What to do in Calgary?

I am planning on being in Calgary for a conference this summer. I will have limited time but I'm sure there are some "must see" places in the city. I have been before, in my youth, and been to Banff but don't recall much from in the city itself. Any suggestions? BTW I will not be there while the stampede is on, although I do remember having a great time there in my youth.

eat the beef...

Go to Smugglers Inn and eat steak.....its good.

The typical tourist spots:
Calgary Tower
Calgary Zoo
Hertiage Park

Food:
Smuggler's
Ceaser's
Hys Steak house
Peters Drive-in

Here's a pretty good site
http://www.discovercalgary.com/

I would recommend renting a bike or bring some inline skates and go around the pathway system
Link for maps

Do a search we've had this discussion before with Trini
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=99525

Here are some discounts and deals for Calgary from www.visasavings.ca

http://www.visasavings.ca/en/visasav...el_calgary.cfm

peters drive in is a must almost but honestly there isn't too much to do in Calgary i use to live there an i've visted in the past year. Not much to do i must say especially if you come from bigger cities. I think places you should try going to are stampede and zoo. If you have time to go outside of Calgary try drumheller (dinosaurs), lake louise, banff, head smashin buffalo jump, Edmonton mall, and if you like hiking and stuff there's some nice cave you can visit i forgot what its called but its really neat in the summer inside the cave there are long iceicles in there with a stream and small water fall inside the cave

Firstly, it's good you're here during Stampede, because it's the funnest week to be in Calgary by far, especially if you're young and single (as I once was). There is no festival in any city in Canada (except for maybe some in Montreal) that can compare to it, as EVERYONE gets into the act. You'll have a great time at numerous pancake breakfasts, impromptu saloons that get set up, and even on the Stampede fairgrounds. Just go and have fun!

Secondly, while it's true that Calgary doesn't have the variety of Toronto or other bigger cities, there is a fair bit to do here in terms of good restaurants (and I don't mean Peters' drive in...), nightlife, shopping. Remember that you can buy the same stuff here for almost 10% less because of the lack of any sales tax. Also, if you're into wine, our prices here (on good vintages and nice bottles) are much, much better than Ontario's (where you have to subsidize the salaries of the government employees who work at your provincial liquor stores).

Thirdly, the best "touristy" thing about Calgary is its proximity with Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis, Lake Louise, etc. Rent a car and drive for 1/2 hour and you're in the mountains, a little longer and you'll be in Banff. Banff is fun and beautiful, try to spend at least a night out there.

Thanks for the tips.

I'm coming from Kingston, so Calgary is a big city by comparisson. I'm sure there is lots to do.

Save Money with this

http://www.visa.ca/en/images/visasav...gary-FINAL.pdf

Definatly hit up Canada Olympic Park and do the luge ride!

Originally Posted by shaker

Save Money with this

http://www.visa.ca/en/images/visasav...gary-FINAL.pdf

Thanks for that! I'm visiting calgary for the easter long weekend so i'll be taking advantage of those coupons!

Cat N' Fiddle Pub is a nice place to have a few beer and relax for an afternoon. Great food as well. Tell them Ken sent ya

Originally Posted by spender

{...}Also, if you're into wine, our prices here (on good vintages and nice bottles) are much, much better than Ontario's (where you have to subsidize the salaries of the government employees who work at your provincial liquor stores).

Actually, the LCBO is one of the world's largest single buyers of wine and spirits and as such, it has the buying power to keep costs low yet arguably have one of the widest selections of wines and spirits of any Canadian province. I travel to Calgary quite frequently, and I can assure you that the selection of wines is no match for the LCBO's even accounting for the so-called "unfettered wealth" of LCBO government employees.

After business hours, there isn't much to do. Ask anyone who has visited or lived there for a while.

Originally Posted by jamied

Actually, the LCBO is one of the world's largest single buyers of wine and spirits and as such, it has the buying power to keep costs low yet arguably have one of the widest selections of wines and spirits of any Canadian province. I travel to Calgary quite frequently, and I can assure you that the selection of wines is no match for the LCBO's even accounting for the so-called "unfettered wealth" of LCBO government employees.

Yeah, OK. That sounds like it's right out of that humourous union-drafted "Vintages" magazine that your taxes/booze dollars pay for. Really, just compare the LCBO's prices to almost anywhere else in Canada for the same bottle of booze. The LCBO is a gouge (on all but low-end items), and those long weekend liquor store strikes are always fun too... Oh yeah, and you also have provincial sales tax on your liquor and beer, what a shame. It must also be nice to feel like you're getting your driver's license renewed when you go in for a six pack, what with the nice institutional feel of the LCBO stores!

It may be true that not every liquor store in Alberta carries the same inventory, the prices can vary, and our cashiers don't wear uniforms, but that's what makes it fun. There are several specialist wine stores, and even a few scotch stores. There's even some open late at night, or close to home in case you forgot to pick something up for your dinner party.

Anyway, the bottom line is price, and here are some selected differences:

Dalwhinnie 15 Yr Old Single Malt. Alberta Price: $40 + GST. LCBO Price: $65 + GST + PST

Bailey's Irish Cream (750 ML): Alberta Price: $20 + GST. LCBO Price: $27 + GST + PST