Whether you're looking for a dose of culture, a beautiful walk along the bow river or a a vibrant place to shop complete with buskers, boutiques and beautiful people then the Centre City is the place for you. Here are seven great reasons to visit the Centre City!
The Calgary Philharmonic The Calgary Philharmonic is at home in the EPCOR CENTRE’s Jack Singer concert hall, one of North America’s most architecturally beautiful and acoustically perfect venues. From Verdi to Beethoven and CCR to Ray Charles, the concert line up for the 2013 season is sure to have something for everyone.
The Bow River Pathway Built along the banks of the Bow, which cuts a swath right through the Centre City, is alive with nature and nature lovers. Used for cycling, hiking, promenades and bird watching the path system spans 48 kilometres from the Bearspaw Dam to the west right into Fish Creek Provincial Park in the south.
The Glenbow Museum The Glenbow exhibits combine Western Canadian heritage with extraordinary art and artifacts from around the world. With more than one million artifacts under its roof, the Glenbow offers a full day of perusing for all visitors. Now until the end of April check out the Glenbow’s Artist in Residence, Alberta singer Corb Lund. He has created an exhibition inspired by his own music and framed by his interest in Alberta’s history.
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary A large wildlife reserve located in southeast Calgary where more than 270 bird species visit, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a haven for more than just those of the avian persuasion. The 36-hectare wildlife reserve has more than two kilometers of level walking trails and more than 1 kilometre of nature trails that take visitors along the river, throughout the forest and by a peaceful lagoon. Open year round and with free admission (donations to the Sanctuary are gratefully accepted) the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary welcomes the public to visit during daylight hours. Leave pets, bicycles, roller blades and bird food at home.
Stephen Avenue Walk The heart of downtown Calgary, Stephen Avenue Walk spans 8th Avenue from 1 Street SE to 4 Street SW. That’s 4.5 blocks of shopping, boutiques, galleries, dining, pubs and cafés and buskers, street vendors, live performances, music, festivals and arts and culture packed into just a few streets. Open daily from 6 till 6, during peak times the streets can be packed with anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 people. Back in 2002, Stephen Avenue Walk was declared a National Historical District. With more than 30 restored buildings, a stroll up the Walk is a trip in time with architectural styles from the late 1800s to the 1930s on display. Reduced parking rates, some as low as $2 are in effect evenings and Saturdays and it is free to park on Sunday.
Olympic Plaza Olympic Plaza was built in 1988 for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games as the site of the medal presentation ceremonies. Today Olympic Plaza hosts special events and festivals throughout the year. In warmer weather it is a lovely spot for a downtown picnic and during the winter months, the Plaza morphs into the only refrigerated outdoor ice rink in the city. Olympic Plaza features a reflecting pond, ice skating, the Famous Five sculpture, a large seating area, a stage, waterfalls, a year-round washroom and a seasonal concession. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Please remember bicycles, skateboards/rollerblades, dogs and pets, smoking and after hour activities are not permitted in Olympic Plaza.
17th Avenue Coined the “Pulse of Calgary”, 17th Avenue is the spot to see and be seen. Fashionistas, Foodies and beautiful people flock to this area. Eateries, entertainment, bars, restaurants and cute boutique shops abound and if your after pizza, shoes, chocolate or handbags, 17th Avenue has it all. Stroll along the tree-lined walkways and enjoy the window shopping and people watching. Starting at 2nd Street and continuing to 14th Street SW, the blocks along 17th Avenue really do beat with a rapid and exciting pulse.
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