in small packages. Summer in Calgary is definitely special with temperatures hovering around 20�C (68�F), one of world�s biggest rodeos, a vibrant city life that sparkles in the sun, green parks, and the beautiful Bow and Elbow rivers that leisurely flow by it all.

The Big Shin-Dig


	Barrel Racing at the Calgary Stampede⁴

�Black gold� is not the only thing that has hoisted Calgary onto the world stage. Since 1912, the Calgary Stampede has been charging into town every year, bringing the Wild West to the city in a walloping celebration of cowboy culture. Held in July, Stampede attracts millions of visitors from around the globe to take part in this world-famous ten-day hoe-down featuring the best rodeo cowboys in competition, chuck wagon races, the Midway carnival, �big name� concerts, agricultural shows and an unbelievable amount more. Although the centrally located Stampede Grounds are home base, the whole city gets into the spirit and that good ol' western hospitality is never more apparent. It's not hard to guess the Stampede fashion statement � cowboy hats can be purchased everywhere during the event and the best authentic western boots can be found at Alberta Boot Co.

Shakin� Those Boots
While things don�t completely slow down along the popular bar trails during winter evenings, the city�s nightlife attains renewed energy when the weather heats up. Skin warms to the late evening sun and soothing beverages on outdoor patios, while inside music pumps blood through the veins of those shakin' it on the dance floors. For the most fun, don that favourite pair of boots and head to the western-themed Coyotes Bar & Dance Saloon. Special and weekly events are always highlighted by rockin' Top 40 tunes and light shows on the dance floor. For a real Honky Tonk, head south on MacLeod Trail to Ranchman's Cookhouse & Dancehall. This traditional western experience can't be beat with live country music performances and dance lessons. Those with diverse tastes in music will love the HiFi Club which features talented DJs and live bands playing everything from rock n' roll and hip hop to jazz and disco.

The Ol� West
Summer is a great opportunity to discover this province's fascinating western past and Heritage Park Historic Village is the best place to do just that. Open from May to September, the park takes visitors back through time to experience first-hand the days of the fur traders, prairie living in the 1880s and a complete recreation of a 1910 town. Historic buildings and shops, a working steam train and river-boat, character interpreters and interactive exhibits contribute to an impressively authentic Old West experience at Heritage Park. The Glenbow Museum is another key to Western Canada's intrepid past, unlocking history through comprehensive exhibits and stories. The largest museum in Canada's west, this renowned attraction is a must-see throughout the year.


Floating Down the Elbow River⁵

Tubing on the Elbow
Perhaps the prime thing to do on a hot, sunny day off is to join the crowd floating down the Elbow River. This distinctly Calgary summer diversion is simply not to be missed and is surprisingly easy to arrange. From late June through August, Calgarians drift down this shallow, safe, gently-flowing river on almost anything that floats. Inflatable beds, large pool toys and more sophisticated inflatable boats are hardly navigated by their reclining passengers soaking up the rays. Easy breezy. Canadian Tire is the best bet for a variety of floating vessels to fit all budgets. The popular launch spot is off Sandy Beach, just below the Glenmore Reservoir, then just go with the flow to Stanley Park, or if the current allows, a bit further on to the Talisman Centre. The most complex planning involved is arranging transport to the launch spot and from the landing point; having use of two cars is ideal. Life jackets are required by law although Elbow River is extremely safe, not to be confused with the larger, faster Bow River, on which tubing is not a good idea.

Sunday Strolls
Thanks to Calgary's prairie location, peaceful, effortless Sunday strolls go with the territory. The downtown area, residential suburbs, the river and many parks can all be reached without much of an upward struggle. Located just north of downtown, across Bow River, the beautifully historic neighbourhood of Kensington is perhaps the central city's most popular Sunday stroll destination. Complete with colourful shop fronts of days gone by, street-side cafes, bookstores, boutiques and an old festival movie theatre, Kensington allows visitors to take a moment for themselves, where time becomes irrelevant, treasures wait to be discovered and worries disappear with a steaming, hot coffee. Just east of Kensington, Prince's Island Park is another central stroller's paradise. Cleaving Bow River, this attractive 20-ha (49-acre) inner-city sanctuary features tall, leafy trees, green grass, winding pathways, park benches, squirrels, geese and ducks. The park can be accessed from the north via a bridge from Memorial Drive, or from the south by three bridges linking the island to downtown and Eau Claire. Prince's Island is en-route along the Bow River Pathway, part of North America's most extensive path system.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

Travel Alberta; Calgary Skyline at Night; Calgary, AB, Canada
Home of the Calgary Flames, the Pengrowth Stadium; Calgary, AB, Canada
Canada Olympic Park; Calgary, AB, Canada
Travel Alberta; Barrel Racing at the Calgary Stampede; Calgary, AB, Canada
Germ�n Rodr�guez Pazo; Floating Down the Elbow River; Calgary, AB, Canada

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