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CALGARY Calgary is an attractive and dynamic city. Situated on the banks of the Bow River near Alberta's majestic Rocky Mountains. The Calgary Stampede is undoubtedly Calgary's best-known visitor attraction. This event, featuring a large parade and world-class rodeo, draws more than a million people each year. Other attractions, including the Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower, Canada Olympic Park and Eau Claire Market, are great places to visit or study year-round.
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wise, summer days in Calgary are normally warm with high temperatures in June, July and August averaging 17C to 23C. Evenings are cooler (7C to 10C) because of Calgary's proximity to the mountains. By comparison, a summer day in Drumheller, Alberta is often very hot and dry, approximating desert-like conditions. A summer day in the mountains can be hot but the evenings are always cool. Calgary sees its greatest amount of rain during the spring and summer. June and July are the city's wettest months with 70mm to 77mm normally falling. As for winter precipitation, the mountain areas near Calgary receive significant amounts of snow while Calgary itself normally sees only a moderate snowfall - less than 20cm in the months of December, January and February. Daytime temperatures during these winter months are normally at or below 0C while evening temperatures drop to a frigid -11C to -15C. Meantime, a unique phenomenon called a Chinook can transform Calgary from frosty to toasty in a matter of a day, even in winter. A Chinook is a warm, dry wind that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, sometimes raising the temperature more than 20 degrees. · Spring : March ~ May · Summer : June - August · Fall : September - November · Winter : December - February What to wear:
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| Mountain Time (two hours behind Toronto or New York; one hour ahead of Vancouver, Seattle or Los Angeles; seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT); and six hours behind GMT during Daylight Savings Time) | ||||||||
| Calgary Attractions: | ||||||||
| The Calgary Tower | ||||||||
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101 - 9th Avenue SW (403) 266-7171 Built as a centennial project in 1967, The Calgary Tower is the "center" of the city, the tower stands 191 metres (626 ft) high and provides a 360-degree view of both the city and Rocky Mountains. The observation level has high-powered telescopes, and interactive video displays. The tower's revolving fine dining restaurant and lounge also have views of Calgary and surrounding area. Check out the new Glass Floor at the top of the Calgary Tower, off the existing Observation Deck, 4.5 feet deep and 36 feet long with full glass surround. Step out 525 feet above the busy downtown streets below. http://www.calgarytower.com |
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| Canada Olympic Park | ||||||||
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Highway #1 West &Bowfort Road (403) 247-5452 Canada Olympic Park (COP) was a major venue in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Just ten minutes west of the downtown core, Canada Olympic Park (COP) is the crown jewel of the XV Olympic Winter Games and Calgary's premiere year-round sport and tourist attraction. Whether learning how to ski and snowboard in the winter, tearing up the mountain bike trails in the summer or blasting down Canada's only Olympic Bobsleigh/Luge Track in the Bobsleigh Bullet (winter) or Bobsleigh Road Rocket (summer), there's something for everybody. Take a guided bus tour with a knowledgeable interpreters to gain the full insight of our Olympic heritage. Explore the Olympic Hall of Fame & Museum to witness inspiring Olympic films, then test your strength, speed, endurance, accuracy and intelligence in our interactive Olympic Challenge Gallery. http://www.coda.ab.ca/COP |
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| Calgary Zoo | ||||||||
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1300 Zoo Road NE (off Memorial Drive) (403) 232-9300 The Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park (or simply, "The Zoo") is Canada's second largest zoo with over 1,000 various mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The Zoo's indoor and outdoor botanical gardens showcase a variety of annuals, cactuses, and rainforest plants. The Prehistoric Park shows over 20 life-sized models of dinosaurs and reptiles. There are specialized areas for wildlife from the Rocky Mountains, and the northern forest. http://www.calgaryzoo.ab.ca |
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| Calgary Stampede | ||||||||
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1410 Olympic Way SE (403) 261-0101 The Calgary Stampede is called "the greatest outdoor show on earth". During Stampede, corporate Calgary comes to a standstill as everyone gets into the fun! Everyone gets dresses as a cowboy or cowgirl and takes in the street dancing, pancake breakfasts and block parties off the grounds. Stampede Park also features a midway, a half million dollar rodeo, chuckwagon races, a grandstand stage spectacular, a casino, lots of free entertainment, and interesting displays. Over one million visitors from around the world visit the Stampede. http://www.calgarystampede.com |
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| Glenbow Museum | ||||||||
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130-9th Ave. SE (403) 268-4100 The Glenbow has extensive exhibits of Canadian Western heritage. Featured areas include: the Native Indians (with a Blackfoot teepee), early settlers (and a real log cabin), the railroad, and early oil & gas exploration. The Glenbow's second floor shows parts of its art collection with works by contemporary and early Alberta artists. http://www.glenbow.org |
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| Heritage Park | ||||||||
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1900 Heritage Drive SW (403) 259-1900 Heritage Park is Canada's largest living historical village, located just 15 minutes from downtown. Heritage Park has over 100 buildings and exhibits spread over 66 acres. It recreates the feel of pre-1915 prairie life. You can walk down Main Street, ride a train drawn by a steam locomotive; cruise around the Reservoir on the S.S. Moyie paddlewheeler, and enjoy the antique kid's midway. The Park features a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains up the Elbow Valley. Heritage Park is open during the summer (and for Christams festivals). http://www.heritagepark.ca |
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| Fort Calgary Historic Park | ||||||||
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806 - 9th Avenue SE (403) 290-1875 Fort Calgary is where the settlement of Calgary began. Displays in the interpretive centre cover the life of Natives, early pioneers, and the North West Mounted Police, Canada's world-renowned Mounties, who arrived in 1875 to establish law and order. To do so, they built a fort at the crossing of two rivers. Across the Elbow River is the Deane House Historic site & Restaurant. During the summer, tour the re-constructed Fort (in progress). http://www.fortcalgary.com |
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| The Calgary Science Centre | ||||||||
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701 - 11 th Street SW (403) 221-3700 The Calgary Science Centre tries to make science interesting and exciting. It brings science to life with hands-on exhibits and unique demonstrations. The Discovery Dome is one of the best multimedia theatres in North America, with shows and wide-screen films throughout the year. http://www.calgaryscience.ca |
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