Canadians seem intent on staying home this summer and exploring this great country of ours. With that in mind, I’m putting together a series of short items on Five Things to See and Do in cities and regions across Canada. I’ll start today with Calgary, a terrific destination on its own and also the gateway to the Canadian Rockies and marvelous Banff National Park.
EAST VILLAGE
Calgary Central Library. Colin Way/Tourism Calgary Photo
This is one of the most vibrant areas of the city, with fabulous boutique shops and the excellent Alt Hotel. One of the top attractions is the striking National Music Centre, located inside the Studio Bell building. It’s a fabulous way to learn about artists such as Joni Mitchell, Oscar Peterson, Neil Young and Drake. You don’t need a library card to check out Calgary’s Central Library, which Time Magazine named as one of the best places in the world for 2019. Visitors will find a soaring bit of open space with tons of gleaming wood, swirling shapes and huge windows. It’s one of the most magnificent bits of urban architecture in Canada.
WOMEN DISTILLERS
Manjit Minhas at the Minhas Micro Brewery in Calgary. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Some of the top distillery and brewery executives and business owners in Calgary are women. Manjit Minhas, who’s been a regular on Dragon’s Den for years, is co-founder and CEO of Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries. You can visit their brewery, distillery, tap room and kitchen near the Calgary Airport. “We like to chart new paths, and I think Calgary is very entrepreneurial.” Minhas told me when I visited a few years ago. Establishment Brewing Company, headed up by production manager Natasha Peiskar, was named Brewery of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Brewing Awards, just a few months after she arrived. They make wonderful beer in the south end of the city, just off Macleod Trail. Outside of town an hour or so is Turner Valley, where you’ll find Eau Claire Distillery, helmed by master distiller Caitlin Quinn. Eau Claire was the first boutique distillery in Alberta.
HERITAGE PARK HISTORICAL VILLAGE
Gasoline Alley, at Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary, Alberta. Heritage Park Historical Village Photo
This is one of my fave attractions in the city. Located a few minutes south of downtown, you’ll find an historic village that features a large collection of old-time western buildings, not to mention wagon rides, a steam train, a beautiful 1904 carousel, a 1923 Ferris wheel and the world’s only opera house made of logs (it was once in Canmore, Alberta). Gasoline Alley features one of the finest collections of old cars in the world; amazing vehicles that are polished to perfection and gleam like a diamond. Most of the cars are from before the Second World War, so you’ll see some real beauties, including a 1932 baby blue Auburn. The colourful, old gas pumps, and the dozens of old signs hanging from the rafters are an attraction in and of themselves. Heritage Park also is home to The Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women, once home to Canadian women’s rights advocate Nellie McClung.
CHINATOWN
Calgary has a small but vibrant and fun Chinatown. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
Calgary’s Chinatown isn’t anywhere the size of Vancouver’s or Toronto’s, but it’s got plenty of charm. The aroma of pork buns wafts through the air as you wander past produce stands selling bright yellow zucchini or wild, pink and green dragon fruit. A few doors east of Centre St. is an alley with a very cool mural of Asian buildings and other scenes in shades of neon pink, orange, blue and green. If it’s a nice day and the doors are open, peek inside the back of the local shops as you walk down the alley. Restaurants in the area serve everything from Thai noodles to Vietnamese pho soup, as well as noodle shops and traditional Chinese cuisine.
CYCLING TRIPS/NATURE
Take a spin on the Peace Bridge in Calgary. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Take a stroll or ride a bike along the Bow River to enjoy a slice of Calgary’s wild side. There are trails on both sides of the river, including at Eau Claire Park on the south bank. Prince’s Island Park is an idyllic spot in the river with fine walking paths. There’s also a children’s playground and a pretty, tasty restaurant called the River Cafe. If you go west from Prince’s Island Park, you can follow the river to Edworthy Park, where you’ll find Lawrey Gardens. Don’t miss a ride or walk across the Peace Bridge, which crosses the Bow River just west of downtown Calgary.
BONUS: One great way to see the city and learn about its history is a tour with Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures, where you get to ride in an old-time motorcycle sidecar and let someone else do the driving.
DOUBLE BONUS: The annual Calgary Stampede is an incredible sight, with everything from wonderful midway rides and games to championship rodeo races.
GREAT HOTEL OPTIONS: I mentioned the Alt already. I also love Le Germain hotel downtown, Hotel Arts, Hotel Arts Kensington, and the Fairmont Palliser. Newer properties include the trendy Westley Calgary Downtown Tapestry Collection by Hilton and The Dorian, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel with style to spare and a rooftop lounge and restaurant.
