Where foothills meet prairie is a vibrant city of one million. Calgary, just over an hour east of Banff National Park, offers mountain travellers the opportunity for an urban experience of attractions, festivals, restaurants, parks, performances, shopping and nightspots. Extend your vacation or plan a day trip to experience Canada’s ‘Heart of the New West.’

There’s something for the whole family—Calgary offers cultural experien-ces, Western heritage, hands-on activities and plain ol’ fun. The premier festival of the year is the Calgary Stampede, July 6-15, when the entire town showcases its Western roots. Businesses close the morning of the big parade (July 6), and throughout the Stampede folks dress Western and country bands invade the bars. At the fairgrounds are daily rodeos, midway rides and exhibits; and chuckwagon races and Grandstand shows run nightly.

Other summertime festivals celebrate culture, art, wine and food. Highlights include: Calgary Jazz Festival June 19-24, Shakespeare in the Park July 3-August 25, Calgary Folk Music Festival July 26-29, GlobalFest and International Fireworks Competition August 8-25, Calgary International Film Festival September 21-30 and WordFest International Writers Festival October 9-14.

Downtown’s theatre district, along with the Saddledome and recently renovated Jubilee Auditorium, offers an exciting array of plays, concerts and dance performances. Downtown’s premier venue is the Epcor Centre that houses a concert hall, two major theatres and smaller production spaces. Sophisticated city galleries display local and international art. Tickets for most shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster, 777-0000.

History buffs can visit Heritage Park, Fort Calgary, Lougheed House, Glenbow Museum, Aero Space Museum, The Military Museums, Calgary Police Interpretive Centre and Firefighter’s Museum. Sample Canadian Football League action—the Calgary Stampeders, 1-800-667-3267, play at home June 15 and 30; July 21 and 28; August 17, September 3 and 15; and October 8, 15 and 27. Calgary Vipers baseball club also entertains, 277-2255.

Calgary boasts large urban parks, although smaller Prince’s Island Park on the Bow River beside downtown is popular with tourists. The city’s 550 km (342 mi) pathway system is great for biking, jogging and walking. Try routes that parallel the Bow River near downtown, and those circling the Glenmore Reservoir in south Calgary.

Shops of every description cater to Calgary’s diverse, educated and affluent population. Downtown, Stephen Avenue Mall is a pedestrian-only street of shops, galleries and restaurants. A five-block indoor shopping complex includes Eaton Centre, TD Square, Bankers Hall, and Scotia Centre—400 stores are connected by downtown’s ‘Plus 15’ elevated bridge indoor walkways. Eau Claire Market on the north side of downtown is worth visiting, while Uptown 17th Avenue, Kensington, Inglewood and Fourth Street are good streetscape shopping districts. Large indoor suburban malls include Market Mall (NW), Chinook Centre (SW), and Deerfoot Outlet Mall (NE) near the Calgary airport.

Boasting 6000 restaurants, Calgary’s culinary scene offers exceptional diversity, something for all tastes and budgets (consider an Alberta beef or wild game specialty). Big bars with live music such as Cowboys and Back Alley attract late night crowds.

Put these Calgary attractions at the top of your 'to do' list:
• Feature Wilds: Calgary Zoo (232-9300) is home to over 900 animals from around the world. Situated on a Bow River island, you’ll see all the big mammals of the Canadian Rockies. Don’t miss Destination Africa (try their Sunday brunch), the Botanical Gardens and the Prehistoric Park where life-size dinosaur models seem to come to life (always a hit with kids).
• Most Thrills: Calaway Park (240-3822) is off the TransCanada Hwy toward the mountains. Western Canada’s largest outdoor family amuse-ment park has games and 30+ midway rides, including a rollercoaster with 360° twists. Shows this summer include The Pirate Book, High School Rock and Hip Hop Dance Team.
• Sports Glory: Canada Olympic Park (247-5452), also off the highway to the west, was flagship site of the 1988 Winter Games. Visit the Olympic Hall of Fame & Museum, Ice House, bobsled track and 90-m ski jump tower—an audio tour is available. Rent a bike and descend chairlift-access trails, or try the Skills Centre, Stunt Park or Dirt Jumps. New are Skyline Ride jump-lines and North America's fastest cable zip-lines. Harness-up and thrill to speeds up to 140 kph (85 mph).
• Child Stimulant: Telus World of Science (268-8300) Lego Mindstorms and Amazement Park interactive displays expand young minds, while this summer’s Dome Screen film (think Imax on the roof) Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia film will keep folks on the edge of their reclined seats.
• High Point: Calgary Tower (266-7171), 191 m (627 ft) over downtown, provides a 360-degree mountain and city view. Step onto the glass floor for a view down—way down. There's even a revolving restaurant.
• Blast of the Past: Heritage Park Historical Village (268-8500) in south Calgary is a re-created pre-1914 village with 150 buildings, fur trading post and farm. Hop aboard the steam train, paddle-wheeler boat and antique amusement park rides. Costumed staff, working shops and period eateries make it seem you're back in time.
• Best for the Brain: Glenbow Museum (268-4100), across 9 Ave from Calgary Tower, has displays of Native history, Euro-pean settlement and Northwest art. Their new gallery, Mavericks provides insights into Alberta’s iconic and iconoclastic past.
• Origin of the Species: Fort Calgary (290-1875) is on 9 Ave east of downtown where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet. This was the spot where Calgary was founded—see reconstructions of the original 1875 fort and 1888 North West Mounted Police Barracks. The Interpretive Centre houses Mounted Police exhibits from 1888 to 1914. Lunch is served in the Mess Kitchen, or try the elegant 1906 Deane House.
• Taking Flight: Aero Space Museum (250-3752), off McKnight Blvd near the airport, preserves airplanes and the aviator spirit. The 25+ plane collection includes a WW1 Sop-with tri-plane, WW2 Lancaster bomber and post-war F86 Sabre intersceptor. Other displays include 58 aeronautical engines.
• High-style Victorian: Lougheed House (244-6333), 707 13 Ave SW, epitomizes late 1800s eclecticism. Isabella’s offers lunch Tues to Fri, brunch Sat and Sun. Stroll the garden.

Pick-up a free copy of Where Calgary magazine (where.ca)—it's full of entertainment, dining and shopping ideas. Tourism Calgary, 1-800-661-1678, runs visitor centres at Airport arrivals and the Calgary Tower.