From The Fairmont Palliser Best Nearby Family Friendly (Attractions & Activities) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Calgary, AB Fort Calgary Historic Park (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) 750 9th Ave SE, Calgary  AB  T2P 2M5 • 403-290-1875 Distance: ~0.684 km         Description: This historic attraction is located on the site of Calgary's original settlement. The town was founded in the late 1800s, when the North West Mounted Police (later to become the RCMP) arrived to stop settlers from selling liquor to Native Americans. That first fort gave rise to the metropolis that is Calgary today. The site that it occupied is now a 40-acre park along the river and features a visitor center, a host of exhibits, videos, trails and the reconstructed fort itself. Displays track the city's history with artifacts, memorabilia and interiors. The nearby Deane House, also an historic building, offers weekday lunches, Sunday brunch and occasional evening dinner theater. TELUS World of Science Calgary (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) 701 11th St SW, Calgary  AB  T2P 2M5 • 403-268-8300 Distance: ~0.684 km         Description: If your kids are fascinated by science, or if you're looking to spark their interest in the natural world, this is a wonderful place to bring them. The center boasts a variety of exhibits and interactive displays to educate kids about dinosaurs, the human body, astronomy, gravity, building and construction, and the natural processes by which oil is created. Among the attractions you'll find are multi-media programs and laser shows. Terrific sound system and production values. Canada Olympic Park (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) 88 Olympic Rd SW, Calgary  AB  T3B 5R5 • 403-247-5452 • 403-247-7669 Distance: ~0.988 km         Description: Originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, this park remains an integral part of the city's recreational life. Nowadays, it serves as a training facility for athletes and is used by the city's residents throughout the year. Although the original ski jumps are off-limits to the public, you'll find ski and snowboarding slopes, winter bobsleigh rides, a park for mountain biking, summer luge rides and year-round zipline rides. You can also take a bus tour of the facility or visit the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum. Several restaurants and a gift shop are also located on the premises. Athletic facilities have different hours depending on season. Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) 1300 Zoo Rd NE, Calgary  AB  T2E 7V6 • 403-232-9300 • 800-588-9993 Distance: ~1.961 km User Rating: 6.5 / 10         Description: Since its beginnings in the early part of the 20th century, this zoo has been one of Calgary's favorite destinations. Located on St. George's Island in the Bow River, the zoo boasts natural habitats for its numerous animal residents, especially the African species. It also goes to great pains to protect and breed endangered species and to collaborate with other zoos who have the same policies. Also on the grounds are several gardens, including a butterfly garden, and a conservatory with rainforest and desert environments. Kids in particular will love the life-size dinosaur replicas that populate one portion of the facility and the re-created habitats that surround them. Great for families. SpacePort (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) 2000 Airport Rd NE Calgary International Airport, Calgary  AB  T2E 6W5 • 403-717-7678 Distance: ~10.885 km         Description: Space and aviation have always held a special allure for kids, who let their imaginations run wild with thoughts of the unknown. This center mediates the fantasy with an array of scientific exhibits about flight, technology and the future of air travel. Flight and motion simulators give kids a chance to man their own ships and fly about the cosmos. They can also experiment with air-pressurized rockets to learn about thrust, explore the radar screens that help air traffic controllers monitor planes, and build a space station of their own. Thanks to an agreement with NASA, the center also boasts a model of a space shuttle, along with rocks actually collected from moon walks. Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) 88 Canada Olympic Park Rd SW, Calgary  AB  T3B 5R5 • 403-247-5452 Distance: ~11.330 km User Rating: 8 / 10         Description: This museum preserves the spirit of the XV Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary in 1988. The three-story establishment makes available video footage of the events, along with uniforms, athletic equipment, photographic records and other memorabilia. You'll also find a bobsleigh simulator and profiles of famous athletes. An inspiring and illuminating glimpse into the sacrifices and glories of becoming an Olympian. Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) Hwy 838 Midland Provincial Park, Drumheller  AB  T0J 0Y0 • 403-823-7707 • 888-440-4240 Distance: ~101.721 km         Description: When this badlands area was semi-tropical, dinosaurs roamed Alberta. Now, millions of years later, their fossilized remains are being unearthed, revealing extensive data about their existence and biology. This museum tracks the information and collects as much material and intellectual data as possible about the giant reptiles. It also boasts the largest display of complete skeletons anywhere. Using the information derived from the skeletons, scientists can reconstruct the geology of the area and details about the lives of the dinosaurs. Ongoing archaeological exploration constantly adds to the data. Although the museum is an hour and a half 's drive from Calgary, it's absolutely worth the effort. Cafeteria, gift shop and picnic areas also available. Prince's Island Park (Attractions & Activities - Family Friendly) Downtown south side of the Bow River, Calgary  AB Distance: ~13896.221 km         Description: This well-known and popular park is probably Calgary's favorite. Occupying an island in the middle of the Bow River, it's just steps away from Eau Claire Market and is accessible via footbridges from the well-maintained river banks. The island (and park) itself features a number of paved pathways which are popular with runners, bikers and roller-bladers during warm weather. Sun-bathers also come to take in the rays, and picnickers often spread their bounty for a mid-day respite. Music festivals are held here during the summer months, and you can do some fantastic people-watching too. One of the city's best restaurants, River Café, is located on the island as well. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.