Crowfoot CTrain Station on Calgary Transit’s Red Line NW. Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, Jan 2010.
Crowfoot CTrain Station on Calgary Transit’s Red Line NW. Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, Jan 2010.
In 2024, we revisit Edmonton and Calgary, our fourth visit since Jack May ran trips there in 1986, 1996 and 2006. These two cities launched the spectacular revival of light rail in North America in 1978 and 1981, respectively. Calgary’s CTrain light rail has the highest ridership per mile as well the highest daily ridership in US and Canada (yes, more than the classic light rail systems in Boston, San Francisco, and Philadelphia). Edmonton has the second highest ridership per mile of any light rail system in the US and Canada.
We are pleased to collaborate with the Canadian Transit Heritage Foundation (CTHF). They have assisted us in networking with the transit systems for this convention. One of their leaders will make a presentation during the convention.
We have prepared an exciting program for this convention. Our Edmonton visit includes escorted rides over their three light rail lines over 26 miles , including the 8-mile Valley Line opened in November 2023; MacDonald light rail shop visit; the Edmonton Radial Railway Society’s (ERRS) picturesque High Level Bridge Streetcar over the North Saskatchewan River; and finally, ERRS’s heritage loop operations at Fort Edmonton Park, a faithful reconstruction of the pioneer city of Edmonton in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Our Calgary visit includes a Calgary Transit charter of their CTrain network and shop visit as well as a visit to the Calgary Heritage Park, a reconstruction of the pioneer city of Calgary, served by a restored Calgary streetcar connecting the parking areas with the park. Each of our four evenings feature presentations on historic, present, and future rail transit in Edmonton, Calgary, and around Canada.
Details follow on our outstanding hotel accommodations and program. Book now to save your space! We have space for 50 participants!
The Westin Edmonton Downtown is located at the center of Downtown Edmonton and close to the Central LRT station. Central station is served by all three LRT lines. The hotel is an approximately 15-minute walk to Edmonton’s Downtown riverfront parks, funiculars, and access to the Downtown lookout on the spectacular North Saskatchewan River Valley. This hotel is a member of the Marriott Points Bonvoy Rewards program.
The ERA has secured a block of rooms at the discounted rate of CA$155 (Canadian funds) plus applicable taxes(currently 12.27%) for either one king bed or two queen beds for up to two guests. The room block is available for the nights of September 5, 6 and 7, with checkout on September 8. A smaller room block is available for the nights of September 2, 3 and 4 for those arriving early for pre-convention exploring.
Hotel amenities in our ERA package include:
Complimentary Wi-Fi for event nights of September 5, 6 and 7
Refrigerator
Daily housekeeping
Triple Bonus Marriot Bonvoy points for Bonvoy members during same event nights
Fitness center
Indoor pool
Westin’s own Share Restaurant. Breakfast is at your own expense. Within a 5-minute walk are OEB Breakfast Company, De Dutch Restaurant and Rosewood Foods for breakfast. Rosewood Foods is budget priced. OEB Breakfast Company and De Dutch may require reservations for your desired time.
Booking Rooms
There are two ways to book your reservation at this hotel:
Online: Use this hotel’s Special ERA Link to book your room: Using this URL will automatically bring up the discounted rates of CA$155 per night (plus applicable taxes, currently 12.27% tax) for rooms with one king bed or two double beds. These room rates are available for the nights of September 5, 6,7, with check-out on September 8, with a more limited block for the nights of September 2, 3, and 4.
By phone: Book your reservation by either calling Westin reservations at 800-937-8461. Mention the “group reservation under the Electric Railroaders Association” rate when calling to get the CA$115 per night room rate (plus applicable taxes, currently 12.27%).
Should you encounter any difficulties making reservations, e-mail Bob Newhouser at [email protected] or call/text him at 917-482-4235.
Cut-off date for discount rate: These discounted rates expire after August 6, 2024, or whenever the ERA room block is fully booked, whichever occurs earlier. Further offers of the discount rate after August 6 are at the hotel’s discretion on a space available basis.
Check-in Time: 3 PM on day of arrival
Check-out Time: 12 noon on day of departure
Room Cancellations
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until 72 hours prior to 3 pm day of arrival, otherwise one night’s room and taxes will be charged to the credit card on the reservation. Note: If you can’t make the first night of your visit, but can make the other nights, call the hotel immediately to preserve the rest of your reservation.
Our room block is limited. If you think you will be participating in this convention, make your hotel reservations as soon as possible to secure your room. This will make it easier if the ERA needs to request additional rooms.
Reaching The Westin Edmonton from the Airport or Train Station
From Edmonton International Airport (YEG): The Westin Edmonton can be reached in about 60-70 minutes using bus route 747 from the airport to Century Park Transit Center. At Century Park Transit Center, take the Capital LRT Line from Century Park Transit Center to Central Station. From Central Station, it’s less than a 5-minute walk, going east on Jasper Avenue one block, then left (north) on 100 St NW about a block to The Westin Edmonton. Note that the 747 bus is infrequent—every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes otherwise. Alternative taxi fares, though, are very high.
At the airport, you must buy two fares at a vending machine—one for the premium 747 bus (CA$5.00) and a second fare (CA$3.50) for the light rail train ride from Century Park Transit Center.
From Edmonton VIA (Train) Station: There is no direct public transportation between the train station and The Westin Edmonton. Take a taxi or ridesharing service to the hotel.
Making Your Hotel Reservations
Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Arrival: Sunday, September 8
Departure: Tuesday, September 10
Two Nights: September 8 and September 9
Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Exterior
Photo from Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Photo Gallery
Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Lobby
Photo from Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Photo Gallery
Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Restaurant
Photo from Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Photo Gallery
Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Guest Room
Photo from Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Photo Gallery
Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Indoor Pool
Photo from Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Photo Gallery
The Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel is located alongside Calgary light rail’s (CTrain) 7th Avenue South Transit Mall. Both of Calgary’s light rail CTrain lines, the Red and Blue lines, serve the stops either right outside of the hotel eastbound and one block away for westbound trips.
The ERA has secured a block of rooms at the discounted rate of CA$149 per night plus applicable taxes (currently 12.27%) per room per night for the nights of September 8 and 9, with checkout on September 10 as well as a smaller block of rooms for those staying for the nights of September 10, 11 or 12. All rooms offered have either one king bed or two queen beds.
Hotel amenities in our ERA package include:
Complimentary Continental Breakfast in the Corporate Lounge
Complimentary Wi-Fi access for hotel guests
Business Center
Indoor pool and fitness center
Booking Rooms
There are two ways to book your reservation for the nights of Sept. 8 and 9 with check-out on Sept. 10:
Online: Click on the Sandman Hotel’s Special ERA Link to book your room. Our discounted rate is CA$149 per night (plus 12.27% tax) for rooms with one king bed or two queen beds. Book as soon as possible to lock in the ERA discount. These room rates are available for the nights of September 8 and 9. The nights of September 10, 11, and 12 may be booked on a space available basis.
Phone: You can also book your reservation by calling Sandman Hotel reservations at 1-800-SANDMAN. Guests should make sure to mention the ERA’s code “2409ELECTRIC” to receive the group rate of CA$149 per night plus applicable taxes (currently 12.27%)
Cut-off date for discount rate: These discounted rates expire after August 8, 2024, or whenever the ERA room block is fully booked, whichever occurs earlier. Further offers of the discount rate after August 6 are at the hotel’s discretion on a space available basis.
Room Cancellations
If it’s necessary to cancel this reservation, this hotel requires notification no later than 48 hours prior to your check-in date (3 p.m.) to avoid a charge for one night’s room and tax. Note: If you can’t make the first night of your visit, but can make the other nights, call the hotel immediately to preserve the rest of your reservation.
Our room block is limited. If you will be participating in this convention, make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. This will make it easier if the ERA needs to request additional rooms.
Check-in Time: 3 PM on day of arrival
Check-out Time: 12 noon on day of departure
Traveling from the Sandman Hotel to Calgary International Airport
This airport (YYC) is 21 km, or 13 miles from our hotel. Taxi trips take about 35-40 minutes. There are two options by transit:
1. Take line 202 Blue Line from the 8 St SW station on the side of our hotel (2-minute walk) eastbound to Saddletowne Station, then transfer to bus route 100 to reach the airport.
2. For a one-vehicle ride, walk to 5 St SW/7 Av SW (8-minutes walk east from the hotel from 8 St SW to 5 St SW) and board bus route 300 bus rapid transit to the airport. Frequency is about every 25 minutes.
Itinerary
The ERA has planned four exciting days of activities for you. See below!
Day 1
Friday, September 6: Edmonton Transit System
Bombardier Flexity #2006 at Quarters Station in Chinatown, the first stop in downtown on the Valley Line SE, after emerging from the tunnel leading to the bridge over the North Saskatchewan River.
Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, Nov 2023.
Bombardier Flexity #2006 at Quarters Station in Chinatown, the first stop in downtown on the Valley Line SE, after emerging from the tunnel leading to the bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, Nov 2023
Daytime. We will meet in the Westin Edmonton lobby at 8:30 a.m. so that you can check-in with the ERA tour leadership, receive your Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) Day Pass, final itinerary, and badge/lanyard to be worn at all events. At 9:00 a.m., we will be met by an ETS representative who will walk with us less than 5 minutes to Central LRT station. We will take a Clareview-bound Capital Line train to ETS’s employee access platform at D.L. MacDonald light rail maintenance facility. We will have a brief tour and opportunity for photos at the D.L. MacDonald facility. After that, the group will be escorted by ERA guides on regular service covering the Capital and Metro Lines north of Downtown Edmonton and the Valley Line. Our tour is expected to be completed by 1:30 p.m. You will have free time in the afternoon for lunch and to ride ETS services with your ERA-provided ETS Day Pass.
Evening. ERA’s Annual Banquet will be held at the Westin Edmonton Hotel’s Turner Valley Room. The cash bar opens at 6:30 p.m. A buffet dinner will be served starting at 7 p.m. and will include:
Bread: Focaccia, whole wheat, multigrain and plain bread rolls
Hot Items: marinated flank steak with maple smoked BBQ sauce; seared salmon, basil tomato salsa; grilled breast of chicken with Peri Peri marinade; roasted carrot with birch glaze; rosemary and garlic roasted potatoes; gratinated pasta with cauliflower in cashew sauce
Desserts: Assorted mini desserts--cheese cake, pastries, brownies, lemon square, lemon tart, Nanaimo bar, assorted mousse; sliced fruit tray
Following dinner, Messrs. Trevor Dennehy and Eddie Robar will be our banquet keynote speakers. Mr. Dennehy is ETS Director of LRT Operations. Mr. Robar is Edmonton’s Deputy City Manager of City Operations. Their presentation will cover Edmonton’s rich transit past, present, and future plans for its highly regarded multi-modal bus and light rail system.
Day 2
Saturday, September 7: Edmonton Radial Railway Society Lines / Fort Edmonton Park
Ex-Edmonton Radial Railway car 33, built in 1912 by the St. Louis Car Company, in operation on the High Level Bridge line.
Photo by Mack Male, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Ex-Edmonton Radial Railway car 33, built in 1912 by the St. Louis Car Company, in operation on the High Level Bridge line. Photo by Mack Male, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Daytime. We leave the Westin Edmonton at 9 a.m. on our chartered Nagel Coach and travel to Government Center opposite the Alberta Legislative Grounds by 9:30 a.m. We will spend the morning and afternoon as guests of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society (ERRS). We will ride both of their historic operations. The first is the 3.8 km (2.4 mile) High Level Bridge Streetcar Line. This ride into history takes you along former Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) trackage, from Edmonton's historic Whyte Avenue, through the only tunnel ever built on a CPR mainline in Alberta, and across the North Saskatchewan River over the spectacular High-Level Bridge into Edmonton's Downtown. This line has three streetcars including one each from Edmonton, Osaka, and Melbourne. We will be able to ride at least one round trip and / or visit the Old Strathcona streetcar barn & museum, which is one of the stops. The southern terminal touches on the historic Strathcona Farmers Market and the quaint Old Strathcona neighborhood. A one-way ride on this line is 15-20 minutes long.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., we head out our chartered coach to Fort Edmonton Park. Fort Edmonton Park is named for the first enduring European post in the area of modern-day Edmonton, the park is the largest living history museum in Canada by area. The streetcars operated by the ERRS is our main reason for visiting. ERRS operates a double-tracked 1 km (0.62 mi) long streetcar line within the living history museum at Fort Edmonton Park, with stops on re-creations of 1905 and 1920 streets. Within the park, a replica of the south side streetcar barn has been constructed to house restored streetcars and the ERRS maintenance and restoration workshop. Five ERRS streetcars operate or are stored at Fort Edmonton Park, coming from Edmonton, Toronto Suburban Railway, and a Toronto PCC. Fort Edmonton Park exhibits both original and rebuilt historical structures representing the history of Edmonton. Visitors may board a fully functional steam train at the park's entrance which transports them across the length of the park to the fort, from which they proceed on foot and abstractly move forward through time by visiting the five regions of this park. Aside from the train, visitors may also ride horse-drawn carriages, streetcars, and automobiles in the appropriate eras. Rides on the train and streetcars are free with admission.
We will have approximately four hours for this visit on your own, including lunch (at your own expense) at one of the on-site establishments, riding and photographing the streetcars or the steam train, visiting the ERRS maintenance and restoration shop, or visiting the village buildings. We leave Fort Edmonton Park at 4:00 p.m. and return by our chartered coach to the Westin Edmonton Hotel at approximately 4:30 p.m. Dinner is at your own expense tonight. See Edmonton Dining Recommendations for suggestions.
Evening. We will assemble at 7:30 p.m. in the Westin Edmonton’s Turner Valley Room for a presentation by Chris Ashdown, President of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society (ERRS) to discuss the history and development of their two heritage operations and future plans.
Day 3
Sunday, September 8: Depart Edmonton for Calgary / Calgary Heritage Park
Replica streetcar #14 at Calgary Heritage Park.
Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, June 1997
Replica streetcar #14 at Calgary Heritage Park. Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, June 1997
Daytime. This morning, we check out of the Westin Edmonton Hotel. Please have your bags ready for placing on the buses starting at 8:45 a.m. We depart on our Nagel Coach at 9 a.m. sharp for our approximately 3 hours and 15-minute trip to the Calgary Heritage Park. As one of Canada's largest living history museums, Calgary Heritage Park is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits span western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts. We will stay at this park until 3:30 p.m., including time for lunch (at your own expense), then reboard our bus and head to the Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel. Our anticipated arrival at the hotel is 4 pm.
Calgary Heritage Park has numerous historical transportation exhibits of interest to our guests:
Authentic replica streetcars from Calgary's former streetcar system, Calgary Street Railway, that shuttles passengers to and from the parking lot.
A passenger train, drawn by one of the park's two working steam locomotives, that takes visitors around the park on a closed loop railway. Starting in 2023 a car has been added to the train that allows for access to visitors with mobility issues (i.e. special stairs and ramps). The loop includes 3 original (relocated) CPR stations where visitors can embark/disembark the train.
A Railway Roundhouse built in 1981, which has an operational turntable and houses various railway equipment and restored passenger cars.
The 2 story Gasoline Alley Museum showcasing the park's extensive antique gasoline pump, antique car and memorabilia collection.
A 1964 re-creation of a lake paddle steamer, S.S. Moyie, which visitors can ride around the Glenmore Reservoir. Starting in 2023 the newly rebuilt dock for the S.S. Moyie includes apparatus to allow for better access by visitors with mobility issues.
The Railway Prairie Town with numerous buildings, each an example of some of the types of buildings might be found in a typical town (full of furniture and other artifacts as they would have appeared), including: working smithy, bakery, hotel, grain elevator, fire station, post office, bank, mason's lodge, lumber supplier, church, prairie school, billiard hall, newspaper office and printing press, Chinese laundry, residential hospital, town hall, Northwest Canadian Mounted Police detachment office, theatre, and other shops and restaurants.
The Pre-Railway Settlement Village with farmhouse and typical farm buildings, animal paddocks and a planting field. There are also living examples of some of the livestock that could be found in such a place (i.e. draft horses, cattle, mules, chickens, sheep, pigs, turkeys, etc.) but it is not a petting zoo.
An antique midway that features working historical amusement park rides.
Horse-drawn wagons.
A Hudson's Bay Company trading fort.
the 1913 “The Little Synagogue on the Prairie”, moved from Sibbald, Alberta.
Heritage Plaza, located in front of the park gates, contains Haskayne Mercantile Block, Selkirk Grille restaurant (in the same building as Gasoline Alley), the Railway Café, the Railway Interpretative Centre, and a central park area. It was opened in 2009 and admission is free in this area of the park.
Evening. Dinner is on your own tonight. At 7:30 pm, we will assemble in the Sandman’s Great Room 1 to welcome Dr. Michael Roschlau, Strategic Advisor to the Canadian Transit Heritage Foundation (CTHF), our important partner in organizing this convention. Dr. Roschlau will present an overview of the exciting history, present and future of electric rail transit across Canada as well as the valuable education and advocacy work done by the CTHF as part of its vision of “pride and passion in Canada’s transit heritage.”. Prior to his eight years with CTHF, Dr. Roschlau had a 29-year career with the Canadian Urban Transit Association (the Canadian counterpart to the American Public Transit Association), leading it for 17 years as its President and Chief Executive Officer.
Day 4
Monday, September 9: Calgary Transit
Siemens-Düwag U-2 #2023 on 7 Ave in downtown Calgary with 1912 City Hall in background. CTrain passes righ by our hotel on 7 Ave.
Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, June 1981
Siemens-Düwag U-2 #2023 on 7 Ave in downtown Calgary with 1912 City Hall in background. CTrain passes righ by our hotel on 7 Ave. Photo by Dr. Michael Roschlau, June 1981
Daytime. We will depart the Sandman Signature Hotel lobby at 9:00 a.m. You will be provided with a Calgary Transit Day pass. Our first stop will be the main light rail maintenance shop of Calgary’s CTrain for a brief tour and photo opportunity. We will either be escorted or met by Calgary Transit representative(s) at the maintenance facility. Following that visit, we will tour Calgary’s CTrain lines 201 and 202, which cover four sectors of Calgary—west, northwest, south and northeast. Details of this tour are being worked out with Calgary Transit. We have requested a vintage U2 train, soon to be retired, for our trip. Exact times, routing and stops are being worked out. The tour will take place during Calgary Transit’s off-peak hours to minimize interference with regular revenue service. We anticipate the tour ending by 1:30 pm, affording guests the opportunity to grab lunch, travel and photograph the CTrain on their own. Dinner is at your own expense tonight.
Evening. For our final evening at 7:30 p.m., we will assemble in Great Room 1 in the Sandman Hotel. Mr. Chris Jordan, P. Eng, M.Sc., Manager of Transit Service Design, will make a presentation on the past, present and future plans for Calgary’s transit system. This is our last event for this convention.
Important For All Events !
Please begin arriving 10-15 minutes before any scheduled trip to ensure an on-time departure. Scheduled ERA trip or event times shown in this flyer are subject to change in the final itinerary or during the trip without prior notice. Daily trip itineraries may be changed without prior notice to ensure on-time return at the end of each day. Entrance to public transit property facilities is dependent on completing arrangements with them, some of which are pending as of this printing. Announcements will be made each day to update guests on essential information during all ERA events.
Take a face mask with you in the event that a specific facility requires it.
Finally, do not wear sandals or flip flops for any events given our proximity to transit equipment.
Providing your phone number (and email address) on your registration form is essential. If you have any questions, please e-mail Bob Newhouser at [email protected] or call/text him at 917-482-4235.
Edmonton & Calgary Offer Far More Than Just Electric Traction !
Edmonton Sightseeing
This is just a sample of the major sites in Edmonton. If you plan to do sightseeing, consider arriving up to three days early. Our discounted hotel rates are also in effect at that time. These site descriptions come from Explore Edmonton. The High-Level Bridge Streetcar and Fort Edmonton Park are two of the city’s top attractions and part of our ERA tour. Here are others, the most iconic sights listed first:
The North Saskatchewan River Valley comes in at 22 times the size of New York City’s Central Park! The closest spot to view the valley is with the 100 Street Funicular, a 3-minute walk south from the Westin Edmonton. The free, 48-second ride on a glass-walled funicular leads you to a promenade partway down the hill where you can have a picnic, snap pictures, or read a book. Walk across the promenade to the lookout point with an unobstructed view of this spectacular river valley. If you are more ambitious, you can visit large parts of this spectacular, countryside-like river valley by walking the Edmonton Commonwealth Walkway. The walkway includes the scenic Walterdale Bridge just east of the High Level Bridge we will be riding on with the ERRS Streetcar.
For those interested in funiculars, there is another one located inside the Edmonton Convention Centre, a 5-minute walk from our hotel. This free funicular functions as barrier-free access to the various levels of the building, which is built on the slopes of the valley.
West Edmonton Mall is the western hemisphere’s largest shopping mall with over 800 stores and services, 100 places to eat, 2 hotels, and 12 attractions, including an amusement park and wave pool. Yes, it’s bigger than the Twin Cities Mall of America with just over 500 stores.
Old Strathcona is a historic district in south-central Edmonton. Once the commercial core of the separate city of Strathcona, the area is home to many of Edmonton's arts and entertainment facilities. Whyte Avenue is a local hub for shopping, restaurants, and bars for residents and students at the nearby University of Alberta. Whyte Avenue is also the southern terminal of the High Level Bridge Streetcar.
The Alberta Legislature is a marvel of marble pillars and carved oak. It is adjacent to the Government Centre LRT station. Just north of the Legislature Building, you'll find the Visitor Centre on the main floor of the Federal Building.
The Citadel Theater is Edmonton’s multi-stage entertainment hub where the city’s finest actors and comedians strut their stuff. A five-theatre multi-purpose complex in the Downtown Arts District, the Citadel is Canada’s biggest regional performing arts center.
The Francis Winspear Center for Music showcases diverse international performances from Bach to Wagner, Baroque to folk, and Broadway to cabaret. The centre is ground zero for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and features a grand, three-story tall concert organ with 6,551 formidable pipes.
The Royal Alberta Museum is located in the Arts District downtown, RAM’s expansive galleries will immerse you in stories of Alberta's people and natural environment. The Human History Hall is a beautiful representation of both historical and contemporary Indigenous stories in Alberta.
The Art Gallery of Alberta, a striking Downtown architectural landmark, features over 6,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations on display including historical and contemporary works. The AGA has six gallery spaces, a rotating installation in the main hall, and more.
Below are Calgary’s most popular attractions in addition to Calgary Heritage Park, which is included in our tour:
The Calgary Tower, located 158 meters (517 feet) above the downtown core, offers the best view in the city and is a must-see. On the observation deck, you'll experience a spectacular 360° view of the city, the majestic Rocky Mountains, foothills, and prairies. It is a 12-minute trip by CTrain and walking.
The Calgary Central Library, opened in 2018, includes an oval-like form and an interior with a large central atrium with a skylight. The building is elevated one floor above street level to accommodate the Calgary light rail trackway below, as well as a public plaza. The exterior of the Calgary Central Library is wrapped in a textured facade, with translucent glass panels engineered to shield private study areas and clear glass to make public areas viewable from the outside. This is a must-see rail photo stop.
The Peace Bridge, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, was built by the City of Calgary to connect the southern Bow River pathway and Downtown with the northern Bow River pathway and the community of Sunnyside. The bridge is a 13-minute walk from the hotel on 7th St SW.
The 17th Ave SW Retail & Entertainment District is home to over 700 unique shops, services and more to explore, anchored by Tomkins Park. The district spans 17th Ave SW between 2nd and 16th Street SW and is only 16 minutes south of the hotel on foot or 7 minutes by bus. 17th Avenue SW is one of Calgary's most vibrant boutique zones, with shops, bars, and restaurants, from high end to ordinary.
East Village is Calgary's lively urban neighborhood that was once the traditional land of the Blackfoot Nation, prior to the arrival of American fur traders around 1840.
Calgary City Hall, opened in 1911 in Romanesque Revival style, is right at a CTrain station for starting your tour of the East Village.
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre - Located one block east of the library, Studio Bell is part performance venue, recording facility, broadcast studio, and museum featuring over 2,000 rare instruments. Its interior is clad with 226,000 custom glazed terracotta tiles, made in Europe. The building contains an arch over one of the main entrances into the East Village.
Calgary's Riverwalk, stretching along 4 km of the Bow River, is a dedicated pathway system for bikes and pedestrians. This path offers a relaxing way to take in the Calgary skyline, the Bow River, and parks such as St. Patrick’s Island. A walking map can be found at Riverwalk Map.
Fort Calgary - Learn about diverse cultures, the lands at Fort Calgary, stories from early-days Calgary, colonialism, and truth and reconciliation at this local museum.
The CORE Shopping Centre is Calgary’s dominant shopping complex in Downtown. It contains over 120 famous brand and luxury boutique retailers on four levels, along with the nearby Bankers Hall shopping (Bankers Hall anchors the two tallest twin buildings in Canada). This centre features a vast suspended glass skylight and the Devonian Gardens, a glass-enclosed indoor botanical park.
The "Egg", Unity of Diversity Sculpture is a giant 7.5 metre (25’) illuminated egg, made of steel, aluminum, and concrete, located outside Zoo Station on the route 202 CTrain. This sculpture is a stunning, three-dimensional art piece that you can walk through. Inside is a colorful collection of two-dimensional cut-outs and three-dimensional relief sculptures, celebrating the diversity of life on earth.
The Wonderland Sculpture is a 12-meter-tall public art piece, a wire mesh sculpture of a little girl's head, located at the base of the tallest tower in Calgary, The Bow. Visitors can walk through the model.
The Bow River is the lifeline of Calgary. Near downtown, the Bow River Pathway: North-South Loop is 4.8 miles long and can be hiked in just over 90 minutes. It is a very popular area for hiking and includes many explorers enroute. For more information, click on: Bow River Pathway: North-South Loop.
