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Once an outpost for the mounties, Calgary has grown into a buzzy, cosmopolitan city over the past few decades. The eastern gateway to the Canadian Rockies, the Alberta capital is the access point to the popular ski resorts, Jasper and Banff. In July, it goes under the moniker of Cowtown, thanks to the arrival of the Calgary Stampede, a massive rodeo festival billed as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. A Calgary vacation rental will bring you close to all of Calgary's main attractions, including Heritage Park, Canada's largest living history museum, Calgary Zoo, and the dizzying 190-meter-tall Calgary Tower.
During the warmer summer months, Calgary transforms into an outdoor city. From your Calgary vacation rental, take a wander down Stephen Avenue, a lively pedestrianized area with street performers, contemporary sculptures, and an array of cool shops, bars, and restaurants. The city is also brimming with active pursuits. Head to Canada Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, and try the mountain biking trails. In winter, the city turns into a gateway to winter sports—skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in the nearby top ski resorts, Banff and Jasper.
If you're after some family fun, visit Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada's largest living history museum. It's a fascinating insight to Calgary life in the 1800s, with characters in historic dress, antique vehicles, and horse-drawn carriages. Open from May to October, it's easily reached from your Calgary vacation rental via the shuttle service from Heritage C-Train station. Kids will also love Calaway Park, Western Canada's largest amusement park, and Calgary Zoo. Set east of downtown, the zoo has a plethora of wildlife, including tigers, hippos, and cute red pandas. Don't miss the brilliant grizzly bear training sessions.
To make the best of your cool Calgary vacation, the ideal time to visit is between May and September, when you'll get king's ransom of the good weather. Winter is pretty stark in the Alberta capital, with temperatures often dropping to minus 20s. Heavy snowfall starts from late October and often lasts through April. However, Calgary also sees the most sunshine in all of Canada. July is the busiest month and Calgary vacation rentals get booked up months in advance, thanks to the Calgary Stampede.
The Canadian Rocky Mountains is around 50 miles away and is an easy day trip from your Calgary vacation rental. Head an hour west along the Trans-Canada Highway and you can't miss 'em! The Rockies are a hiker's dream, boasting hundreds of incredible trails teeming with wildlife. A popular starter route is the trail to Moose Mountain, a 9-mile hike through alpine meadows with magnificent Rockies views from the peak. The mountain range is home to a variety of North American wildlife, including elk, moose, and wolverine, but keep your eyes peeled for the resident grizzly bears.