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 Scenic balloon flights |
102 4215 72 Avenue Southeast Calgary, AB T2C 2G5 Canada +1 403 203 9310 aerodyn@cadvision.com |
Experience the beauty of Calgary's mountains, prairies and skyline from way, way up. This hot air ballooning company offers year round flights over Calgary. Trips are accompanied by experienced and personable pilots and clients spend about one hour floating and drifting high above the city. Upon landing, champagne is uncorked and your flight is celebrated with bubbly and a unique flight certificate. Reservations are necessary and flights are weather dependent. Gift certificates are also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Cool to be a fool |
750 - 9 Avenue South East Calgary, AB T2G 5E1 Canada +1 403 237 9010 http://www.greenfools.com grnfools@cadvision.com |
Nobody takes the first day of April as seriously as the Green Fools, one of Calgary's wildest and most unpredictable theatre troupes. The festivities begin at Fort Calgary where participants are invited to don their most foolish garb. Then, led by Calgary's Stampede Showband alongside towering stilt walkers, enormous dragons and other benign monsters join the parade through Inglewood. The procession ends at Crump Manor where the Fools treat their charges to a picnic. Join this annual celebration of silliness. It's perfect for children and absolutely free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A race to the bar |
1111 Memorial Drive NW c/o COAC Calgary, AB T2N 3E4 Canada +1 403 254 9014 http://www.onon.org/asm/ hashmaster@onon.org |
A group often described as "a drinking club with a running problem," the HHH involves groups of fun-loving adults who use a bit of a jog as a means to build up a thirst for drinking. Like HHH clubs throughout the world, the Calgary chapter is extremely informal. To join, simply show up at the next run. There is a nominal fee to take part and for a little more you can get some beer too at the end of the "race". Contact the club for info on the next run. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Some of Calgary's favourite places |
Stretching 350 kilometers throughout the city Calgary, AB T2P 2M5 Canada +1 403 263 8510 (Tourist information) |
Calgary boasts the largest pathway system in North America. Nearly every day of the year, regardless of the weather, you can find Calgarians running, walking, riding, rolling and even skiing along 360 kilometres of paths. The network twists its way through countless municipal parks, alongside rivers and reservoirs, past skyscrapers, into valleys and through mini-forests, fields of wildflowers and other surprises. Use of the pathways is absolutely free. Maps are available from several outlets. Contact Calgary Parks and Recreation for information. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: debashree_halder |
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River Rafting |
Spruce Drive near 45th Street South West Edworthy Park Calgary, AB T2N 0C0 Canada +1 403 252 2116 http://www.calgaryriverraftrac... info@calgaryriverraftrace.com%20 |
This wet and wild summer event sees bizarre rafts take to the Bow River in a race from Bowness Park to Edworthy Park. The only rule for raft construction is no motors, so the competing craft come in shapes that range from the functional to the ridiculous. The day begins with a pancake breakfast and judging takes place at Edworthy Park, where trophies are awarded for the most creative, the largest and smallest rafts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Oh Canada! |
Memorial Drive (Prince's Island Park) Calgary, AB T2G 0C6 Canada +1 403 268 3888 http://www.calgary.ca/ canadaday@calgary.ca |
Each July 1, Canada celebrates its birthday in Calgary with this massive festival at Prince's Island Park. Regardless of weather, the park is always teeming with patriotic Canadians on this day; last year some 45,000 showed up. There are several stages featuring bands and cultural groups, face painting and craft booths for children, countless buskers and vendors dishing out all sorts of summer snacks. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Nancy Desai |
 Photo: Travis Gertz  |
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Serene urban park |
10 Street and 24th Avenue Northwest Calgary, AB T2K 1H2 Canada +1 403 268 3888 |
This stunningly peaceful park is one of the city's most beautiful green spaces. Large shade trees tower over a slow moving stream, and pathways cross over arched bridges and along the foot of a dozen rolling hills. There are picnic tables, cross-country ski trails, tennis courts and playgrounds. Still, aside from the wedding parties that come here on Saturdays for photos, visitors always feel as if they have the park to themselves. It is a mystery why this park isn't packed on sunny days, but the regulars are not complaining. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Bernie |
 Photo: pontistang |
 Photo: James |
 Photo: Stick Compston |
 Photo: pixel.builder |
 Photo: Eric Cayouette |
 Photo: Zbigniew Wcislo |
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A celebration of steak |
237 8 Avenue Southeast Calgary, AB T2G 5C3 Canada +1 403 264 9494 |
Inhabiting the historic Burns Building, this restaurant is a perfect spot to enjoy Calgary's contribution to world cuisine: fine steaks. The menu features an array of contemporary entrees including rack of lamb, salmon, and chicken breast. The focus here, however, is beef. Drinkwaters offers three different cuts of Alberta AAA Beef in portions ranging from petite 6oz portions to impressive 14oz steaks. The room itself is beautiful with enormous pillars reaching to a high, curved ceiling and the lounge is a classy spot for a bit of spirits. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Easter fun at the zoo |
1300 Zoo Road Northeast (Calgary Zoo) Calgary, AB T2M 4R8 Canada +1 403 232 9367 http://www.calgaryzoo.ab.ca/ annecs@calgaryzoo.ab.ca |
With all these animals, who is going to notice one more bunny? This annual event, hosted at the Calgary Zoo and Botanical Gardens, is a favourite for families and children of all ages. Activities include wild Easter egg hunts, visits with the Easter bunny, a cookie decorating "coop," craft tables and a variety of games to keep the little ones entertained for hours. These fun activities go on all day long. Eggstravaganza events are included with regular zoo admission. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Fish Creek Provincial Park |
Box 2780 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE Calgary, AB T2P 0Y8 Canada +1 403 297 5293 http://www.fish-creek.org fishcreek@gov.ab.ca |
Canada's largest urban park stretches some 20 kilometres from the T'suu Tina Reserve at 37th Street to the Bow River's banks in the east, covering much of the southern breadth of the city and dividing established and newer suburbs. Running along shallow, winding Fish Creek, the park is a labyrinth of walking and cycling paths, peppered by groves of mature trees and open meadows. The park features no organized recreational grounds, with day usage intended instead for walking, cycling, blading or picnicking, although tobogganing is popular in the winter. Stables are at one end of the park, and at the far east and south end is the man-made Lake Sikome beach and swimming area. In between are endless acres of largely unspoiled land, where visitors often spot deer or beaver. Archaeological work indicates the Fish Creek valley has been used extensively by humans for more than 2,000 years. To protect this unique area, the province declared it a park in 1975. The Fish Creek Environmental Learning Center, at the west end of the park, is intended primarily for school groups. At the east end, the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Center, a small bakery cafe, and a more upscale sit-down restaurant, dubbed The Ranch, greet visitors. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Richard Singh |
 Photo: Grant Hutchinson |
 Photo: Cheryl Howlett |
 Photo: Jenette Watts |
 Photo: Jenette Watts |
 Photo: julie wilpstra |
 Photo: Lorin M. |
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Fun for everyone |
5202-1st Street Southwest Calgary, AB T2H 0C8 Canada +1 403 253 8301 http://www.kartworldcalgary.com sales@kartworldcalgary.com |
Just try to be bored in this place. Kart World features Go Karts, an 18 hole computerized miniature golf course (it plays pranks on players at every hole), bumper boats (perfect fun for hot days), and a black-lit maze for Lazer Tag. There is also a picnic area, a video arcade and a snack bar. Kart World is happy to book parties for large groups, including corporate and birthday parties, and barbecues are available on request. This is a perfect venue for children and the childish. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Phil Bacon |
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The Lights of the Season |
14 Street Northwest (between 24 and 28 Avenues) Calgary, AB T2M 4P7 Canada +1 403 273 5466 |
For Calgary families, the Christmas season would not be complete without a pilgrimage to the annual light display. Each year The Lions Club, with the help of a variety of other sponsors, adorn the east side of the Confederation Golf Course with thousands of colourful lights arranged in Christmas themes. There are waving Santa Clauses, singing angels, dozens of flashing Christmas trees and holiday greetings spelled out in a variety of languages. Kids love the display, and it makes for a charming evening excursion. This is a free event. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Picnic perfection |
7305 24 Street Southwest (84 hectares surrounding the north side of the reservoir) Calgary, AB T3E 5N5 Canada +1 403 268 2300 (Office) http://www.calgary.ca/ |
The south end of Crowchild Trail or 37th Street SW brings motorists and cyclists to the long stretch of grass and trees that make up this park along the raised north shore of the Glenmore Reservoir. From the high bluffs overlooking the backed-up waters of the Elbow River, which supplies drinking water to the city's south end, visitors can look over the reservoir waters at small sailboats, kayaks and canoes. At the east end, the competitive Calgary Canoe and Rowing Club resides, whose athletes are regularly on the waters building their strength and skill. Looking west, visitors get an unobstructed view of the Canadian Rockies, over the brush and flats of the still-wild Weaselhead Natural Area. Endless grass on which to lay a blanket down and several proper picnic areas are perfect places to enjoy a meal. Public washrooms and numerous parking areas are available. The park is joined to the massive Calgary pathway system, enabling people on foot or wheels to travel hours in either direction. Within the park, the path is split into a paved walking path and a separate cycling/blading path. Paths encircle the reservoir, joining North Glenmore Park to South Glenmore Park. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Pamela Gusul |
 Photo: Karl B. Staddon |
 Photo: Karl B. Staddon |
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Relive Olympic moments |
228 8th Avenue Southeast (Near City Hall) Calgary, AB T2N 1J9 Canada +1 403 263 8510 |
During the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, this city square was the focal point of much of the event, including most of the medal ceremonies and laser and fireworks displays. Tens of thousands of people jammed into the square on any given evening. The square looks much as it did then and is now the focal point for many civic events, particularly for welcoming successful athletes home from recent Olympic Games. The large area in front of the stage is now a wading pool in the summer and flooded for ice skating in the winter. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: William Spaetzel |
 Photo: Tavis |
 Photo: Holly Gray |
 Photo: palestrina55 |
 Photo: Heriberto Cortés Bravo |
 Photo: Sarah Williams |
 Photo: Jessica Dergousoff |
 Photo: David Howell |
 Photo: Raquel Zambrano |
 Photo: dioc |
 Photo: Jon Roe |
 Photo: Merritt Lawrenson |
 Photo: Zoey Duncan |
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Beautiful and popular island |
1st Ave and 4 St SW Calgary, AB T2P 4R5 Canada +1 403 268 3888 |
Statistics say that Prince's Island is one of the most used urban parks in North America. Come here on a sunny day and you will not doubt it. Way back when, the Island was used to catch felled trees floating down the Bow River from logging projects upstream. Now this bit of serenity in downtown serves as a favourite venue for joggers, football tossers, family picnics, flocks of Canada Geese, buskers, Shakespearean actors and nearly every major festival that Calgary hosts. This is also a great place for a quiet paddle down the river. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: mike.in.ny |
 Photo: James Tworow |
 Photo: Kynan Cheng |
 Photo: Paul Ashton |
 Photo: Randy Peters |
 Photo: Ross Murphy |
 Photo: Jean-Guy Dallaire |
 Photo: Allyn Pul-agan |
 Photo: botten72 |
 Photo: Darrin Ross |
 Photo: Malu Acra |
 Photo: Doug Purvis |
 Photo: Edmund Wang 王春晓 |
 Photo: Lauren Mills |
 Photo: brett ohland |
 Photo: indra kartawidjaja |
 Photo: crack! McCoon |
 Photo: Paul Studiman |
 Photo: Wayne Minnis |
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An idyllic bit of urban green |
800 12 Street Northwest Calgary, AB T2N 1W3 Canada +1 403 221 3955 |
Kensington is adored for its hip shops and cafes, but if you are looking for something a little more tranquil nearby, visit this urban park. Riley Park features vast expanses of green space (perfect for throwing around a football or just lying in the sun), a cricket pitch, picnic tables, a refreshment stand, playgrounds and well-tended flower gardens. On sunny days, children find excitement in the popular wading pool, splashing around with the neighbourhood kids while parents and baby-sitters watch wearily on. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tim Breitkreutz |
 Photo: Roland Ferrer |
 Photo: Paul Smith |
 Photo: Vanessa V |
 Photo: wjiang_calg |
 Photo: wjiang_calg |