The best place to start a tour of Calgary is downtown—in fact, you can do the majority of your sightseeing there. Thanks to an extensive network of indoor walkways called the Plus 15 system (because they are 15 ft/4.5 m above the ground), it's possible to see most of the downtown highlights without stepping outside—a wonderful treat on cold winter days. This mezzanine level caters to local business clientele and shoppers by offering an array of trendy delis, cafes, boutiques and small galleries.
Start with an overview of the city from the observation deck in Calgary Tower, and then move across the street to the Glenbow Museum for a look at the history of the region's original inhabitants. If it's warm enough, stroll along Stephen Avenue Walk (Eighth Avenue Southwest), which is lined with historic sandstone buildings that house shops and dining establishments. Nearby, Devonian Gardens is an indoor tropical paradise with thousands of plants and lots of waterfalls and fountains.
At the northern edge of downtown are Prince's Island Park and Eau Claire Market. Also along the river, just east of downtown, is one of the country’s best and most innovative zoos—the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Prehistoric Park. Outside the downtown area, be sure to see the SpacePort, a museum at Calgary International Airport that includes a space shuttle model and various motion- and flight-simulator rides. In the southwest quadrant overlooking Glenmore Reservoir is Heritage Park Historical Village, a living museum of heritage houses and buildings staffed by costumed interpreters.
Casinos
Note: All Calgary casinos are smoke-free.
