Calgary

Set dramatically between the prairies and peaks, Calgary is a modern city surrounded by natural grandeur on a huge scale. Just a couple of hours’ drive from Banff, the city is a gateway to the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains, however it has plenty to boast about in its own right.

• Get interactive at the amazing Sports Hall of Fame
• Join the revellers at ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’
• Come face to face with dinosaurs at Calgary zoo
• Speed down North America’s fastest zipline in the Olympic Park

If you really want to get immersed in Calgary’s Wild West spirit, then a visit to the largest rodeo show on the planet, the Calgary Stampede, is an absolute must. Held every year in July, this incredible cowboy festival attracts one million revellers to the city for ten days of non-stop action.

The Sports Hall of Fame is the country’s largest homage to sport and its 40,000 square foot international award-winning facility offers 12 galleries and over 50 hands-on interactive exhibits including shadow boxing against Olympic Gold Medallist Lennox Lewis, wheelchair racing and many other sporting challenges.

Having staged the 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary is home to the Olympic Park and its goal was to create a lasting legacy as a world-class winter sport Institute. In the summer, a visit to Canada Olympic Park is the perfect tonic for adrenaline junkies where you can whizz down North America’s fastest zipline, reaching speeds of up to 140 kph from the top of the 90m Ski Jump Tower or rumble down the sliding track at 100 kph in a four-man summer bobsleigh.

Located 191m above the downtown core, the Calgary Tower offers the best view in the city. On the Observation Deck you’ll experience a spectacular 360° view of the bustling city, the majestic Rocky Mountains, the foothills and the prairies. You can also stand on the amazing glass floor for a birds-eye view of the city streets far below. The city is also proud of its history and the Heritage Park offers the perfect balance between historical fact, adventure and discovery within its 127 acres, 180 exhibits, antique paddle wheeler and authentic steam train.

From the splendour of the Rocky Mountains to the heart of Destination Africa, The Calgary Zoo takes you to see over 1,000 animals from around the world. Trek through the gorilla’s rainforest, safari over the savannah to watch the hippos swim or climb the Canadian Wilds to see a grizzly bear.