Calgary

African lions, Amur tigers, giant pandas and whooping cranes are only a few of the animals that can be seen at the Calgary Zoo. You will also be able to witness events such as tiger training sessions and learn more about gorilla family dynamics. Restaurants are also available if you are planning for a longer stay, as well as gift shops and playgrounds for kids.

The Heritage Park aims to illustrate how life was in the years going from 1860 to 1950, making use of interactive exhibitions with costumed interpreters and historical buildings. It is split into four areas: there's the main square with cafes and restaurants, then a 1900s-inspired village, a railway settlement and a fur trading fort coming straight from the late 1800s.

Located in Downtown Calgary, Prince's Island Park is a fine choice for those who are looking for a place to relax, thanks to the many picnic areas, and those who want to go on a hiking trip along scenic trails. Here you can find the Chevron Learning Pathway, which goes around a wetland and provides information about the local wildlife. This is also where many of the city's festivals are held, such as Canada Day.

Built for the medal presentation ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics, the Olympic Plaza is now a venue used for events throughout the year. You can walk by its reflecting pool in the summer while having an outdoor lunch, or you can head here during the winter to enjoy some outdoor ice skating, free of charge, with the option of renting the equipment on-site.

There are more than 600 honored members in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, which houses exhibits that celebrate the country's sporting achievements. You will find themed galleries such as the Glide Gallery, focusing on winter sports, the Bounce Gallery, which ranges from baseball to soccer, and the Olympic and Paralympic Gallery displaying the medals won by Canadian athletes.

Studio Bell is home to the National Music Centre of Calgary, the ideal stop for those who want to experience the Canadian music scene. The permanent exhibitions available range from educational tours to hands-on jamming sessions with the available instruments. Guided tours can be booked, going in-depth into the Studio's history and architecture as well.

The list of permanent exhibitions available at the Glenbow Museum includes a dynamic gallery depicting the lives and stories of the men who contributed to shaping Alberta, a mineralogy collection and a presentation about warriors around the world, from Maoris to Samurais. Limited events showcase art by contemporary artists not only from Canada, but from all parts of the world.

Calgary's science museum, TELUS Spark, features exhibits, events and conferences for people of all ages. Highlights include a dome theatre with movie screenings and planetarium shows, live science demos and their Open Studio, where you can give life to your artistic creations through technology. Themed limited events are available year-round, as well as the adults-only show Spark After Dark.

The Devonian Gardens is a botanical garden located in Downtown Calgary, on the fourth floor of The Core shopping center. You don't have to buy a ticket in order to visit its living wall, koi carp ponds, fountains and waterfall, while kids can enjoy the playgrounds. Being enclosed in glass, natural light is all that you need in order to also see the art that adorns the walls, like masks and banners.

Skyline Luge gives you the chance to ride down tracks that stretch for more than 1800 meters featuring 50 twists and turns, using karts powered only by the force of gravity. You can book rides for groups and get a picture of you taken during the ride as well. There are height limits for kids: those who do not reach 110cm in height cannot ride alone.