Gateway to the Rocky Mountains

Calgary has been a strategic gathering site for thousands of years. Indigenous confederacies like the Blackfoot and Nakoda First Nations have hunted in this area for over 10,000 years. The Blackfoot called the area around the Bow and Elbow River Mohkínstsis.

The North-West Mounted Police established a post at the river junction in 1875 to curb illegal whiskey trading. It was named Fort Calgary in 1876 by Colonel James Macleod, after Calgary Castle on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

Calgary officially became a city in 1894. During its early years the city’s dominant economy was based around open-range cattle ranching, which gave it the nickname “Cow Town”. With the discovery of oil and gas, Calgary quickly became the administrative headquarter of the industry.

The 1988 Winter Olympics gained Calgary major global recognition. Many remember the iconic moments of British ski jumper Eddie the Eagle, the first participation of the Jamaican Bobsled Team and the non-medal exhibition discipline of ski-ballet.

Today Calgary is a bustling city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, home to many diverse neighborhoods. Kensington has an impressive collection of eclectic cafés and vintage shopping and invites you to a casual afternoon stroll.

Chinatown on the other hand is one of Calgary’s most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods.

A vibrant collection of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and South Asian restaurants, shops, grocers, and bakeries make this welcoming neighborhood a must-visit destination.

With over 2,300 hours of sunlight annually, Calgary is the sunniest major city in Canada. A visit to Prince’s Island Park located on the Bow River in downtown is a wonderful way to take a break from sightseeing. In the spring and summer, River Café offers gourmet picnic baskets with everything you need for a perfect picnic in the park.

If you want to venture further out of town Fish Creek Provincial Park offers 100 km / 62 mi of hiking and biking trails. It is also home to the incredible Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant.

Every July the city of Calgary converts back to its Cow Town roots by hosting the world’s largest outdoor rodeo The Calgary Stampede. The massive 10-day event kicks off with a parade featuring marching bands, floats and horses before moving to the fairgrounds with rides, food, drinks, concerts, fireworks and of course rodeo activities.

A visit to Calgary is not complete without tasting Canada’s best beef. Whether you fancy a traditional steak or explore something more modern, Calgary can deliver on both. Ginger Beef, the beloved, sweet and spicy Chinese Canadian dish was invented in this great city.

Eight Restaurant’s Chef Darren MacLean explores Canadian ingredients making it a catalyst for conversation and an exploration of what Canadian food is and will be. Eight received recognition with the Highest New Entry Award 2026 on the 50 best restaurants in North America.

Now relax, rejuvenate and wind down for a good night’s sleep. And get ready for a whole new adventure in the Rockies, but that will be another story.…