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A lack of entertainment is never a problem in Calgary. Even though it's known more for its sense of bawdy adventure than refined good taste, there's still an activity to get anyone's blood pumping.
As soon as you mention Calgary, most people immediately think of the noise, dust and excitement of the Calgary Stampede, but there is much more to the city. From the world-renowned sports facilities to over 4,000 restaurants of every nationality and culinary discipline imaginable to a vibrant performing arts community, Calgary provides enough entertainment choices to stave off any sort of boredom.
Sports
Pengrowth Saddledome and McMahon Stadium are Calgary's two largest sports venues, and home to the Calgary Stampeders CFL team and Calgary Flames NHL hockey team. For a unique football experience, drop by McMahon Stadium on any chilly autumn Sunday to see rabid fans, wearing nothing but bathing suits and body paint, as they cheer on the Calgary Stampeders amidst driving sleet and hail. Impervious to cold, such hardcore cheering squads often brave -10° Celsius weather, and fueled by a healthy supply of cheap beer, will remain outside for the three-hour duration of the game.
After hosting the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, the city gained attention for its excellent athletic facilities, and became a destination for world-class athletes. At 4,000 feet above sea level, the high altitude and thin mountain air enhance training and attract athletes from all over the planet. The Olympic Oval speed skating track is a famous spot for the setting of world records, as is the swimming pool at Lindsay Park Sports Centre, where the water is said to be faster than anywhere else in North America. Spruce Meadows is one of the world's most famous equestrian facilities, and the site of several prestigious show jumping competitions.
The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede is undoubtedly Calgary's biggest event, and claims to be the largest festival in Western Canada. Over a million people pour into the city to watch the bull and bronco riding, chuckwagon races, and receive a heaping dose of cowboy culture.
Outdoor Activities
If you want to get some skiing done but don't have time to drive to Banff and the Rocky Mountain ski resorts, Canada Olympic Park, site of many of the events in the 1988 Olympics, is located about five minutes from downtown and features several lifts and lots of artificial snow. For a real adrenaline rush, watch the Nordic ski jumpers as they launch themselves off the 90-meter ski jump and float hundreds of feet through the air. For a more relaxed skiing experience, Wintergreen Ski Area lies just outside the rustic hamlet of Bragg Creek, a 40-minute drive from downtown. With several small lifts and cross-country ski trails, it is ideal for the naturalist or beginner skier.
In the summer, horseback riding and cycling are the best ways to explore the forests and mountains of the parks surrounding the city, and guided tours are available in Kananaskis Country to the west of the city, as well as in and around the city itself. For those looking for a more leisurely adventure, canoes and drift boats can be rented for a pleasant float down the Bow River.
Theater and Comedy
Theater groups include the One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre, which is famous for its entertaining and controversial plays, and Loose Moose Theatre, renowned for its hilarious improvisational sessions. For large theatrical productions, the Calgary Center for Performing Arts has five venues scattered throughout the city, ranging from the 1,800-seat Jack Singer Concert Hall to the 180-seat Big Secret Theatre.
Shopping
Shopping in Calgary is easy. There are about a dozen shopping areas in the city, each unique in character, price and merchandise. 17th Avenue is lined with trendy clothing and jewelry shops, Kensington Village caters to the artistic and international crowd, downtown is home to both Bankers Hall and Stephen Avenue Walk, and Eau Claire Market is a showpiece of independent small business. Inglewood and Marda Loop areas cater to the more eclectic shoppers with vintage galleries and unusual import shops, and Macleod Trail boasts a selection of hundreds of discount warehouses and huge shopping malls like the Chinook Centre.
Cinema
Calgary has a plethora of mainstream and alternative cinema choices for the discriminating moviegoer. Cineplex Odeon theaters are scattered throughout the city, and every major shopping center has a cinema hidden in it somewhere. The Eau Claire Market's IMAX Theatre presents stunning documentaries and feature films on its four-story-high screen. The Plaza and the Uptown Stage and Screen are stanchions of the local independent film community. Moviedome plays Bollywood films and the Westhills 10 Calgary has all the newest, big-budget flicks.
Concerts and Music
Calgary plays host to most North American rock and pop tours with a steady stream of concert dates throughout the year. The Palace nightclub also features classic and up-and-coming rock performers, while alternative and rave music can be found in the Night Gallery club. Jazz and blues fans will be delighted by the Calgary Jazz Festival, held every year in July. Aficionados of classical music will enjoy the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs on a regular basis at events throughout the city.
Museums and Interpretive Sites
For explorers young and old, Calgary has a wealth of museums and exhibitions, including the Glenbow Museum, the futuristic Calgary Science Centre, and Heritage Park Historical Village. The Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park showcases flora and fauna from every corner of the globe, while an hour's drive from Calgary in the town of Drumheller, the Royal Tyrrell Museum will astound and fascinate dinosaur lovers and naturalists with one of North America's largest dinosaur skeleton collections.
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