CALGARY IN 48 HOURS
What’s not to love about Calgary? From the cosmopolitan downtown and shopping districts to rivers, pathways, fine restaurants and a wealth of attractions, you can go non-stop for 24 hours without running out of things to do. Here’s my story!
• I’m so excited I can’t sleep! I slip out from my riverside inn just before dawn and head straight for the paved pathway along the river.
• The downtown skyline is soon backlit in bright scarlet. Two fly-fishers are already casting for trout.
• Grabbing a coffee at a kiosk in Eau Claire Market and enjoy a morning stroll in Prince’s Island Park. I am fantasizing about the country breakfast I’m planning to devour at one of Inglewood’s retro diners.
• OK, I am officially full; on to the Calgary Zoo to see all the new arrivals at the Penguin Plunge. Wow!
• Next stop: Onto exploring local hot spots such as 17th Avenue and enjoying the all the unique fashion shops along the avenue.
• Need to get moving again – Nose Hill Park for a hike. I can see Canada Olympic Park from here. I shriek in surprise when six whitetail deer leap out of a grove of trees.
• Then it’s off to Heritage Park Historical Village. Much to see, but this trip is a visit to Gasoline Alley to see the new exhibits. So much history!
• Time to savour delicious seared scallops at a great bistro on Stephen Avenue Walk downtown, then on to see a new play at the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts. After the show, I head to a nearby Irish pub. I hang out with the locals of Calgary and close the place down, enjoying live music into the wee hours.
• Grab a taxi and start dreaming of my full day tomorrow at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
I wake up excited and head downtown to enjoy the local tradition of a full on Calgary Stampede breakfast with lots of maple syrup!
Arriving at the Grounds, I feel like a kid again! Excitement is everywhere from music, to the smell of all the delicious treats filling air, kids dressed up as their local cowboy heros running past me and sounds of midway games and rides! Where do I begin at the 101 year old Calgary Stampede?
I spend my day trying as many treats as possible, including deep fried oreos! Sinfully delicious! I stroll the artists exhibits and learn of First Nations culture through storytelling while sitting in a traditional teepee. And of course, I have practiced my yee-haw with everyone I have met, tipping my cowboy hat along the way.
After a jaw dropping display of true cowboy grit at the afternoon rodeo, I prepare for the evening’s chuckwagon races. Never been to chuckwagon races? There is nothing to compare to the thrill of horses, wagons and outriders thundering down the homestretch, dirt flying, the ground literally shaking under your feet!
My night ends with the amazing Grandstand Show and fireworks! Everyone in the city seems to stop and look up each night to enjoy the awe inspiriting fireworks display. What a goosebump filled day!
For more info Visit Travel Alberta website at www.TravelAlberta.com
For Information on Calgary Stampede- www.calgarystampede.com
