At the top of the Calgary Tower, a viewing platform and revolving restaurant put sightseers 191 meters high in one of the city’s landmark buildings. Until 1984, the tower was the tallest in the city. Though it no longer holds that title, there are still excellent views out over the city and beyond to the mountains. It is particularly beautiful at sunset or dusk. In 1988, the tower’s giant torch bore witness to the spirit of the Olympics.
Where to Stay in Calgary:
Budget Hotels: A good downtown budget option is the BEST WESTERN PLUS Suites Downtown, with extra-large rooms that include either a full kitchen or kitchenette. The new Fairfield Inn & Suites offers large suites with city views and a complimentary breakfast. Just south of downtown, near the Stampede grounds, is the BEST WESTERN PLUS Calgary Centre Inn with very reasonable rates.
More than 1000 animals from around the world, many in enclosures simulating their natural habitats, make Calgary’s zoo one of the top rated in North America. The zoo’s well-regarded conservation team study, reintroduce and protect endangered animals in Canada. Besides the animals, the zoo has a Botanical Garden, with changing garden displays, a tropical rainforest, a good butterfly enclosure and the 6-hectare Prehistoric Park, featuring fossil displays and life-size dinosaur replicas in natural settings. Picnic areas, concessions and cafes dot the zoo. During winter, when neither you nor the animals will care to linger outdoors, the admission price is reduced. To get here, take the C-Train east to the Zoo stop.
Ignite Your Imagination at TELUS Spark
Explore the adventurous side of science and technology at TELUS Spark. Mash up science and art in the open studio, take in a live demo, or travel to the edge of the universe with an immersive visual experience at The Dome Theatre
Get a Bird’s Eye View at Calgary Tower
It is easy to see why the highest 360 observation deck in the world is no small claim to fame when you are standing 1228 metres above sea level. Get a view from the Canadian Rockies to the prairies or stand on the glass floor for a breathtaking view of the streets below at Calgary Tower
Glenbow Museum
One of Western Canadas largest museums, the Glenbow features 20 galleries, with permanent exhibitions on Western and Indigenous cultures, military and war history around the world, Asian and African artifacts, and Alberta mineralogy. The museum also plays host to a rotating selection of visiting exhibitions from across the country, and the globe. Glenbow maintains a digital archive of online exhibitions, including some that mirror current in-house galleries, allowing patrons to visit exhibits from afar or at home. Admission: adult $16, senior and student $11, (youth (7-17) $10, children six and under are admitted free, as well as annual membership holders. www.glenbow.org
The Plaza Theatre
The Plaza plays alternative films and functions as a first-run art house cinema. Watch timeless classics or new indie flicks in their single 370 seat auditorium. Movie prices vary, but usually cost under $10. Every Wednesday night the theatre hosts Late Night at the Plazaa variety show with a selection of entertainment by talented local musicians, artists, comedians, media, dancers, performers, and more. www.theplaza.ca
The Hangar Flight Museum
Formerly known to locals as the Aerospace Museum of Calgary, The Hangar Flight Museum was originally used as a drill hall for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in 1941. The space later turned into the first aviation museum in Calgary. Visit over 20 exhibits that commemorate Canadian flight history, from the first jet combat aircraft to the worlds first certified helicopter. The Hangar Movie Nights feature aerospace-themed films the second Thursday of each month from October to May. Admission: adult $12, seniors (65+) and students (12-17) $8, children (age 3-11) $6, toddlers age 2 and under are admitted free. www.thehangarmuseum.ca
Chinese Cultural Centre
The largest stand-alone cultural centre in Canada at 70,000 square feet, its central dome, the Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall, contains four hand-decorated columns with genuine gold and a 70 foot high ceiling patterned after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Admire beautiful blue tiles imported from China and the 561 hand painted dragons and 40 phoenixes. The Chinese Artifacts Museum holds an award-winning exhibition hall: Our Chosen Land: 100 years of development of the Chinese community in Calgary. Read books about Chinese culture at the Orrin & Clara Christie Might Library, browse the Chinese arts and crafts store, and dine at the Chinese restaurant. Cultural Centre: free. Museum: adult $5, senior/student/child $3, children 5 and under are admitted free. www.culturalcentre.ca
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