Unique tourist destinations to visit
Calgary is vibrant city filled with plenty of attractions and activities. Even though you think you may have seen and done it all, the city has a few hidden gems that are worth visiting.
The Deane House Restaurant
Known to be haunted, The Deane House – located in Inglewood and across the river from Fort Calgary – is a house that has been converted into a restaurant.
The Fort Calgary website says, “The Deane House was built in 1906 for the then Superintendent of Fort Calgary, captain Richard Deane.”
Although it was originally built in a different location, the house moved in 1914 to where Fort Calgary presently sits.
The Deane House, a historical landmark that has been converted into a restaurant sits across the river from Fort Calgary.
Photo by: Corinne Sato
After being restored in the late 1970s, the house was converted into a restaurant in 1986.
The restaurant is open for lunch and weekend brunches. Guests are able to explore the rooms in the house, including the attic.
Throughout the year, the Deane House hosts murder mystery dinner theatres, allowing guests to participate in the play, while enjoying a four-course meal.
From March 2 to 12, The Deane House Restaurant is hosting The Big Taste Calgary, which is a set three-course menu that pairs the entrees with specific wines. The wine is priced separately from the set menu.
For reservations or more information, phone: 403-269-7747.
Lougheed House
Nestled between large towering apartment buildings, a two-story sandstone house with a large garden sits in its shadows. The Lougheed House – a Victorian mansion – is one of Calgary’s historical landmarks.
Letters were written to soldiers in the war on the desk in the study room at Lougheed House.
Photo by: Corinne Sato
“This is a really amazing glimpse back into time,” says Natalie Coombes, communications assistant at the Lougheed House. “The whole house was made in the 1920s, and it was all made of sandstone,” she says.
The colourful rooms in the house have all been restored. The furniture and décor is either original to the house or that time period.
But the house is much more than a museum.
The Restaurant at Lougheed House is open for lunch and weekend brunch, while the basement houses the Alberta Society of Artists Gallery and gift shop.
The art gallery, which is free to the public, will be holding two exhibitions in March: “Sandstone City” by George Webber, running until March 4, and “The Last Best West: Glimpse of the Prairie Provinces from the Golden Age of Postcards”, running from March 14 to Aug. 5.
The Lougheed House is located at 707 – 13 Ave. S.W. For more information phone: 403-244-6333
Bow Habitat Station
Along the Bow River pathway, in Pearce Estate Park, sits the Bow Habitat Station – formally the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery. The updated Bow Habitat Station has a discovery centre and fish hatchery located inside, and a trout pond and interpretive wetlands that surround the building.
“The Bow Habitat Station officially opened in 2009,” says Tamara Unruh, a worker at the station. “We raise over 1 million to 2 million fish, stocking ponds and lakes all over Alberta.”
Brook, brown and rainbow trout can be seen in the large tanks in both the discovery centre and the hatchery.
A view of the fish in large tanks at the Bow Habitat Station.
Photo by: Corinne Sato
“The winter months are the best time to come,” says Unruh. As egg shipments come to the hatchery over the winter, public tours allow people to see the fish life cycle up close. A highlight of the tour is feeding the fish as they try to compete for the little brown pellets floating on the water.
When the weather warms up, people can enjoy walking around the wetlands and trout pound. If you come at the right time, you might see some interesting wildlife.
“We had birds of prey out by the pond last year,” Unruh said.
The Bow Habitat Station is located at 1440 – 17A ST. S.E. in Pearce Estate Park. For more information, phone: 403-297-6561.
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Originally from Toronto, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame opened at Canada Olympic Park, or COP, on July 1, 2011.
Located at the west end of COP, the Hall of Fame is situated in a large red, glass building.
The museum has 11 different galleries, with different interactive games and simulators in each one.
The main hall in Canada’s Hall of Fame.
Photo by: Corinne Sato
Theatres and displays range from winter and summer Olympic moments to recognizing Canadian athletes, the Hall of Fame is a must see for any sport’s fan.
Running until the end of May, the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships exhibit features team pictures and hockey jerseys from countries that participated in the tournament.
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is located at 169 Canada Olympic Road S.W. For more information phone: 403-776-1040
Kingsland Farmer’s Market
For foodies, this is the place to be if you’re looking for fresh vegetables, meats, homemade breads, pies, and even mead wine.
The Kingsland Farmers’ Market, located off Macleod Trail is a “destination for the entire city,” says Trond Franzten, marketing director for the market.
“The market brings people closer to safe quality food products,” he says.
The Kingsland Farmers’ Market has a sense of community within the market. Vendors socialize with one another, and even share recipes and food ideas.
It not only promotes a sense of community from within, but also “focuses on creating and contributing to the surrounding communities,” says Leeza Tekeste, marketing manager of the market.
Kingsland Farmers’ Market is located at 7711 Macleod Trail S, and is open year-round during the day from Thursdays to Sundays.
Correction: It was originally said in this article that the Lougheed House was built in the 1920’s but it was built in 1891, we apologize for the error.