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Home > Calgary attractions

Calgary attractions

10 Can’t-Miss Things at Calgary’s Heritage Park

Calgary's Heritage Park

The main drag at Calgary’s Heritage Park (Photo: MarilynJane)

Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village transports visitors back into the early days of the city and show what life was like on prairie homesteads. Fun family attractions and adult events are held regularly, and each has its own flavour. Here, we’ve compiled an easy-to-consult list that adventure-seekers can check no matter what time of year they’re heading to Calgary’s Heritage Park.

See the list of 10 can’t-miss things at Calgary’s Heritage Park »

(more…)

Family Fun: Teddy Bear Picnic at the Calgary Zoo

Prepare for fun at the Teddy Bear Picnic! Photo: The Calgary Zoo.

Aug 11 and 12, the Calgary Zoo invites kids to attend its annual Teddy Bear Picnic, 10 am until 3pm. With furry friends in tow, guests can participate in a numerous teddy bear festivities including carnival games, arts and crafts and interactive learning stations about bears in the wild.

Calgary EMS and volunteer nurses will be on hand for teddy bear emergencies and checkups, as well as to educate children about donating blood. The event is free with regular zoo admission. Visit the Calgary Zoo website for more information.

Calgary Attractions: Discover Ralph Klein Park

The Environmental Education and Ethics Centre. Photo: Courtesy Ralph Klein Park.

Located in the city’s southeast, the Shepard Wetlands at Ralph Klein Provincial Park is the largest man-made urban wetland in the country and the cornerstone of the city’s wetland conservation efforts.

The wetland was created to control flooding and naturally purify urban runoff as it flows toward the Bow River.

Opened in 2011, the park is named for former Calgary mayor and Alberta premier Ralph Klein and is home to the Environmental Education and Ethics Centre. The interpretive learning venue houses an art studio, classrooms, meeting rooms and viewing decks. (more…)

You Are Here: Exploring Downtown Calgary

Photo: Adele Brunnhofer.

We are loving the city’s new wayfinding signs. These markers feature maps that provide clear directions and estimated walking times to various attractions. One hundred and thirty five signs have been installed around the city centre, Beltline and Victoria Park areas. This summer and fall, expect to spot more signs from 17 Ave SW north to the Bow River.

Discover Calgary’s Historic Homes

A house in Bankview, once owned by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Benjamin A. Huckell. Photo: Maureen Hodgen.

This week marks the second annual Century Homes celebration during Historic Calgary Week.

Featuring over 500 historic houses in numerous communities, Century Homes reveals the lives and stories of the former inhabitants of these community landmarks.

Participating homes around the city are marked with both homemade signage and Century Homes banners.

Guided walking tours are available until August 6 in the communities of Bankview, Ramsay and Mount Royal.

Check out the tour map and the guided walking tours schedule.

 

Hot Date: Shakespeare in the Park

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Photo: David Cooper

Following a one-year hiatus, Mount Royal University’s Shakespeare in the Park returns to Prince’s Island Park for its 25th anniversary and a five-night performance run of Shakespearian classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Set in a magical forest—Prince’s Island Park—the play follows the romantic intrigues of four Athenian lovers and a troupe of actors who are put under a spell and manipulated by the faeries of the forest. The production features a cast composed of Mount Royal Theatre Arts students and is directed by Victoria’s Belfry Theatre artistic director Michael Shamata.

Performances run Wed to Sun until Aug 10 at 7 pm. Weekend matinees at 2 pm. Weather permitting. No performances July 25 – 29. Admission is by donation.

- Sarah Sussman

Canada’s Best New Summer Attractions Awards 2012

Each year, the editors of Canada’s Where magazines release their top picks for summer’s most anticipated attractions. Winners of the Best New Summer Attractions awards could be brand new, significantly improved, or celebrating major milestones.

From adrenaline-pumping roller-coaster rides to rich explorations in science and history, this year’s coast-to-coast list offers a set of thrilling diversions for travellers planning their summer vacations in Canada.

See the best new attractions for 2012 »

Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park: 10 Can’t-Miss Activities

Calgary's Canada Olympic Park

What to do at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park: explore the ski jump towers (Photo: Scott Woods-Fehr)

Built for the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, Canada Olympic Park is home to many fantastic year-round activities for sports enthusiasts and the whole family. The spot is located in the city’s southwest, just south of the Trans-Canada Highway and near the city limit. No car? No problem: there is a direct bus route from downtown Calgary—route 408 Valley Ridge. As our list below proves, it’s worth the trip.

See the list of 10 can’t-miss things at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park »

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Calgary: Canada’s 2012 Cultural Capital

Calgary's own Old Trout Puppet Workshop, courtesy Calgary 2012.

The federal government has designated Calgary a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2012. During the year, Calgary 2012, an independent nonprofit organization, will fund arts community initiatives ranging from dance and music to theatre, gallery exhibits and literary readings as well as artist in residence positions. This extensive list of programs and events is intended to honour the city’s past, present and future while boosting its cultural identity.

Full programming details are available at www.calgary2012.com. The Calgary 2012 opening ceremony happens Apr. 7 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall (201 8 Ave. SE). Call 403-294-9494 for tickets.

Return of the Green Space: 5 Outdoor Hot Spots in Calgary this Spring

Calgary’s parks emerge from winter.

As Calgary’s diverse parks emerge from winter, these green spaces offer numerous recreational, learning and volunteer activities. The following events and attractions will get you out from underneath those winter blues and into Calgary’s famous sunshine. (more…)

The Ultimate Calgary Experience

15 must-see attractions to get a true feel for the city

We’ve compiled a list of 15 of our favourite attractions and city landmarks that anyone coming to Calgary for the first time should experience. (more…)

Calgary Kids: Cultural Activities

How to get your kids away from the TV with fun and educational programs around Calgary

By Elena Redd

If your children watch television, play video games, surf the ‘Net or use cell phones, they’re immersed in what industry insiders call 360-degree marketing. According to the Media Awareness Network, children in Canada see 3,000 commercial messages every day—stamped on toys, slipped into movies, even plastered in school hallways. The idea these commercials send is simple: you are what you buy.

While you can’t remove your children from the modern age, you can enroll them in programs that sell a very different idea: you are what you know. We’ve scoured the city and found six programs that give children hands-on experience with art, music, literature, theatre and nature—with no commercial messages. (more…)