Cochrane is a town of 26,000 people (2016) in the Calgary Region of Alberta.
Cochrane has a reputation for its western culture, which can easily be felt when one wanders the streets (particularly Main Street). Cochrane is also a small industrial centre.
The town is a popular destination for ice cream and coffee in its quaint western-oriented stores, and for windsports, golfing, hiking and other adventure activities. Cochrane is known for outdoor pursuits. It is a centre for paragliding instruction. The hill is a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who take advantage of its 7% grade and 3.5 km distance.
Major industries include lumber, construction, retail, and agriculture (ranching).
Cochrane was established in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche, after Matthew Henry Cochrane, a local rancher. It became a village in 1903, and it had a newspaper and volunteer fire department by 1909. Cochrane was incorporated as a town in 1971.
- Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library and Archives, 101 Ranchehouse Road (in the Cochrane Ranchehouse, +1 403 932-3782. M-F 9AM-noon, 1PM-4PM, closed weekends on statutory holidays. Over 13,000 books related to western culture from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, including a complete collection of Brand Books for Alberta from 1888 to present, and some from the other provinces. 6,000 magazines on such areas as ranching, rodeo, horsemanship, veterinary science, history, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library and Archives, 101 Ranchehouse Road (in the Cochrane Ranchehouse, +1 403 932-3782. M-F 9AM-noon, 1PM-4PM, closed weekends on statutory holidays. Over 13,000 books related to western culture from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, including a complete collection of Brand Books for Alberta from 1888 to present, and some from the other provinces. 6,000 magazines on such areas as ranching, rodeo, horsemanship, veterinary science, history, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- Cochrane WinterFest. Early March. Activities include Crokicurl, pancake breakfast, Extreme Cowboy demonstrations, pony rides, axe throwing, ski jump demonstration. $5 per person, $15 per family, children 10 and under free.
Cochrane WinterFest. Early March. Activities include Crokicurl, pancake breakfast, Extreme Cowboy demonstrations, pony rides, axe throwing, ski jump demonstration. $5 per person, $15 per family, children 10 and under free.
- Cochrane Farmers' Market, Cochrane Ranche Historic Site parking lot (near junction of Hwy 1A & Hwy 22, +1 403-851-0562. Jun-Sep: Sa 9AM-1PM. The town of Cochrane is roughly 30 minutes west of Calgary via Crowchild Trail (Hwy 1A) or 16th Ave NW (Hwy 1, Trans-Canada Hwy).
Cochrane Farmers' Market, Cochrane Ranche Historic Site parking lot (near junction of Hwy 1A & Hwy 22, +1 403-851-0562. Jun-Sep: Sa 9AM-1PM. The town of Cochrane is roughly 30 minutes west of Calgary via Crowchild Trail (Hwy 1A) or 16th Ave NW (Hwy 1, Trans-Canada Hwy).
- MacKay's, 220 1 St W, +1 403-932-2455. Open daily, hours vary seasonally. The reason that Calgarians visit Cochrane. of great flavours of locally made ice cream, e.g., dill pickle, ginger with candied ginger, spotted cow, sticky toffee pudding, mayan chocolate, wasabi. Since 1948.
- Guy's Cafe & Bakery, 6-201 Grand Blvd, +1 403-851-9955. M-Sa 7AM-5PM. Specialty coffee, full meals, freshly baked bread, soups and sandwiches.
- Portofino Italian Ristorante, 18-205 1 Street E, +1 403-932-1777. Lunch: Tu-F 11AM-2PM; Dinner: Tu-Sa 5-9PM. Italian cuisine; reservations recommended. $20-46.
MacKay's, 220 1 St W, +1 403-932-2455. Open daily, hours vary seasonally. The reason that Calgarians visit Cochrane. of great flavours of locally made ice cream, e.g., dill pickle, ginger with candied ginger, spotted cow, sticky toffee pudding, mayan chocolate, wasabi. Since 1948.
Guy's Cafe & Bakery, 6-201 Grand Blvd, +1 403-851-9955. M-Sa 7AM-5PM. Specialty coffee, full meals, freshly baked bread, soups and sandwiches.
Portofino Italian Ristorante, 18-205 1 Street E, +1 403-932-1777. Lunch: Tu-F 11AM-2PM; Dinner: Tu-Sa 5-9PM. Italian cuisine; reservations recommended. $20-46.
- Brooklyn Social House, 2101-101 Sunset Drive, +1 403-362-3622. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-1AM. Pub serving only hand-crafted Alberta beers paired with innovative, locally sourced and seasonally focused food.
- Texas Gate Bar & Grill, 304 1st Street W, +1 403-932-6666. Daily 10AM-3AM. 180 person Bar features 3 Pool tables, 4 Dart boards, 9 VLT's, 10 big screen T.V's, Stage & Dance floor, Karaoke Nights and live Entertainment or All Request D.J. on weekends.
Brooklyn Social House, 2101-101 Sunset Drive, +1 403-362-3622. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-1AM. Pub serving only hand-crafted Alberta beers paired with innovative, locally sourced and seasonally focused food.
Texas Gate Bar & Grill, 304 1st Street W, +1 403-932-6666. Daily 10AM-3AM. 180 person Bar features 3 Pool tables, 4 Dart boards, 9 VLT's, 10 big screen T.V's, Stage & Dance floor, Karaoke Nights and live Entertainment or All Request D.J. on weekends.
- Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Day use area featuring a series of small waterfalls and hiking.
- Ghost Lake. Small reservoir along the Bow River, popular spot for sailing, iceboating, and ice fishing.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Day use area featuring a series of small waterfalls and hiking.
Ghost Lake. Small reservoir along the Bow River, popular spot for sailing, iceboating, and ice fishing.