Canada - Calgary

Dracata · 11 Feb 2009 at 10:18

Looks like i'm flying out to go snowboarding in Banff in March, for two weeks. However, i'm looking at boarding for about 9/10 days and then actually seeing some surroundings for 3/4 days.

I'm flying into canada, and a friend of mine who lives out there has a truck so i'm going to try and convince him to drive us places.

Have you been to calgary or near by? What's to see/do? Is calgary itself worth spending a day in?

Snow-Munki · 11 Feb 2009 at 10:31

yeah been to calgary last year on a way through the rocky mountains.

It's 'ok' has lots of shops but that's about it tbh. We stayed there for 2 nights and thought it was too much in hind sight after spending time in Banff / Jasper / Vancouver / Victoria etc.

I would make the effort going to see more of the rocky mountains ...

.Lethal · 11 Feb 2009 at 10:34

3/4 Days is to much to spend in Calgary, 2 tops imo.

A friend recently went there while travelling all over the world and his opinion was that it was one of the most boring cities in Canada, tbh I kinda agree, it is only good for the malls and thats about it really. I've spent in total over a year in Calgary over the last 7 years.

#Chri5# · 11 Feb 2009 at 10:43

I spent a few days in Calgary a few years ago (flew into Calgary, then went to Canmore, then Fernie and flew home from Calgary).

I liked the place, things I would do...

Calgary Heritage Park - http://www.heritagepark.ca/
Calgary Olympic Park - http://www.winsportcanada.ca/cop/index_cop.cfm - gives you lots of respect for Eddie the Eagle when you actually stand at the top of the ski jump ramp. The Hall of Fame / Museum was good with chance to try shooting ice hockey pucks and other stuff (rather than a typical look but can't touch museum).

Calgary Zoo was good too

To eat, both these places were superb at the time we visited:

http://www.quincysonseventh.com/ - Fantastic steak house
http://www.murrietas.ca/

Macca · 11 Feb 2009 at 12:17

Damonic said:
3/4 Days is to much to spend in Calgary, 2 tops imo.

A friend recently went there while travelling all over the world and his opinion was that it was one of the most boring cities in Canada, tbh I kinda agree, it is only good for the malls and thats about it really. I've spent in total over a year in Calgary over the last 7 years.

I done the exact same as your friend and feel Calgary was one of the most boring I'd been to on my trip. We stayed there one night and there was just no vibe to the city that night. The next day we had a look around the city and were disappointed so within an hour headed for the rockies! So one or two days max as other people have said is enough.

.Lethal · 11 Feb 2009 at 12:27

Macca said:
I done the exact same as your friend and feel Calgary was one of the most boring I'd been to on my trip. We stayed there one night and there was just no vibe to the city that night. The next day we had a look around the city and were disappointed so within an hour headed for the rockies! So one or two days max as other people have said is enough.

The only great thing I would say about Calgary is that it is a great place to raise a family if you were looking to have a good life and settle down with kids etc. Not the kind of thing most people here are looking for

feriso · 11 Feb 2009 at 12:38

Dunno about that bit - my bro lives there now and based on what he tells me of the lifestyle and the photos it makes me want to upsticks and go...... if only I could get the wife to go as well....

Macca · 11 Feb 2009 at 12:50

Damonic said:
The only great thing I would say about Calgary is that it is a great place to raise a family if you were looking to have a good life and settle down with kids etc. Not the kind of thing most people here are looking for

It's not the worst of cities I've been too, just boring, we didn't enjoy it at all. But we all have different ideas and tastes

.

Beansprout · 11 Feb 2009 at 12:55

Calgary is very flat and, in winter (ie most of the year), very cold, white and brown....no green grass, it's like being in a film. The snow is immense, there's lots of driving to get anywhere, and generally it's reasonably sedate but interesting to see a little of. You wouldn't want to stay there long though, it's essentially a medium-sized city in the middle of nowhere with the handy addition of the Rockies nearby.

Banff is gorgeous, the Rockies are stunning.

Know someone with a beautiful log-cabin-style house up there if you've got cash to burn

Voltar · 11 Feb 2009 at 13:40

Go to the Saddledome and watch teh Flames !!

My highlight there was the Hockey.
Then the skiing.
I can't say about 'fun' things to do there as I was a minor when I was there and was there with family mainly for skiing and xmas.

I'd jump out of my bedroom window to go back to Canada

Dracata · 11 Feb 2009 at 14:13

From what i've got from this so far, i'm thinking that I might just look around calgary/have some food on the first day? Flight lands mid-day so maybe staying there until the evening, then heading to Banff?