GENERAL TRAVELER ASSISTANCE
Banff Information Centre, 224 Banff Ave., Banff. Tel: +1-403-762-1550 (+1-403-762-1556 for backcountry camping reservations). Has local maps, brochures, and permits. www.pc.gc.ca
Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, Icefields Parkway across from Athabasca Glacier (closed mid-Oct. to mid-Apr.). Tel: +1-866 606 6700. Maps/info available at the Canada Parks desk or book your glacier/skywalk excursion. www.brewster.ca
Edmonton Visitor Centre, 9797 Jasper Ave., Edmonton. Tel: +1-780-401-7696. www.exploreedmonton.com
Jasper Information Centre, 500 Connaught Dr., Jasper. Tel: +1-780-852-6176. Has local maps, brochures, and permits. www.pc.gc.ca
Lake Louise Visitor Centre, Next to the Samson Mall. Village of Lake Louise, Tel: +1-403-522-3833 (+1-403-522-1264 for backcountry camping reservations). Has local maps, brochures, and permits. www.pc.gc.ca
Tourism Calgary, 200, 238-11 Ave SE, Calgary, Tel: +1-800-661-1678. Provides hotel, event, and activity information. www.visitcalgary.com
Travel Alberta, +1-800-ALBERTA. Province-wide tourist information, including local Pride festivals. www.travelalberta.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
Chateau Lacombe, 10111 Bellamy Hill, Edmonton, Tel: +1-780-428-6611. Contemporary hotel with a panoramic view. Rooms from CND$120. www.chateaulacombe.com
Hotel Arts, 119 12th Avenue SW, Calgary. Tel: +1403-266-4611. Boutique hotel with award-winning restaurants and courtyard pool. Rooms from CND$149. www.hotelarts.ca
The Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave., Banff, Tel: +1-800-257-7544. Luxurious rooms, spa, and a championship golf course. Rooms from CND$399. www.fairmont.com/banff-springs
Deer Lodge, 109 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise. Tel: +1-403-410-7417. Rustic log building and home to the delicious Mount Fairview Dining Room. Rooms from CND$119. www.crmr.com/deer
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Old Lodge Road, Jasper. Tel: +1-780-852-3301. A luxury brand with charming chalets. Rooms from CND$229. www.fairmont.com/jasper
DINING
Banded Peaks, Unit 119, 519 34 Ave. SE., Calgary, Tel: +1-403-630 9395. Seating for 45 in the tap room, tours of the facility. See website for hours of operation. www.bandedpeakbrewing.com
The Daily, 1126 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, Tel: +1-403-283-9400. Features naturally raised and locally sourced comfort food. www.dailyyyc.com
The Duchess Bake Shop, 10718 24 Strpeet NW. Edmonton. Tel: +1-780-488-4999. Must visit place with amazing pastries and baked goods. www.duchessbakeshop.com
Evil Dave’s Grill, 622 Patricia St, Jasper, Tel: +1780-852-3323. Family restaurant featuring “wicked” fusion with a kick. www.evildavesgrill.com
Fiasco Gelato, 221 19 St. SE, Calgary, Tel: +1-403-4523150. Hand-crafted gelato. fiascogelatoshop.com
The Guild, 200 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, Tel: +1-403-7702313. Showcases “the best cuts of meat that Alberta has to offer.” www.theguildrestaurant.com
Juniper, End of Junipar Way, Banff, Tel: +1-844-3705619. Locally-inspired food (from game birds to ribeye) with an amazing view. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options available. www.thejuniper.com/dining
Meat, 8216 104 St., Edmonton, Tel: +1-587-520-6338. Authentic BBQ smokehouse. www.meatfordinner.com
Native Tongues Taqueria, 235 12th Ave SW, Calgary, Tel: +1-403-263-9444. Tacos in a rustic cantina atmosphere. www.nativetongues.ca
Proof, 1302 1 st SW, Calgary, Tel: +1-403-2462414. Classic cocktails with old-fashioned service. www.proofyyc.com
Three Ravens, Sally Borden Building, 4th Floor, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., Banff, Tel: +1-403-7626300. Elegance meets Albertan fare, from elk striploin carpaccio to local carrot and sweet potato soup. www.banffcentre.ca
Yellow Door Bistro, 119 12th Ave. SW, Calgary, Tel: +1403-206-9585. Whimsical décor and home-style cooking with a foodie twist. www.yellowdoorbistro.ca
SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS
Alpine Helicopters, 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Tel: +1-403-678-4802. Breathtaking aerial tours of Banff’s mountains and lakes. www.alpinehelicopter.com
Banff Upper Hot Springs, 1 Mountain Ave., Banff, Tel: +1-800-767-1611. Outdoor thermal pool with a view of Mount Rundle (May 20-Oct. 16). www.hotsprings.ca
Calgary Walks, Tel: +1-855-620-6520. Guided walk showcasing the city’s art and architecture. www.calgarywalks.com
City Farmer’s Market, 104th St., North of Jasper Ave., Edmonton. Local produce, baked goods, and cured meats. Saturdays, May-Oct.10. www.city-market.ca
Edmonton International Fringe Festival, At 83 Ave. and 103 St., Edmonton, Innovative theatre and street performers. www.fringetheatre.ca
Elk Island National Park, North side of highway 16E (look for the signs). See bison and explore Lake Astotin. www.pc.gc.ca
High-level Streetcar Board between Jasper Ave. and 100th Ave. at 109th St. Edmonton. Take a historic streetcar ride. www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca
Jasper Skytram, Whistlers Rd. (follow the signs). Tel: +1-866-850-8726. A seven-minute ride to an elevation of 7,470ft followed by an optional one-two hour hike. www.jasperskytram.com
Kinsman Sports Centre, 9100 Walterdale Hill, Edmonton, Tel: +1-780-442-5311. World-class civic swimming and fitness facility. www.edmonton.ca
Lake Agnes Teahouse, Lake Louise (see website for directions), Tel: +1-403-763-7242. Hike one to two hours (each way) and enjoy a lakefront selection of 100 teas. June 4-Oct. 10. www.lakeagnesteahouse.com
Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island, Maligne Lake, 433A Township Rd., Jasper. Tel: +1-866-6066700. Spectacular views of Queen Elizabeth Mountain Range, 45 minutes outside of Jasper. www.brewster.ca
Miette Hot Springs, End of Miette Road, Jasper, Tel: +1-800-767-1611. The hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies (Sept. 6-Oct. 10). www.hotsprings.ca
Mount Norquay Chairlift, 2 Mt Norquay Rd., Banff, Tel: +1-844-NORQUAY . Pass over grizzly and black bear habitat and enjoy views of Mt. Rundle at the top. www.summer.banffnorquay.com
Music Mile, 9th Ave. SE, from the Blues Can to Studio Bell. Numerous live music acts through the weekend. musicmile.ca
River Valley Adventure Company, 9735 Grierson Hill NW, Edmonton, Tel: +1-877-433-7347. Take a Segway tour or rent bikes to check out Edmonton’s forested paths. www.rivervalleyadventure.com
West Edmonton Mall, 8882-170 St., Edmonton, Tel: +1-780-444-5321. One of the biggest malls in the world, with a water park and roller coasters. www.wem.ca
WinSport Canada Olympic Park, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary, Tel: +1-403-247-5452 ext. 4. A massive outdoor sporting area, with summer/winter bobsleigh and luge, mountain biking, and zip line. www.winsport.ca
GAY AND LESBIAN BARS, CLUBS, EVENTS
Backwards, 628 8th Ave SW, Calgary, Tel: +1-587352-2582. Calgary’s newest gay bar, restaurant, and nightclub, with drag, improv and open-mic nights. www.backwards.club
Banff Pride. A one-night celebration in October. www.facebook.com/BanffPRIDE
Calgary Pride, held late Aug. to early Sept. www.calgarypride.ca
Edmonton Pride, held mid-June. www.edmontonpride.ca
Evolution Wonderlounge, 10220 103 St NW, Edmonton, Tel: +1-780-424-0077. Dance club spinning pop and hip hop. Known for its drag shows, karaoke, and theme nights. www.yourgaybar.com
“Gay Day” at Stampede, Stampede Park, Macleod Trail between 12 Ave. SE and 25 Ave. SE, Nashville North venue near the Olympic Way entry, Calgary. This is an unofficial gay event on the first Saturday of the Calgary Stampede. Search for their facebook page (changes yearly) for details.
Jasper Pride, four days in March. www.jasperpride.ca
Lolita’s Lounge, 1413 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, Tel: +1403-265-5739. Home to drag troupe Carly’s Angels. www.lolitaslounge.ca/performers/carlys-angels
Pure Pride, Organizes special queer events featuring big-name drag queens and muscled backup dancers. www.purepride.ca
