Anybody been to Calgary Stampede ?

Went some years ago. We called the help line and got the info we needed. What you want to see depends on your interests. They have demos of various skills and various competitions.

One word of note: It's a stampede of people. Very crowded when we were there. Enjoyed it for a day. We didn't do the packages or bundles. We just went and wandered with a map of the events.

Cloud 9 wrote:
We are considering a trip to the Calgary Stampede as part of a trip to the Pacific Northwest.
Do you folks have any advice as to what to see, where to stay ? Understand we will need our passport.

Also. briefly visited their website, lots of "bundles", packages, etc. Seems pricy. Could be the exchange rate ?

No its not the exchange. The dollars are pretty much at par. It is pricey, but a lot of fun.

we went about 10 years ago. It's kind of like a big State Fair. The Rodeo is like any rodeo, but a lot of the top rodeo competitors will be there. I wasn't impressed with the chuck wagon races, but don't let that sway you.
We had a 32 ft. MH then and stayed about 50 miles west in the foothills of the Rockies at Bow River Provincial Park (like our state parks) because we wanted to do some touring of the mountains, too.
We drove into Calgary in our toad, parked at the University parking lot and took the metro or train to the Rodeo grounds. No charge on the parking. Don't recall if the train was free or not, but it couldn't have been costly or I would remember that. :)
If you want good seats at the rodeo, you should make reservations NOW. It's a very popular rodeo.
The Fair is interesting, too, if you like fairs, and we do.
Have fun, wherever you decide to stay.

Moved from Roads and Routes

We did it in 07 (I think) by joining the Good Sam Samboree there. GS did everything from reserving seats at the rodeo and the parade, plus a couple of other places to visit. If I remember correctly, the total cost was just over a grand including the rv park and several meals along with all the rodeo/parade stuff. Really enjoyed ourselves. Highlight was the fantastic fireworks display at the end of the rodeo.

Ron

As a westerner, I have been to lots of rodeos but we really love the stampede. This will be our 3rd one. The downtown area/Calgarians really embrace the event. Check out the free flapjack breakfast being served around the downtown area. We generally take light rail into town and walk to the stampede grounds, not far at all. Streets are closed off downtown so easy to walk around. Do the chuck wagon races and night show, fantastic. We have always had a fun time and have hated to leave. During the day, check out Fluor square, lots of free entertainment. Calgary also has a nice small Chinatown within walking distance of downtown, we always have a great meal there. Good luck.

Love the Stampede. It is pricy, but worth it.

We stayed at Calaway Park http://www.calawaypark.com/campground.html each time and drove into the city. We have kids, so staying at an amusement park works well for us.

Lots of free pancake breakfasts all over the city.

When does the Stamped start?

Of course been there as this is home. Really big show and huge amount of tourists come for it. Best is to book a room for hotels and for us rvers we really dont have much and little there is in town is not great. Best plan as suggested is stay a little out of town and just drive in for the day trips. Lots of camping just west of town in what is called Kananakis country and near Banff as someone suggested earlier. Come and be ready for a good time as it lives up to its name the greatest outdoor show on earth.

A cross between a rodeo & a state fair. We did it a few years ago. The DW is a big rodeo fan. Won't be going back. We have found the smaller rodeos to be much more fun to watch & far more cost effective.