CALGARY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 455

OTHER PARKS
MM Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo (1300 Zoo Rd. NE, 403/232-9300, 9am-5pm daily year-round, adult $21,
senior $19, child $13) is one of Canada's finest zoos. It was established in 1920 near the
heart of downtown on St. Georges Island and has become noted for its realistic simulation
of animal habitats. In Destination Africa, giraffes tower over a huge glass-walled pool that
provides a home to two hippos, with sunken stadium seating allowing visitors a fish-eye
view of the hippos' often-relaxing day. Other highlights include a section on Australia's
nocturnal animals (lights are turned on at night, reversing night and day and allowing vis-
itors to watch nocturnal animals during their active periods), exotic mammals such as lions
and tigers, and conservatories filled with tropical flowers, butterflies, and birds. One of the
largest display areas is Canadian Wilds, devoted to the mammals you may or may not see
on your travels through Alberta. In the Prehistoric Park section, the world of dinosaurs is
brought to life with full-size replicas set amid plantlife and rock. The main parking lot is
off Memorial Drive east of downtown, or jump aboard the 202 Whitehorn C-train running
east along 7th Avenue.
Stampede Park
Best known for hosting the Calgary Stampede, these grounds south of downtown (at 17th
Ave. and 2nd St. SE) are used for many activities and events year-round. In the center of
the park is the saddle-shaped 18,800-seat Saddledome, which boasts the world's largest
cable-suspended roof and is one of Calgary's most distinctive structures. It was used for
hockey and figure-skating events during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and is now
home to the National Hockey League (NHL) Calgary Flames. “The Dome” is constantly
in use for concerts, trade shows, and entertainment events. The Grain Academy Museum
on the Plus 15 level of the Roundup Centre (403/263-4594, 10am-4pm Mon.-Fri., free) is
a museum cataloging the history of cereal-based agriculture in the province through work-
ing models and hands-on displays. Take the C-train from downtown to Victoria Park/Stam-
pede or Stampede/Erlton.
Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery
Pearce Estate Park, a pleasant spot for a picnic, is home to this hatchery (403/297-6561,
10am-4pm Mon.-Fri., 1pm-5pm Sat.-Sun. in summer, weekdays only the rest of the year,
free). The facility produces approximately 2.5 million trout per year, which are used to
stock 300 lakes and rivers throughout the province. A self-guided tour (grab a brochure at