In mid-July I’ll be in Calgary for a few days. Things I already plan to do (because it’s my job) are visit the Telus World of Science and the Cineplex Scotiabank IMAX theater.
What else would you recommend?
Well, it depends how mid your July visit will be - if you’re there before July 14th, you can take in some of the Calgary Stampede which runs July 4 - 14 this year.
If you miss that, you’re stuck with just some cool bars and restaurants in a big city full of friendly people. 
I’m not sure if you can still do luge on a wheeled sled at Olympic Park; check if your insurance is payed up.
Nearby (not sure if you’re intending to have a car or not) is Banff and Canmore, with some fantastic mountain hiking. Also nearby is the Tyrrell Museum which is good for dinosaur fans.
Have a great time - I’m sorry I won’t be anywhere near Calgary for a while…
I arrive on July 15, so I miss the stampede, but I guess the upside is that hotels will be a little cheaper (I hope). Thanks for mentioning the Tyrrell.
Drive out to Banff and go hiking. Its only about an hour and a half’s drive and an easy, straight shot into absolutely stunning scenery. Grab some breakfast at “Coyote Grill” on Caribou St. In the evening go for a soak in the Banff mineral Hot Springs main pool for $7.50 CAN (note its not all that hot).
Banff hiking trails:
Banff Hot Springs (click "Banff Upper Hot Springs)
Coyote Grill:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2799557-coyote_s_deli_and_grill_banff-i
The first and obvious thing is coming out for dinner with the Calgary Dopers. 
I know a great, inexpensive place for fantastic Alberta beef.
I don’t really recommend Banff - it’s an overpriced tourist trap. If you want gorgeous mountain scenery and great hiking trails without paying a park fee and experiencing crowded hiking trails, you want Kananaskis Country (ideally Peter Lougheed Park, which is further in). Maybe just drive through Banff to say you’ve been there.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller is really interesting - I second the recommendation. Make sure you allow time to stop at the Horseshoe Canyon on the way, too - it’s a great hike around the canyon.
We should probably warn you about coming to Calgary in summer - you’ll probably need clothes for warm to hot weather, but you should also pack some sweaters and jeans. There’s no guarantee the weather will be hot even in July, and the evenings are usually cool even in the hottest part of summer. Coming from Maryland, you might want to be careful if you do any hiking - Calgary’s at 3440 ft above sea level, and it just goes up from there in the mountains.
Hello? You coming back to your thread, comma sense?
Dopefest? Heck, maybe it’s time to have another one anyway. Commasense, you’d not only meet the wonderful, dashing, terrific (and modest) Calgary Dopers, but you’d also get some fine Alberta beef. What’s not to like?
And maybe I’d even be able to come this time!
I love the zoo personally (I’ve had a pass for the last 3 years). It’s a nice place for a wander. Or you could go hang out in Prince’s Island Park and catch some Shakespeare.
There’s a good idea, actually–my wife and I try to get to Prince’s Island for Shakespeare every year. (We don’t always succeed. 
)Anyway, as a Dopefest, maybe we should take a picnic and try for a Saturday production of “Complete Works (Abridged).” It’s rather good–it hits the high (and familiar) points, and has plenty of laughs besides.
That’s a great idea - Jim loves Shakespeare in the Park; I love eating - what’s not to like? 
I’ve never actually been. Every summer I say I think I shall go and I never end up going, so I really want to. This summer, I will for sure.
It would be fun.
Sorry, I wasn’t ignoring you.
Thanks for all the suggestions. The whole trip is still a little uncertain, and although I’ll have to settle everything fairly soon, I’m waiting for some additional information.
As for the notion of a dopefest, please don’t go to any trouble for little ol’ me. If you want to have one anyway while I happen to be there, I’ll do my best to make it. But I may be in the company of some friends/colleagues to whom it may seem strange if I tell them I’m going off to have dinner with a bunch of people I only know from an online message board. (Not that I’m particularly worried about appearing strange. I’ve been doing it all my life!) I just don’t think at this stage I can make any guarantees about attending. Maybe later.
Just because I’m so excited about this (and will revel in the admiration and outright envy this will elicit from at least some fellow Dopers), here’s the whole story.
I’ve been invited by a Canadian production company that is making an IMAX film about trains to join them on a filming excursion on the Canadian Pacific Railway’s 1930 steam engine, the Empress. We’ll go from Vancouver to Calgary over three days, traveling in areas that few people get to see anymore, probably including scenic sidelines where the film crew will have more control over the train. The rolling stock behind the engine will include historic private rail cars, “museum” cars, and more recent first class coaches. We won’t sleep on the train, but will stay overnight in hotels in Kamloops and Golden.
How’s them apples, train buffs? Eat your hearts out! Neener, neener! 
So when it’s all over, I’ll stick around Calgary, which I’ve never visited before, for at least a couple of days. But so, probably, will some of my friends and colleagues who’ve also been invited. If it turns out that many or most of them are leaving right away and if I have some free time, a meeting with you all may be possible. But, as I say, it’s far from certain, so please don’t go to any trouble on my behalf.
And thanks again for all the suggestions.
ETA: I forgot to add: the trip’s been delayed by one day, so now we arrive on July 16.
I second Kananaskis instead of Banff. Same scenery for less money.
The train trip sounds amazing. You’ll get right into some breathtaking scenery coming from Van to Calgary!
That’s right - I’ve heard that is a spectacular trip.
Well, let us know if you do have the inclination to meet a bunch of really cool people. I’m sure we can find some here.
Neener indeed. Name the date and time, and I’ll be there with bells on. I’ve been to Big Valley, Alberta a few times to watch CNR 6060 (Mountain type 4-8-2 locomotive, built 1944 at Montreal Locomotive Works) on tourist runs, but would love to see another steam engine in action. I’ve travelled most of the way across Canada by train, but it’s always been behind diesel-electrics.
As to your route, you’ll probably go through the Spiral Tunnels. These reduced the original grade of the Big Hill on the west side of Kicking Horse Pass to something a little more manageable than it had been. (Let me know your schedule and I will try to get to the tourist lookout in Kicking Horse Pass to get some photos of the train going through the tunnels.) Anyway, they’re quite the engineering achievement, and the scenery in that area, in Yoho National Park near Field BC, is spectacular. You’ll have a great time–and yes, this train buff is eating his heart out.
Spoons, I’ve posted the itinerary over here. I hope that’s helpful.
Now that we have the details of the trip, I’ll be in touch with some of my fellow passengers to see what their Calgary plans may be. Then I’ll be able to let you know if I can meet up with you folks. I’m thinking now that I’ll probably fly home on the 19th.
Saw it–many thanks! I’m unsure whether I’ll be able to get away to the Big Hill on a workday, but at least now I know your route and schedule. Thanks again!