Departing Calgary we will travel away from the Majestic Canadian Rockies to the Canadian Prairies and the Badlands of Alberta by bus coach. Our first stop in Drumheller is the Tourism Visitors Centre when you will learn about the history of the region. We then move to the World Famous Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. The Museum tells the story of the local history of the earth over millions of years. It covers periods when the Prairies were under the water of the ocean, the Tropical forests and the ice age that covered Alberta as recent as 10,000 years ago. Lunch will be on your expense at the Tyrrell Museum. We will then tour the Little Church, believed to be the “Smallest Functional Church in the World”. Subject to the choice of the tour group, we have the option of a side trip to East Coulee with stops at the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, the Hoodoos and pass by the Historic Atlas Coal before our drive back to Calgary.
Just a short walk across the parking lot from the hotel we will be gathering at the Forbidden City Restaurant featuring a variety of Chinese dishes with seafood specialties. Dinner at your own expense.
This attraction opened in 2016 and features five floors of music focused and interactive exhibits. One of the unique features is the Kimball Theatre organ and over 22 stages and studio spaces. The NMC acts as a hub for music, innovation and cultural discovery in Canada. It is home to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2013 the NMC acquired a Calgary music icon – the King Edward Hotel and after careful reassembly, reopened as a restaurant, bar and music venue. Their menu features a number of southern themed dishes which have garnered positive reviews from locals and visitors to the city. Lunch will be at your expense. To learn more about this attraction visit www.studiobell.ca & https://kingeddy.ca/menu
This year the Canadian Association for Numismatic Education (CAFNE) reception is being hosted at the University of Calgary’s Nickle Arts Museum. It is home to one of Canada’s largest numismatic collections and the Calgary Numismatic Society also stores their club archives at the Museum. These archives along with the current Museum’s numismatic exhibit will on display for everyone to view. For more information on the Museum please visit www.nickle.ucalgary.ca Attendance is limited to ninety six people and the cost is free. Snacks will be available along with one free drink ticket and a cash bar.
Bee Kingdom Glass is a Calgary based glassblowing studio established in 2006 that has gained both local and international success. Ryan Fairweather and Phillip Bandura built their studio in a converted garage with the house serving as the gallery/shop and office space. They create all types of glassworks ranging from fine art sculptures to a functional production line and their distinctive pieces have been collected all over the world with fans such as Sir Elton John . Their presentation will include the history of glass blowing and a live demonstration of how a glass art piece is made. This art piece will be raffled off to one lucky attendee and for the others there will be an opportunity to peruse their studio for your own beautiful and unique souvenir. To view samples of their collection visit
https://www.beekingdomglass.com/.
After visiting Bee Kingdom Glass our next stop will be the historic neighborhood of Inglewood where you can purchase lunch on your own. Established in 1875, this is Calgary’s oldest community. It was known as East Calgary or Brewery Flats and then renamed in 1911 after the nearby homestead established by Col. James Walker. Today it is a shopping and arts district with more than 220 businesses including shops, boutiques and eateries. It was designated by the Canadian Institute of Planners as Canada’s greatest community in 2014. To see what Inglewood has to offer visit http://inglewoodyyc.ca/.
The Big Rock Grill was voted best business lunch 2014 by Avenue magazine and the co‐owners Executive Chef Harry Griesser and Manager Markus Aschauer are seasoned hospitality professionals. The restaurant features European inspired dishes with specialty craft beers from the Big Rock Brewery. Enjoy a full buffet dinner and tour of the brewery along with a beer tasting to sample their various brews followed by a delicious buffet dinner. A perfect combination of food and brew. Take a visual tour of the venue at https://bigrockgrill.com/
The Calgary Zoo is one of only five zoos in Canada accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is home to over 1,000 animals across 119 different species which is spread out over 120 acres divided into six distinct zones: Destination Africa, Canadian Wilds, Penguin Plunge, Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens and ENMAX Conservatory, Eurasia and Prehistoric Park. It is Canada’s most visited zoo and has received international recognition for conservation. One of the highlights this year is the two Giant Pandas that are currently on loan from China. The zoo has numerous amenities and attractions and these can be viewed at https://www.calgaryzoo.com/
Note: You must sign up for all of the above tours through the official RCNA registration form. All tours are subject to cancellation based on a minimum number of registrants per tour.