Modern Calgary started with good guys and bad guys trading at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. The bad guys – whiskey traders – were run off by the North West Mounted Police (now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada's famous Mounties) . At Fort Calgary, you can stand on the original fort site and learn about early Calgary in the museum and interpretive centre. Head east across the Elbow River and you'll be in the community of Inglewood , offering fine dining including a choice of two historic houses, The Deane House and Rouge Restaurant in the historic A.E. Cross House. Antiquing and browsing are pretty good in Inglewood, and a Spolumbo's sausage on a bun makes a great lunch for the traveller.
Express yourself with words or images: the Alexandra Writers' Centre offers courses. The Inglewood Art Supply Shop has all your colours. Look up Loose Moose Theatre Company for some fun improv.
Two islands in the Bow River will pamper the explorer in you. By C-train, on foot or by car you can reach the Calgary Zoo. Go on a Sunday for brunch – it's one of the best in town food-wise, and you can't beat the setting. The zoo is a world leader in conservation and education, and also offers a number of evening and weekend programs. In season, the gardens are a treat you may not have been expecting.
Closer to the heart of downtown you'll find the Eau Claire Market the swanky Eau Claire YMCA www.ymcacalgary.ca – lots of room to exhale here - swimming pool, running maps, indoor track and work-out areas, many classes -and the bridge to Prince's Island. In summer, Prince's Island hosts the Calgary Folk Festival, a Taste of Calgary, Shakespeare in the Park, and more. The River Café, also on the island, is excellent for lunch or dinner, and because Prince's Island is car-free, there's a special peacefulness about the place.
Walking around downtown is pleasant by day, when you can fully appreciate the warm sandstone of the historic buildings on Stephen Avenue. Stop in at McNally Robinson Books for a coffee, great books, and a close-up inspection of one of these restored gems. Wind up at Devonian Gardens. an indoor oasis of greenery and calm, on top of the downtown shopping centre.
Exhale year-round with your ice skates on at the Olympic Oval speed-skating track http://oval.sunergon.com/ at the University of Calgary campus (a C-train stop away from Motel Village), or outdoors in winter on the Bowness lagoon (take the bus if you don't have a car). There's an outdoor rink right downtown at Olympic Plaza (by City Hall) too. .
