Calgary Holiday & Tourism Guide

The 627-foot Calgary Tower was the site of the Olympic flame in 1988 and is still the heart of the city at 101 9 Avenue SW. Its gas cauldron is still lit to celebrate special events.
Ride to the observation deck for a 360-degree view and look 627-feet down to the street through the glass floor.
Dine in the revolving Panorama Restaurant or walk across the +15 Skyway to the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel next door to the Oak Room. A short walk away is the Glenbow, the largest museum in Western Canada (www.glenbow.org).

The Calgary Olympic Park (COP) welcomes ski jumpers from Eddie the Eagles to medal contenders.
Visitors thrill to the virtual ski jump and luge ride and can tour the Olympic Museum.
COP is a landmark on the TransCanada Highway as you head west to Banff and the Rockies. You can ski, jump and skate in the winter and mountain bike in the summer (www.winsportcanada.ca).
The Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary in the northwest boasts the fastest ice in the world. The three facilities host international long track competitions as well as hockey and figure skating (oval.ucalgary.ca).

From koalas to snow leopards, moose to mountain goats, Calgary's Zoo on St. George's Island is extensive and visitor friendly.
The facility features a Prehistoric Park featuring life-size dinosaurs like those discovered at the world famous Drumheller Valley, which bills itself as the dinosaur capital of the world (www.tyrrellmuseum.com). See Kamala, the resident elephant artist, botanical gardens, play parks and animals from Africa to the Rocky Mountains. Open daily except Christmas. (www.calgaryzoo.org)

In early July, Calgary becomes Cowtown and residents wear boots, jeans and Stetsons for the 10-day Calgary Stampede.
Almost a century old, this world-famous professional rodeo also features nightly chuck wagon racing. The rodeo arena is surrounded in Stampede Park by midway rides, food, shows, attractions and entertainment.
It's wise to take the LRT (lightrail) system and allow ample time to see it all (www.calgarystampede.com)

Horses abound in and around Calgary. Besides their central role in the Stampede, you can enjoy a carriage ride through Banff or Calgary or book a week at a guest (formerly dude) ranch where you can ride, help with chores and live the life of a century ago.
Trail rides and pack trips are available in Banff at Warner Guiding and Outfitting near the famous Banff Springs Hotel (www.horseback.com) as well as Rafter Six Ranch east of Canmore near Stony Nakoda country (www.raftersix.com) where movies are often filmed.
For world class show jumping, visit Spruce Meadows where top horses compete in the ring and entertainment in the Plaza includes food and pony rides (www.sprucemeadows.com).

Prince's Island Park in mid-river downtown is the center of summer festivals from Canada Day (July 1) to the July Folk Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, ExpoLatino and annual classical music and BBQ on the Bow contest.
Stroll over the pedestrian bridge from Chinatown and the Eau Claire district and walk, bike, blade, fish and canoe among the gardens, water fountains and green trees. Bring a picnic or dine at the River Cafe.
Other festivals include the Calgary Jazz Festival (June), Fringe Festival (August) and GlobalFest International Fireworks Festival in August. (www.calgaryplus.ca/events)

Watch the Flames at the Saddledome for a taste of real hockey, book a heli ski trip for a taste of true powder and wilderness, mush with dogsleds in Canmore, go whitewater rafting or hiking Banff's backcountry; climb mountains or fish glacial rivers, outdoor adventures await visitors and residents alike. (www1.travelalberta.com)