Calgary is swimming in public art pieces - and Family of Man (as this set of sculptures is more…read morecommonly known) was probably my fave one! Very unassuming from a distance, the statues are massive as you get close and evoke a sense of tenderness and connection. The figures loom over you at 21 feet tall but are very jolly and serene. Designed by beloved Spanish sculptor, Mario Armengol, they were originally installed as part of the British Pavilion's exhibit titled "Britain in the World," for Montreal's Expo '67. A local Calgary businessman bought them after the expo and they were given to the city in 1968. The instillation drew a lot of controversy at first bc the figures are indeed naked and anatomically correct in an abstract sort of way - and they're sitting on the site of the "board of education" though it's since been abandoned lol. But I quite like their presentation- the sculptures are faceless, raceless, and so much is left open to interpretation here that it leaves lots of space for one's own imagination. But the sense of gentle connection between the statues was unmistakable (to me anyway) and definitely something we could all use a little more of nowadays imho. One fun fact that I really loved about these sculptures is that no instructions were given on how to install the art and Calgary didn't consult the sculptor - so the staff placed them in the big circle we see today. But at the expo back in 1967, they were all separated and scattered about lol. I really think the tenderness and connection would've been lost if they had been installed any other way!

Mario Armengol's "The Brotherhood of Mankind" sculpture is on the lawn of the now abandoned Calgary…read moreBoard of Education Building, at the corner of 1st St and 6th Ave S.E.. The 10 sculptures are over 20 feet tall & were installed in 1968. To me the faceless sculptures represent the connections & relationships between people. Their positions & gestures demonstrated a tenderness that exists between the figures. The interplay of the figures, creates narratives the more I studied them.

The Prairie Chicken is one of U of C's historical landmarks. And by historical, I mean like... 40…read moreyears old? As a former Campus Tour Guide, I can tell you that the Prairie Chicken was left unnamed by the artist so that anyone can interpret it however they want. Some see the pages of an opening book, others see a native headdress. One day, a group of students decided to tar and feather the statue. Since then, it has been known as the Prairie Chicken. The Prairie Chicken hill is a great place for students to hang out, eat lunch, smoke sheesha, picnic, read a book, etc. If you're lucky, you could probably spot some young lovers showing a little too much PDA for your comfort. If you're like me, you'll probably spend countless hours napping and getting grass imprints on your face. The grass is usually quite soft and lush during the summer. You'll usually be able to find a bit of shade on the hill if you don't like direct sunlight. Whatever your preference, there will always be a perfect spot at the perfect angle to suit your lounging needs. Just put on some sunscreen, use your backpack as a pillow, and inhale the fresh smoke from your neighbour's cigarette. The Prairie Chicken is definitely one of my favourite parts of the University of Calgary.

Awesome place to go hangout and enjoy the sun! Plus you get to look at the awesome fire chicken!!!read more

the calgary public library feels less like a traditional library and more like a modern community…read moregathering space. from the moment you walk in, the architecture stands out. bright, open, and thoughtfully designed, the interior combines white surfaces, natural wood, and exposed concrete in a way that feels part gallery, part community hub, and part reading room. one of the things i noticed right away was how well the shelving is integrated into the design. most of the book stacks stay below head height, which keeps sightlines open across much of the building. because of that, the space feels surprisingly airy and spacious. natural light travels easily through the interior, and even when there are plenty of people around, it rarely feels crowded. the library spans four levels, and each floor offers a different perspective of the architecture and public spaces. moving between levels becomes part of the experience, with open views, interesting angles, and changing vantage points that encourage you to explore. despite its size, the building never feels overwhelming. instead, the layout creates a sense of discovery, making it easy to wander and see what each floor has to offer. there's also a playful side to the library. an oversized chess board, tables with checkers and other games, a crossword puzzle on a whiteboard, a video game area, and lego stations make the space feel interactive and welcoming for visitors of all ages. these features help transform it into more than just a place to borrow books, it feels like somewhere people can gather, learn, relax, and spend time together. what makes the library especially memorable is how clearly it was designed for people to stay awhile. the warm wood tones soften the industrial materials, while the bright finishes keep everything feeling light and inviting. comfortable seating is scattered throughout the building, and there's even a small café inside, making it easy to spend a few hours reading, studying, working, or simply enjoying the space. on this visit, there were kids playing hide and week, every detail seems intended to create an environment where people actually want to spend time. one thing worth mentioning is the area around some of the entrances. like many downtown public spaces, there are occasionally sketchy individuals nearby, and parts of the surrounding area can feel a bit rough at times. however, the library itself has a noticeable security presence, and during my visit the interior felt well managed and safe. overall, the calgary public library is one of those rare civic spaces where the building itself is part of the attraction. its thoughtful design, open sightlines, interactive features, welcoming atmosphere, and multi level layout come together to create an experience that feels modern, inclusive, and genuinely memorable.

I always enjoy visiting libraries when I visit new cities. When I saw the beauty of this library…read morethrough pictures and reviews, I knew I had to visit this one. Honestly, the pictures don't do it justice. In person, it was much nicer and cleaner. Every section of the library was sparkling clean and clearly maintained well. There are 4 stories with computers, meeting rooms, tables, coffee shop, art installations, children's area, etc. They definitely made it so there are plenty of resources available for whatever you may need. The only downfall I can think of is that the library has quite a bit of drugged up people in there as well as right outside and some of them causing a scene or clearly making others uncomfortable. I understand it's a public facility but it's still a negative aspect about the library.

Definitely gotta make a stop in this district if you're exploring Calgary....there are TONS of…read morerestaurants, shops, clubs and bars here - even a comedy club! There's a college nearby and the vibe is trendy and hip in this area so it's a great spot for nightlife. It's quite a ways away from the downtown core so a bit of a trek on foot but flat, paved and doable. It's located on 17th Ave SW between 2nd Street SW and 16th Ave SW. Their website lists all businesses in the area. One thing I really love is they have a TON of awesome street art and lots of locally owned small businesses (where's my YES folks at??!! Lol). There are also quite a few nice green spaces with historical info and it's super walkable. It was a very hot day and we had time constraints so didn't get to explore as much as I wanted. Would definitely like to come back! Parking looked like it was all metered street parking and there are some public garages nearby. Lots of bus stops too. The area is mostly clean and felt relatively safe but there's one park right in the heart of the district that had a lot of transients set up there on the benches and tables and some were aggressive. One of them jumped out of some bushes around a tree, rushing towards me screaming....but he left us alone when we ran off. So just keep your wits about you and be aware. Other than that one weird encounter, the area seemed fine.

City Hall, a 4 story sandstone building with central clock tower, is located on the corner of…read moreMacleod Trail & Seventh Ave in downtown Calgary. Currently it is used as the office of the mayor & alderman, it is the architectural focal point of the City Hall complex that consists of 2 later additions. It was built in 1911 with a 4 story extension in 1962. The Municipal Building was added in 1985 and is a massive wedge-shaped, mirrored-glass structure. Its located on the eastern edge of the Central Business District, across from Olympic Plaza & the Stephen Avenue pedestrian Mall, forming the civic focal point of the city. In 1984, Calgary City Hall was designated a national historic site because it is the only surviving regional example of the monumental civic halls erected in several Prairie cities before 1930; and its lofty clock tower, prominent round-arched entry and extensive decoration in the Romanesque Revival style made it an imposing visual symbol of community progress.

This building has been around for many many years. Every time I make my way to the downtown area I…read morehave to go in. The art work on the walls or around the building is very impressive. You can also sit in on council meeting if open to the public. There is security check and screening before entering. I have gotten licenses or permits over the years and people here are very friendly and professional. I would not recommend parking downtown it's hard to find and very expensive. Take the bus or C-train. Well worth seeing this building as you see the other sights downtown.

Granted this is a colourful store and I love knits and the very mountainous endearing yet…read morefashionable styles that come from Tibet. It is however very pricey. Tibet mitts, toques, jackets and sweaters, gorgeous radiant earthy colors made to withstand higher altitudes and colder climates. The store also has Tibetan singing bowls and a nice selection of statues. But again overly priced for obvious modern reproductions of Buddha's... starting at well over the 200 mark. Why not pay a little more for authentic ceremonial pieces at Buhran. The store has a good selection of many things, prayer tablets, pillowcases, lanterns, so if you don't mind paying for what I know is a huge mark up on all these items but love Tibet then this is your store.

I have a thing for Tibetan prayer wheels and such, and so I always love to pop into Tibetan Trom…read more The collection of unique items from Tibet is pretty much irresistible, and I love the wash of colours on the clothes racks at the entrance of the store. The clothes are beautiful and can be fairly expensive considering their quality but they have decent sales. But to be honest, I don't go for the clothes. I love the buddha statues which are just beautiful, the prayer flags, the gemstones and the jewelry. It all feels unique, and the family that runs the place is just lovely. It's always worth a peek.

Calgary's Chinatown was such an unexpected surprise! It runs right alongside a lot of Calgary's…read moremain tourist area and is very vibrant and lively with lots to see and do. It's concentrated along Centre St and is adjacent to the beautiful Bow River and Calgary's most famous skyscraper, The Bow. Calgary's first Chinatown dates all the way back to around 1890! I would argue that the heart of Calgary's Chinatown is it's Chinese Cultural Center - it has a beautiful plaza at the entrance and a wonderful museum in the basement full of interesting historical information and artifacts, making it an excellent place to start when exploring this fun part of downtown. There are tons of shops, several lovely parks with historical info signs, and nice restaurants. It's extremely walkable and easy to fit in to a lot of the other sightseeing activities in the downtown core. Even the street signs are fun! I'd definitely say it's a must see part of Calgary. Our only complaint is that we didn't have enough time to explore further and try some of the highly rated restaurants and other shops!

Downtown Calgary is full of sculptures. "The Conversation" was created in 1981 by William Hodd…read moreMcElcheran. You'll find a series of these bronze sculptures across three continents. These guys in particular amuse me. Plump fellows with old-school hats, I'd like to think they represent a lot of what happens on Stephen Ave, business people meeting each other. When was the last time you saw someone stopping to say hello to one another in the street? These guys remind me to pay a little more attention to who I'm passing by instead of being too lost in thought to notice. They're also fun for a photo opp! Daytime or nighttime, peek your head between theirs and smile! Don't forget a hat of your own.

Ah, Bronze statues - A Calgary Classic. What you'll immediately notice about this particular…read morebronze statue is it is neither depicting horses, nor cowboys. I like The Conversation because it's simple yet recognizable. It blends into the crowd and can be a source of its very own conversation. You can't help but wonder what their close talking story is all about. They sure look like businessmen, but are they talking business? I've always imagined them talking full garbled jibberish, or things like "I says to you, I says" or a "'mornin' Sam", "'mornin' Ralph" like the coyote and sheepdog in Looney Toons. Thanks to vigilante artists that make me smile, I've often seen them with specially knitted mitts and scarves in the winter to keep them warm.

Whimsical, intriguing and amusement head sculpture in front of the Bow skyscraper in downtown…read moreCalgary. 39 ft tall steel wire structure by famous Spanish artist depicts the head of a young girl. Walk around and go inside. View, age and perspective change with where you look at. Should not be missed if you're strolling downtown Calgary

While strolling through downtown Calgary, we came upon the Wonderland Sculpture. It's a pretty…read moreamazing piece in its simplicity and beauty. It's intricate but also impressive up close.

I visited The Bow with a coworker for a business meeting and the building is absolutely beautiful…read morefrom the entrance to the interior. I was at awe with how beautiful everything was and spotless too. There is also a Tim Horton's located on the second floor. The security team there is also very professional. I envy the people that work in The Bow but I'll settle with visiting every now and then for my business meetings.

What a gorgeous building you have to admit...... The size the shape, the way it curves towards the…read moreCalgary Tower, and wonderland I think it's one of the coolest modern sculptures I've ever seen. Here's some shots of my kids walking up to it. Also who could have a problem with the building with a sense of humour like this to decorate this way for Christmas, I think it's just gorgeous.