Touristy Calgary Things

[Maritime Q-Scout]

So for my first trip to Calgary in over a decade, this time with good weather and for more than one day.

I'm putting together a list of things to see/do

• Tour of the Holy Land (aka the Saddledome)
• Check out the Peace Bridge (that's right nay-sayers a tourist going to see the bridge)
• Chicken on the Way (it's talked about frequently here, so I guess I have to try it)

Might try and get up to Banff for a day

I plan on celebrating my brother's birthday on Friday (his work might disagree) that said, a good spot for 30 somethings to head out to?

Anything else quintessential Calgary I should do?

*of note I've done Calgary Tower and COP previously but am not opposed to doing them again.

[Kjesse]

You should come next year at this time, and take in the Stanley Cup finals.

[Hockeyguy15]

When are you coming to town? There is a pre-season Stamps game on June 12th if you are here.

[OMG!WTF!]

http://mountengadine.com/

go for dinner here. so much better than a trip to banff. about 2 hours from downtown calgary.

[surferguy]

check out the skyline luge at COP with the 30 somethings. Lots of fun for a big group to go racing!

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by surferguy

check out the skyline luge at COP with the 30 somethings. Lots of fun for a big group to go racing!

I strongly recommend this, too. A hoot.

[Bill Bumface]

-Raft down the Bow River
-Heritage Park
-The Zoo
-Telus Spark (Science centre... if you get crap weather, not a bad indoor spot)
-St. Patrick's Island Park if it's open by then
-Go up the Calgary Tower
-Get someone on CP who works for EnCana or Cenovus to take you in the Bow

[DoubleF]

Drumheller Royal Tyrell Museum is worth a look if you're willing to take a 1:30 drive North of the city.

Hot springs in Banff + pics at Lake Louise/Lake Moraine. It's still worth going to Banff just to say to people you did. People ask whether you are going to Banff a lot if they find out you're a tourist.

Sky Luge +1. Also hit up the Canada Sports Hall of Fame if that is something you fancy. It's all within the same area as COP.

Eat steak. I had some visitors from BC recently and they were so excited and impressed by a prime rib roast. I'm still confused by that one. But our beef is indeed tasty.
Do you drink whiskey? Try an inexpensive bottle of Alberta Premium if you want to save your wallet a little. It's surprisingly alright. I can't vouch for the Alberta vodka though...

Are you here for the Stampede?
Buy a cowboy hat?
Enjoy no PST shopping? (Not sure how to refer to diff between GST and HST)
Brewery tour? (Wild rose brewery, Minhas...); Minhas you go for the cheap swag, not the brews.


Downtown
- Bow tower (if someone can bring you)
- Devonian gardens (If you're super bored)
- Rundle ruins (if you're more bored)
- City hall and Olympic plaza (Free C-train ride down town)
- Prince's Island park/Eau Claire (How bored would you have to be?)
- 17th ave Red Mile (Side tour after Saddledome?)

EDIT: In case it wasn't obvious...
If it says boring... don't consider it unless you find yourself 30 seconds away from it.
Swap Devonian gardens with butterfly building in Zoo.
Swap Rundle Ruins for Edmonton... actually, still not recommended.
Prince's Island park, swap for Heritage park, or take a look at the bow at vantage points from the Saddledome area.

Night shots? Consider hopping up to Crescent Road or Salisbury Avenue for a nice view of DT. Not as cool during the day, but much more beautiful (IMO) at night.

Amongst the things others have already said and I've repeated.

[JiriHrdina]

We really do have a world class zoo - I love zoos and have been to many all over the world and the Calgary Zoo stands up against most of them.

[CliffFletcher]

If the weather is nice, nothing beats a morning strolling around Heritage Park.

[Sliver]

I'm throwing down another vote for Skyline Luge. I went two weeks ago and had a blast. That thing is so cool.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the zoo. I find it really boring and crowded. You just kind of get corralled along in line-ups to view boring animals. Plus I always am underwhelmed by the animals. Giraffes aren't as big as I picture. The large cats just sit around. The gorillas are always sick (last year I saw one barf a bunch of orange puke and then start eating it. I was just like 'fata this, I'm out'). It would be much better if they put them all in a big arena or something.

I went to the San Diego Zoo in March and it was pretty cool - parts of it felt like a tropical rain forest. Also went to Sea World in March. That was wicked. Saw whales jumping out of the water, which was an awesome sight. They also have rollercoasters there to add to the entertainment factor. That is great because it just creates a better overall package. I would like to see our zoo train some animals for entertainment or add some rides. Looking at animals sitting around is quite boring (IMO).

Devonian Gardens mentioned above is not a good suggestion at all. That is a pitiful place, particularly in the summer when everything is better to do than go there. Definitely don't bother.

Banff absolutely rules. It's majestic. It's beautiful. It's close. There is a ton to do. The bars are great. People there are always in a good, relaxed mood. Lots of restaurants. Hot springs is fun. Gondola is fun. Johnston Canyon is kind of fun (though a bit crowded).

Heritage Park is great.

[_Q_]

Good suggestions in here.

As for stuff to do at night, it depends on what your thing is. I like National on 8th roof top patio. It's a very cool spot on a warm night and they have something like 75 beers on tap. Also the newly opened Last Best Brewery on 11th Ave is a cool spot with excellent beer made on site and good food.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Personally, I'm not a fan of the zoo. I find it really boring and crowded. You just kind of get corralled along in line-ups to view boring animals. Plus I always am underwhelmed by the animals. Giraffes aren't as big as I picture. The large cats just sit around. The gorillas are always sick (last year I saw one barf a bunch of orange puke and then start eating it. I was just like 'fata this, I'm out'). It would be much better if they put them all in a big arena or something.
.

Sounds like you are doing what most people do - which is go to the zoo on a gorgeous weekend day. That's the worst time to go to the zoo. Go when the temperatures are in the low teens or lower - in the morning - the animals are much more active and the crowds much smaller.
If you go at the right time, you can see the beasts do all sorts of cool stuff. But if it is hot - you can watch them nap and that's about all.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sounds like you are doing what most people do - which is go to the zoo on a gorgeous weekend day. That's the worst time to go to the zoo. Go when the temperatures are in the low teens or lower - in the morning - the animals are much more active and the crowds much smaller.
If you go at the right time, you can see the beasts do all sorts of cool stuff. But if it is hot - you can watch them nap and that's about all.

Wow, good point. That's my exact philosophy on Calaway, but I never thought to apply it to the zoo.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

If the weather is nice, nothing beats a morning strolling around Heritage Park.

Yeah we have a season's pass which is nice, because you don't have the pressure of spending the entire day there. We can take my daughter there for an hour - hit the farm animals, grab a cookie at the bakery and head home. A perfect place to give her a chance to run out her wiggles for an hour or two.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Good suggestions in here.

As for stuff to do at night, it depends on what your thing is. I like National on 8th roof top patio. It's a very cool spot on a warm night and they have something like 75 beers on tap. Also the newly opened Last Best Brewery on 11th Ave is a cool spot with excellent beer made on site and good food.

+1 for the National. They also have a 10 pin bowling alley in the basement.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

+1 for the National. They also have a 10 pin bowling alley in the basement.

You're thinking of National on 10th, which is cool as well. They also have the burbon room on the second floor and a roof top patio to be open sometime this summer.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sounds like you are doing what most people do - which is go to the zoo on a gorgeous weekend day. That's the worst time to go to the zoo. Go when the temperatures are in the low teens or lower - in the morning - the animals are much more active and the crowds much smaller.
If you go at the right time, you can see the beasts do all sorts of cool stuff. But if it is hot - you can watch them nap and that's about all.

The Calgary Zoo does these "Focus" events for photographers. They open up the Zoo early for anyone who wants to come capture their favourite animal without all the crowds, noise, hot sun etc etc. Think it's around 6:30-7:00am when it starts. Been meaning to go for the longest time but the dates never match up with my schedule. Heard it's amazing.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Yeah we have a season's pass which is nice, because you don't have the pressure of spending the entire day there. We can take my daughter there for an hour - hit the farm animals, grab a cookie at the bakery and head home. A perfect place to give her a chance to run out her wiggles for an hour or two.

So do we. Do you ever make it to the Saloon in the very back of the park past the Fort? Not many people go there, but it's an actual functioning bar. My wife and I always grab a beer there and get the kids a root beer. No matter how busy the park is, not many people go there and a lot don't seem to know about it.

[enthused]

Originally Posted by _Q_

You're thinking of National on 10th, which is cool as well. They also have the burbon room on the second floor and a roof top patio to be open sometime this summer.

Their roof top patio is already open. Quite a bit smaller than the one on 8th though.