When I visited Calgary back in 2016, I shared my experience with you guys. After revisiting a few years later, I found it even more charming than the first go round.
Calgary sits at the junction of the Bow and Elbow River, in the transition zone between the Rockies and the Canadian prairies. When you get a load of the skyline, it’s no surprise that this is western Canada’s most populous city. For the past few years, Calgary has made it way onto lists of the most livable places in North America.
Calgary was named after a little hamlet on an island off the coast of Scotland. The name originates from Old Norse words meaning “cold” and “garden.” However, several attempts have been made to change the name back to the one the indigenous peoples first used: Wichispa Oyade meaning “elbow town.”
The coldest temperature ever
Thank goodness for all the skyways connecting the city.
recorded in Calgary was -49 °F.
Similar to the skyways in Minneapolis, there is an extensive system of elevated walkways, stretching over 11 miles with 62 bridges, allowing you to make your way across the city and into dozens of downtown buildings without stepping foot outside. Calgary Plus 15, was developed by architect Harold Hanen in the 1970s to make Canadian winters a little less brutal.
Calgary is known for being one of the cleanest cities in the world. This is a fact I can personally attest to. I was lucky enough to witness their Pride Parade, and once the festivities were complete, there wasn’t a single piece of litter.
Although I’ve yet to see
making it the sunniest major city in all of Canada.
much sun in Calgary, it typically
shines about 2,300 hours every year,
Calgary is filled with art and festivities.
In 2010, Calgary celebrated
However, its history is much older than that–dating back to the mid 1800s.
their Chinatown’s 100th year of challenge, growth, and prosperity.
The Calgary Tower, built in 1967, stands 626 feet tall.
The George C. King Bridge
The Peace Bridge pictured below, stretches across the Bow River. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava in 2012. It was built for pedestrians to support the influx of commuters downtown. It’s said that over 6,000 people walk it each day. Locals sometimes refer to it as the finger trap because it looks so much like those little toys kids get as party favors.
It’s easy to see that Calgary is a unique place with a lot of heart. If you’re a lover of the outdoors and an appreciator of the seasons–this may be the city for you.
