13 Best Sights in Calgary, Alberta

The complex of four theater spaces and a state-of-the-art concert hall was pieced together in the 1980s by incorporating the historic Calgary Public Building (1930) and the Burns Building (1913). It's one of the largest arts complexes in Canada.

Reflected in the angular, mirrored walls of this building are several city landmarks, including the stunning City Hall, a stately 1911 sandstone building that houses the mayor's office and other city offices.

International attention focuses on Stampede Park each July for the rodeo events of the Calgary Stampede.

International attention focuses on Stampede Park each July for the rodeo events of the Calgary Stampede.

The zoo, on St. George's Island in the middle of Bow River, is one of Canada's largest, with more than 1000 creatures from 119 species in natural settings. The Canadian Wilds section replicates endangered Canadian ecosystems, and the Exploration Asia exhibit allows you to (safely) get up close to Amur tigers. Prehistoric Park, a Mesozoic landscape, displays 22 life-size dinosaur replicas. Destination Africa showcases two African ecosystems, the TransAlta Rainforest and the African Savannah, and has mixed-species exhibits of more than 100 animals, the largest indoor hippo immersion habitat in North America, and 84 plant species indigenous to the African continent.

This is Calgary’s oldest surviving public park and a shady respite from the frenetic energy of the Beltline. A cenotaph and two statues memorialize Canadian soldiers who fell in various 19th and 20th century wars. At the east end is Central Memorial Library, a national historic site, which was constructed in 1910 with financial support from the Carnegie Foundation.

The fort was established in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers by the North West Mounted Police. Designed to stop Montana whiskey traders from selling alcohol to the locals, it remained in operation until 1914. The Interpretive Centre here traces the history of the First Nations people, Mounties, and European settlers with the aid of artifacts, audiovisual displays, and interpretive walks. Deane House Restaurant, next to Fort Calgary, is one of Calgary’s best restaurants and a nice place to stop for lunch or dinner. It's the restored 1906 fort superintendent's house. The Hunt House, directly behind the restaurant, was built in 1876 and is believed to be Calgary's oldest building.

You can wander the Stampede Park grounds and visit the free Grain Academy, an interesting small museum in the Roundup Centre that proclaims itself "Canada's only grain interpretive center." There's a model-train display depicting the movement of grain from the prairies through the Rockies to Vancouver. There's also a working model of a grain elevator.

You can wander the Stampede Park grounds and visit the free Grain Academy, an interesting small museum in the Roundup Centre that proclaims itself "Canada's only grain interpretive center." There's a model-train display depicting the movement of grain from the prairies through the Rockies to Vancouver. There's also a working model of a grain elevator.

One of the few surviving examples of a grand sandstone prairie mansion, Lougheed House is the former residence of some of Calgary’s most influential citizens, including Peter Lougheed, premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985. Both a national and provincial historic site, Lougheed House hosts history and art exhibits and is surrounded by large and wonderful gardens that are worth exploring in the summer months.

Canada's second-largest naval museum focuses on the role of the prairie provinces in the navy.

A couple of blocks to the north of Kensington's major concentration of shops, bars, and restaurants is this large green space with big trees and a wading pool and playground for the kiddos. Grab a picnic lunch from one of the many great cafés in Kensington, plop down a blanket and have yourself a picnic. In the evening, you can watch the lads play cricket or listen to live music on the small stage here.

Interactive exhibits present the wonders of science in an entertaining way. Shows at the multimedia Discovery Dome, Alberta's largest indoor theater, combine computer graphics, motion-picture images, slides, and a superb sound system. The Children's Discovery Centre is designed for kids three to seven years old.