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Calgary Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Calgary Travel & Tourism, Free Calgary Travel Guide Online

Calgary Travel Guide, Calgary Vacation Tourism, Calgary Travel Information

Calgary Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Calgary Travel & Tourism, Free Calgary Travel Guide Online

Calgary lies in the Bow River Valley between the bold landscape of the Rocky Mountains and the flat prairie lands of the province of Alberta in western Canada. Calgary is a city of skyscrapers, of energy, agriculture, manufacturing, research and development, and of advanced technology. It is a modern, sophisticated city; a center of commerce and of culture; of youth and vitality.

Calgary is divided into four quadrants instersecting 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 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 fashionable 17th Avenue shopping district. 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 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.

Calgary's biggest event of the year is the Stampede, held in early July. For 10 memorable days, the city is populated by cowboys. Some of these are professional rodeo athletes; others are hopeful townspeople in costume.

The rest of the year, Calgary's calendar is a busy mix of festivals (the Chinese Cultural Centre has a popular New Year's celebration), sporting events (hockey and football games are popular) and performing arts events (opera, theater, dance, music).

The fastest way to become oriented is to take a trip to the top of the Calgary Tower, where the entire city is spread out far below. The restaurant and lounge in the observation deck rotate slowly, giving you a 360-degree view every few minutes, so you never know what you will see next when you look out the window.

Tour bus packages are the easiest way to see the countryside around Calgary in a short time. Several companies provide motorcoach trips from major Calgary hotels to Banff, the Columbia Icefield, and Waterton Lakes National Park. There are also luxury train tours through the Rocky Mountains and southern British Columbia.

get off the beaten path and see parts of the mountains invisible from the tour buses, guided horseback rides are offered at several ranches in Kananaskis Country.

Heritage Park Historical Village and Fort Calgary Historic Park are two sites that present the pioneer way of life with turn of the century buildings, artifacts, and guides dressed in period costume. The Glenbow Museum details the history of Western Canada and cultures the world over.

The Calgary Zoo and Prehistoric Park is a favorite with children. It contains exhibits of creatures and habitats found in Alberta 60 million years ago, complete with life-sized dinosaurs. The Royal Tyrell Museum in nearby Drumheller, (a small town two hours north of Calgary) is the site of hundreds of dinosaur fossil discoveries.

A relaxing activity is to float down the Bow River, which runs from Banff to Calgary, in a canoe, raft or drift boat with the assistance of a guide. Guides point out the best places to fish for the Bow River brook trout.

Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, is open for tours year round. Its most impressive features include the 90-meter ski jump and the bobsled track.. The Bobsled Bullet is a modified bobsled on which you can ride at speeds of over 90 km an hour down the same track featured in the Disney movie Cool Runnings.

Calgary is prepared for all weather, no matter how severe with its remarkable Plus 15 system, an extensive network of indoor walkways 15 feet above the ground. The climate controlled walkways make it possible to see most of the downtown highlights with no contact with the outdoor wind and chill.

Be sure to include Devonian Gardens in any sightseeing tour. This is an indoor tropical paradise with thousands of plants, and an abundance of waterfalls and fountains. In addition to its many other attributes, it is also a college town. Mount Royal College, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the University of Calgary are based in the city.

Calgary is indeed an amazing place. Calgary Winter Festival takes place for eleven days in February. The festival utilizes the 1988 Winter Olympics site for dog sledding, snowboarding, and the Winter Village. The third Wednesday in May marks the beginning of the 5 day annual Calgary International Children's Festival which celebrates music, dance, and storytelling with top performers from around the world. There is always something happening in Calgary that is just what you wanted to see or to do. Best of all, you will receive a warm welcome in Calgary at any time of the year.

Calgary Attractions: Calgary Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Calgary Travel & Tourism, Free Calgary Travel Guide Online

Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

197 First St. S.W. (downtown), Calgary.

403-262-5071

Daily 9 am-6 pm. Museum open daily 11 am-5 pm.
The center's replica of the Temple of Heaven's Hall of Prayers was built by artisans brought from Beijing to duplicate the column details, decorative painting and layered tiles of the original. The facility also contains a museum, a library of Chinese-language books, a gift shop, a restaurant and an herb-and-acupuncture business.

Calgary Tower

101 Ninth Ave. S.W. (downtown), Calgary.

Daily 8 am-10 pm.

Restaurant patrons must pay the fee to ride to the top of the tower.

403-266-7171.
When the tower was built by Husky Oil in 1968, it was the tallest building in Calgary at 626 ft. Although it no longer holds that distinction, the view from the observation deck or the revolving restaurant, the Panorama Room, is worth a visit. On a clear day, the view of the Rocky Mountains to the west is fantastic. The torch on top of the tower was built for the 1988 Olympic, and is lit for special occasions such as Canada Day celebrations on July 1.

Canada Olympic Park

88 Canada Olympic Road S.W. (off the TransCanada Highway,

15 minutes west of downtown),

Calgary.

403-247-5452

Admission varies with activities and time of year.

Mid May-early September, the Hall of Fame is open 8 am-8 pm; guided tours hourly 9 am-8 pm. The rest of the year, the hours are shorter (usually 10 am-5 or 6 pm), and fewer tours are offered. Call for details.

This facility, built for the 1988 Olympics, now includes an Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum, city views from atop the ski jump tower, mountain-bike park, and skiing and bobsledding facilities in winter.

Fort Calgary Historic Park

Early May-early October daily 9 am-5 pm (Deane House restaurant open year-round).

750 Ninth Ave. S.E. (at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers)

Calgary.

403-290-1875.
A replica of the Northwest Mounted Police fort built on this site in 1875. In addition to living-history activities, the park has an interpretive center, and kids can enjoy a treasure hunt, try on period costumes and be fitted with leg and arm cuffs, just as convicts were in the 1800s.

Stephen Avenue Walk

Eighth Avenue from First Street S.E. to Fourth Street S.W. (downtown)

Calgary.

403-266-5300.
A city treasure, this street (a portion of Eighth Avenue S.W). is famous for its sandstone and terra cotta buildings, which date to the late 1800s and early 1900s. During the past several years, the buildings have undergone substantial restoration, and many of the structures now contain shops, galleries and restaurants. You can pick up a booklet for a self-guided tour at the new City Hall information kiosk on Macleod Trail S.E. at the end of Stephen Avenue.

Aero Space Museum of Calgary

Guided tours available. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

4629 McCall Way N.E., Calgary.

403-250-3752.
This museum explores the surprisingly varied contributions of western Canada to aviation and space travel.

Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre

316 Seventh Ave. S.E., Second Floor (in the Calgary police building, downtown),

Calgary.

403-268-4566.

September-June Monday 9 am-4 pm, Wednesday 12:30-4 pm, Saturday noon-4 pm; July-August Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4 pm, Saturday noon-4 pm. Can$2 adults. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
This interactive facility is a great place for children to learn about police work through hands-on exhibits, video games and educational films.

Calgary Science Centre

701 11th St. S.W. (downtown),

Calgary.

403-268-8300.

September-June Monday-Thursday 10-4 , Friday-Sunday 10 -5 ; July�August daily 9-6.
This museum will interest even the most unscientific minds with its hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, live theater, multimedia productions and planetarium.

Glenbow Museum

130 Ninth Ave. S.E. (downtown)

Calgary

403-268-4100.

Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm.
Three floors of exhibits and displays about western history and heritage, plus an art gallery with ever-changing displays and traveling exhibits. A permanent exhibition depicts the history and culture of the Blackfoot people. The Museum Shop offers a good selection of books and gifts.

Museum of the Regiments

4520 Crowchild Trail S.W., Calgary.

403-974-2853.

Monday-Thursday 9:30 am-9 pm, Friday-Sunday 9:30 am-4 pm.
Largest military museum in western Canada. High-tech displays and exhibits detail Canada's military history, including the exploits of the Northwest Mounted Police. There is an extensive on Canada's role in the Boer War.

SpacePort

2000 Airport Road N.E. (on the upper level at the Calgary International Airport)

Calgary.

403-717-7678.

Daily 9 am-9 pm. Free (except for a few rides that require an admission fee).

SpacePort is a perfect place to wait at the airport. Its displays and interactive exhibits include a quarter-scale model space shuttle on loan from NASA, a moon-rock exhibit, five flight and motion simulators, a "control tower" that lets you observe arriving and departing jets on radar and a play area.

Nature

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

2425 Ninth Ave. S.E.,

Calgary.

403-221-4500.

uesday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm. Free (donations requested
This 79-acre wildlife reserve has more than 250 species of birds and 300 species of plants, plus several kinds of mammals. Level walking trails wind through a forest along the Bow River and pass a peaceful lagoon. There is also a visitors' center.

Parks and Gardens

Devonian Gardens
This indoor garden on the fourth level of Toronto Dominion Square contains 20,000 individual plants (nearly 140 varieties) in 2.5 acres/1 hectare. With tree-lined plazas, waterfalls and fountains, it's a lovely place to stroll. Kids will enjoy feeding huge trout and cavorting on the playground. Daily 9 am-9 pm. Free. 317 Seventh Ave. S.W. (downtown), Calgary. Phone 403-221-3782. http://www.devonian.ualberta.ca.

Fish Creek Provincial Park

(Access from Bow Bottom Trail in the city's southeast quadrant).

403-297-5293.

Visitor Centre and Archeological Interpretive Centre are operated by the University of Calgary. Park open daily 8 am-6 pm, visitors centers open weekdays 8:15-noon and Saturday 1-4:30. Free.
This is Canada's largest urban park, stretching 6 miles through the city's southern reaches. Creekside pathways are suitable for cycling and walking. Wildlife is plentiful (deer, coyotes, even the occasional black bear). There are picnic sites and open spaces too.

Prince's Island Park

403-268-3888. Toll-free 800-661-1678.
This 50-acre/20-hectare island in the middle of the Bow River is connected to the city by several footbridges (the main one is at Eau Claire Market at the edge of downtown). Trails for walking or biking, a children's water park and lots of open play space. This is the site of several outdoor festivals, including the Calgary Folk Music Festival, CaribFest, Heritage Day celebrations and the Shakespeare in the Park theater series.

Calaway Park

245033 Range Road 33 (off the TransCanada Highway at the Springbank Road exit, 6 miles west of the Calgary city limits), Calgary.

403-240-3822.

Mid May-late June Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-8 pm; late June-early September daily 10 am-8 pm; early September-mid October Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11 am-6 pm. Children's discounts available after 5 pm. Western Canada's largest amusement park, with 27 rides, live entertainment and plenty of food.

Heritage Park Historical Village

1900 Heritage Drive S.W. (on the east side of Glenmore Reservoir)

Calgary.

403-268-8500.

Mid May-mid September daily 9 -5 ; mid September-early October Saturday and Sunday 9 -5 . Admission in the summer includes free pancake breakfast 9-10 am.
There are more than 150 pre-1914 exhibits in this living-history village. Costumed staff help set the theme, and visitors can take a train tour and observe farm animals. Several restaurants and cafes are on the premises.

Calgary Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Prehistoric Park

1300 Zoo Road N.E. (on St. George's Island, east of downtown

Calgary Zoo stop on the light rail transit system),

Calgary.

403-232-9300. Toll-free 800-588-9993.

Daily 9 am-5 pm..

With its varied attractions, this complex is a top draw in Calgary. In addition to the usual complement of exotic animals, the zoo features a new Destination Africa Pavilion, a "habitat immersion experience" with an underwater hippo viewing area. The Prehistoric Park (open June-September) is a re-creation of Alberta during the dinosaur era, complete with life-size dinosaur statues.

Big Rock Brewery

5555 76th Ave. S.E.,

Calgary.

Phone 403-720-3239.

Tours take place at 1:30 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, year-round. Reservations required, adults only

Alberta farmers grow some of the highest-quality malt barley in the world, and Calgary's best-known brewery does it proud, producing several excellent varieties. One-hour tours with a tasting at the end, give a look at the brewing process.

Elbow River Inn Casino

1919 Macleod Trail S. (across the street from the exhibition grounds for the Calgary Stampede), Calgary

403-266-4355. Toll-free 800-661-1463.

Daily 10 am-3 am, poker room open 24 hours.
Try your luck at bingo, blackjack, slot machines and roulette.

Frank Sisson's Silver Dollar Casino

1010 42nd Ave. S.E.

Calgary.

403-243-3000

In addition to the usual table games, slots and keno machines, there are three lounges with big-screen TVs, 40 bowling lanes and frequent live entertainment. Open daily, with slot machines available 10 am-3 am and the rest of the casino operating noon-1 am.

Calgary Events: Calgary Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Calgary Travel & Tourism, Free Calgary Travel Guide Online

January

Throughout January

:
NHL Hockey. The Calgary at the Pengrowth Saddledome, 555 Saddledrome Rise S.E. For information, call 403-777-2177.

Throughout Januar: Dance

. The Alberta Ballet performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-245-4222

Throughout January:
Theater. The Alberta Theatre Projects company performs contemporary theater by playwrights from around the world. Martha Cohen Theatre, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 215 Eighth Ave. S.E. For information, call 403-294-7475. For tickets, call 403-294-7402, or Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888.

Throughout January:
Theater. Theatre Calgary presents a dynamic season of international plays and musicals. Ninth Avenue Southwest and First Street Southeast. For information, call 403-294-7440.

Throughout January

:
Opera. The Calgary Opera performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-262-7286.

Throughout January:

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presents a season of concerts at Jack Singer Concert Hall, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 205 Eighth Ave. S.E. For information, call 403-571-0270.

February

Early-Late February:
Winterfest. Calgary rekindles its Olympic spirit and celebrates winter with an annual monthlong festival of ice sculptures, dogsled races, snowboarding competitions and other outdoor events. Activities at Olympic Plaza, Prince's Island Park and other locations. Phone 403-543-5480 or 877-543-5480.

Early February:
Chinese New Year Celebration. The Chinese Cultural Centre holds daily dances, cultural performances, exhibitions, fortune-telling and a Chinese market to celebrate the new year. All events are free. 197 First St. S.W. Phone 403-262-5071. http://www.culturalcentre.ca.

21 February:
Alberta Family Day. Public holiday.

Throughout February:
Opera. The Calgary Opera performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-262-7286. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888. http://www.calgaryopera.com. Continues through early May

Throughout February: Dance. The Alberta Ballet performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-245-4222. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888 or 403-451-8000. http://www.albertaballet.com. Continues through early April

Throughout February: Theater. Theatre Calgary presents a dynamic season of international plays and musicals. Ninth Avenue Southwest and First Street Southeast. For information, call 403-294-7440. For tickets, call 403-294-7447, or Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888. http://www.theatrecalgary.com. Continues through mid May

Throughout February: NHL Hockey. The Calgary Flames heat up the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome, 555 Saddledrome Rise S.E. For information, call 403-777-2177. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-777-0000. http://www.calgaryflames.com. Season continues through early April

Throughout February: Theater. The Alberta Theatre Projects company performs contemporary theater by playwrights from around the world. Martha Cohen Theatre, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 215 Eighth Ave. S.E. For information, call 403-294-7475. For tickets, call 403-294-7402, or Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888. http://www.atplive.com. Continues through early May

Throughout February: Concert. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presents a season of concerts at Jack Singer Concert Hall, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 205 Eighth Ave. S.E. For information, call 403-571-0270. For tickets, call 403-571-0849, or Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888. http://www.cpo-live.com. Continues through late May

March

Throughout March: Theatre Calgary presents a dynamic season of international plays and musicals. Ninth Avenue Southwest and First Street Southeast. For information, call 403-294-7440

April

Throughout April:
Opera. The Calgary Opera performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-262-7286.

May

Early May

:
Theater. The Alberta Theatre Projects company performs contemporary theater by playwrights from around the world. Martha Cohen Theatre, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 215 Eighth Ave. S.E. For information, call 403-294-7475.

July

1 Jul:
Canada Day. Public holiday. Celebrations are held at Fort Calgary, Heritage Park, Prince's Island Park and Olympic Plaza, among other places. Call 403-268-3888 or 403-268-2489 for more information.

September

Throughout September:
CFL Football. The Calgary Stampeders play home games at McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail N.W., University of Calgary campus. For information and tickets, call 403-289-0258, or toll-free 800-667-3267

8-12 September:
Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament. The Masters Cup attracts the best horses and riders from around the world to this prestigious equestrian jumping event. Spruce Meadows, Highway 22X and 14th Street Southwest (about 30 minutes from downtown). For information, call 403-974-4200.

October

Early-Late October:
NHL Hockey. The Calgary Flames heat up the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome, 555 Saddledrome Rise S.E. For information, call 403-777-2177.

Mid-Late October:
Opera. The Calgary Opera performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-262-7286. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888.

13-17 Oct:
Wordfest. Calgary and Banff cohost this annual writers festival featuring readings, workshops and other events. Calgary's Uptown Stage and Screen and various other venues in both cities.

Throughout October:
CFL Football. The Calgary Stampeders play home games at McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail N.W., University of Calgary campus. For information and tickets, call 403-289-0258, or toll-free 800-667-3267

November

12-14 Nov:
Calgary Winter Antique Show. Art, books, furniture and other antiques on display and for sale. Round Up Centre, Stampede Park. For information, call toll-free 800-667-0619.

13 Nov:
Santa Parade. Calgary gears up for the holiday season with a parade down Ninth Avenue, and other festivities downtown. For information, call 403-266-5300, or toll-free 800-661-1678

Throughout November:
NHL Hockey. The Calgary Flames heat up the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome, 555 Saddledrome Rise S.E. For information, call 403-777-2177. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-777-0000. Season continues through early April

Throughout November

December

3-31 Dec:
Zoolights! at the Calgary Zoo. The Calgary Zoo dons more than 1.5 million twinkling lights. 1300 Zoo Road N.E. Phone 403-232-9300, or toll-free 800-588-9993.. Continues through 2 January.

Throughout December:
Opera. The Calgary Opera performs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. For information, call 403-262-7286. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888.. Continues through early May 2005
Throughout December:
NHL Hockey. The Calgary Flames heat up the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome, 555 Saddledrome Rise S.E. For information, call 403-777-2177. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 403-777-0000.

Throughout December:
Theater. Theatre Calgary presents a dynamic season of international plays and musicals. Ninth Avenue Southwest and First Street Southeast. For information, call 403-294-7440. For tickets, call 403-294-7447, or Ticketmaster at 403-299-8888.

Calgary Facts: Calgary Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Calgary Travel & Tourism, Free Calgary Travel Guide Online

Population:

905,000.

Time Zone:

7 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-7 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.

Calgary is in the Mountain Time Zone. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City, it is 10:00 AM in Calgary

Voltage Requirements:

110 volts.

Telephone Codes:

403 area code.

Average Temperatures:

Month

High

Low

January

16F

0F

February

35F

0F

March

38F

15F

April

52F

27F

May

65F

40F

June

70F

46F

July

75F

56F

August

72F

46F

September

62F

40F

October

53F

30F

November

34F

15F

December

20F

7F

Holidays

New Year's Day (January 1)

Good Friday (varies)

Easter Monday (varies)

St. George's Day (April 24)

Victoria Day (May 22)

Discovery Day (June 26)

Memorial Day (July 1)

Alberta: Heritage Day (August 7)

Labour Day (September 4)

Thanksgiving (October 9)

Remembrance Day (November 11)

Christmas (December 25)

Boxing Day (December 26).

When to Visit:

Calgary has four full seasons, with cool summers (averaging 68F) and winters that can be quite cold (averaging 9 F). The city's weather is extremely variable: summer days can be hot (95 F) but the city has experienced snow in every month of the year. Occasionally in winter, warm Chinook winds raise the temperature rapidly, almost instantly melting the snow. We think the best time to visit is midsummer to early fall. Take along a warm sweater or a jacket for the evening chill. If you're planning a trip into the mountains, take something for the rain and cold, no matter what time of year. The weather around Banff is especially unpredictable.

Air
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is 9 miles northwest of the city. The ride into downtown takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

Calgary International Airport,

2000 Airport Road Northeast,

Calgary, Alberta T2E 6W5,

Connecting Transportation

Shuttle service is probably the cheapest and easiest way into town. Many hotels provide free shuttles. If yours does not, Shuttle Express runs from the airport to any hotel or private residence, 24 hours a day. Check in at the shuttle counter, located in the main terminal, arrivals level, just outside Canada Customs. Phone 403-509-4799 for reservations.

The Calgary Airporter also offers daily service to 10 downtown hotels every 30 minutes. Daily 6:30 am-11:30 pm. Phone 403-531-3909 for reservations. Information on all shuttles is available at a kiosk in the arrivals area of the airport.

Taxis are always waiting outside the arrivals area. The fare from the airport to downtown is about Most taxi companies accept major credit cards. Major North American car-rental companies maintain branches at the airport if you prefer to drive yourself.

Bus

The main Greyhound Bus Terminal is at the western edge of downtown at 850 16th St. S.W. Phone 403-265-9111.

Car

There are paid parking lots and garages downtown, as well as meters along the street. Meter parking generally applies Monday-Saturday. In outlying areas, parking is plentiful and usually free. If you are staying outside downtown, you can avoid parking headaches by driving to a Park N Ride and taking the light rail transit (LRT or C-Train).

Public Transportation

Public transportation is the best way to get around the city, especially during the Calgary Stampede, when roads are jammed. There are two components to the system: the light rail transit (LRT or C-Train) and buses. A single ticket for either the bus or LRT is available at train station concessions or ticket machines. Tickets include unlimited transfers within 90 minutes. Multiticket books are available.

The LRT follows two main routes. One runs from Brentwood in the northwest to Fish Creek in the south. The second line connects Whitehorn, in the northeast, to downtown. Both lines run through the downtown corridor. You can ride for free along the corridor from Olympic Plaza to Eighth Street S.W. The LRT operates Monday-Friday 5:30 am-12:40 am, Saturday 5:45 am-12:40 am, Sunday 6:30 am-midnight. Phone 403-262-1000 for information.

Calgary's bus system is extensive. You can get just about anywhere in the city with one fare, but service outside rush hours or to outlying suburbs can be infrequent, even non-existent on holidays. The bus system also connects various points along the LRT with other areas. To ride the bus you must deposit exact change (Canadian currency only) or have a valid ticket or transfer. Schedules vary depending on the route, frequency is highest 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. Fares are standard regardless of where you are or where you're going. Phone 403-974-4000 for schedules.

Taxi

You will find cabs waiting at the airport and at the main hotels downtown, but generally you have to order a cab by phone.

Train

There is no direct passenger train service to Calgary. VIA Rail will get you as close as Edmonton, where connecting bus service can take you to Calgary. Rocky Mountaineer Railtours offers two-day, daylight tours between Vancouver and Banff/Calgary or Jasper

Calgary Kids Activities: Calgary Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Calgary Travel & Tourism, Free Calgary Travel Guide Online

Canada Olympic Park

88 Canada Olympic Road S.W. (off the TransCanada Highway,

15 minutes west of downtown),

Calgary.

403-247-5452

Admission varies with activities and time of year.

Fort Calgary Historic Park

Early May-early October daily 9 am-5 pm (Deane House restaurant open year-round).

750 Ninth Ave. S.E. (at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers)

Calgary.

Calgary Science Centre

701 11th St. S.W. (downtown),

Calgary.

403-268-8300.

Heritage Park Historical Village

1900 Heritage Drive S.W. (on the east side of Glenmore Reservoir)

Calgary.

403-268-8500.

Calgary Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Prehistoric Park

1300 Zoo Road N.E. (on St. George's Island, east of downtown

Calgary Zoo stop on the light rail transit system),

Calgary.

403-232-9300. Toll-free 800-588-9993.

Daily 9 am-5 pm..

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