Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal seem to be the go-to cities for most tourists in Canada but Calgary is one place that seems to get overlooked. Located in the prairies of Alberta, Calgary is not the capital but it is the best city in the Canadian province. What makes it so great? It’s got an excellent food and drink scene, a hockey team with a diehard following, great shopping, rivers and parks surround the city and many activities that can be done within the city limits and some just a short drive away.
Let’s start with the food and drink! There are two special items created right here in Calgary. Ginger Beef and a Caesar, the drink , not the salad. Even though there are many places you can get this Canadian-Chinese cuisine, it’s been said that it was first created in the 1970’s at the Silver Inn Restaurant. It is fried beef strips tossed in a sweet ginger dressing. You can wash that down with either a Canadian beer or the Caesar drink, Canada’s version of a Bloody Mary. This was first formulated at what’s now The Westin Hotel in the late 1960’s. But in my opinion, one the best places to get a Caesar is at Caesar’s Steakhouse. While you’re at it, grab yourself a delicious steak which uses the best Alberta beef, something this province is known for all over North America. In addition to the few places listed, there is a plethora of restaurants in the downtown core, specifically on 8th Ave, 11 Ave, 17th Ave, and 4th Street. This multicultural city has a wide range of culinary tastes for all palettes.
Aside from the food and drink tour, Calgary provides some great entertainment and sights. The Calgary Tower, which stands almost 200m (~660ft.) high over the downtown skyline, has stunning views from up above where you can also enjoy a meal.
When you’re done, you can walk about 10 minutes to get to the arena where the Calgary Flames play, called the Saddledome because it is shaped as a saddle. That area, known as Stampede Park, is also home to the world famous Calgary Stampede.
The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth takes place the first ten days of July. It is a combination of rodeo, shows, music, attractions and so much more. Some of the biggest acts come to preform, rides are ridden, food is eaten, games are played and fireworks go off every night to celebrate. Words cannot describe how this city turns into one big party every July. You’ll have to come experience it for yourself.
Shopping in Calgary has something for everyone whether you need gear to head to the mountains or simply need to polish off a look for a night out on the town. Between the downtown shops and Chinook Centre Mall, located south of city center, you’ll find a mix of Canadian brands as well as select items from around the world. If you head south from downtown, be sure to check out two attractions.
The first is Heritage Park, a park that depicts how life in the Canadian West was lived between the 1860’s to the 1930’s. At night, they offer ghost tours too, if you don’t get easily SPOOKED! In the same vicinity sits the Glenmore Reservoir and Dam. This beautiful body of water is not only gorgeous throughout the day and allows for many water activities but it also provides some spectacular sunsets at night.
As you navigate your way through the city, you will find unique art installations, parks, and rivers. Downtown Calgary is nestled between the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Both have paths that you can walk on and enjoy the greenery while taking in the views. Just two C-Train stops from downtown is the Calgary Zoo. This zoo exhibits unbelievable replicas of dinosaurs throughout the park. If learning about dinosaurs is something that really sparks your interest, make your way about two hours outside of Calgary to the Royal Tyrrell Museum located in Drumheller, Alberta. This place will take you through a “3.9-billion-year journey through time.”
When you head north to Canada, consider Calgary and all that it has to offer. Even though I would highly recommend coming in the summer where the weather is beautiful and the sun doesn’t set until close to 10pm, I wouldn’t rule out coming in the winter if you enjoy snow activities, frigid temps and Chinook winds, that only occur in Southern Alberta. This phenomenon could increase the temperature by 40+ degrees in a day. Aside from the warm temps in the dead of winter, it also exhibits beautiful cloud formations.
Calgary is a unique city, metropolitan combined with the wild west. It has something for everyone. This gem nestled amongst the Rocky Mountains is a place to definitely explore.
Story & Photography By Alaa Razoky
