The sandstone buildings along downtown's Stephen Avenue Walk were constructed after a fire destroyed much of the neighborhood. Several of those historic buildings fell victim to developers wrecking balls, but the few that remain are worthy of an afternoon stroll during which you can revel in their architecture. Along the way, you can indulge in the diversions offered by many popular shops and restaurants.

During the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Olympic Plaza was the focal point of much of the event, including most of the medal ceremonies, laser, and fireworks displays. Tens of thousands of people jammed into the square on any given evening during the games. The square looks much as it did then and is now the focal point for many civic events, particularly for welcoming successful athletes home from the recent Olympic Games. The large area in front of the stage is now a wading pool in the summer and flooded for ice skating in the winter.

Situated close to the downtown area of Calgary, 4th Street is one of the most happening streets in the city. It is frequently used as an entertainment venue for cultural and other events, which see thousands of tourists and locals converging here. The atmosphere is electric and has to be experienced to be believed. The street has established itself as a popular destination owing to the shops, historic sites, and eateries that can be found along its stretch. The area also plays host to the annual Lilac Festival.

One of the foremost neighborhoods of the city, Inglewood was also referred to as East Calgary or Brewery Flats. This area boasts of shopping outlets, tourist attractions and numerous dining establishments. Landmarks like Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary Zoo and Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary are a part of Inglewood too.

Seventh Avenue is not just a great place to shop, it's also an important cultural area of Calgary. The city puts on an annual event where artists enliven the otherwise plain urban surroundings with art in order to give citizens and visitors an engaging experience while perusing the streets. Expectedly, there are a large number of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. Try Quincy's on Seventh for filling portions of traditional foods at affordable prices. For trendy and fashionable clothes, check out Aluminum Planet before you head out to the clubs.

Wanting more of a variety in his beer choices, Ed McNally set up shop and started crafting his own brews in 1985. Today, over a dozen types of beer are brewed at Big Rock Brewery, to perfection without compromise, with only the finest ingredients available. The brewery is open for tours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 1:30p as well as evening tours on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:30p. Located at the brewery is Big Rock Grill, the onsite restaurant that offers North American and European cuisine that pairs excellently with the handcrafted brews.