Calgary is Cow Town

by Chelsea McLean

In this fast growing town there is something for everyone.  From skateboarding at Millennium Park, thundering down the bobsled at Canada Olympic Park or taking in theaters, museums, festivals, sporting events or night life.  There are varied accommodations, transportations, restaurants and activities.

You can find all types of accommodations starting at the top with five star hotels down to motels, hostels, and motor parks or camping.  During The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, in July, booking ahead is wise. I do suggest that female travelers avoid the Cecil Hotel.  If you’re lucky a local will welcome you into there home too.

Getting around Calgary is easy and cheap with public transit. To and from the airport take the Shuttle to city center or door to door. It’s cheaper than taxis, which can add up. If you are looking to venture on your own, you can rent a vehicle or motorcycle.  Which gives you the chance to get to the mountains only an hour away. If motorcycling you will want to ride the #40 back from the mountains. You can take tours that go out to the mountains and the city too.  There are endless bike paths to all corners of the city for cyclists.  As for mountain bikers start with the paths at Canada Olympic park then head to Bragg Creek, Camore or Banff.  Hitch hiking is illegal within city limits and is not safe for single females.

There is every style of restaurant one would desire, at every price range.  Some of the best deals can be found in the corner stores or dinners.  Other places to try out would be Kane’s Harley Dinner with its memorabilia and it is also close to Fort Calgary Historical Park and the Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden and Prehistorical Park; Ranchman’s on MacLeod a great honky tonk for some rattlesnake; Peters drive thru no vehicle needed; and the Calgary towers restaurant has the scenic rotating view, just to name a few.

Here are some other activities the city has to offer.  You can stay downtown for shopping, but you should see the newly renovated Chinook mall with a time capsule in the center.  Heritage Park is a small look into the past with some rides for the kids big and small.  Aero Space Museum is a place to check out old planes.  Olympic Oval offers speed skating or skating.  Calaway Park is an entertainment park open from spring to fall.  Canada Olympic Park is the ski hill in town and check out the ski jumps and Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum while you’re there, plus so much more.

All year round with the change of seasons there is always something different to do in this city for any kind of interests.  Don’t fear the winter season the Chinooks make it bare able and make this city unique.