Private tour in Calgary Ingrid S

Historic walk through downtown Calgary - Half Day

5.0

(9) reviews

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Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Ingrid S.

4.9

Guide rating

17

Reviews

Tours delivered

6 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello. My new passionate customized tour-guiding is about to start and I want you to be part of it. My name is Ingrid and just retired from a teaching position here in Calgary. My first local walking tour was in May of 2023 and I loved it so much, that I wanted to become part of the ToursbyLocals community. Adventure brought me in 1987 to Vancouver, British Columbia and I fell in love with the way of life in Canada, married and move to Calgary, Alberta in 1993. Canada is such a huge mass of land and the history of this country is markedly different than the history of Europe. Because around 40000 years ago, long before adventurers like Christopher Columbus, Jacques Cartier and John Cabot who came to North America in the search of India, First Nations entered the New World by crossing a land bridge from Asia during the Ice Age. Calgary is a beautiful city located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Calgary was founded at the site of Fort Calgary where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet. Calgary was founded in 1884 as the first city of the province of Alberta. Since then, Calgary has grown to. a population of 1, 3 Million. One might ask why has this city changed so drastically? This will be explained during our walking tours. Historically and culturally we are on land which belonged to many First Nation Bands. The fur trade was significant to the development of the Canada and the interaction of First Nations to settlers. In addition to furs, many things were traded at the trading posts like the horses, beads and fine fabrics from Europe. Back to the times between 1840 and 1866 the trading posts, which used the beaver pelts as currency for the exchange of commodities like sugar, salt the musket (a gun) was only be accessibly by the voyageurs with their canoes. The canoes inherited by the First Nations were the transport trucks of the fur trade. Calgary's growth and rapid changes were driven by the ranching and farming industry which encouraged the resettling of many Europeans. The CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) came from the east of Canada through Calgary and opened up an easier way of the development of the west. The east and west were finally connected. The land of Calgary and the surrounding prairie land belonged to the Blackfoot, Sarcee, Blood Tribe, Piegan and Nakoda/Stoney. On this land Treaty 7 was negotiated with the First Nations in order to establish rules for joint land use, but to this day the fairness and negotiation strategies are questioned and controversial. However the contracts did prevent more bloodshed and with the arrival of the RCMP (Royal Mounted Police) the wild West with its illegal whisky traders and lawless behaviour was brought under control. Calgary is and will always be a Cowboy city by heart and I hope you can come during our famous Stampede and experience for yourself how a city whose main income is driven by the oil and gas production is still a city of ranchers, farmers and down to earth people. Let me introduce you to the history and culture of Calgary. Thank you Ingrid 2020 - am qualified to evaluate students for the DSD 1 exam (German Speaking Diplom 1) 2012 - completed the "Teaching Second Language Certificate Level 1 and Level 2), University of Calgary Alberta 2004 - Completed the professional development program for teachers at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal College 1991 - graduated as a licensed practical nurse from Vancouver Community College 1983 - graduated as an accountant in Germany I am not a driver but I can accompany you in your vehicle.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ingrid S.

Overview of your Calgary tour

Well, approximately 150 years ago Calgary indeed was the Wild West. Whisky smugglers and gangsters , mostly who crossed from the USA into Canada keep this part of Canada dangerous. In 1875 the NWMP (North West Mounted Police) was formed to restore law and order. The development of the (Canadian Pacific Railroad) which came from the east to the west drove the rapid growth of Calgary. The Hudson's Bay Company wanted to connect the East with the West to make the trading easier. The ranching industry started to flourish and brought investments to Calgary. The city started to grow rapidly and 1884 became Calgary the first city in Alberta. Let me walk you trough this part of Canadian history while we connect the historical monuments with the current status quo. If you come during the famous Stampede in July of each year, you get a sense of the past, because the city becomes a city of the Wild West with many Indigenous, historical showcases and displays from the rodeo and ranching industry. Welcome to Calgary!

Your Calgary tour itinerary

• Starting point at city hall downtown Calgary (McLeod Trail/ 8 Ave SE) . Treaty 7 territory, Blackfood, Sarcee, Blood Tripe, Peigan, Nakoda/ Stoney Nations) . Family of horses and the famous Spruce Meadows horse champing events . Olympic Plaza, place of the 1988 Winter Olympics . 1884 build Anglican Church 1 Street/ 7 Ave . Symbol of Chinook (Southwestern Winds) . Stephens Avenue, Bronze Statues of the famous 5 . the "conversation statue" . Theatre District and Symphony . Glenbow Museum (collection of artifacts which demonstrate the historic development of the West) . Burns building, Founders of the first Stampede . First Downtown Fire-station . Plus 15 Passage (biggest indoor pedestrian passages above ground in the world) . Calgary Tower, 1988 Olympic landmark . Mechanical horse and Metal tree sculptures . The Bow, Brookfield Place, Suncor Towers, Telus Sky tower . Banking and Shopping district . Family of men display (Expo 1967) . New 2018 library and the Trio . House of Music, Studio Bell museum

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Walking

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

716 Macleod Trail, Calgary, Alberta, T2G, Canada

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: 716 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, CA T2G 2M3

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Architecture
City Highlights
Art And Culture
Tour reference number
1234543
Languages
English
German
Activity level
Light
5.0

Traveller reviews for this private tour in Calgary

9 reviews

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Calgary best suited for?

This private tour in Calgary is perfect for history enthusiasts and those interested in learning about the city's transformation from the Wild West to a modern urban centre. It's also ideal for travellers who want to connect with a local guide, Ingrid S., for deeper insights into Calgary's past and present.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Calgary be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

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Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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