The Glenbow Museum is a regional art and history museum in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The museum is dedicated to Western Canadian history and culture, as well as Indigenous perspectives. Eric Lafferty Harvie, a lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist, founded the Glenbow Museum as a private non-profit foundation in 1955 with materials from his personal collection.

The Glenbow Museum hailed as one of Canada's best, caters to both history buffs and art lovers. The exhibits here are primarily about Western Canadian culture, but there are also displays of European art, Asian sculpture, and even West African artifacts, as well as plenty of hands-on activities to keep children entertained. Recent visitors lauded the museum's fascinating exhibits, historical treatment, and interactive arts and crafts opportunities.

The Glenbow Museum's art collection contains 33,000 works, the majority of which date from the nineteenth century to the present. The collection includes landscape painting, Canadian prints by Walter J. Phillips and modernist printmaker Sybil Andrews, First Nations and Inuit art, American illustration, and wildlife art. Works from other parts of the world provide a broader national and international context.

Address: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3, Canada
Website: https://www.glenbow.org/

The Military Museums of Calgary, which includes the four founding regimental museums as well as the Naval, Army, and Air Force Museums of Alberta, is Canada's second-largest military museum. Visitors can learn about history, heritage, art, and the Canadians who have served their country over the years. The Enigma Machine in the Naval Museum is one of the highlights of the various collections. The device on display, known as the Enigma-K, was introduced in 1927 and was built by the Swiss to encode and decode military communication.

The CF-104 Starfighter, a Cold War-era fighter aircraft located in the Air Force exhibit, is another must-see. However, these two items are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the vast complexity. Recent visitors recommended allotting plenty of time to explore the museum, which is quite large and contains fascinating exhibits as well as in-depth historical overviews. Others praised the volunteers stationed on-site, who cheerfully provide additional context to the exhibits.

Address: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Website: https://themilitarymuseums.ca/

Prince's Island Park covers nearly 50 acres and is popular with visitors looking for a scenic walk. Cottonwood-lined trails attract walkers and bikers alike, while regular festivals and an outdoor theater entice culture vultures. Simply follow the footbridge across the Bow River to the stalls of Eau Claire Market for food. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the park in all seasons, praising its peace and quiet as well as its beauty.

It is part of the Bow River pathway and hiking trail system that runs along both sides of the river. The river's southern arm has been landscaped, while the island's eastern end has been transformed into a wetland environment. The park is frequented by Canadian geese and mallard ducks. A number of footbridges as part of the Bow River pathway provide primary access to the island, and vehicles have limited access via the Prince's Island Causeway, which connects to the corner of Eau Claire Ave and 6th Street and delivers traffic to the west end of the island.

Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5N4, Canada
Website: https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/locations/downtown-parks/princes-island-park.html

The Calgary Zoo is located in Bridgeland, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, just east of downtown and near the Inglewood and East Village neighborhoods. It can be reached by Calgary's C-Train light rail system, by car via Memorial Drive, or by bicycle and footpath via the Bow River pathway. St. George's Island in the Bow River is home to a large portion of the zoo.

The Calgary Zoological Society operates the zoo, which is Alberta's oldest registered charity and an independent not-for-profit organization. The AZA, WAZA, and CAZA accredited zoo was one of the first in Canada to receive accreditation from all three organizations. It is home to over 1,000 animals and 272 different species, excluding individual fish and insects. Destination Africa, Canadian Wilds, Penguin Plunge, Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens and ENMAX Conservatory, TransAlta Rainforest, Eurasia, and Prehistoric Park are the seven distinct zones of the 120-acre zoo. Except for Christmas Day, the zoo is open every day.

Address: 210 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada

Website: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/

This massive sports complex, built as a tribute to the 1988 Winter Olympics, is still used as a training ground for young athletes throughout the year. If you're in town for some fresh powder, stop here first for a quick lesson on how to ride the slopes; downhill and cross-country ski lessons are available for both kids and adults. You can also try your hand at other sports such as bobsleigh and luge. If you prefer a more laid-back experience, visit Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, which houses the world's largest collection of artifacts from the competition's history, including costumes, photographs, and the torch used to carry the flame from Greece.

The WinSport Canada Olympic Park was a big hit with recent visitors, though they had mixed feelings about the complex itself, depending on what they did, with some complaining about high prices and others enjoying their ski lessons. The Canada Olympic Park, located northwest of the city along the Canada Olympic Road Southwest, welcomes sports fans Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of admission varies depending on the day you visit and the activities you want to try.

Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5, Canada
Website: https://www.winsport.ca/

This 66-acre living-history village preserves Calgary's Wild West past. This history paradise is nestled beside the Glenmore Reservoir, just south of downtown, and is teeming with costumed staff reenacting times that have gone by. You can visit a fur-trading post from the 1860s, a ranch, and a historic village. You can also ride a steam locomotive, a horse-drawn wagon, or a paddle-wheeler boat around the reservoir.

Check out the Gasoline Alley Museum for a better understanding of Calgary's history, which houses numerous artifacts from the city's frontier days. Recent visitors agreed that Heritage Park is a must-see, especially if you have children, though most found that the park is enjoyable for everyone from small children to teenagers and adults. Several reviewers also mentioned how much fun it is to visit during the holidays when there are special events and activities.

Address: 1900 Heritage Drive S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Website: https://www.heritagepark.ca/

This first-rate sporting facility – whose name is derived from the surrounding spruce trees – hosts some of Canada's most prestigious horseback riding competitions. Talented jockeys compete for national titles (and prize money) in high-octane events such as show jumping. Spruce Meadows is more than just a riding ring for visitors. While touring the stables, you can get up close and personal with the horses, explore the exquisitely manicured gardens, or let the kids run wild at the Canadian Superstore Playground.

The facility also hosts a variety of events, such as the Christmas Market, which is a must-see for recent visitors. Spruce Meadows is open year-round, though hours may vary depending on the season. When there is a tournament, general admission, which includes rushing seating, costs CA$5 (approximately $3.75) for adults (otherwise free for all). Senior citizens and children aged 12 and under are always free of charge.

Address: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary, AB T2X 4B7, Canada
Website: https://www.sprucemeadows.com/

Let's visit Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames, for a taste of true Canadian sportsmanship. After moving to Calgary from Atlanta in 1980, the Flames won the Stanley Cup in 1989. Since then, this beloved sports team has served as a source of pride for Calgary residents, who celebrate Flames victories on 17th Avenue SW, also known as "The Red Mile".

During the offseason, the Saddledome plays an active role in city life, hosting special events such as concerts, rodeos, and even visits from world figures such as Queen Elizabeth II and the Dalai Lama. It gets its name from the shape of its roof, which is saddle-shaped. Recent visitors have complained that the venue is out of date, but others still adore the sports arena.

Address: 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1, Canada
Website: https://www.scotiabanksaddledome.com/

This landmark, which stands a whopping 626 feet tall, was once the city's tallest building. The Calgary Tower was built in 1967 to commemorate Canada's centennial, and it also housed the Olympic flame in 1988. Today, the tower serves as the city's focal point, providing visitors with breathtaking views of Calgary and the Rocky Mountains. Take the elevator to the observation deck and then to the Theatre Room. Check out the short film "Calgary Tower – Building and Icon" in the Theatre Room, as well as Travel Alberta's most recent fly-through video, which shows aerial footage of Alberta.

If you get hungry or thirsty, you can eat at the Sky 360 Restaurant and Lounge, which rotates high above the city every 45 minutes at lunch and every 60 minutes at dinner. At the base of the tower, there is also a Ruth's Chris Steak House. Though previous visitors said the tower provides good views of the city, some complained about the ticket price and said it's only worth it on a clear day. Still, if you're looking for a memorable view of the city or a quick activity, Calgary Tower, according to reviewers, is a no-brainer.

Address: 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1J9, Canada
Website: https://www.calgarytower.com/

This science museum provides numerous hands-on opportunities to learn about topics ranging from technology to the brain. Children can learn about flotation in a water play area, crawl and climb in a climbing structure, design and make inventions, and stage a play at the Creative Kids Museum, which is designed for children ages 9 and younger. Live science demonstrations, as well as planetarium shows, are another draw for visitors.

While many recent visitors enjoyed the museum's interactive exhibits, others thought it was overpriced for what was on offer. Admission to the Dome Theatre, which screens planetarium shows and movies, is included in the overall admission ticket. TELUS Spark is approximately a 10-minute walk from the CTrain's Zoo station (off the blue line). The museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (until 9 p.m. on Fridays and 5 p.m. on Saturdays).

Address: 220 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 5T2, Canada

Website: https://www.sparkscience.ca/