City of Calgary
1. City Highlights: We'll take a short drive to Calgary's birthplace, Fort Calgary, then up to Scotsman Hill and over to Crescent Road for panoramic views of the city, the Calgary Stampede grounds and the majestic Rocky Mountains. Then a drive to the University of Calgary campus, followed by sites of the 1988 Winter Olympic venues such as the speed skating oval and Canada Olympic Park. Drives along the Elbow and Bow rivers will showcase some of Calgary's beautiful estate homes. We can take you where the tour buses can't go. All this and much more awaits your personal City Highlights tour.
2. Olympic and Sports Venues: Calgary is home to professional hockey, football and lacrosse teams. We'll take you to the Pengrowth Saddledome, home of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames, plus the Major Junior Calgary Hitmen and the Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League. Then it's on to McMahon Stadium, home of the 2008 Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders. From football we go to speed skating for a tour of the Olympic Oval, the "fastest ice" in the world. From here we head out to Canada Olympic Park, home to ski jumping, bobsleigh and luge tracks and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. We can also include a trip to the world-class Spruce Meadows Equestrian Complex, before returning you to your base.
1. City Highlights: We'll take a short drive to Calgary's birthplace, Fort Calgary, then up to Scotsman Hill and over to Crescent Road for panoramic views of the city, the Calgary Stampede grounds and the majestic Rocky Mountains. Then a drive to the University of Calgary campus, followed by sites of the 1988 Winter Olympic venues such as the speed skating oval and Canada Olympic Park. Drives along the Elbow and Bow rivers will showcase some of Calgary's beautiful estate homes. We can take you where the tour buses can't go. All this and much more awaits your personal City Highlights tour.
2. Olympic and Sports Venues: Calgary is home to professional hockey, football and lacrosse teams. We'll take you to the Pengrowth Saddledome, home of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames, plus the Major Junior Calgary Hitmen and the Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League. Then it's on to McMahon Stadium, home of the 2008 Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders. From football we go to speed skating for a tour of the Olympic Oval, the "fastest ice" in the world. From here we head out to Canada Olympic Park, home to ski jumping, bobsleigh and luge tracks and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. We can also include a trip to the world-class Spruce Meadows Equestrian Complex, before returning you to your base.
Destinations
So where do you want to go? Here are a few ideas for half day or full day trips …
So where do you want to go? Here are a few ideas for half day or full day trips …
Drumheller, Land of the Dinosaurs:
9. Museums, Mines & Hoodoos: East of Calgary, visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, world renowned for its work in palaeontology. The museum has 40 mounted dinosaur skeletons and over 125,000 fossil specimens plus many interactive displays. Experience the Canadian Badlands with their hoodoos where dinosaurs once roamed. Look into Horsethief Canyon to see lunar-like coulees and ancient bones. We'll drive the Hoodoo Trail to see Hoodoos, 5 to 7 metre sandstone pillars that stand on a base of shale capped by a large stone. And maybe a side trip to the Rosedale Suspension Bridge across the Red Deer River.
10. Kananaskis Country: Located in the foothills and mountains of the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary, Kananaskis Country is a diverse landscape including outstanding scenery and a wide range of natural resources. Stops can include the Olympic downhill skiing site Nakiska, lunch at Kananaskis Lodge, plus other breath-taking views that make it an outdoor enthusiast's dream.
9. Museums, Mines & Hoodoos: East of Calgary, visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, world renowned for its work in palaeontology. The museum has 40 mounted dinosaur skeletons and over 125,000 fossil specimens plus many interactive displays. Experience the Canadian Badlands with their hoodoos where dinosaurs once roamed. Look into Horsethief Canyon to see lunar-like coulees and ancient bones. We'll drive the Hoodoo Trail to see Hoodoos, 5 to 7 metre sandstone pillars that stand on a base of shale capped by a large stone. And maybe a side trip to the Rosedale Suspension Bridge across the Red Deer River.
10. Kananaskis Country: Located in the foothills and mountains of the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary, Kananaskis Country is a diverse landscape including outstanding scenery and a wide range of natural resources. Stops can include the Olympic downhill skiing site Nakiska, lunch at Kananaskis Lodge, plus other breath-taking views that make it an outdoor enthusiast's dream.
8. Lake Louise: Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness", Lake Louise and the surrounding area are famous for their natural beauty, clear mountain lakes, numerous hiking opportunities and world class hotels and cuisine. Stop to relax in the famous Chateau Lake Louise or just take a stroll through the grounds breathing in that fresh mountain air. From the Chateau, its a short drive to Moraine Lake, named after the moraine deposited by the Wenkchemna Glacier. Its situated in the heart of the Valley of the Ten Peaks which makes this a must see when in the Lake Louise area.
Here are a few ideas for multiple day trips…
12. Jasper: This little resort town in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is a five hour drive from Calgary along the world famous Icefields Parkway. Stops along the way could include beautiful star-shaped Peyto Lake and the spectacular Columbia Icefield Glacier. In Jasper experience colourful lakes, canyons & waterfalls and wildlife sightings are not uncommon.
12. Jasper: This little resort town in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is a five hour drive from Calgary along the world famous Icefields Parkway. Stops along the way could include beautiful star-shaped Peyto Lake and the spectacular Columbia Icefield Glacier. In Jasper experience colourful lakes, canyons & waterfalls and wildlife sightings are not uncommon.
14. Waterton Lakes National Park: Tucked into the southwestern corner of Alberta, Waterton National Park is bordered to the south by the state of Montana and to the west by the continental divide. Waterton is the perfect place to view spectacular scenery and wildlife, spend the night in one of the fabulous hotels overlooking Waterton Lake, and experience a memorable lake cruise along the Canadian/American border.
Roads Less Travelled...
13. Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park is a provincial historic resource and archaeological preserve. It preserves and protects hundreds of Aboriginal petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (rock paintings) on sandstone cliffs of the Milk River valley of Alberta. The park, a National Historic Site, protects the largest collection of native rock art found in North America, some of the largest blocks of native prairie in Alberta and a replica of the original North West Mounted Police outpost - an important symbol of Canadian history. Nearby is Red Rock Coulee with its unusual round rock formations.
7. Banff: We'll drive to Banff and to the Sulphur Mountain hot springs that led to the formation of Banff National Park, and ride the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Visit the world class Banff Springs Hotel and its spectacular setting, then stop at the Cave and Basin, an original grand bathing pavilion and emerald coloured basin hot springs in the Cave. Cruise Lake Minnewanka, experiencing its mysteries. A drive up the switchback road to Mount Norquay provides exhilarating views. The park is home to a variety of wildlife such as bear, elk, mountain sheep and moose.
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Blue Sky Tours Ltd.
Calgary, AB, Canada
Tel: 403-242-0760
Calgary, AB, Canada
Tel: 403-242-0760
3. Antique Shopping and Chocolate Tour - Calgary
The Inglewood district, east of downtown Calgary, is a haven for antique hunters. For those with offbeat or eclectic tastes, you can spend as much time as you want browsing the numerous collectibles shops featuring vintage electronics, clothing, records, as well as galleries, glassware, funky and futuristic furniture stores and more. After a lunch in one of the many interesting cafes, we can take you to an antique "mall" south of Inglewood, which features an enormous range of collectibles and estate sale items and to some of the other unique antique shops scattered throughout Calgary. Time permitting, we'll stop in at the local chocolate factory (Choklat), where you can see truffles made from scratch, try a few samples (yum) and of course theres lots for sale!
The Inglewood district, east of downtown Calgary, is a haven for antique hunters. For those with offbeat or eclectic tastes, you can spend as much time as you want browsing the numerous collectibles shops featuring vintage electronics, clothing, records, as well as galleries, glassware, funky and futuristic furniture stores and more. After a lunch in one of the many interesting cafes, we can take you to an antique "mall" south of Inglewood, which features an enormous range of collectibles and estate sale items and to some of the other unique antique shops scattered throughout Calgary. Time permitting, we'll stop in at the local chocolate factory (Choklat), where you can see truffles made from scratch, try a few samples (yum) and of course theres lots for sale!
4. Heritage and Executive Homes: Let us take you on a tour of Calgary's executive homes from those built at the turn to the century to modern ranch style homes in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Original homesteads of our city founders are included and we'll take you to those with spectacular city and mountain views. Time permitting, we could stop in at the historic Lougheed House for lunch.
6. Antiques, Crafts and Art
A. Nanton - half or full day
An hour south of Calgary, Nanton has become a mecca for antique hunters. The town was settled by farmers and ranchers when the Canadian Pacific Railway was being built and that sense of yesteryear still permeates the town. Much of the town has been restored to its frontier splendour and merchants offer a wide range of handcrafted items and specialty services including custom built furniture and restorations.
Take a relaxing stroll along Nanton's historic downtown streets and visit a great selection of antique shops, gift and specialty stores, art stores and unique eateries. Or, if some in your group prefer learning about the area's heritage while others shop, we can take them to visit historic sites such as the Lancaster Air Museum, the Big Sky Garden Railway, the MacEwan School House Visitor Information Centre and/or Nanton & District Grain Elevator Historical & Cultural Society.
If you still have time and energy, we can return to Calgary via a portion of the Cowboy Trail - possibly with a stop at the famed Bar U Ranch National Historic Site of Canada. Here, visitors are quickly immersed in the living, breathing and very authentic presentation of ranching culture and history found on the ranch. Pekisko Creek General Store stocks various items by local artists and crafts people. Quality items include home preserves, sewing, knitting, woodwork, handmade soap, candles and Friends of the Bar U promotional items.
B. Bragg Creek - half or full day
This beguiling hamlet is located only 45 minutes from Calgary and attracts many visitors, who come for the vibrant arts community, unique shopping opportunities for antiques, quilts and home décor, plus freshly baked pies and gorgeous scenery. Many choose to pack a picnic and head to nearby Elbow Falls, where the Elbow River collides with the rocky slopes of the mountains to form an amazing natural spectacle.
11. Wild Horses of Alberta
Wild horses are believed to have been brought to Alberta by the Blackfoot Indians in the 17th century. Today, they still roam parts of the Alberta foothills. Anyone lucky enough to see them will never forget the experience.
Wild horses are believed to have been brought to Alberta by the Blackfoot Indians in the 17th century. Today, they still roam parts of the Alberta foothills. Anyone lucky enough to see them will never forget the experience.
5. Heritage and Aboriginal Culture
A. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage Site - 1 day
About 2 hours south of Calgary, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Interpretive Centre is a place where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. It is the site of one of the world's oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jumps known to exist and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Head-Smashed-In had been used continuously by aboriginal peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years. This tour could be combined with a return trip through the town of Nanton, Bar-U Ranch or Bragg Creek or we could drive further south to the Crowsnest Pass and the coal-mining town of Frank, which was buried by a landslide in 1903.
B. Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park - 1 day
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park and Interpretive Centre is located about 1 ½ hours southeast of Calgary. Enter into a land before time...and enjoy an exciting, authentic, Blackfoot Indian cultural experience. Take an indoor tour of the exhibit hall with a local Siksika guide, who will escort you through this 62,000 square foot eco-friendly museum, explaining the facility and exhibits. Learn about the Blackfoot culture and visit the gift shop for unique aboriginal arts and crafts and souvenirs. This tour could be combined with a return trip through the Inglewood antique shops.
Combine this with a trip to the future, as we "go boldly" to Vulcan, the Alberta town known for its coincidental science fiction relationship to Star Trek.
Beyond Calgary - towns, destinations and adventures
