Calgary
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Calgary
There's a place in the foothills of Canada's Rocky Mountains where each year nearly five million visitors come from across Canada and around the world to explore, experience and enjoy. This place is Calgary, Heart of the New West ™ - a safe, clean and vibrant city that offers the best of all worlds.
Calgary is a cosmopolitan city set in the rolling foothills of the western province of Alberta which is located directly north of the State of Montana, USA. The majestic Canadian Rockies are less than an hour's drive from the city centre of Calgary.
Calgary's International Airport is just a 20 -minute drive, (17 kilometers or 10.5 miles) from the city's center. Over 20 airlines service Calgary either directly or in one stop. Excellent, well-maintained highways lead into Calgary from the United States and other parts of Canada.
Local Information
You will also be treated to a city that exemplifies the blending of our cattle ranching roots (revisited in Heritage Park and the historic BarU Ranch) with the surging and dynamic oil and gas industry, the blossoming technology sector and a world class panoply of cultural, dining and shopping experiences. In Calgary you will find the world renowned Spruce Meadows Equestrian Centre and the EPCOR Centre, home of the Calgary Philharmonic, and the University of Calgary with its newly minted Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Top Attractions in Calgary:
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The Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park (or simply, "The Zoo") is Canada's second largest zoo with over 1,000 various mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The Zoo's indoor and outdoor botanical gardens showcase a variety of annuals, cactuses, and rainforest plants. The Prehistoric Park shows over 20 life-sized models of dinosaurs and reptiles. There are specialized areas for wildlife from the Rocky Mountains, and the northern forest. |
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Built as a centennial project in 1967, The Calgary Tower is the "center" of the city, the tower stands 191 metres (626 ft) high and provides a 360-degree view of both the city and Rocky Mountains. The observation level has high-powered telescopes, and interactive video displays. The tower's revolving fine dining restaurant and lounge also have views of Calgary and surrounding area. Check out the new Glass Floor at the top of the Calgary Tower, off the existing Observation Deck, 4.5 feet(1.37m) deep and 36 feet (10.978m) long with full glass surround. Step out 525 feet (160m) above the busy downtown streets below. |
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Glenbow has extensive exhibits of Canadian Western heritage. Featured areas include: the Native Indians (with a Blackfoot teepee), early settlers (and a real log cabin), the railroad, and early oil & gas exploration. The Glenbow's second floor shows parts of its art collection with works by contemporary and early Alberta artists. |
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Canada Olympic Park (COP) was a major venue in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Just ten minutes west of the downtown core, Canada Olympic Park (COP) is the crown jewel of the XV Olympic Winter Games and Calgary's premiere year-round sport and tourist attraction. Whether learning how to ski and snowboard in the winter, tearing up the mountain bike trails in the summer or blasting down Canada's only Olympic Bobsleigh/Luge Track in the Bobsleigh Bullet (winter) or Bobsleigh Road Rocket (summer), there's something for everybody. |
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre |
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The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre is in the heart of downtown, beside Eau Claire Market. The Centre has a six-story Great Cultural Hall, modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, that took 100,000 man-hours to build. The centre includes a cultural museum, an arts and crafts store, and a Chinese restaurant. The Cultural Centre features various exhibitions, festivals and events. |
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Eau Claire is a favourite place to stroll, shop and savour. The pathways that wind through Prince's Island Park and along the river form the recreational hub of Downtown. The river walk, Barclay Parade and Eau Claire Festival Market offer a children's play area, an indoor playground, funky shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas. There is a direct link to Stephen Avenue Walk via Barclay Mall (pedestrian mall). |
Surrounding areas of Calgary
Alberta's grandeur and beauty are obvious from the moment of arrival. Rolling foothills, intimidating mountains and prehistoric hoodoos are a few of Alberta's more distinct natural landmarks. Most impressive are Alberta's Rocky Mountains, which facilitate the world famous resort towns of Banff, Jasper, Canmore, Kananaskis, Lake Louise and Waterton. Dinosaur hunters flock to Drumheller, home of the acclaimed Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, where the desert topography yields countless fossils and prehistoric discoveries. Alberta's rural heritage can be further explored with a visit to the vast farmlands of Alberta's Heartland, Southern Alberta and Northern Alberta. Calgary, home of the globally recognized Calgary Stampede, is best known for its warm hospitality, oil and gas industry and close proximity to the Rockies. Edmonton, the provincial capital, is often synonymous with its largest attraction—West Edmonton Mall. North America's largest shopping and entertainment complex offers over 800 stores and services and over 110 dining establishments, the epitome of one-stop shopping.
Climate
Summer runs between May and September, days are warm and evenings are cool. With temperatures soaring to 30 ºC or 35 ºC when the sun is at its zenith, summer in Calgary can be a daunting prospect for travellers accustomed to humid summers. Rest assured that Calgary summers are more than bearable since the heat is a dry heat, thanks to the Rockies: the humidity of the air coming off the Pacific condenses as it is forced upward by this massive natural barrier, and falls as precipitation in the mountains before it reaches the city. Thus, the region around Calgary receives less than 30 centimetres of rainfall between May and September, and 35 ºC in Calgary is probably a lot more comfortable than 30 ºC in Montréal. Bring along T-shirts, light shirts and pants, shorts and sunglasses, as well as a sweater for the evenings. If you plan on hiking in the mountains, remember that it gets colder at higher altitudes, so be sure to bring along a windbreaker
Like spring, autumn keeps you on your toes with unpredictable weather, thus it is best to come prepared for any surprises. The most changeable weather tends to occur in October, when temperatures can range anywhere between 30 ºC and -20 ºC. The first snowfall often arrives at the end of October, though it usually does not stay on the ground until November.
Average high in August °C 23.3
Average low in August °C 8.6