Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary has evolved from a frontier cattle town into a dynamic cultural hub where urban cowboys rub shoulders with oil executives. The city pulses with energy year-round, but never more so than each July during the legendary Calgary Stampede—a ten-day whirlwind of bronc busting, chuckwagon racing, and enough over-the-top eats to make a state fair blush.
When Joel Cowley traded his beloved Texas for Alberta’s wide-open skies to helm the Calgary Stampede, he wasn’t just swapping Stetsons. The former Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO discovered one of North America’s best-kept urban secrets. With its blend of Southern comfort and Canadian charm, Calgary feels exotic yet familiar to American visitors. Direct flights from Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta run year-round, with seasonal service from Nashville and Austin, making this prairie metropolis more accessible than ever. Below, Cowley shares his favorite spots to visit in his adopted city.
Dine
“I’m a bit of a critic when it comes to steaks,” Cowley says. “There are a lot of great steakhouses in Calgary, but I prefer Vintage Chophouse. It just feels very classy with the ambiance, lighting, and food. I like their New York strip. To me, it’s the best combination of flavor and tenderness. And I love a wedge salad and, honestly, any potato.”
For a taste of home
“I hate it when my blood barbecue level gets low,” Cowley jokes. “In such an emergency, I hit Jane Bond BBQ for a delicious fix. It’s called Jane Bond because she’s the 007 of barbecue. There are several different sauces you can select from—most of them are tomato-based. There aren’t that many places in Alberta that do a great job with brisket, and she does.”
Stay
“The Fairmont Palliser is fantastic. It opened in 1914, so it’s pretty impressive that they had the foresight to build a building that large and accommodating, even by modern standards. The hotel has a great connection with Calgary’s history and happens to be on the Stampede Parade route.”
Tips for visiting the Calgary Stampede
“Usually we draw 300,000 visitors to the downtown Stampede Parade. It’s July 4 this year, and Shania Twain will be our parade marshal, so I wouldn’t miss that—or the final Sunday rodeo, chuckwagon and relay races, where the champions are crowned. It’s quite emotional for these athletes to win a Calgary Stampede championship. We’ve been having a rodeo since 1912, and it’s one of the marquee rodeos in North America.”
A worthy souvenir
Cowley recommends: “A new Western hat from Smithbilt Hats. They have a wall of hats and a large shaping counter where someone will custom-shape your hat while you wait. If you’re interested in Western lifestyle, they also have quite a bit of apparel and boots.
“If headwear isn’t your thing and you enjoy fine spirits, a bottle of premium Alberta whisky is great to take back. I’m not a big drinker, but I do appreciate the Stampede Canadian Rye whiskey made by Eau Claire Distillery. You can buy it at the duty-free shop on your way out.”
Slightly farther afield
“We make sure we do a day trip to Lake Louise with any guest that visits us,” Cowley says. “It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. The color of the water in the summertime, with the glacier off in the distance, surrounded by all those peaks, is absolutely incredible.”
