The rise of Calgary from sleepy frontier town to booking metropolis has often been liked to sister cities in Texas, and for good reason. The cowboy hat and boots image is strong here and the city's huge growth was funded in no small part by cattle and oil. The annual Calgary Stampede is arguably the most popular cowboy carnival in the world and brings out the entire town and busloads of tourists for ten days of riding, roping and other classic cowboy pursuits at this internationally acclaimed Rodeo. The short distance between Calgary and Banff National Park make it an excellent option for a visit that includes both time spent in the Downtown area getting to know the city as well as an exploration of incredible Banff National Park.
The vast majority of luxury hotels in Calgary are located in the downtown district and this is the best place to stay for access to the city's cultural and business highlights, including easy access to Stampede Park, home of the Calgary Stampede.