Big City Small Romance

Canada 🇨🇦 Calgary: The Gateway to Banff Calgary, the largest city in western Canada, is where our Banff adventure began. (I think most travelers start here, too!) A day trip is enough to hit the main spots—they’re all clustered downtown, making it easy to explore. We opted for Ubers instead of renting a car, which was super convenient; parking would’ve been a hassle for a short city visit 🚗❌. 📍 Calgary Central Library This place is a stunner, thanks to its unique architecture. Glass, steel, and wood come together to create a space that feels both vibrant and open—light floods through the glass panels, and the wooden accents add warmth. It’s not just a library; it’s a community hub, with people reading, working, or just admiring the design. Even if you’re not a bookworm, stepping inside is worth it for the "wow" factor 😍. 📍 Convention Center & Downtown Stroll The Convention Center marks a great starting point for a downtown walk—and honestly, you can’t go wrong wandering aimlessly here. Downtown Calgary isn’t huge, so it’s easy to meander without getting lost 🧭. We passed historic buildings, cozy cafes, and bustling streets, soaking in the city’s vibe. It’s a mix of modern energy and small-town charm, which feels unique for a big city 🌆. 📍 Calgary Tower This iconic tower offers panoramic views from its glass observation deck—imagine standing above the city, with a clear view of the skyline, the Bow River, and even distant mountain peaks. We didn’t go up (we just snapped a full view from afar 📸), but friends who did rave about the perspective. If heights don’t faze you, it’s a classic way to get oriented. 📍 Prince’s Island Park Near Chinatown, this park is a green oasis in the city. Early mornings, it’s full of people jogging, cycling, or practicing yoga—locals clearly love this spot 🏃♀️🧘♂️. The Peace Bridge, with its sleek red design, connects the park to the rest of downtown, and everywhere you look, there are trees, lawns, and the gentle flow of the river. It’s the perfect place to slow down and breathe in some fresh air 🌿. 🍴 Food Spots Caesar's: No trip to Canada is complete without a steak, and this place delivered. I ordered the Brant Lake Wagyu Ribeye, and it was incredible—tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. 😋 It’s a classic spot that lives up to the hype. Tim Hortons: Canada’s answer to Dunkin’—we grabbed a coffee and a pastry, which hit the spot ☕. Nothing fancy, but it’s a quintessential local stop. Tiger Sugar: A must for bubble tea lovers! Located near Chinatown, their milk tea was the perfect pick-me-up after walking around 🧋. Calgary left a great first impression: it’s spotlessly clean, prices are reasonable, and there’s a quiet charm to it. This lovely introduction has only made me more excited for what’s next in Banff. 🌈 #OffTheBeatenPath #CanadaTravel #Calgary #BigCitySmallRomance #NorthAmericanLife #Banff