Calgary Tourist Attractions, Sightseeing and Landmarks

(Calgary, Alberta - AB, Canada)

Calgary is a fairly young city, but nonetheless has some outstanding tourist attractions and notable landmarks along its well-ordered streets and avenues. Important monuments in Calgary include the distinctive Calgary Tower, which rises 650 feet / 198 meters in the air and offers unbeatable city views; and the eye-catching Chinese Cultural Center, which takes after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and is a big attraction.

Also worth a visit is Calgary's Olympic Plaza, which remains as popular as it was in 1988 when Calgary hosted the Olympic Games.

Olympic Plaza

Address: 7th Avenue Southeast and Macleod Trail Southeast, Calgary, Alberta (AB), Canada
Tel: +1 403 268 2300
Olympic Plaza is the site of the 1988 Olympic Games medals presentation and comes complete with a wading pool, which becomes a skating rink in the winter months. Many large festivals and events are held at Calgary's Olympic Plaza throughout the year, including music concerts and other popular attractions. The best way to see the complex is to take a one-hour bus tour, which goes past and under the 300-foot / 90-meter high ski jumps.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for tours and some activities

Calgary Tower

Address: 9th Avenue and Center Street South, Calgary, Alberta (AB), Canada
Tel: +1 403 266 7171
The Calgary Tower is an observatory and a planetarium, and is one of Calgary's most endearing attractions and sights. It is located in downtown Calgary and rises to about 650 feet / 198 meters into the air, offering commanding views over Calgary and the majestic Rocky Mountains from the top. Sitting atop the structure is a torch, which is often lit for various city festivals and events, while the revolving Panorama Room restaurant remains open for food throughout the day.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 06:30 to 22:30, weekends - 07:00 to 22:30
Admission: charge

Big Rock Brewery

Address: 5555 76th Avenue Southeast, Calgary, Alberta (AB), Canada
Tel: +1 403 720 3239.
The Big Rock Brewery is Calgary's best known brewery, where some high quality malt barley is used to produce many delicious beers. The brewing process is best seen on a 1-hour tour, which ends with a tasting session of the various beers. Tours are for adults only and take place year-round on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Open hours: call for details
Admission: call for details

Calgary Chinese Cultural Center

Address: 197 1st Street SW, Calgary, Alberta (AB), Canada
Tel: +1 403 262 5071
The Calgary Chinese Cultural Center is located in the heart of Chinatown and features the ornate Hall of Prayers of the Temple of Heaven, which was modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Inside are elaborate sculptures and paintings depicting 561 dragons and 40 phoenixes. In addition, the center boasts a number of further attractions, such as an excellent museum, an art gallery and a large Chinese restaurant.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 21:00; museum - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, charge for the museum