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MAC Calgary - Neighborhood Guide
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The skyscrapers of downtown Calgary seem out of place rising unexpectedly from the shallow Bow River Valley. They contrast sharply with the dry, flat prairie stretching off to the east and south, and are dwarfed by the jagged ramparts of the Rocky Mountains looming to the west. Pinched between the slopes of one of the world's most rugged mountain ranges and the soft, fertile undulations of the grasslands, Calgary is a city constantly on the move, rarely pausing to catch its collective breath before the next boom sweeps it off its feet.

Less than a century old, the city hasn't had time to develop a rich heritage, but instead has built a rough and ready character full of youth which thrives on spectacle and excess. From the noise and bravado of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, billed as the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," to the more subdued opulence of the Palliser Hotel's famous galas, the city vibrates with a barely-controlled energy straining to rush after the next trend.

Known as a hotbed for young entrepreneurs, the city has embraced the information age, while still clinging to the pioneer roots forged by the ranchers, railroad workers and oilmen who laid Calgary's foundations.

The city sprawls from the foothills of the Rockies in the northwest to the rolling hills and farm country of the southeast. It is divided into four quadrants intersecting at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, which meet at right angles in the city center. Center Street runs north to south, and Center Avenue east to west, with all streets laid out in a grid expanding outwards from the center.

The Southwest

The Southwest extends from the boreal forests of Kananaskis Country to the office towers of Downtown, and is a mix of residential and business districts. It includes the natural beauty of North Glenmore Reservoir and the haute couture and fashion of the 17th Avenue shopping section. The Southwest is also home to the Fourth Street Restaurant district and the Elbow River, which winds its way from Glenmore Reservoir down through the city center until its rendezvous with the Bow River near Inglewood. The Eau Claire Market and riverfront trails around Prince's Island Park provide a clean and refreshing break from downtown, and are popular lunch spots with downtown office workers.

The Southeast

The Southeast is home to vast oil refineries, fabrication plants and heavy industry, as well as trendy new housing developments and the world famous Spruce Meadows equestrian facilities. Its western boundary is defined by the Macleod Trail Strip, 10 miles of flashing neon, huge nightclubs, malls, hotels and luxury car dealerships. In the north end is the Saddledome and Stampede Grounds, as well as the historic district of Inglewood and the old town-site of Fort Calgary.

The Northeast

The Northeast is separated from the rest of the city by the Deerfoot Trail, a freeway which carries most of Calgary's commuter traffic and is one of the most dangerous roads in Canada. Comprised mostly of older working-class neighborhoods interspersed with industrial areas, the Northeast is the place to find factory-outlet shopping, as well as the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park and Calgary International Airport. The area around the airport is currently undergoing heavy development, whose goal is the transformation of a rather seedy district into a comfortable village where air travelers can find all types of accommodation, dining and shopping without ever leaving the area.

Northwest

In the Northwest you can find many of the city's academic institutions and athletic facilities, as well as its upscale residential districts. Both the University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are located here, as well as the Canada Olympic Park and McMahon Stadium. On the banks of the Bow River and close to Downtown is Kensington Village, a collection of shops, galleries and restaurants catering to the more artistic crowd. Kensington's famous eateries represent almost every ethnic cuisine, from Thai to Ethiopian to Irish, and are popular lunch spots for downtown executives.







Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Downtown


 Calgary
Canada
 The skyscrapers of downtown Calgary seem out of place rising unexpectedly from the shallow Bow River Valley. They contrast sharply with the dry, flat prairie stretching off to the east and south, and are dwarfed by the jagged ramparts of the Rocky Mountains looming to the west. Pinched between the slopes of one of the world's most rugged mountain ranges and the soft, fertile undulations of the grasslands, Calgary is a city constantly on the move, rarely pausing to catch its collective breath before the next boom sweeps it off its feet.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Downtown photo by Grant Hutchinson
Photo: Grant Hutchinson
Downtown photo by o sea d
Photo: o sea d
Downtown photo by Ted Buracas
Photo: Ted Buracas
Downtown photo by Grant Wilson
Photo: Grant Wilson
Downtown photo by Tito van Oordt
Photo: Tito van Oordt
Downtown photo by Carla Hills
Photo: Carla Hills
Downtown photo by Gerry
Photo: Gerry
Downtown photo by nsr_250ca
Photo: nsr_250ca
Downtown photo by Stephen Glauser
Photo: Stephen Glauser
Downtown photo by FaceMePLS
Photo: FaceMePLS
Downtown photo by Kevin M. Wong
Photo: Kevin M. Wong
Downtown photo by Adrianna Bowyer
Photo: Adrianna Bowyer
Downtown photo by batshevakatz
Photo: batshevakatz
Downtown photo by MovingtoCalgary
Photo: MovingtoCalgary
Downtown photo by Sean How Chung
Photo: Sean How Chung
Downtown photo by John Johnston
Photo: John Johnston
Downtown photo by Jeremy Villaroman
Photo: Jeremy Villaroman
Downtown photo by Nathan Verity
Photo: Nathan Verity
Downtown photo by Arun Smith
Photo: Arun Smith
 

 
Northeast


 Calgary
Canada
 The Northeast is separated from the rest of the city by the Deerfoot Trail, a freeway which carries most of Calgary's commuter traffic and is one of the most dangerous roads in Canada. Comprised mostly of older working-class neighborhoods interspersed with industrial areas, the Northeast is the place to find factory-outlet shopping, as well as the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park and Calgary International Airport. The area around the airport is currently undergoing heavy development, whose goal is the transformation of a rather seedy district into a comfortable village where air travelers can find all types of accommodation, dining and shopping without ever leaving the area.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Northeast photo by Wes Devauld
Photo: Wes Devauld
 

 
Northwest


 Calgary
Canada
 In the Northwest you can find many of the city's academic institutions and athletic facilities, as well as its upscale residential districts. Both the University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are located here, as well as the Canada Olympic Park and McMahon Stadium. On the banks of the Bow River and close to downtown is Kensington Village, a collection of shops, galleries and restaurants catering to the more artistic crowd. Kensington's famous eateries represent almost every ethnic cuisine, from Thai to Ethiopian to Irish, and are popular lunch spots for downtown executives.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Northwest photo by Steve Elliott
Photo: Steve Elliott
Northwest photo by banne572001
Photo: banne572001
 

 
Southeast


 Calgary
Canada
 The Southeast is home to vast oil refineries, fabrication plants and heavy industry, as well as trendy new housing developments and the world famous Spruce Meadows equestrian facilities. Its western boundary is defined by the Macleod Trail Strip, 10 miles of flashing neon, huge nightclubs, malls, hotels and luxury car dealerships. In the north end is the Saddledome and Stampede Grounds, as well as the historic district of Inglewood and the old town-site of Fort Calgary.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Southeast photo by Grant Hutchinson
Photo: Grant Hutchinson
Southeast photo by Maria Powell
Photo: Maria Powell
 

 
Southwest


 Calgary
Canada
 The Southwest extends from the boreal forests of Kananaskis Country to the office towers of downtown, and is a mix of residential and business districts. It includes the natural beauty of North Glenmore Reservoir and the haute couture and fashion of the 17th Avenue shopping section. The Southwest is also home to the Fourth Street Restaurant district and the Elbow River, which winds its way from Glenmore Reservoir down through the city center until its rendezvous with the Bow River near Inglewood. The Eau Claire Market and riverfront trails around Prince's Island Park provide a clean and refreshing break from downtown, and are popular lunch spots with downtown office workers.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Southwest photo by rob
Photo: rob
Southwest photo by nikki reimer
Photo: nikki reimer
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Calgary - Neighborhood Guide"
Calgary
Calgary - Historical Background
Calgary - Where to Stay
Calgary - Dining & Drinking
Calgary - Art & Entertainment

Other nearby cities:
Vancouver (676 miles)
Seattle (702 miles)
Boise (843 miles)
Portland (879 miles)
Salt Lake City (1165 miles)
Reno (1357 miles)
Boulder (1404 miles)
Lake Tahoe (1409 miles)
Denver (1448 miles)
Sacramento (1503 miles)

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