Calgary Stampede & Stampede Park

Located just south of downtown Calgary, Stampede Park captures the Canada's attention every July during the world-famous Calgary Stampede. This massive festival features rodeos and all things Wild-West. Don your hats, polish your boots and prepare for several days of horse races, concerts and even a parade. When the festival has passed, Stampede Park continues to entertain visitors with a hankering for cowboy culture. Throughout the year, the park hosts trade and horse shows, while the Grain Academy—located within Stampede Park—explains the importance of agriculture in the Canadian Rockies.  

Calgary's most notable event gets mixed reviews. Some rave about the excitement, while others complain about the crowds and a lack of authenticity. But as one Yelp.com user writes: "[T]he Stampede is meant to be an exhibition for farming and western culture, and while that doesn't exist legitimately within the city boundaries it is alive and kicking within Alberta."

The park welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. When the Stampede isn't in full swing, admission to the park is free. The Calgary Stampede takes place every year in mid-July, and ticket prices vary by event. For more information, check out the official website.