Calgary sits where the prairies meet the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, with the Bow River running through a downtown of glass towers and pedestrian bridges. It is a prosperous, outdoorsy city — the oil industry wealth shows, but so does the proximity to the mountains. Banff National Park is ninety minutes west; the ski fields of Lake Louise and Sunshine Village are similarly close. The city is younger and more spread out than most Canadian cities of its size, and the pace is unhurried.
The Calgary Stampede, held every July, is the defining civic event — ten days of rodeo, chuckwagon racing, concerts, and midway that draws visitors from across North America. The Stampede grounds on the south side of downtown are used year-round for events. The rest of the year, the city's cultural life centres on the Glenbow Museum, which has strong collections on the history and indigenous cultures of western Canada.
Prince's Island Park, a wooded island in the Bow River connected by footbridges to downtown, is the best urban green space. Stephen Avenue — a pedestrianised stretch of old sandstone buildings — is the main dining and bar strip. The +15 enclosed walkway system connects much of downtown above street level, which matters in winter when temperatures drop well below freezing.
The Rockies are the main draw for visitors with time to spend. Kananaskis Country to the southwest offers hiking and skiing without the crowds of Banff, and is accessible as a day trip.