Calgary

Calgary is Alberta's largest city and Canada's fourth-largest, and is near where the prairies end and the foothills begin. That makes it the eastern gateway to the Rocky Mountains and an important center of trade and tourism for the western prairies. It is your best point of access for Banff and Jasper, and a worthwhile destination in its own right. Calgary is the heart of the largest metropolitan area between Toronto and Vancouver, with over 1.24 million people as of 2016 (1.4 million in the metropolitan area), making it Canada's fourth largest metropolitan area.

Calgary was founded as Fort Brisebois by the Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1875. (The name was changed to Fort Calgary in 1876, named after Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull.) The NWMP was sent west to ensure that Canada would not have an American-style "Wild West". Grave concerns about this were raised after the Cypress Hills Massacre of natives by drunken wolf hunters in 1873. Calgary was one of several forts established in Western Canada by the NWMP to ensure a police presence before the arrival of settlers.

In 1883, the railway reached Calgary. It started to grow in every direction and became an agricultural and business hub. In 1884, Calgary was incorporated as a town in what was then the North West Territories. By 1894, Calgary's population had grown to 3900 people and it was incorporated as a city.

Alberta's first major oil and natural gas field was discovered in 1914 at Turner Valley, 60 km south of Calgary. Subsequent discoveries kept the oil and gas scene active in the Turner Valley area for the next 30 years. When the Turner Valley fields were depleted, the next major oil and gas find was at Leduc (near Edmonton) in 1947. By then, Calgary was already established as a centre of oil and gas business.

During the 1950s, oil became big in Calgary and major American oil companies started heading to Calgary and opening offices. The boom extended into the next twenty years, bringing the city to 720,000 people in the metro area by 1985. The relatively low-key low-rise downtown became filled with a sea of skyscrapers, starting with the Calgary Tower and some other towers in the 1960s. By the 1980s, Calgary's luck turned, and a drop in oil prices sent the Calgary metro economy downward. Unemployment raged, vacancies surged, and growth was slow or even negative in some years.

In 1988, Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics and brought world attention to Calgary. By the 1990s, it was on the rebound and began growing again. Calgary today has become a more cosmopolitan city of over one million inhabitants with genuine attempts to diversify its economy and expand its attractiveness to outside visitors.

Onward!, the official motto of the city, was never more apt than in the wake of the major flooding the city experienced in June 2013. A year later, the casual visitor would have been hard-pressed to find any traces of the flood.

The Beltline and 17th Avenue: 17th Avenue SW is Calgary's première place to see and be seen. It boasts a large and eclectic variety of restaurants, unique shops, boutiques, and bars. This street is where Calgary parties, most notably becoming the "Red Mile" during the 2004 Stanley Cup ice hockey playoffs, where up to 100,000 cheering fans gathered to celebrate victories by the hometown NHL Calgary Flames. While the Beltline spans from the Stampede Grounds and Victoria Park on the east to Mount Royal on the west, the dense nightlife on 17th Avenue starts at about 2nd Street SW and goes to 15th Street SW.

Bridgeland (Edmonton Trail on the west, Tom Campbell's Hill on the east, Bridge Crescent NE on the north, and the Bow River/Memorial Drive/Zoo on the south) is an urban revitalization area northeast of the downtown. Although the community has long been Calgary's "Little Italy" (hence the abundance of Italian restaurants in the area), the demolition of the old General Hospital in 1998 sparked a long-term project redevelop much of the era. The area is expected to be a family oriented Pearl District (see Portland, Oregon) and the initial phases are already done. The area includes posh shops, chic apartments, and beautiful lofts, while maintaining the old charm of the distinct houses. The area is undergoing massive gentrification due to its proximity to downtown and the now cleaned up East Village. It is a great area to walk through for those interested in architecture and planning. The far eastern end of Bridgeland connects with the Calgary Zoo (which will be welcoming pandas in 2018) and Telus Spark Science Centre. Tom Campbell's Hill is an excellent viewpoint of downtown.

Inglewood: Inglewood is Calgary's oldest neighbourhood and the site of the city's original downtown. It is also one of Calgary's most culturally influenced and eclectic areas. Inglewood contains everything from stores targeted at bikers, to unique boutiques, antique stores, galleries, and restaurants. It is not as developed as some of the city's downtown districts, but it is quickly becoming one of the city's most popular "urban chic" neighbourhoods. It lies immediately east of downtown (east of 1st Street E) and is concentrated along 9th Avenue SE. Just to the north is the Bow River and the Calgary Zoo.

Forest Lawn International Avenue. Forest Lawn is known for its diverse culture, with the city's best Vietnamese, Lebanese, African, and Central American eateries lining 17th Avenue SE between 26th St SE and 61 St SE. Forest Lawn has a very large immigrant population, which is why it is home to diverse restaurants and businesses. Due to being a low income part of the city, it has a reputation for being one of the less-safe areas of Calgary, but International Avenue is definitely worth a visit to explore Calgary's diverse population. This area is home to Elliston Park, which is a very large urban park, best known for hosting Global Fest every August, a festival that showcases Calgary's diverse cultures and excites with its fireworks competition.

Kensington. Kensington is along the Bow River on the north side of downtown. It is another one of Calgary's notable shopping neighbourhoods, with a somewhat more bohemian feel than 17th Avenue (one particular store specializes in Birkenstocks and futons). It offers a good variety of restaurants, with more of an emphasis on coffee shops than on bars. Kensington runs along Kensington Road NW from 14th St NW to 10th St NW, and also north along 10th St NW to 5 Ave NW.

McKenzie Towne is on the southeastern outskirts of Calgary (accessible via Deerfoot Trail and McKenzie Towne Boulevard). An exception to the "dull suburb" stereotype, this planned community features parks and classical home facades that come right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Anchoring the area is High Street, a shopping centre disguised as a classic small-town main street. Worth checking out if you've rented a car to visit Spruce Meadows.

Marda Loop/Garrison Green (east of Crowchild Trail along 33rd Avenue SW), which contains a large number of quaint shops, restaurants, and services and is a real up and comer area and would be a great place to check out. Marda Loop, centered on the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 20th Street SW, is the older of the two areas and in mid-August hosts the Marda Gras Street Festival along 33 Avenue between 19 Street and 23 Street SW. Garrison Green is a newly developed residential/shopping district immediately to the south of 32 Avenue that features its own mix of eclectic shops and old-towne storefronts.

Mission: The Mission district was established as a French and Catholic settlement (later called Rouleauville) at the same time that Calgary was founded. Historic displays at Rouleauville Square and the Elbow River Promenade tell the story of the area. In many ways, Mission acts as an extension of 17th Avenue. Like the Beltline, it is packed full of interesting restaurants and shops. It does not share 17th Avenue's late night reputation, however, and it generally lacks the bars and nightclubs. Mission extends from 4th Street SW to 1st Street SE and from 17th Avenue SW in the north to 26th Avenue and the Elbow River in the south.

Mount Royal is a neighbourhood south of the downtown with charming old homes on winding streets. The area houses some of Calgary's elite. It is a nice area to do a quiet stroll through, admiring old residences. Driving around the community can be challenging due to the preponderance of traffic calming measures and street closures to prevent cut-through traffic.

Parkhill is a neighbourhood south of downtown. It is a quite wealthy area that once had many old homes. Today it is home to a range of modern designs, with few old homes still standing. It's a very interesting neighbourhood to visit.-->

Calgary is sunny and rather dry, with wide seasonal and daily temperature ranges. Summers tend to be sunny and mild, highs averaging about in July/August, usually accompanied by short afternoon storms. June is normally the wettest month, although the Stampede in July is notorious for at least a few heavy showers, so be prepared if you plan to visit during this time. Hot weather greater than is rare, occurring on average five times a year. Also, temperatures typically drop dramatically on wet days as well; there's always a couple days in the summer months that barely manage highs over .

Winter can also vary quite a bit. Temperatures can get extremely cold, below, at times between November and March, while is possible (on average five times a year). Though average highs in January are about based on a current 30-year average, there's nothing average with Calgary's weather. Because of the regular but unpredictable chinooks (warm Pacific winds), there's no guarantee of when the cold weather may strike. One of the coldest months in the last ten years was a March (about for average high), while one January was very mild, average high. Temperatures can swell into the range one day, and drop back into the sub-zero (sub 32°F) range several days later. A typical chinook rolls in fast and is very windy. The warming effects will usually linger for several days to more than a week. In strong chinooks, you can see a chinook arch to the west: an arch of cloud with clear sky below. Calgary can be very dry in winter, with humidity as low as 20%, causing dry skin and making it challenging for contact lens wearers.

Regardless of the time of year, temperatures usually drop quickly at night. Lows in summer hover around, while in winter they average about . Because of the higher elevation and dramatic temperature drops, snow can fall as late as June and as early as September. These unseasonable snowfalls usually result in chaos in the city, as they tend to be heavy and wet, with fallen trees being a major threat. Calgary's weather can be quite unpredictable and can vary dramatically from year-to-year. Check the forecast ahead of time, because it will usually give you a good idea of what you will need to prepare for.

First-time visitors to Calgary should be careful to bring sunglasses (even in winter) as Calgary is the sunniest city in Canada, and the sun can make things quite hard on your eyes, especially in the winter as it reflects off of the snow.

The pamphlet titled "Calgary attractions" has discount coupons for 14 tourist attractions. Some coupons are modest such as $1 off Calgary Tower admission, but others can be substantial such as 50% off a second admission to Heritage Park Historical Village. The pamphlet is available at the Tourism Calgary airport kiosk (arrival level) or in the ground floor lobby of the Calgary Tower.^{(Jun 2016)}

• Calgary Tower (in City Centre). The Calgary Tower may not be quite as impressive as the CN Tower in Toronto, but it still commands a great view over the city and the surroundings. On a clear day you can see the Rockies to the west. It features a revolving gourmet restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck. The tower is best approached from 8th Avenue, as the 10th Avenue side is dominated by railway tracks, parking lots, & parkades.
• Stampede Park (in City Centre). The site of Calgary's world-famous exhibition and rodeo, the Calgary Stampede grounds are east of the Beltline in Victoria Park. Not only are the grounds the site of the excitement of every July's Calgary Stampede, they also house a conference and exhibition centre (the BMO Centre) and a casino.

Calgary Tower (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). The Calgary Tower may not be quite as impressive as the CN Tower in Toronto, but it still commands a great view over the city and the surroundings. On a clear day you can see the Rockies to the west. It features a revolving gourmet restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck. The tower is best approached from 8th Avenue, as the 10th Avenue side is dominated by railway tracks, parking lots, & parkades.

Stampede Park (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). The site of Calgary's world-famous exhibition and rodeo, the Calgary Stampede grounds are east of the Beltline in Victoria Park. Not only are the grounds the site of the excitement of every July's Calgary Stampede, they also house a conference and exhibition centre (the BMO Centre) and a casino.

• Calgary Central Library (in City Centre). Flagship branch of the Calgary Public Library, opened on November 1, 2018. 240,000sqft interior centres around a four-storey central atrium topped by a skylight. The lower floors contain the library's meeting spaces and activity centres, while the upper floors feature book stacks with space for 450,000 titles and a reading room. Also features a 340-seat theatre, conference rooms, and small café. Named one of the 12 Most Anticipated Buildings of 2018 by Architectural Digest.
• Calgary Zoo (in Northeast). The world-class Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world, as well as to the Botanical Garden and a Prehistoric Park for dinosaur lovers. It is the second largest zoo in Canada.
• Fort Calgary (in City Centre). Fort Calgary, a Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP, now RCMP) fort was built in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers (near modern Inglewood). It became the nucleus around which Calgary grew. The original fort was destroyed decades ago. Today's Fort Calgary is a museum and historic site focusing on the history of the city and of the RCMP.
• Glenbow Museum (in City Centre). Western Canada's largest museum, with over of exhibition space on three floors. More than 20 galleries are filled with artifacts from Glenbow's collection of over a million objects, emphasizing local history. Permanent exhibitions include Indigenous Cultures, Western Canadian History, Asian Art, West African Art, and Military History. The Glenbow has changed focus to be more of an art gallery, and this is reflected in the temporary exhibitions.
• Heritage Park (in Southwest). One of the largest living historical villages in North America, on 66 acres of land near the Glenmore Reservoir. Attractions include a working passenger train, 155 historical exhibits, a candy store and bakery, old fashioned amusement park, and riding on the S.S. Moyie, a paddlewheel boat. In the winter, only a few attractions are open.
• Telus Spark (in Northeast). Canada's first purpose-built new science centre in over 25 years is a place where people of all ages and abilities can put their imagination into action. Constructed on over 18 acres of reclaimed land, the new facility features over one hundred hands-on exhibits, four exhibit galleries, plus a travelling exhibition gallery, an expanded and enhanced Creative Kids Museum, Calgary's only HD digital Dome Theatre, a new Presentation Theatre and Learning Centre, a 10,000 square-foot atrium, and a four-acre outdoor park.

Calgary Central Library (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). Flagship branch of the Calgary Public Library, opened on November 1, 2018. 240,000sqft interior centres around a four-storey central atrium topped by a skylight. The lower floors contain the library's meeting spaces and activity centres, while the upper floors feature book stacks with space for 450,000 titles and a reading room. Also features a 340-seat theatre, conference rooms, and small café. Named one of the 12 Most Anticipated Buildings of 2018 by Architectural Digest.

Calgary Zoo (in [[Calgary/Northeast|Northeast]]). The world-class Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world, as well as to the Botanical Garden and a Prehistoric Park for dinosaur lovers. It is the second largest zoo in Canada.

Fort Calgary (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). Fort Calgary, a Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP, now RCMP) fort was built in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers (near modern Inglewood). It became the nucleus around which Calgary grew. The original fort was destroyed decades ago. Today's Fort Calgary is a museum and historic site focusing on the history of the city and of the RCMP.

Glenbow Museum (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). Western Canada's largest museum, with over of exhibition space on three floors. More than 20 galleries are filled with artifacts from Glenbow's collection of over a million objects, emphasizing local history. Permanent exhibitions include Indigenous Cultures, Western Canadian History, Asian Art, West African Art, and Military History. The Glenbow has changed focus to be more of an art gallery, and this is reflected in the temporary exhibitions.

Heritage Park (in [[Calgary/Southwest|Southwest]]). One of the largest living historical villages in North America, on 66 acres of land near the Glenmore Reservoir. Attractions include a working passenger train, 155 historical exhibits, a candy store and bakery, old fashioned amusement park, and riding on the S.S. Moyie, a paddlewheel boat. In the winter, only a few attractions are open.

Telus Spark (in [[Calgary/Northeast|Northeast]]). Canada's first purpose-built new science centre in over 25 years is a place where people of all ages and abilities can put their imagination into action. Constructed on over 18 acres of reclaimed land, the new facility features over one hundred hands-on exhibits, four exhibit galleries, plus a travelling exhibition gallery, an expanded and enhanced Creative Kids Museum, Calgary's only HD digital Dome Theatre, a new Presentation Theatre and Learning Centre, a 10,000 square-foot atrium, and a four-acre outdoor park.

• Fish Creek Provincial Park (in Southeast). Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of North America's largest urban parks, covering 13.5 km². This natural area park stretches along the banks of Fish Creek and the Bow River in south Calgary, from roughly 14 St SW in the west to the Bow River in the east.
• Olympic Plaza (in City Centre). This public square was built as the site of medal presentations during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
• Prince's Island Park (in City Centre). Calgary's largest inner city park is an island with a number of pleasant trails for walking and relaxing.
• Nose Hill Park (in Northwest). Nose Hill Park, one of the largest municipal parks in Canada and North America, is in the northwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is a natural environment park, commonly regarded as a retreat from city life and a place to enjoy nature. It is the second-largest park in Calgary, surpassed in size only by Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Fish Creek Provincial Park (in [[Calgary/Southeast|Southeast]]). Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of North America's largest urban parks, covering 13.5 km². This natural area park stretches along the banks of Fish Creek and the Bow River in south Calgary, from roughly 14 St SW in the west to the Bow River in the east.

Olympic Plaza (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). This public square was built as the site of medal presentations during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.

Prince's Island Park (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). Calgary's largest inner city park is an island with a number of pleasant trails for walking and relaxing.

Nose Hill Park (in [[Calgary/Northwest|Northwest]]). Nose Hill Park, one of the largest municipal parks in Canada and North America, is in the northwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is a natural environment park, commonly regarded as a retreat from city life and a place to enjoy nature. It is the second-largest park in Calgary, surpassed in size only by Fish Creek Provincial Park.

• WinSport (Canada Olympic Park) (in Northwest). Take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for your skiing pleasure during the winter months, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame museum is open year-round.
• Scotiabank Saddledome (City Centre). On the Stampede Grounds, Calgary's largest hockey arena plays host to the Calgary Flames (ice hockey), the Calgary Hitmen (junior ice hockey), the Calgary Roughnecks (box lacrosse), and many concerts.
• Spruce Meadows (in Southwest). Just south of the city on Highway 22X, Spruce Meadows is a world-renowned show jumping and equestrian facility.

WinSport (Canada Olympic Park) (in [[Calgary/Northwest|Northwest]]). Take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for your skiing pleasure during the winter months, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame museum is open year-round.

Scotiabank Saddledome ([[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). On the Stampede Grounds, Calgary's largest hockey arena plays host to the Calgary Flames (ice hockey), the Calgary Hitmen (junior ice hockey), the Calgary Roughnecks (box lacrosse), and many concerts.

Spruce Meadows (in [[Calgary/Southwest|Southwest]]). Just south of the city on Highway 22X, Spruce Meadows is a world-renowned show jumping and equestrian facility.

While Calgary is no Rome, Tokyo, or Paris for architecture, Calgary does have some interesting highlights those interested in architecture. The Bow is a modern masterpiece of glass and steel and would be a shame to miss. (But really how could you? The crescent-shaped Bow building pierces through the skyline from pretty much any angle.) Stephen Avenue (8th Ave S in downtown core) and Atlantic Avenue (9th Ave S in Inglewood) both have an abundance of tightly packed, small, old commercial buildings with great architectural details; follow this link for downloadable self-guided historic walking tours. Calgary's Peace Bridge, a pedestrian bridge crossing the Bow River from the downtown core, opened in 2012. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and is a change from the cable-stayed bridges he is known for. The Calgary Tower is a beautiful early modern tower with a minimalist design. Even if you don't care for the design, you shouldn't miss the views from the top. Talisman Centre, a large sports complex opposite the Stampede grounds just south of the downtown core, has a unique arch-shaped roofline which is the suspension point for a fabric roof. You could also stroll the construction mazes of Macleod Trail and Scarth St/1 Street SE for many beautiful modern condominiums. Out in suburbia, the pyramid-shaped Fish Creek Library (near Southcentre Mall) is a local landmark.

• Calgary Stampede, Stampede Park (in City Centre, +1 403-269-9822. (July, 10 days). During Stampede Week, the whole city goes western! During "the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", there are events all around the city, but the highlights are the rodeo and chuckwagon races which boast the world's richest prizes.
• High Performance Rodeo. (January, 3 weeks) This unconventional international festival of theatre, dance, music, comedy, visual art, and more has been gracing Calgary venues of all sorts for over 25 years.
• Calgary International Salsa Congress, Hyatt Regency Calgary, 700 Centre St SE (in City Centre. (March, 2 days) Weekend of all-night salsa parties and Latin dance performances featuring both world-class and local talent. Includes qualifiers for the World Latin Dance Cup. $50-80.
• Calgary Spoken Word Festival. (April, 2 weeks) Canada's largest spoken word festival takes place in bars, pubs, bookshops, and an intimate theatre setting. Poetry slams, workshops, and the Golden Beret Award.
• Calgary Expo, Stampede Park (in City Centre. (April, 3 days) Pop culture festival featuring fantasy, sci-fi, horror, gaming, comics, anime and manga.
• FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival, +1 403-228-7888. (Late May, early June; 11 days) A festival of comedy in halls, clubs, pubs, and bars across Calgary. Free to $25.
• Calgary International Children's Festival, Arts Commons (in City Centre, +1 403-294-7414. (May, 4 days) Performing and visual arts festival for children, with many free activities at Olympic Plaza. Paid performances of music, dance, and more take place in the nearby Centre for the Performing Arts.
• Lilac Festival, 4 Street SW; between 13 Ave SW and Elbow Drive) (in City Centre, +1 403-453-7424. (June, 1 day) Annual street festival features over 500 vendors such as entertainment stages, street dancing, musical talent, artisan vendors, food, and other business stalls.
• Sled Island Festival, +1 403-229-2901. (June, 4 days) Independent music and visual arts festival, which takes place at over 30 venues.
• Carifest, Shaw Millennium Park (in City Centre, +1 403-774-1300. (June, 1 day) Calgary's annual festival celebrating the city's large West Indian population starts with a parade downtown to Shaw Millennium Park for the day's festivities. Free.
• Calgary Folk Music Festival, Prince's Island Park (in City Centre, +1 403-233-0904. (July, 4 days) An extremely broad definition of "folk music" is used for this well-established festival. In addition to seven different stages with dozens of international performers, there is an area with performances & activities for kids, a market, food, and lots more.
• Shakespeare by the Bow, Prince's Island Park (in City Centre. (July & August, 4 weeks) Shakespeare presented in an outdoor setting, an annual co-production of Mount Royal University and Theatre Calgary. Donations welcomed.
• Historic Calgary Week, +1 403-261-4667. (Late July & early August, 10 days) Learn about local history through talks, behind the scenes tours, and walks. Free, donations welcome.
• Calgary International Bluesfest. (late July & early August, 4 days) Calgary's got the blues! Many performers at a variety of venues.
• Calgary Fringe Festival, +1 403-451-9726. (August, 10 days) Calgary's festival of uncensored & unjuried theatre takes place at a variety of traditional and unconventional venues.
• GlobalFest, Elliston Park - 1827 68 St SE (in Southeast, +1 403-569-9679. 6-11:30PM. (August, 5 days) Fireworks competition and multi-cultural festival at Elliston Park. There is no parking at Elliston Park, but there is a shuttle bus from Marlborough Mall for $6. $20 per night, or $75 for 5 nights (early bird pricing also available).
• Taste of Calgary, Eau Claire Festival Plaza, 200 Barclay Parade SW (in City Centre, +1 403-293-2888. 11AM-9PM. (August, 4 days) Enjoy a wide variety of foods at Calgary's outdoor dining festival. Music at the Taste Stage. $1 per sampling ticket; each sample requires 2-5 tickets.
• Dragon Boat Race and Festival, North Glenmore Park (in Southwest; catch shuttle bus from Mount Royal University. (August, 2 days) Dozens of 20-person dragon boat crews race to the beat of their drummers on Glenmore Reservoir. Kids' activities, food, and entertainment are all available in the park. Free.
• Beakerhead, +1 587-351-7787. (September, 5 days) Combines the arts/culture sectors with the science/technology sectors to encourage collaboration, innovation, and science education through interactive art exhibits, engineered installations, entertainment, and workshops.
• WordFest. (October, 7 days) Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival includes readings, panel discussions, performances, interviews. Festival des mots in French, some programming in Spanish.
• Marda Loop Justice Film Festival. (November)

Calgary Stampede, Stampede Park (in City Centre, +1 403-269-9822. (July, 10 days). During Stampede Week, the whole city goes western! During "the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", there are events all around the city, but the highlights are the rodeo and chuckwagon races which boast the world's richest prizes.

High Performance Rodeo. (January, 3 weeks) This unconventional international festival of theatre, dance, music, comedy, visual art, and more has been gracing Calgary venues of all sorts for over 25 years.

Calgary International Salsa Congress, Hyatt Regency Calgary, 700 Centre St SE (in City Centre. (March, 2 days) Weekend of all-night salsa parties and Latin dance performances featuring both world-class and local talent. Includes qualifiers for the World Latin Dance Cup. $50-80.

Calgary Spoken Word Festival. (April, 2 weeks) Canada's largest spoken word festival takes place in bars, pubs, bookshops, and an intimate theatre setting. Poetry slams, workshops, and the Golden Beret Award.

Calgary Expo, Stampede Park (in City Centre. (April, 3 days) Pop culture festival featuring fantasy, sci-fi, horror, gaming, comics, anime and manga.

FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival, +1 403-228-7888. (Late May, early June; 11 days) A festival of comedy in halls, clubs, pubs, and bars across Calgary. Free to $25.

Calgary International Children's Festival, Arts Commons (in City Centre, +1 403-294-7414. (May, 4 days) Performing and visual arts festival for children, with many free activities at Olympic Plaza. Paid performances of music, dance, and more take place in the nearby Centre for the Performing Arts.

Lilac Festival, 4 Street SW; between 13 Ave SW and Elbow Drive) (in City Centre, +1 403-453-7424. (June, 1 day) Annual street festival features over 500 vendors such as entertainment stages, street dancing, musical talent, artisan vendors, food, and other business stalls.

Sled Island Festival, +1 403-229-2901. (June, 4 days) Independent music and visual arts festival, which takes place at over 30 venues.

Carifest, Shaw Millennium Park (in City Centre, +1 403-774-1300. (June, 1 day) Calgary's annual festival celebrating the city's large West Indian population starts with a parade downtown to Shaw Millennium Park for the day's festivities. Free.

Calgary Folk Music Festival, Prince's Island Park (in City Centre, +1 403-233-0904. (July, 4 days) An extremely broad definition of "folk music" is used for this well-established festival. In addition to seven different stages with dozens of international performers, there is an area with performances & activities for kids, a market, food, and lots more.

Shakespeare by the Bow, Prince's Island Park (in City Centre. (July & August, 4 weeks) Shakespeare presented in an outdoor setting, an annual co-production of Mount Royal University and Theatre Calgary. Donations welcomed.

Historic Calgary Week, +1 403-261-4667. (Late July & early August, 10 days) Learn about local history through talks, behind the scenes tours, and walks. Free, donations welcome.

Calgary International Bluesfest. (late July & early August, 4 days) Calgary's got the blues! Many performers at a variety of venues.

Calgary Fringe Festival, +1 403-451-9726. (August, 10 days) Calgary's festival of uncensored & unjuried theatre takes place at a variety of traditional and unconventional venues.

GlobalFest, Elliston Park - 1827 68 St SE (in Southeast, +1 403-569-9679. 6-11:30PM. (August, 5 days) Fireworks competition and multi-cultural festival at Elliston Park. There is no parking at Elliston Park, but there is a shuttle bus from Marlborough Mall for $6. $20 per night, or $75 for 5 nights (early bird pricing also available).

Taste of Calgary, Eau Claire Festival Plaza, 200 Barclay Parade SW (in City Centre, +1 403-293-2888. 11AM-9PM. (August, 4 days) Enjoy a wide variety of foods at Calgary's outdoor dining festival. Music at the Taste Stage. $1 per sampling ticket; each sample requires 2-5 tickets.

Dragon Boat Race and Festival, North Glenmore Park (in Southwest; catch shuttle bus from Mount Royal University. (August, 2 days) Dozens of 20-person dragon boat crews race to the beat of their drummers on Glenmore Reservoir. Kids' activities, food, and entertainment are all available in the park. Free.

Beakerhead, +1 587-351-7787. (September, 5 days) Combines the arts/culture sectors with the science/technology sectors to encourage collaboration, innovation, and science education through interactive art exhibits, engineered installations, entertainment, and workshops.

WordFest. (October, 7 days) Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival includes readings, panel discussions, performances, interviews. Festival des mots in French, some programming in Spanish.

Marda Loop Justice Film Festival. (November)

• Calaway Park, (in Northwest) (Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy) exit 169, just west of Calgary's city limits. Western Canada's largest amusement park, roughly 15 minutes west of Calgary. Gate admission pays for all rides; games, food cost extra.
• Harvie Passage. The area around Calgary Bow River Weir was remade into a Class II and III white water park for paddlers. Harvie Passage is meant only for experienced canoe and kayak paddlers; all others should portage around it. Free.

Calaway Park, (in Northwest) (Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy) exit 169, just west of Calgary's city limits. Western Canada's largest amusement park, roughly 15 minutes west of Calgary. Gate admission pays for all rides; games, food cost extra.

Harvie Passage. The area around Calgary Bow River Weir was remade into a Class II and III white water park for paddlers. Harvie Passage is meant only for experienced canoe and kayak paddlers; all others should portage around it. Free.

Calgary is home to a number of professional and amateur sport teams. The Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) are the most recognized team and play at the 19,289-seat Scotiabank Saddledome, located inside Stampede Park in the City Centre. Tickets are available, but games are routinely sold out, and tickets must usually be bought from a broker at higher prices. The major junior Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) also play at the Scotiabank Saddledome, while several junior 'A' teams play in and around Calgary. Tickets to these games are available at the door.

The Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), 2018 holders of the Grey Cup (league champions), play at the 35,400 seat McMahon Stadium, located at the University of Calgary in the Northwest. Good seats can be bought in advance, but few games are sold out (a notable exception being the annual Labour Day Classic against the rival Edmonton Eskimos) and tickets can be purchased at the door. The Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) play box lacrosse at the Scotiabank Saddledome, and are holders of the 2019 Champions Cup (league champions). Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League play professional soccer at ATCO Field on the grounds of Spruce Meadows in the Southwest. There is no professional baseball in Calgary, but the collegiate Okotoks Dawgs play at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks.

For varsity athletics, the three major post-secondary institutions have comprehensive athletic programs, though not at the high profile as their American counterparts:

• Calgary Dinos, University of Calgary (in Northwest. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), field hockey (women), Canadian football (men), basketball (men & women), rugby (women), soccer (men's & women's), swimming, track & field/x-country, volleyball (men & women), wrestling.
• MRU Cougars, Mount Royal University (in Southwest. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), basketball (men & women), soccer (men & women), volleyball (men & women).
• SAIT Trojans, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) (in Northwest. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), basketball (men & women), soccer (men & women), volleyball (men & women).

Calgary Dinos, University of Calgary (in Northwest. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), field hockey (women), Canadian football (men), basketball (men & women), rugby (women), soccer (men's & women's), swimming, track & field/x-country, volleyball (men & women), wrestling.

MRU Cougars, Mount Royal University (in Southwest. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), basketball (men & women), soccer (men & women), volleyball (men & women).

SAIT Trojans, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) (in Northwest. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), basketball (men & women), soccer (men & women), volleyball (men & women).

Calgary has a very vibrant theatre scene. It seems that Calgary has live theatre for every taste: avante-garde (One Yellow Rabbit), traditional (Theatre Calgary, ATP), mystery (Vertigo), lunch breaks (Lunchbox), improv (Loose Moose), clown arts (Green Fools), and more. The two daily newspapers provide some theatre coverage. The City Centre contains Arts Commons which hosts multiple live theatre companies, as well as the Jack Singer Concert Hall, home of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Other live theatre venues are located in the City Centre, as well as the National Music Centre (Studio Bell), which features a performance hall and museum.

The Northwest is home to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, a large concert hall and home to Calgary Opera and Alberta Ballet. The Southeast contains some small live theatre venues as well as the Stage West Dinner Theatre, while Jubilations Dinner Theatre is located in the Southwest.

• 17th Avenue (in City Centre). 17 Avenue S between 14 Street SW and Macleod Trail SE is Calgary's best-known urban business street and a major venue for boutique shopping, bars, pubs and restaurants.
• Downtown (in City Centre). Includes Stephen (8th) Avenue pedestrian walk, Barclay Parade, and The Core Shopping Centre which contains approximately 160 retailers on four levels.
• Kensington Village (in Northwest). Centred on 10 Street NW and Kensington Road NW, Kensington is home to art galleries, fashion retailers, and antiques.
• Inglewood (in Southeast) Centred on 9 Avenue SE, east of the Elbow River, Inglewood is an urban shopping area and historic district that highlights are the coffee shops, art galleries, trendy clothiers, and upscale furniture shops.
• Chinook Centre (in Southwest). Calgary's largest indoor mall and one of the best shopping experiences in the city for variety and amount of retail shops.
• CrossIron Mills (in Northeast). This large indoor mall is in the neighbouring hamlet of Balzac, north of Calgary. Similar in format to other "mills" malls, it has many well-known stores and outlets as the first new enclosed mall to be built in the Calgary area in a generation.
• Market Mall (in Northwest). Calgary's second largest indoor mall.
• Southcentre Mall (in Southwest). Calgary's third largest indoor mall.

Calgary is also home to numerous farmers' markets such as the Calgary Farmers Market and Crossroads Market, both located in the Southeast.

17th Avenue (in [[Calgary/City Centre|City Centre]]). 17 Avenue S between 14 Street SW and Macleod Trail SE is Calgary's best-known urban business street and a major venue for boutique shopping, bars, pubs and restaurants.

Downtown (in City Centre). Includes Stephen (8th) Avenue pedestrian walk, Barclay Parade, and The Core Shopping Centre which contains approximately 160 retailers on four levels.

Kensington Village (in [[Calgary/Northwest|Northwest]]). Centred on 10 Street NW and Kensington Road NW, Kensington is home to art galleries, fashion retailers, and antiques.

Inglewood (in [[Calgary/Southeast|Southeast]]) Centred on 9 Avenue SE, east of the Elbow River, Inglewood is an urban shopping area and historic district that highlights are the coffee shops, art galleries, trendy clothiers, and upscale furniture shops.

Chinook Centre (in [[Calgary/Southwest|Southwest]]). Calgary's largest indoor mall and one of the best shopping experiences in the city for variety and amount of retail shops.

CrossIron Mills (in [[Calgary/Northeast|Northeast]]). This large indoor mall is in the neighbouring hamlet of Balzac, north of Calgary. Similar in format to other "mills" malls, it has many well-known stores and outlets as the first new enclosed mall to be built in the Calgary area in a generation.

Market Mall (in Northwest). Calgary's second largest indoor mall.

Southcentre Mall (in Southwest). Calgary's third largest indoor mall.

Calgary offers a wide variety of dining options. While Calgary doesn't have a single signature dish, residents are very proud of Alberta beef, and Calgarians are discerning clients of steakhouses. Speaking of beef, the popular Chinese-Canadian dish of ginger beef was invented in Calgary in the 1970s. Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut (also called Cococo), winner of international awards for chocolate-making, is based in Calgary, with many stores in the city.

Calgary is also home to a very culturally diverse population, with a very wide selection of international restaurants, especially from East and Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean from Italy through Lebanon. Calgary is, however, generally lacking in decent Mexican food, and the inland location means that a good meal of seafood is sometimes hard to find. The highest density of restaurants are located along 17th Avenue (Beltline), 4th Street (Mission), or Stephen (8th) Avenue - all located in the City Centre district.

Restaurants in the downtown area are very busy between noon and 1PM on weekdays due to the lunch crowd of office workers; if you can, try to stagger your lunch to start around 11:15 or 1:30. You'll face much shorter lineups. Buffets are often only prepared once for lunchtime, and visiting a buffet after 12:15 or so will typically be a depressing dining experience.

Calgary is also the city of founding for major Canadian restaurant chains Hy's, Original Joe's, and Moxies. (The original Calgary Hy's Steakhouse closed in 2006.)

Calgary's most abundant ethnic specialty is Vietnamese. Most neighbourhoods have at least one Vietnamese noodle shop or Vietnamese sub (banh mi) joint.

Calgary is the original home of the Caesar cocktail, sometimes called Canada's national cocktail. There are many bars throughout the city, although the core is where the trendiest clubs are. There is also the ever-popular 17th Avenue SW (in City Centre), home to the Red Mile.

• CRAFT Beer Market. 100 local and international beers, including a one-of-a-kind weekly cask brew, and an extensive list of wine, cocktails and spirits. Three locations throughout Calgary.
• National. Restaurant & entertainment venue inspired by North American tastes, with games and events, extraordinary food, and select craft beers. Three locations throughout Calgary.
• Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dance Hall (in Southwest). Year-round destination for all things Western: line dancing, country music, and more. Very popular during Stampede Week.

Calgary has a large selection of craft breweries located throughout the city.

• Wild Rose Brewery. A Calgary-based brewery founded in 1996. Popular beers include their IPA and their Velvet Fog wheat ale.

Starbucks and Tim Horton's are everywhere in Calgary. If you're looking for something different, try one of these.

• Analog Cafe. Local coffee chain serving Fratello coffee (sister company). Seven locations throughout Calgary.
• Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery. Calgary-based Good Earth has nearly 30 locations across Calgary, and others across Western Canada. Many of their cafes have patios.
• Rosso Coffee Roasters. Local coffee company with direct sourced coffee. Offers grab-and-go as well as a pour over bar. Seven locations throughout Calgary.
• Waves Coffee House. "Waves" refers both to the Vancouver origin of this coffee chain, and also to the fact that every location has free wi-fi. Nearly 10 locations across Calgary.

Analog Cafe. Local coffee chain serving Fratello coffee (sister company). Seven locations throughout Calgary.

Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery. Calgary-based Good Earth has nearly 30 locations across Calgary, and others across Western Canada. Many of their cafes have patios.

Rosso Coffee Roasters. Local coffee company with direct sourced coffee. Offers grab-and-go as well as a pour over bar. Seven locations throughout Calgary.

Waves Coffee House. "Waves" refers both to the Vancouver origin of this coffee chain, and also to the fact that every location has free wi-fi. Nearly 10 locations across Calgary.

CRAFT Beer Market. 100 local and international beers, including a one-of-a-kind weekly cask brew, and an extensive list of wine, cocktails and spirits. Three locations throughout Calgary.

National. Restaurant & entertainment venue inspired by North American tastes, with games and events, extraordinary food, and select craft beers. Three locations throughout Calgary.

Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dance Hall (in [[Calgary/Southwest|Southwest]]). Year-round destination for all things Western: line dancing, country music, and more. Very popular during Stampede Week.

Wild Rose Brewery. A Calgary-based brewery founded in 1996. Popular beers include their IPA and their Velvet Fog wheat ale.

Although Calgary is generally a very safe place, walking at night should be avoided in the East Village and Victoria Park areas of downtown (generally speaking, this is the area adjacent to the Stampede Grounds and north to the Bow River). Calgary's 2011 murder rate of 1.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants was, for example, roughly one-tenth the murder rate of Minneapolis and one-twentieth that of Memphis. Always keep your wits about you when the bars close, regardless of the area of town.

Calgary drivers are typical drivers for a mid-sized western North American city. Culturally, Calgary is a mash-up of small town culture and big city living, and driving in Calgary is no exception. If you come from a small town in rural North America, the drivers would be considerably more aggressive than you are used to. If you are from a larger busier urban area, or are from Europe for instance, Calgary drivers can be considered quite timid and under-skilled. A driver from New York, London or even Montreal and Toronto would consider the Calgary driver to lack confidence more than anything. Calgarians are generally quite aware of pedestrians and usually give pedestrians right of way, as required by law. Calgarians are generally safe and cautious (some consider overly cautious) drivers, though. Calgarians are probably some of the best inclement weather drivers in the world. Blizzards, storms, floods, etc., are where Calgary drivers shine compared to the rest of the world's drivers and they can navigate them safely with the minimum of problems.

Calgary freeways are nowhere near as congested and confusing as L.A. freeways or the 401 in Toronto, but Deerfoot Trail is to be avoided if you're not comfortable with 100 km/h freeway driving, and even by experts at rush hour (accidents occur on a daily basis). A second freeway, Stoney Trail, now exists on the northwest, north, and east sides of the city providing an alternate, less hectic route.

Be aware of lengthy wait times at the emergency rooms of the city's hospitals. It may take 1 to 2 hours or more to see an emergency doctor (this is a province-wide problem). There is a web page where Alberta Health tracks the current wait times for Calgary emergency departments.

Panhandlers are a sight in Calgary's downtown core. The majority of them just need to be told 'No' but some can be persistent. A great number of agencies exist to assist the disadvantaged in Calgary and true charity cases receive assistance from them regularly; money is far better spent donating to these agencies as it ensures that those truly in need will receive it. For that reason, visitors are encouraged not to give money to strangers in the street. Panhandlers have also been found at signalized intersections, holding a cap or hand out to drivers stopped at red lights.

Take care when crossing LRT (tram) tracks, as the trains are quiet. There are no electrified rails. There are usually bells and barriers at pedestrian crossings; heed them.

Boaters on the Bow River should note the Calgary White Water Park (Harvie Passage) just downstream of the Calgary Zoo; heed the warning signs. People have perished here, the strongest swimmers among them.

Winter driving always requires caution. The key to winter driving is to slow down, as the main hazard in winter is slippery roads due to snow, ice, or slush. Remember, your vehicle – whether it's a compact car or an SUV – relies on four surfaces, each the size of the palm of your hand, to grip the road. When you drive faster, or drive on a slippery surface, that means less traction. So the solution for slippery roads is to slow down to give your car a better grip on the road surface. (Winter tires help too: If renting a car in winter, request winter tires, because not all rental cars have winter tires equipped.) In the worst winter driving conditions, you may see drivers on 100 km/h roads drop down to 60 km/h for safety. By slowing down and significantly increasing your following distance, you can safely navigate through most winter road conditions. Winter road conditions are available online from Alberta Transportation and the Alberta Motor Association.

Although Calgary doesn't get a lot of heavy snow, temperatures below freezing can allow ice to form on many roads. The most dangerous condition is when the ice is a clear sheet which resembles the road, called "black ice". Black ice is most commonly seen on bridge decks and other elevated roadways such as on- and off-ramps, where the road surface cools more quickly and so is more prone to freezing. Black ice most dangerous times to drive in these conditions are the two or three days immediately following the first major snowfall of the year. Black ice can also form after a period of warmer weather, such as in late fall, early spring, or after a winter chinook, when melting snow can turn to ice overnight. Freezing rain is not often seen in the Calgary area, but sometimes happens in late fall or early spring, when an evening shower is followed by overnight lows that drop below freezing, covering the roads with ice.

Weather in Calgary is unpredictable from fall through spring. It is always best to dress in layers and come prepared for extremes, even within the same day.

For emergencies, call 911

• Calgary Health Link, +1 403-943-5465. 24 hours/7 days a week. (943-LINK.) Registered nurses provide telephone advice and information about health symptoms and concerns. Health Link nurses help find appropriate services and health information.(Within Alberta, 811 can also be called.)

All hospitals operate 24-hour emergency departments.

• Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, +1 403-955-7211. For patients aged 17 and under. Look for the multi-coloured building near the top of the hill. Patients over age 17 should go to the Foothills Medical Centre, which is close by.
• Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 St NW, +1 403-944-1110. For patients aged 15 and older. Patients under 15 years of age should go to Alberta Children's Hospital, which is very close to Foothills Medical Centre.
• Peter Lougheed Centre, 3500-26 Ave NE (Just north of Sunridge Mall, +1 403-943-4555.
• Rockyview General Hospital, 7007-14 St SW, +1 403-943-3000.
• South Health Campus, 4448 Front St SE, +1 403-956-1111. 24-hour emergency, visiting hours 11AM-9PM. This new hospital was fully operational in July 2013. Located at southeastern edge of Calgary.

Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, +1 403-955-7211. For patients aged 17 and under. Look for the multi-coloured building near the top of the hill. Patients over age 17 should go to the Foothills Medical Centre, which is close by.

Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 St NW, +1 403-944-1110. For patients aged 15 and older. Patients under 15 years of age should go to Alberta Children's Hospital, which is very close to Foothills Medical Centre.

Peter Lougheed Centre, 3500-26 Ave NE (Just north of Sunridge Mall, +1 403-943-4555.

Rockyview General Hospital, 7007-14 St SW, +1 403-943-3000.

South Health Campus, 4448 Front St SE, +1 403-956-1111. 24-hour emergency, visiting hours 11AM-9PM. This new hospital was fully operational in July 2013. Located at southeastern edge of Calgary.

Urgent care centres deal with issues which are not life-threatening but require attention within the same day or evening. For serious and life-threatening health concerns always go to your nearest emergency department, or call 911. Problems which urgent care centres typically deal with include broken bones, sprains, asthma, cuts, dehydration, infections, and pain.

• South Calgary Health Centre, 31 Sunpark Plaza SE (Shawnessy district, +1 403-943-9300. 8AM-10PM.
• Sheldon Chumir Health Centre, 1213 4 St SW (Next to Central Memorial Park, +1 403-955-6200. 24hrs.

South Calgary Health Centre, 31 Sunpark Plaza SE (Shawnessy district, +1 403-943-9300. 8AM-10PM.

Sheldon Chumir Health Centre, 1213 4 St SW (Next to Central Memorial Park, +1 403-955-6200. 24hrs.

There are many walk-in medical clinics across the city that deal with routine medical concerns. Medi-Centre is a chain of walk-in clinics with locations across the city, but there are also many independent walk-in clinics.

Calgary Health Link, +1 403-943-5465. 24 hours/7 days a week. (943-LINK.) Registered nurses provide telephone advice and information about health symptoms and concerns. Health Link nurses help find appropriate services and health information.(Within Alberta, 811 can also be called.)

The area codes in Calgary are 403 and 587, however calling between the codes does not involve long distance charges so long as the phones are within the local calling area.

• Public Wi-Fi (city program)
• WiFi Hotspots in Calgary
• Calgary Chinese Online Community

• Emergency Services 911 (City of Calgary only) – Fire, Police, Ambulance, Hazardous Materials Spills.
• Non-Emergency Ambulance (403) 261-4000
• Non-Emergency Police Service (403) 266-1234

Emergency Services 911 (City of Calgary only) – Fire, Police, Ambulance, Hazardous Materials Spills.

Non-Emergency Ambulance (403) 261-4000

Non-Emergency Police Service (403) 266-1234

• Banff and Lake Louise. Nearby, well-known winter ski areas and mountain summer escapes.
• Black Diamond and Turner Valley - Turner Valley Gas Plant National and Provincial Historic Site is a pioneering natural gas plant 45 minutes (by car) south of Calgary, where the Dingman No. 1 well's centennial was celebrated on May 14, 2014. See how natural gas from Canada's largest gas field was processed prior to WWII.
• Brooks. 2 hours east of Calgary; a 73 km2 Dinosaur Provincial Park, one of Alberta's 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, boasts one of the best dinosaur fossil beds in the world.
• Cardston. The Remington Carriage Museum houses the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in North America with over 250 carriages, wagons and sleighs.
• Drumheller. 90 minutes east of Calgary. The world famous Royal Tyrrell Museum houses many palaeontological specimens.
• Edmonton. The nearest urban, metropolitan centre to the North is host to North America's largest mall and has a vibrant cultural scene. It is a 3-hour drive north of Calgary on Highway 2.
• Fort Macleod. A 90 minute drive south of Calgary. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, one of Alberta's 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is 18 km NW of Fort Macleod with an excellent interpretive centre open year round.
• Jasper. A well-known mountain destination about 4 hours drive northwest of Calgary.
• Kananaskis Country and Canmore. Mountain destinations about an hour car travel away.
• Red Deer. A city with its own list of attractions, halfway between Edmonton and Calgary.
• Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. A 3-hour drive south of Calgary.