The Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower is a 191 meter free standing observation tower in Calgary, Alberta. It was originally named the Husky Tower. The idea for the tower was proposed as a deal between Marathon Realty Company Limited and Husky Oil as part of an urban renewal plan in Calgary in the late 1960’s.
The Calgary tower is a founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers.
Calgary Tower Facts
-360 degree panoramic views from the restaurant and observation decks
-A restaurant with revolving floor and seating for 200
-First observation deck with capacity for 250
-Second observation desk with a cocktail lounge and snack bar
-Skydomes in the roof.
-2 high speed elevators which travel to the top of the tower in 63 seconds.
The tower was built in 1967. It opened to the public on June 30, 1968 as the tallest structure in Calgary, and the tallest structure in Canada outside of Toronto. It was officially named the Calgary Tower in 1971.
The tower was designed specifically to withstand earthquakes and winds up to 161 kilometers per hour.
The Calgary tower features a revolving restaurant, Sky 360. The base of the Calgary tower is connected through an underground tunnel for pedestrians to the Fairmont Palliser Hotel and several office towers. The stairs to the observation deck are not open to the public, but are used for an annual charity stair-climbing contest. There are 762 steps if you are thinking about entering!
The tower is home to the Tourism Calgary Information Centre. There is a free Internet cafe and the Spirit of Calgary Boutique is also located there. Here you can find valuable information on attractions, accommodations, entertainment and dining. The Tourism Calgary Visitor Centre is open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years' Day.
Once you are all the way up at the top, check out another Calgary Tower gift shop, located on the Observation Deck. The boutique specializes in Calgary Tower memorabilia, clothing apparel and keepsakes. You can mail your postcard from Canada's highest mail box!
Melissa Montgomery