I was born in raised in Calgary. I grew up around the Stampede, Calgary Tower, and Fish Creek Park, and at times I know that I forget just how amazing this city can be. However, amidst all the change and growth that this city has experienced, it can be so easy to get lost in it all and simply neglect to share the great aspects of this city with our friends and children.

Like many cities in Canada, Calgary enjoys a diverse population with many different beliefs and cultural backgrounds. This provides ample opportunity for people to share what they’re all about, and it gives Calgarians ample opportunity to see just how amazing a place this city is.

The “Tourist Traps” You Need To See

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or a whole ten minutes it’s likely that you probably haven’t actually been to the “touristy” destinations that are sprinkled throughout the city. It occurred to me after a visit to the CN Tower in Toronto (which is awesome, by the way) that Calgary has many places similar in nature, and with the dollar once again plummeting, there’s no better time to check them out and enjoy a domestic mini-vacation.

Be sure to visit:

• The Calgary Tower
• The Glenbow Museum
• The Science Centre
• The Saddledome
• Heritage Park (an absolute MUST see)
• Fort Calgary (also a must see)
• Inglewood
• The Calgary Zoo

The “Hidden Gems” You Haven’t Visited Yet

Once you’ve knocked off the tourist destinations, treat yourself to a tour of Calgary that’s more on the intimate side. If you’re one who enjoys urban exploration please feel free to post a comment with other hidden treasures or cool spots to check out.

My personal favourites are:

• The Glenmore Reservoir
• Olympic Plaza
• “Electric Avenue”
• Eau Claire
• The Crossroads Farmers Market
• The Calgary Board of Education Statues Downtown
• Fish Creek Park
• The Talisman Centre

Then there are the tourist attractions that are still under construction including Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame being built at Canada Olympic Park. Of course, that list is by no means complete- Calgary is so vast that there are dozens of locations in each quadrant of the city. If you’ve found them, post them up!