The Trees Sculpture is located on Stephen Avenue between Bankers Hall and the Core Shopping Centre. The sculpture was designed by the architect of the Bankers Hall building, The Cohos Evamy Partners, because trees are difficult to grow in Calgary. They also provide an excellent wind break in this busy walking area.

This sculpture goes by many different names. Some call it the Galleria Trees. Other call it the Ten Trees. Everyone who sees them agrees that they are stunning works of art no matter what they are named.

The metal structures are interesting during the daytime, but they should also be viewed at night when they are lit with vibrant, seasonally-themed LED lights. They are also outfitted with a sound system so that music can be played along with the light show.

Calgary is indeed a city of surprises as any tourist to this city will tell you. There are numerous attractive and interesting tourist attractions that include many unique sculptures that speak volumes about the city and the country.

One of the popular sculptures that tourists never miss is called The Conversation. This is a sculpture that depicts two businessmen who have just met on one of the downtown streets. The sculpture is so realistic that you feel like shaking their hands and joining in the conversation. This sculpture was created by William Hodd McElcheran and was placed in Stephen Avenue in 1981.

It is made of bronze and is kept right on the Pedestrian Mall in Stephen Avenue. Visit this mall and you just cannot miss this Calgary’s most famous sculpture. You will find the businessmen wearing small felt hats and bulky topcoats talking business. They are definitely wheeling and dealing as you can see from their expressions. This artwork belonged to Norcen Energy Resources who in 1981 donated it to the City of Calgary.

On your trip to Calgary, do not miss a visit to the Pedestrian Mall in Stephen Avenue to view this wonderful statue that is certainly the pride of the city.

Located in downtown Calgary, Calgary Tower stands 191 meter tall. Originally known as the Husky Tower, this observation tower came into existence in 1967 as a part of the urban renewal plan. It was constructed in joint cooperation between Husky oil and Realty Company Limited. The tower was also built to celebrate the 1967 centennial of Canada. It was in 1971 that this World Federation of Great Towers founder member was renamed Calgary Tower.

Calgary Tower was designed and constructed by W. G. Milne & A. Dale and Associates. It took fifteen months to complete building this tower. It can withstand winds up to 161 kilometers per hour and earthquakes.

On your visit to this tower, check out the column that was built in a unique manner by pouring concrete continually for 24 days. Enjoy a delicious meal at the revolving restaurant here. Called Sky 360, the restaurant offers an amazing view. +15 Skyway network connects the base of the tower to Fairmont Palliser Hotel, One Palliser Square and EnCana Place.

The Mechanical Horse is a striking example of urban steampunk artistry. Crafted from discarded gears, chains, and other metallic components, this life-size sculpture mimics the form of a stallion, its intricate framework revealing every repurposed relic. The sculpture has earned its place as a favoured photo backdrop for both tourists and locals alike.

The work, attributed variously to artists such as Russell Zeid or Dixie Jernett (sometimes known as “Powder the Plow Horse” or “Steam‑Punk Clydesdale”), evokes Alberta’s equine heritage with a modern twist. As a testament to upcycling, the sculpture transforms what was once scrap into a symbol of resilience and creative reuse. Its rusted patina and mechanical details invite viewers to explore the relationship between nature, industry, and artistry.

What sets the Mechanical Horse apart is its eclectic composition. Scraps of farm equipment, automotive parts, and industrial machinery interlace to form its skeleton, while reflective chrome hooves and spines of welded rods give life to its steely visage. This blend of raw materials crafts a narrative of transformation, where abandoned metal gains new purpose, mirroring Calgary’s evolution from frontier town to modern metropolis.

For visitors, encountering the Mechanical Horse offers more than a photo opportunity. It sparks curiosity, prompting questions about its origins, the artistic process behind it, and the stories hidden in its welded seams. Positioned in the heart of a city known for celebrating its Western roots-especially during the Stampede-this sculpture serves as a bridge between past and present, tradition and innovation.

Located in the Olympic Plaza cultural district, Arts Commons is a popular arts center in Calgary. The center occupies a total of six levels in the building and is among the top three largest art centers in Canada. Apart from vast performance spaces, Arts Commons features offices, theatre workshops, rehearsal halls, radio station, a café, meeting rooms, gift store, salon spa and galleries.

Each year, at least 1800 events and performances such as children’s events, reading and spoken word, dance, live theatre, art exhibits, experimental theatre, training sessions, weddings, public forums, arts education activities, award ceremonies, sporting competition and events and folk, jazz, symphony, rock, world and blue concerts are held here attended by 400,000 people.

Any walking tour in Calgary should include Downtown East Village. This area was the first settled region of Calgary, as evidenced by the presence of Fort Calgary. A highlight of Downtown East Village is the National Music Center.

Visitors might find some confusion over the museum's name. It is officially called the National Music Center, but the building that houses the museum is Studio Bell. No matter what name is used, it is a must-see attraction in Calgary.

Tourists can see permanent exhibitions at the National Music Center. The Music Mosaic covers the history of music in Canada. Along with musicians, visitors learn about inventors and broadcasters. The Power of Music is a permanent exhibit that lets visitors join in by singing in one of the vocal booths, watching live performances and learning how music affects the body and the brain. Making Music allows visitors to play different musical instruments. These range from drums to a baby grand piano.

Another permanent exhibit at the National Music Center is the Canadian Music Halls of Fame. The Halls of Fame honor those artists that have shown the world the prolific nature of music in Canada. Among the many artists who are celebrated are the Cowboy Junkies, Andy Kim, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, Backman-Turner Overdrive, k.d. lang, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, David Foster, Rush, Leonard Cohen, Guy Lombardo, Oscar Peterson and many others.

The National Music Center offers regular concerts and events. Those lucky Calgary tourists who visit during one of these special events may see a musical performance, a film screening or art on tour. The Studio Bell website has a full calendar of upcoming events that tourists can check when making their plans.

Why You Should Visit:
- To learn about music with hands-on exhibits
- To pay homage to some of Canada's greatest musical influencers

Tips:
Visitors should plan their trip to the National Music Center carefully. They must purchase timed tickets in advance and arrive at the time indicated on their tickets. Studio Bell is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM through 5 PM.

Family of Horses is a statue donated to the City of Calgary by Spruce Meadows owned by the Southern Family. Spruce Meadows came into existence for the exclusive purpose of spreading goodwill, good friendship and good commerce.

The culmination of Southern family’s dream, Spruce Meadows today is managed by corporations, athletes’, volunteers, fans, staff and officials. This unique and memorable place is a dream shared by these stakeholders.

This venue sees many international level sporting events being held. It also organizes show jumping tournaments for different age groups. In a clean and green environment, the horse is celebrated and encouraged to breed and train.

As a contribution to the City of Calgary, Spruce Meadows donated the Family of Horses statues which today stand in front of the City Hall. Spruce Meadow’s contribution to the city reflects Calgary’s deep passion and love for horses.

Tourists to the city enjoy a visit to Spruce Meadows as well as the City Hall to view these statues. You will find the stallion positioned in such a manner that it overlooks the foal and mare. This signifies the strength and kinship among the families here and the special bond they share. Do not miss a visit to the City Hall and see the interesting Family of Man statues on your trip to Calgary.

The Calgary City Hall has been used as a municipal building since it was constructed in 1911. It was designed in a Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style by William M. Dodd. The revivalist style of architecture draws inspiration from 11th and 12th century Romanesque buildings with recessed windows, stone arches and a symmetrical structure.

The building has undergone a number of restoration projects. The most recent took place in 2014 when bits of the stone walls began to crumble from the Old City Hall's exterior. The building was designated as a Provincial Historical Resource in 1978. It was given National Historical Site status in 1984.

The Old City Hall remains in use. It is home to the Calgary mayor's office as well as members of the city council. The Old City Hall is the site of Calgary City Council meetings as well. Visitors to the city can see for themselves how the city has grown around this site. Nearby areas of interest include the Central Library and Olympic Plaza.

Olympic Plaza is one of the popular tourist attractions in Calgary. This plaza was constructed during the 1988 Winter Olympics exclusively as a venue for medal presentation. Here you will find a legacy hall that commemorates the winners through display of plaques. Today, Olympic Plaza is used for hosting festivals and concerts.

Olympic Plaza is abuzz with activities during the cheery summer months. There are festivities and music in the air and sparkling water fountains. During lunch hour, downtown patrons frequent the park. The Stampede breakfast and the exciting Latino-fest are held at this plaza. If you think this park is deserted during the chilly winter months, think again. The wading pool is converted to a skating rink and people come in large numbers to enjoy skating.

Many popular events continue to be held at the Olympic Plaza on a regular basis; among them are Canada Day fireworks, New Years Eve celebrations, Pride celebrations and a public thank you rally that took place in June 2004 after the Calgary Flames reached the NHL finals.

Olympic Plaza is the epicenter of Calgary’s culture. Epcor Center of Performing Arts hosts many shows here throughout the year. On your trip to Calgary, do not miss a chance to visit this wonderful tourist attraction.

The Bow is a crescent shaped skyscraper in Calgary. It is a groundbreaking structure that has been ranked as one of the top 10 architectural projects in the world by "Azure Magazine." A walking tour of Calgary assuredly includes a stop by the Bow, but the reason is more for a sculpture in the plaza than for the skyscraper itself.

Wonderland is a 39-foot tall (roughly 12 meters) statue in the shape of a young girl's head. The bent wire sculpture was created by artist Jaume Plensa. It is meant to represent the dreams of the young people of the province.

Unlike most sculptures, Wonderland has an entrance that allows visitors to view the artwork from the inside. They can view the city from the perspective of all of those who are represented by this sculpture.

Wonderland is prominently displayed on 6th Avenue. It is a short walk from Olympic Plaza, making it a quick yet meaningful part of a walking tour of the city.

A visit to any city is incomplete without a trip to its most popular park. Prince’s Island Park is one of the most famous parks in Calgary frequented by thousands of tourists and locals every day. This park is the ideal place for relaxing and people watching.

Catch some Vitamin D on hot summers at this 20 hectare park even as you soak in the vibrant atmosphere around. Prince’s Island Park is situated behind Eau Clair Market. The park is not just a hub of activity in summers. In winters, the pathways are filled with enthusiastic people enjoying whizzing around in roller blades and cross country skiing. You will find romance in the air at the quiet, charming River Café.

On your visit to Prince’s Island Park, do not miss the experience of watching the geese in the wetland. Gaze at the amazing natural surroundings that include a lagoon, water fountains and flower gardens. During summers, paddle along the sparkling river.

During summers, you will find the park filled with frantic activities as it is a host to various summer festivals and events. Learn how the wetland serves as an important support for the habitat, wild life and water quality by taking a stroll along the environmental learning pathway.

This enchanting park is definitely the highlight of Calgary. Locals and visitors from around the world flock here to enjoy the serene ambience.

The Peace Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist crossing over the Bow River, spanning about 130.6 meters in length and 8 meters across, with a tubular double-helix truss design that stands roughly 5.85 meters tall. Conceived by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and completed in March 2012, this signature red-and-white structure - echoing both national and civic colours - bridges the southern Eau Claire/Downtown pathway with the northern Sunnyside community.

As a sculptural marvel, the bridge’s helical steel frame-comprising around 850 tonnes of steel-withstands without piers in the water, preserving the river’s natural flow and minimizing ecological impact. Covered with curved glass panels and well-lit at night, it offers a sheltered, barrier-free experience for walkers and riders alike. The interior width is split into a 3.7-meter pedestrian walkway and a 2.5-meter cycling lane, helping manage up to 9,000 users daily.

Beyond functionality, the Peace Bridge has quickly become one of Calgary’s most photographed landmarks. Its striking form-likened by many to a giant finger-trap puzzle-provides dynamic sightlines toward the downtown skyline and the serene Bow River, especially during sunrise or twilight. Despite initial controversy over cost and design, it earned accolades as a top architectural project and public space of 2012.

For visitors, the bridge offers more than just a crossing-it’s a walking art installation. The seamless glide between neighborhoods invites exploration of surrounding gems like Eau Claire Market, Prince’s Island Park, and the pathways that line the riverbanks. Whether you’re on foot or bike, crossing during evening illuminations or sunshine-dappled days, the Peace Bridge is a vibrant invitation to connect with Calgary’s urban pulse and riverside beauty.

Core Shopping Center is a popular spot for tourists and locals. The shopping center includes a number of stores where visitors can pick up necessities, shop for luxury items or find souvenirs. Another reason to go to the Core Shopping Center is not about shopping at all.

Devonian Gardens is an indoor botanical garden that is maintained by the city's parks department. Over 500 trees, a living wall, fountains and even a children's play area are all housed on the top floor of the shopping center.

Visitors are welcome to explore the gardens or find a seat to read a good book. Tables are available for those who would like to have an indoor lunch with an outdoor experience. There is also a public piano that is free for use and a playground just for children.

There is no cost to enjoy this public space. Anyone may stop by for a short visit or stay for as long as they like.