1001431319By Heidi Wagg
Set dramatically between prairies and peaks, Calgary is a chic urban landscape surrounded by incomparable natural grandeur. It’s a place where you can savour the Rocky Mountain wilderness by day and world class cuisine and entertainment by night, a place buzzing with entrepreneurial energy while embracing its rich western heritage. Is Calgary on your family’s travel radar? If yes, check out these great attractions and take home memories that keep you beaming.
Butterfield Acres Petting Zoo
Butterfield Acres is a charming petting zoo that opens each year on April 1st—when the farm is bursting with new life.
At Butterfield Acres, the entire family can experience the joy of frolicking baby goats at play and bleating lambs huddled together in one giant ball of wool. Bunnies, piglets, chicks, calves, colts, ducklings are other baby animals also waiting for a friendly pet in or near the pen. Photo courtesy of Butterfield Acres. visit their website
Calgary Zoo
The Calgary zoo hosts over one thousand animals from all corners of the earth. It also includes lush botanical gardens, a vibrant butterfly house and an amazing prehistoric park where dinosaurs come alive through special animatronics.
The photo is of young Yewande. Photo by Sergei Belski, courtesy Calgary Zoo. visit their website
Calgary Stampede
For ten days every July, over one million visitors slip into their western garb and ‘YA-HOO’ their way to the greatest outdoor show on earth.
At the Calgary Stampede, your family will find the world’s largest Rodeo, a hair-raising midway, ground-shaking chuck wagon racing and a magnificent Grandstand Show extravaganza. Be further enthralled by exciting concerts, stage shows, entertainers and hands-on agriculture exhibits. Photo courtesy of Calgary Stampede visit their website
Calaway Park
Between mid-May and mid-October opens Calaway Park—western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park.
Calaway Park offers thirty-four rides, four attractions, twenty-five games, various stage shows and plenty of treats. Included in the admission price, are unlimited attractions, shows, rides and parking. visit their website
Canada Olympic Park
Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park (COP) was the premier venue of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
Today, COP is used for winter sport athletic training as well as for public recreational purposes, such as mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing and bobsleigh riding. Photo courtesy of WinSport Canada visit their website
Heritage Park Historical Village
Journey through time and experience Western Canada at the turn of the 19th century. Meet friendly pioneers, visit historic buildings, ride an antique midway and more.
Heritage Park Historical Village is referred to as Canada’s largest living history museum. Photo courtesy of Heritage Park Historical Village. visit their website
TELUS World of Science
For the first time the TELUS World of Science is featuring BODY WORLDS & Brain. This exhibit offers insight to the human body. The exhibit features over 200 authentic human specimens including whole-body plastinates, organs and translucent body slices.
Kids can also tap into the world of drama, music and fine arts at the Creative Museum, which is part of the facility. Photo credit: Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com visit their website
