DAILY TOUR SYNOPSIS: Day 4 – Calgary Cowboy City
We explore the badlands and agricultural prairies of Alberta on our journey into the cowboy capital of Canada. In Calgary guests experience western hospitality at a white hat ceremony and explore this cosmopolitan city on our Adventure for Anyone program. While exploring the city guest may sample the local beef or explore the various museums and cultural centres. Guest can also shop or dine in the city with the lowest taxes in Canada.
TOUR ROUTE
Guests wake and enjoy breakfast on our fourth day in the same hotel that Robin Williams used while filming the movie RV in the region in 2006. Our day today takes us forward from dinosaurs, following the growth of the railways and into the metropolitan city of Calgary. As we depart the region we visit the historic aqueduct on the outskirts of town. The region surrounding Brooks was once a buffalo hunting ground for Blackfoot and Crow natives however the growth of the railways and the building of irrigation opened up the region to agriculture. The Brooks Aqueduct stretched the limits of engineering at the time and was the largest concrete structure of its kind in the world. As our journey continues towards Calgary you will see more signs of development in the region as farming and irrigation make way for more towns that grow in size as we get closer to the city.
We are welcomed by Calgarians above the downtown core and become honorary citizens of Calgary for the day at a white hat ceremony at the top of Calgary tower. This long-standing tradition is a symbol of Western hospitality and good cheer. White Smithbilt hats have been bestowed on celebrities and dignitaries on their visits to Calgary since the 1950s. The 360 degree views of the city from the tower allow guests to view the city they have just become citizens of before embarking on their Adventure for Anyone afternoon.
Our Adventure for Anyone schedule allows you to explore what interests you at your own pace. The city of Calgary has many options for guests to experience and our team will plan suggestions for your day prior to arrival based on your interests and desires. The friendly white hat Calgarians will also be on hand in the tower after the ceremony to answer any questions you may have on the city. Guests may want to explore the downtown core, head further into Calgary’s neighbourhoods in search of history, have an adrenaline hit with some thrilling experiences or take advantage of the lowest taxes in Canada and shop till you drop. Adventure for Anyone allows your afternoon to be all about you! We’ve outlined some options in the itinerary below to get your imagination started.
Downtown Calgary hosts a variety of adventures including the historic Stephen Avenue Walk lined with historic sandstone buildings filled with restaurants cafés, galleries and boutiques with work by local artisans. Summer is ‘patio season’ in Calgary so the downtown is a great area to have lunch or a snack before embarking further afield. The sandstone Old City Hall has been restored to its original beauty and is just a few blocks away as is the Glenbow museum. If you want to cool your feet, there is a wading pool at Olympic Plaza during summer. The downtown core is easily walkable from the Calgary Tower and offers guests a cowboy city experience.
Although Calgary is young compared to it’s European counterparts there’s plenty of history here for history buffs. Adjacent to downtown is Fort Calgary where you can explore an authentic reconstruction of an 1875 North West Mounted Police fort. Stampede Park is home to the Grain Academy Museum where you can learn how a grain elevator works and how grain shaped the settlement of Canada’s prairies.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Reader Rock Garden where superintendent of the City’s Parks Department from 1913-1943 built a garden to prove that over 4,000 varieties from all over the world could grow in Calgary’s climate. Heritage Park Historical Village is a great place to spend an afternoon in Canada’s largest living history museum. Hop on the train for a tour of the park and see how people lived circa 1910.
If your Adventure style involves making your heart race then there is a lot to get your blood pumping inside the city. At WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park you can take a spin on the bobsleigh track with the help of a professional driver, zip line across the park from the ski jump summit or rent a bike and explore the mountain bike trails. Canoeing or tubing along the bow river in the city or taking a cycle around the city’s neighbourhoods are all options for those wanting to get your hearts pumping. There’s also public skating and running throughout the year at the University of Calgary.
If you love the idea of spending an afternoon strolling from shop to shop, stopping to sip a latte or indulge in a sweet treat Calgary has shopping and food for you. The shopping districts of Kensington, Inglewood and Uptown 17th should satisfy your Adventure. There’s malls including the largest in Western Canada within the Calgary metro area. Year round farmers’ markets such as the Crossroads Market and the Calgary Farmers’ Market both sell meats, veggies, and baked goods from local producers and are home to local artisans showing pottery, art, or textiles.
Whatever your adventure style we will suggest attractions and tours within Calgary suited to your needs to ensure you get the most out of your day in the city. In the afternoon your luggage will be delivered to your hotel ready for you to come back to whenever you want to call it a night. Perhaps you’ll dine solo tonight or meet up with others from the group at one of the many bars or restaurants across the city. Your guide is on hand and will provide you with suggestions in the lovely city of Calgary.
ESSENTIAL TOUR FACTS AND INCLUSIONS
- Overall distance travelled: 207km
- Overnight accommodation: Delta Bow Valley Calgary
- Activity level: Easy
TOWNS ALONG OUR TOUR ROUTE
- Brooks
- Bassano
- Strathmore
- Chestermere
- Calgary – (Learn More at Tourism Calgary)
DAILY TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Our tour director will escort the group during all group experiences.
- Brooks Aqueduct
- Admission to Calgary Tower
- Calgary White Hat Ceremony and commemorative white cowboy hat
- Overnight accommodation in Calgary as per tour program.
DEPARTURE DATES FOR THIS ITINERARY
| Program | Departure Date | Departure Point | Conclusion Date | Conclusion Location | Included Nights | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experience Canada | Private Tours in 2018/19 | Cranbrook | Contact Us | Victoria, B.C | 14 | Book Now from $7,800pp |
