Voted as one of the most fun outdoor sites in the country, Calgary Zoo features more than 1,100 animals from around the world and an ever-growing portfolio of innovative exhibitions. The fascinating programs put on by the zoo, allow guests to get up close and personal with its less ferocious animals through the Creature Features Program. Life-sized dinosaur models lurk in the badlands of the Prehistoric Park, and the more genteel setting of the Botanical Park includes a butterfly garden that is sure to delight visitors of all ages.
Heritage Park Historical Village, one of Canada's largest historical villages, is divided into a pioneer Northwest Mounted Police outpost and a Main Street from 1910. The latter has a working antique amusement park, with rides that are safe even for small children. Other attractions include a working full-scale locomotive thundering through the park, and on the nearby Glenmore Reservoir, a vintage double-decker sternwheeler ship that takes visitors on lake cruises. Shops and restaurants are plentiful in the park, including a turn-of-the-century bakery. All park staff work in costume and character. Entertaining events for the whole family are scheduled year-round, including September's Fall Fair. The opening timing may vary for different experiences at the park.
One of Canada's great museums and Western Canada's largest, this treasure trove houses artifacts of the west, dating back to the first white settlers of the 1800s and the history of the area's First Nations. Visitors can take delight in exhibits that delve into the history of the region and its people, celebrating their lifestyles and art, and also that record contemporary life in western Canada. Along with permanent displays, the Glenbow Museum presents a variety of temporary exhibitions. Visitors also explore an art gallery and archives on site.
Hosting myriad performances yearly, Arts Commons is Canada's premier cultural space. The center is a six-level facility occupying a full city block in Downtown Calgary, and comprises many distinct event spaces like the Jack Singer Concert Hall and the Max Bell Theatre.
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.
Although some of downtown Calgary's office towers are actually taller, the Calgary Tower remains the city's most distinctive landmark. Officially opened in 1968, it remains a popular visitor attraction, providing a panoramic view of the mountains to the west and the surrounding foothills and prairie. On the observation deck, there are binoculars, multimedia information kiosks, and the thrilling Glass Floor Experience. The dining room rotates, allowing visitors the chance to relax with a meal while viewing the entire city from their window-side tables at the Panorama Dining Room.
Take an exciting ride down the longest Luge track in the world at this fun-filled seasonal attraction. Skyline Luge Calgary lets you ride a gravity-propelled Luge cart and race down the track as you compete against your friends on who will cross the finish line first. Start your adventure by taking the chairlift up to the top, then strap on a helmet, get into your Luge cart and zoom off. This 1800 metres (5905 ft) long track has 50 curves that will leave you breathless, it also runs along the official Winsport winter Olympic Luge track. Whether you want to race for speed with your thrill-seeker friends or you want to slowly ride next to your kids, this is the perfect way to spend a summer day.
Since the early 1970s, this popular company has been offering Calgary's downtown population a little theater entertainment during lunch. Every noon, office-going crowd towed with brown bags, hurry to this small theater for an hour of live entertainment. There is lunch available at the theater for those who don't have their own, and guests are welcome to eat in their seats. The acts on stage is light theatrical fare mainly one act comedies but then again who wants heavy drama in the middle of their work day? Spend your break time at Lunchbox Theatre.
Part of the hugely successful Vertigo Theatre Centre is an immensely popular venue, The Studio. It is very flexible and can hold in excess of 130 people. This experimental theater is replete with black curtains, black seating, ample lighting and other necessary technological requirements. Concerts, auditions, workshops and many more such events can be held here. The Playhouse, also within Vertigo, is another venue used for events.