Banff Arts Festival
This three-month annual festival showcases artwork from both local and international artists, in addition to cutting-edge music projects, world premieres of dance, innovative opera, moving drama, and multimedia exhibitions. The setting, amidst the soaring Rocky Mountains, makes this festival a truly unique event.

Banff National Park
Alberta's most spectacular natural wonder is undoubtedly Banff National Park. Located just west of Calgary, near the border with British Columbia, the park encompasses an overwhelming variety of distinct natural features, including rugged mountains, immense glaciers, sweeping ice fields, alpine meadows, desolate blue cold-water lakes, mineral hot springs, and deep canyons.  But natural beauty is only one of Banff National Park's attractions. The park also holds a rich cultural legacy that includes the Banff Park Museum, the Sulphur Mountain Weather Observatory, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, and the grim World War I Internment Camps.

Bar U Ranch
This historic site, nestled in southern Alberta at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, relates the history and evolution of the Canadian ranching industry. Visitor attractions include a range-land exhibit, a theater featuring a history film entitled the Mighty Bar U, Pekisko Creek General Store, and the Bar U Ranch Roadhouse Restaurant. The site can be visited on foot or by wagon. A self-guiding brochure is available at the Bar U Ranch Visitor Orientation Center. The ranch is located south of Calgary, near the town of Longview.800-568-4996 or 403-395-2212; fax: 403-395-2331.

Calgary Stampede
The largest annual event in Calgary starts off with an explosive parade that is followed by 10 days of rodeos, stage shows, agricultural exhibits, and competitive games. The rodeo offers one of the largest prize purses in North America. The 10-day Calgary Stampede usually takes place in July. 800-661-1260.

Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Prehistoric Park
One of Canada's best zoos, this popular attraction has over 1,200 animals from around the world, including African warthogs, western lowland gorillas, tigers, giraffes, and polar bears. The Tropical, Arid, and Butterfly gardens offer a brilliantly colored spectacle, while life-size dinosaur models reign majestically in the unique Prehistoric Park. 403-232-9300/; 1300 Zoo Rd., Calgary.

Cathedral Church of the Redeemer
This unique sandstone structure, reminiscent of English Victorian churches, was completed in 1905. The interior features moving religious monuments and intricate stained-glass windows.403-269-1905; Seventh Avenue at First Street, SE, Calgary.

Driving through the Alberta Mountains
Alberta's main attraction is its gorgeous mountainous setting. A drive through the province's untouched regions is perhaps the best way to appreciate its beauty. Begin just west of Calgary, and go west on Highway 1 to Canmore, which is just outside the gate of Banff National Park. Remain on Highway 1 and go into the heart of the Rocky Mountains to the banks of the Bow River. Turn off to the right shortly after Banff and drive the winding, forested Bow Valley Parkway to Johnston Canyon.  The drive passes through Lake Louise, and then goes on to the fork where the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) branches off toward Jasper. On the road to Jasper, the wide valleys of the northern Saskatchewan, the Sunwapta and Athabasca rivers, and the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields provide for spectacular vistas. The entire drive, from Calgary to Jasper, runs about 250 miles.

Ft. Calgary Historic Park
This imposing 19th-century fort, located at the strategic point where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, is currently being restored to its rugged antique splendor. The Deane House, which was built in 1906 and now serves as a restaurant and theater venue, is also on the premises.403-290-1875; 750 Ninth Ave., SE, Calgary.

Heritage Park Historic Village
This exciting attraction features over 150 buildings and exhibits that re-create a complete village from pre-1914 western Canada. Visitors can ride a steam train, board a stern wheeler for a trip on the Glenmore Reservoir, try the antique fair for rides, visit the baker, and even dine at the Wainwright Hotel.403-259-1900; 1900 Heritage Dr., SW, Calgary.

Wood Buffalo National Park
Canada's largest national park--Wood Buffalo is bigger than Switzerland--was established in 1922 to protect the last remaining herds of bison in the northern part of the nation. In addition to roaming herds of bison, natural splendors within the park boundaries include the endangered whooping crane and sweeping, extensive salt plains.  The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Wood Buffalo National Park straddles the Northwest Territories and Alberta border. Be aware that the park is only accessible through the Northwest Territories, via the MacKenzie Highway. There is no direct road access from within Alberta.