17th Avenue
A major east-west artery in our city, 17th Avenue SW is Calgary’s playground, and its backyard—one
place that unites all locals in our pursuit of a good time. It’s our favourite bar, our dance floor, our
perfect night out on the town, all rolled into one easily conquered strip of asphalt. Famed the hockey
world over as the Red Mile for the enthusiastic antics known to ensue here when the Calgary Flames are
in good standing, 17th extends directly west of the Stampede grounds—a non-stop block party of trendy
bars and restaurants, which together have created a nightlife scene worthy of all the hype. The best of
what Calgary’s breweries (more than 20!) have to offer is on tap and the game is on the big screen, while
menus from as far away as Mexico, Italy, India and Thailand aim to satisfy every appetite. More than
just a house of hockey and hoedowns however, this street is also home to everything from high fashion
to consignment, along with an abundance of beauty boutiques, making it an obvious choice for those
in need of some serious retail therapy. No matter which end of this highway you’re travelling from, or
where you’re headed to, if you’re looking for a good time, you’ve stumbled upon the right place.
Beltline
Ask anyone what Calgary is known for, and you’re sure to start more than a few folks talking about the Calgary Stampede. The Greatest Outdoor
Show on Earth explodes out of the gate in Stampede Park every July, transforming the city around it into a Western wonderland. But the Beltline
has more to offer its visitors than just big belt buckles; edgy nightclubs and boutique beer markets crowd the concrete grid in this industrious,
industrial district. Fine art aficionados can easily browse their fill here, with over a dozen galleries within walking distance along 11th Avenue, the
highest concentration of canvas in the city spanning everything from historic to contemporary. These streets also boast their fair share of historic
gems that the common tourist is quick to overlook, but the curious are bound to adore; Central Memorial Park bears a monument to the Second Boer
War at its heart, which includes an inscribed likeness of Queen Victoria. Just a couple blocks away, Lougheed House, originally the home of Senator
James Alexander Lougheed, served as a women’s military barracks before transforming into a museum, restaurant, gallery and botanical garden.
Set to receive an injection of over $150 million dollars in infrastructure developments in the years ahead, this industrial jungle is well on its way to
becoming a destination of dreams for the discerning urban adventurer.
THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2018
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