Best time to visit Calgary?

helpsaverockie · Baggage Handler Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 5 6 ants

you should visit the stampede. Take some pictures and post them. I have always wanted to go but have not had the chance. Maybe this year... I always say that!!

pezzhull · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

If you go during the stampede it will also be very busy and hard to get a room. If you are in Calgary be sure to go to Banff/Jasper for a few days, it is SO Beautiful yo cannot miss it. Take a bus or rent a car you will not be disappointed!

wheretonext · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

aAhh I just want to go to Calgary too. I have been to the Rockies but didnt get time to get down to the cowboy town. we were there too, near Stampede week, back in '05.

perhaps in 2010. i am working on it. but it will be march. Brrr
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pezzhull · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Is Calcary a cowbot town now outside of stampede week, I'm not sure? It is a major corporate centre for the oil industry and I doubt there are many true cowboys anymore, but maybe someone from Calgary can help.

YYCWoman · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

My late husband was Calgary-born, raised and died here too! He used to joke about the '10 Day Cowboys' at Stampede. There aren't a lot of working cowboys compared to oil & gas hot shots ~~ but it's all in good fun.

Stampede is a great time, our city at its' best -- but it is busy and resources are limited (hotel rooms, rental cars, etc)... so booking in advance or having a place to flop is the order of the day.

Everyone goes to Banff (I loathe the place, personally) so consider Kananaskis Country to the west & south; or Drumheller / Badlands country to the east or the fun and funky things to do in the city itself (Glenbow Museum is one of my favourite places -- the permanent collection offers great insight into western prairie and aboriginal life & history). I also love to be home during the GlobalFest in August --- our cultural mosaic is celebrated with food, art & dance plus a weekend long Fireworks competiton running in tandem. We have a Folk Festival that draws some of the best in the genre.

So, my advice? Oct/Nov/Dec/Jan is probably not the best time for weather - it does get cold here. But you will have a good time just about any time you get to visit.
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pezzhull · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

Great suggestion, Drummheller is neat,one of the best dinosaur museums I have ever been to.

I'd still go to Banff/Lake Louise it is wonderful but take a day hike and get away from the crowds.