Webster Galleries contain many spectacular examples of Western Canadian art. From water colors and oil paintings of the Prairies and Eastern Rocky Mountains, to rare Inuit soapstone carvings of high Arctic polar bears and seals; the art at this gallery displays the landscape and people of Canada. The show floor contains hundreds of works, making it difficult to leave for fear of missing something further on of more interest. The Websters who own and manage the gallery are always present to assist you with your queries.
For those interested in war trivia and collectibles, visit this museum, one of the largest military museum in Western Canada. Stocked with artillery, planes and fine examples of the Canadian war effort, it includes many interesting rarities and artifacts. Stop by the gift shop and purchase a memento after a tour through the comfortable and well-appointed rooms. In 2007, new construction added a range of attractions, such as the relocated Naval Museum of Alberta, Air Force Museum, expanded archives, an art gallery, and Military History and Strategic Studies Center of Excellence. The museum also offers research facilities in cooperation with the University of Calgary as well as a range of lectures and educational programs. The museum relies heavily on community support to keep in operation, so cash donations can be placed in the drum located at the front entrance.
The New Gallery, popularly known as TNG, serves as a home for contemporary art and artists. Managed by various artists, the gallery supports and promotes up-and-coming talent and diversity in arts through performances and exhibitions. The works displayed revolve around socio-cultural themes and aim at eliciting a critical thought among visitors which could lead to thought provoking discussions. The first Thursday of the month is popular among visitors as the gallery is open till 9p, with special exhibits.
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.
The Olympic Oval, one of the sites of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, continues to be a solid attraction for tourists. The massive silvery-white roof that covers this huge building on the University of Calgary campus is an engineering and architectural marvel. The facility remains the fastest speed skating track in the world, with records routinely shattered at World Cup competitions staged each year. Several national teams, including Canada's, train here, offering fans a chance to have very close brushes with the skating elite. The track is regularly open to the public for skating on regular or rental speed skates.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is Canada's largest urban park, covering much of the south side of the city and dividing established and newer suburbs. The park features no organized recreational grounds, with daily usage intended for walking, cycling, and picnics, although tobogganing is popular in the winter. At the far east and south end are the man-made Lake Sikome beach and swimming area. The Fish Creek Environmental Learning Center, at the west end of the park, is intended primarily for school groups. At the east end, the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Center, a small bakery cafe, and a more upscale sit-down restaurant, dubbed The Ranch, greet visitors.