Cowtown. The Foothills City. Dallas of the North. Cities in the New World have always been clever at finding nicknames for themselves and Calgary is no exception. The centre of Canada's oil industry, it is a sprawling suburban blur with a shocking, thrusting downtown core that passes for New York in many films.

On many levels it's the same as any other North American city. Good restaurants, a modest cultural life, an industriousness that differs greatly from the UK and Europe. Hardly a rave review, I admit it. Calgary, however, is most impressive as a gateway or springboard. While located on the western edge of the Great North American Plains, the city is a mere hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains at their most striking, picturesque point.

The city's airport sees many travellers arrive, although most board buses and head to the Rockies to play golf or go hiking in the summer or to strap on skis in the winter. These facilities are stunning, modern and fantastic and the breathtaking nature in which they take place is second-to-none.

Calgary, on the other hand, struggles to be interesting. Sure, it is a constant destination for Canadians seeking a boomtown. The oil in the province of Alberta keeps Calgary busy. But if I'm to cut to the chase, you've got three famous things in Calgary. Ready? The 1988 Winter Olympics was a fantastic show and put the city briefly on the map (and permanently in the trivia world). The Calgary Stampede is touted as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". Ten days of rodeo riding and accompanying events every July. Even the bus drivers dress up in denim and cowboy hats to mark the city's trademark event. Cynics may say that other, greater outdoor shows can be found on earth but let's leave that one alone.

The third thing is the so-called Plus 15 system. A series of above-ground walkways that connect the skyscrapers of the downtown area so that you can basically walk for kilometres in short-sleeves while the 30 below winter rages outside. Urban planner heaven.

If you chuck in Calgary-born Owen Hargreaves – footballer for Bayern Munich and England – you've got four things.

There ARE tourist attractions within the city limits which are worth visiting if you're in town. You'll find everything and anything you need here. I hope they'll be added to this site in the form of tips. The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, however, is all that which lies to the west of the city. The Rocky Mountains in all their glory.