The spirit of the Old West lives on in Calgary, where the cowboy hat is just as fashionable in the boardroom as it is on the ranch.
If you visit Calgary in early July, you will experience the excitement of the Calgary Stampede, the largest rodeo event in Canada.
Then pick up a cheap rental car in Calgary and set off to explore the Canadian Rockies just a few miles away.
Calgary Tower
Soaring above the downtown core, the Calgary Tower observation deck offers a spectacular 360° view of the bustling city, the majestic Rocky Mountains, the foothills, and the prairies. Be sure to walk across the glass floor at the top of the tower for a birds-eye view of the city streets below: thrills guaranteed! The tower also boasts two restaurants offering panoramic views.
Glenbow Museum
An art and history museum located right in downtown Calgary, the Glenbow Museum houses a wide variety of world-renowned exhibitions and the largest art collection in Western Canada, in addition to permanent exhibitions that tell the story of Southern Alberta and the West to thousands of visitors each year. Audioguides available.
Main building closed for renovations until 2026. Temporary address :
Glenbow at the Edison / Second Floor, 150 9 Ave SW, Calgary
PEACE BRIDGEThe Peace Bridge provides a way for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the Bow River. The attractive, original bridge was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava in 2012. The bridge is reportedly used by 6,000 people a day to commute to work and back without using their cars. Don't hesitate to use it yourself, and enjoy a beautiful view of the river and downtown Calgary. It is to the west of Prince’s Island Park and can be reached by Memorial Drive NW. Several parking options are available. |
8th Avenue (Stephen Avenue Walk)
This historic pedestrian mall in Downtown Calgary is the perfect place to go for a stroll, do some shopping or pick up a few souvenirs of your Western Canada adventure. The pedestrian section of 8 Avenue SW is between 1st St SE and 4th St SW.
NEARBY
Royal Tyrrell Museum
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the science of palaeontology. Located in Drumheller, in the heart of the Canadian badlands, about 2 hours from Calgary, the museum houses one of the world's largest displays of dinosaurs. Visitors of all ages will be amazed by the gigantic tyrannosaurus skeletons.
Festivals calendar
Calgary Stampede
Dates: mid-July
The largest annual event in Canada features an internatonally renowned rodeo competition, a fair, an agricultural exhibition, chuckwagon races, concerts, a First Nations "Indian Village", pancake breakfasts across the city, and much more.
Calgary Folk Music Festival
Dates: end of July
Calgary's most popular music festival. Featuring some 70 artists from around the world, Folk Fest celebrates a variety of musical genres including world music, country, alternative, blues, funk, bluegrass, traditional and more. A great activity to enjoy with friends or family.
Calgary Reggae Festival
Dates: June
Reggae fans can move to the rhythm of local and international reggae artists. An event that transcends racial, cultural and musical boundaries, Reggaefest offers something for everyone with a Kids Zone and food and craft stands.