Best Calgary Tourist Attractions – Calgary Tower
- May 5, 2014
- By Cody Battershill
Best Calgary Tourist Attractions – Calgary Tower
Before the Bow, Eighth Avenue Place and Bankers Hall, there was the Calgary Tower. It is one of the oldest and most iconic buildings on the downtown skyline that immediately identifies our city on post-card and images around the world for those who know it.
As one of the best Calgary tourist attractions, no visit to our city is complete without a trip to the Calgary Tower, a long-standing Calgary Landmark.
Let me tell you why…
Sky 360 Restaurant
One of the best ways to experience the Calgary Tower is to make a reservation with Sky 360, an upscale restaurant located below the observation deck.
This unique, sky-high restaurant sits on a rotating floor that does a full 360 degree turn in 45 minutes at lunch and every 60 minutes during dinner – about the same amount of time it will take you to finish eating.
Apart from the unforgettable views of Calgary and surrounding areas, Sky 360 offers a variety of appetizers and entrees that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy including:
- Spaghetti, fettuccini and other pastas
- Grilled cheese, beef, chorizo burgers and chicken BLT
- Caesar, mixed greens, berry salads
- Fish, mussels and other seafood’s
- Steak, lamb, elk, boar and more game meats
With the views and exceptional food, this restaurant is the perfect setting for an intimate date but also is great for families looking to experience one of the best Calgary tourist attractions there is.
Keep in mind that Sky 360 also offers free admission to the observation deck with a purchase of one entrée per person – now you’re saving money at the same time!
Observation Deck 
The observation deck at the Calgary Tower is unlike anything else in the city with its bird’s eye view of the streets below, prairies to the south and east and mountains to the west.
Stand on top of the spectacular glass floor, enjoy a complimentary tour and learn about local landmarks, history and future plans of Calgary.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse 
Maybe you don’t feel like Sky 360. That’s okay, because one of the best steakhouses in the city is found at the base of the Calgary Tower.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse features New Orleans inspired cuisines in an inviting atmosphere great for parties of any size. Whether you be by yourself, with your family or significant other, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse has you covered.
After dinner, why not walk a few blocks north to Stephen Avenue (also 8th Avenue SW) and stroll the shop-lined streets of downtown’s most vibrant corridors.
History
Construction of the Calgary Tower began in 1967 to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Canada in 1967 and to kick-start a wave of urban revitalization in the downtown core.
Originally named the Husky Tower, it was a joint project between Marathon Realty Company and Husky Oil which was later renamed the Calgary Tower in 1971 as tribute to the city.
One way to introduce yourself to the history of Calgary is to visit the Calgary Tower. As one of the first tall buildings to be constructed in the downtown core, there are some very interesting facts as to how it was built with the old-fashioned technology of the 1960’s.
We won’t spoil all the details for you though. To learn more about the tower from its establishment until present day, be sure to check out the Evolution of the Calgary Tower today.
More Tourist Attractions
River Café and Patio – Best Calgary Tourist Attractions
TELUS Spark Science Centre – Best Calgary Tourist Attractions
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