Calgary, AB, Canada

So after spending 4 months in Edmonton's winter, my job decided that I haven't had enough so they're sending me back to Canada for another 2 months.. but this time to Calgary instead.

However, for the 1st time ever, I'll be in Canada during summer: June and July. Please let me know what sort of weather should I expect and what's fun to do in Calgary. Edmonton wasn't a bad time and I'm sure if the weather was kinder, I would have enjoyed it more since I'll be able to explore the city easier. I'm hoping my 2 months in Calgary will be more enjoyable.

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Originally Posted by CrazyT

So after spending 4 months in Edmonton's winter, my job decided that I haven't had enough so they're sending me back to Canada for another 2 months.. but this time to Calgary instead.

However, for the 1st time ever, I'll be in Canada during summer: June and July. Please let me know what sort of weather should I expect and what's fun to do in Calgary. Edmonton wasn't a bad time and I'm sure if the weather was kinder, I would have enjoyed it more since I'll be able to explore the city easier. I'm hoping my 2 months in Calgary will be more enjoyable.

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Winter is cr*p in calgary...just as bad as edmonton. If your from texas i'm not sure how you survived 4 months of Alberta winter lol.

hrmmm...things to do for fun in calgary...errrmm.....nothing lol. The only thing people do around here is club and drink, and lots of young/idiots/wanna be tough guys picking fights when your out, despite the over policing...

you will be here during stampede....which is calgary's big thing, but its really overpriced and not worth it imo..

As for food, errmm...tons of generic steak houses..but nothing you would nothing different from texas hahh...

Oh, forgot to mention..it was pretty warm in calgary during summer...we have some serious extremes here...but still not as hot as texas....

well...hope you have fun hahah....

I have a very generous per diem so cost of food and drinks doesn't really matter to me. :) What is the Stampede? Is it some kind of food festival?

Aargh, just lost my lengthy reply to you. I'll try to summarize.

The Stampede is basically a 10 day rodeo held in Calgary with a big fair and midway rides to go along with it. Honestly, the fair and midway rides are just that... not that exciting. However, as a visitor to Calgary during that time, it's worth a go just for the atmosphere. I'm a native Calgarian, but I'll confess I've only been to the rodeo part once. It was more fun than I expected. If you have someone to go with, give it a shot, and then check out the grounds too.

I will differ with Joelee and say that I prefer Calgary's steaks more than all the steakhouses in Texas that I've been to. Despite the steaks being prepared superbly, there's just something about Alberta beef that's much tastier (to my tastebuds at least). I haven't been to a steakhouse in a long time because I'm not willing to pay the price since the ones off our own grill are yummy, but since you're on expense, it's worth a try. If you didn't fill up enough on steak in Edmonton, here's some places that are supposed to have good steak:
Mercato http://www.mercatogourmet.com/main.html - I've seen the steak, but never tasted it. Looked good and HUGE.
The Trib http://www.tribsteakhouse.ca/ - I've heard their lamb is amazing, though. Carved tableside if you call to reserve.
Caesar's http://www.caesarssteakhouse.com/ - a Calgary icon. Hear the steak's still good, but not necessarily so for other stuff
Vintage Chophouse http://vintagechophouse.com/

I will come back and add some more restaurants, if you're interested. I just realized I've made the assumption you'll be somewhere around downtown. Will you?

Thanks Hoju! I'll definitely visit those restaurants. Yes, I'll be working and staying in downtown Calgary. I won't have a car but I can rent one if needed.

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Originally Posted by CrazyT

Thanks Hoju! I'll definitely visit those restaurants. Yes, I'll be working and staying in downtown Calgary. I won't have a car but I can rent one if needed.

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Here's a list of fine dining restaurants that are nice on business expense.

Rush http://rushrestaurant.com/ - been here a few times. Consistently solid; sometimes amazing
Centini http://www.centini.com/
Blink http://blinkcalgary.com/
Charcut http://www.charcut.com/
Catch http://www.catchrestaurant.ca/
River Cafe http://www.river-cafe.com/index.php - really nice setting with good food! Worth the walk here to sit out on the patio on a warm summer evening!
Rouge http://www.rougecalgary.com/ - short cab ride from downtown

For a slightly more casual dinner, Wild Rose Brewery is supposed to be excellent which is a short cab ride away or (even walkable) in the 4th Street area. I'm not a drinker, but I hear Belgo's in downtown is good for beer as well.

Although our food in Chinatown isn't all that great (decent, but no high expectations), it is only a short walk from downtown and can help break the monotony if you're sick of fine dining. ;)

Good areas to check out, which are all short cab rides from downtown, or possibly even a nice, longer walk on a summer evening: (1) Kensington and (2) 17th Avenue/4th Street Uptown. They both have their share of restaurants.



Now, for things to do, you'll have to rent a car and go out to the mountains. If you're an outdoors person, there is tons of hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. Even if you're not, Banff, though touristy, is still worth checking out.

Hi Crazee,


Ya, pretty much what hoju said...lol...i guess if your here you might as well check out stampede..but you can blow 500 bucks in two hours on absolutely nothing...so you've been warned! lol

Did not enjoy Rivercafe ....way overpriced and the food was average at best....amazing view though...

Love charcut...one of the best sandwiches ive had was at charcut and its fairly reasonably priced considering its location down town..

Love rouge and rush...catch is good...also give teatro a try...a bit pricey and outside looks like crap but pretty good food and decor on the inside..

out in kensington try puchinellos...i love their pizza...supposed to be authentic neapolitan...err sandro's is very good supposedly authentic italian food ....im not sure if its still open as i burned down almost two years ago and i havnt been since...

What i like about the states is that you can find awesome non franchised places to eat at really good prices....and its rare that you will find that here in Calgary.....ermm except pho...there are tons of pho places here hahah...there is also a great viet sub place in a hole in the wall in chinatown if your into that type of thing lol...