Known because the Gateway to the North, Edmonton has 18 hours of solar in the summer season providing you with loads of time to benefit from the nice outside. In the colder months, the river valley is reworked right into a winter wonderland because the Northern Lights dance in the sky. As Canada’s northernmost main metropolis, Edmonton can be one of many coldest cities in the world. Don’t let that cease you from visiting although, Edmonton’s year-round sights embody the biggest shopping center in North America, Canada’s largest residing historical past museum, Canada’s largest historic park and Canada’s largest indoor botanical gardens. No matter what time of 12 months you go to you’ll all the time discover some superb issues to do in Edmonton.
Top Things to Do in Edmonton
Are you prepared to uncover one of the best issues to do in Edmonton? The capital metropolis of Alberta has one thing to fulfill all tastes in journey. Known because the City of Festivals, Edmonton has greater than 50 festivals a 12 months, giving Montreal a run for its cash. So it doesn’t matter what time you go to, there’s positive to be one thing happening.
Book your airport switch in advance to keep away from airport hassles. Your non-public driver will take you from the Edmonton Airport (YEG) to your downtown lodge. Your driver will likely be ready with a reputation plate and can observe your flight so that you don’t want to fear about delays.
1. West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall just isn’t the biggest shopping center in the world (as some have a tendency to imagine), however it’s North America’s largest mall and a really spectacular leisure vacation spot. Featuring greater than 800 retailers, a water park, an ice-skating rink, a golf space, and a duplicate of Christopher Columbus’ ship the Santa Maria used in 1492, this mall is unquestionably price a go to.
Even if procuring just isn’t on the listing you have to go to the West Edmonton Mall to see the spectacle. Besides the enjoyable sights, there are number of eating places, shops and boutiques. You may even e-book lodging in one of many two motels on the mall.
Fantasy Land Hotel and Resort – If you need to keep at West Edmonton Mall, this lodge has theme rooms and is linked immediately to the mall. West Edmonton Mall Inn – For a extra inexpensive possibility simply steps away from the mall try the West Edmonton Mall Inn.
Edmonton World Waterpark
Featuring over 17 slides in a tropical, unique setting, World Waterpark is without doubt one of the greatest locations to hang around. The water park was opened to the general public in 1986 and is situated contained in the West Edmonton Mall.
It is one in every of North America’s largest indoor water parks, so it should maintain the entire household entertained for hours, if not for a complete day. And don’t fear in case you didn’t deliver a towel with you in your journey, simply get there and hire a towel on the admissions workplace.
2. Edmonton Muttart Conservatory
Discover the pyramids! Not those in Egypt, however the ones in Edmonton, Alberta! We’re speaking, after all, in regards to the botanical gardens on the Muttart Conservatory. Four pyramids function greater than 700 completely different species of vegetation from around the globe in three climates – Arid Pyramid, Temperate Pyramid, and Tropical Pyramid. The fourth pyramid is the featured pyramid with seasonal shows and celebrations. It is without doubt one of the largest indoor botanical gardens in Canada.
An essential horticultural attraction in Edmonton, Muttart Conservatory is situated on the North Saskatchewan River valley, shut to the downtown space. This is a year-round attraction and probably the greatest issues to do in Edmonton taking you from Myanmar to Fiji. ‘Make sure to take a walk to the high ground the river for views of the skyline. American Redwoods and Australian Eucalyptus.
Self Guided Audio Tour
Get this self guided audio tour before you leave for your Edmonton trip. You can explore the city at your own pace as you listen to facts and history about Edmonton landmarks and attractions. Stops include, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Central Station, Citadel Theatre, Stanley Milner Library, Edmonton City Hall, St. Joseph’s Basilica, William Hawrelak Park and extra.
3. Alberta Legislature Building
The Alberta Legislature Building is named “The Ledge,” hosts the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council. The structure of the constructing is excellent, however don’t stroll away as quickly as you get your photographs with it. Make positive to go inside for views throughout the Saskatchewan River from its terrace.
The Alberta Legislature Building presents free guided excursions via this iconic landmark in Edmonton. Constructed between 1907 and 1913, it’s acknowledged for its beautiful Beaux-Arts structure. You can examine their web site for particulars.
Don’t miss going exterior, The Legislature Building is surrounded by fantastically landscaped gardens and grounds that supply a peaceable and scenic setting for guests to get pleasure from. The gardens embody a reflecting pool, fountains, and quite a few statues and monuments.
Alberta Legislature Building Visitor Centre
Don’t miss trying out the Visitor Centre which has a 4D immersive expertise at Pehonan Theatre a visible historical past of the province of Alberta from its indigenous origins to the twentieth century. The Vistor Centre is situated on the primary ground of the Queen Elizabeth II Building.
4. Edmonton River Valley Parks
The individuals of Edmonton understand how to benefit from the nice outside. The North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System covers 18,000 acres combining 20 completely different parks throughout 48 km. Anything outside that your coronary heart needs is offered in this inexperienced house.
Hiking and biking trails,(fats biking in winter) a golf course, ravines, and lakes and in case you are into zoos, The Edmonton Valley Zoo is inside the parks system. In the winter, there’s cross-country snowboarding and even a downhill ski slope on the Edmonton Ski Club the place you possibly can go snow tubing.
Some parks you’ll be passing via in case you hire a motorbike or go for a run embody:
Hawrelak Park: A well-liked park with a lake, picnic websites, playgrounds, and occasions all year long, together with the Heritage Festival. William Hawrelak Park: A big park with a lake, strolling trails, picnic websites, and several other occasions all year long, together with the Symphony Under the Sky. Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park: A park with strolling trails, picnic websites, and river entry. Rundle Park: A big park with a golf course, strolling trails, picnic websites, and a playground. Emily Murphy Park: A park with a playground, picnic websites, and river entry. Terwillegar Park: A park with strolling trails, picnic websites, and river entry. Victoria Golf Course: A golf course situated inside the River Valley.
5. Louise McKinney Riverfront Park
One of the preferred parks in Edmonton is the Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. Located in the guts of downtown Edmonton alongside the banks of the North Saskatchewan River it’s a lovely park to spend a while outside. Rent a bicycle to go for a trip on its bike trails or just stroll alongside the waterfront to take in the town skyline views.
Make positive to go to the Chinese Garden for some serenity and to see the Edmonton Chinese Garden Nine Dragon Wall which includes a mural of the Great Wall of China on one aspect, and 9 dragons.
You can e-book bicycle leases in advance to spin your means via the streets of Edmonton. Rental contains software bag, spare tubes, flat pedals, pump and helmet. You may hire an e-bike for a neater trip, which we advise for sightseeing. The River Valley Adventure Company additionally rents bikes in Edmonton.
River Valley Adventures
The River Valley Adventure Company is situated in the park and so they provide Segway excursions and bike leases in the summer season and fats bike and snowshoe leases in the winter.
You can e-book this segway tour that allow’s you expertise Alberta’s Edmonton River Valley in a singular means on two wheels. You’ll have see of the Edmonton Riverboat alongside the North Saskatchewan river and the scenic Walterdale Bridge which presents lovely views of the Edmonton skyline.
6. TELUS World of Science in Edmonton
The science heart is situated in the Woodcroft neighborhood, shut to Coronation Park. Telus World of Science goals to ignite curiosity and encourage discovery, and this makes it a beautiful vacation spot for individuals of all ages, children included. Children and adults alike have the chance to have interaction in science, collaborating in completely different experiments, and discovering the interactive galleries.
And in case your child has a gentle spot for science, you possibly can even manage a party for him right here! The employees is pleasant, and the meals courtroom presents quite a lot of dishes to select from, so you possibly can spend a couple of hours right here having fun with the educational expertise!
7. Fort Edmonton Park
Time has stopped at Fort Edmonton Park the place the streets are frozen in time. The 158 acre park is the biggest residing historical past museum in Canada and it’s positively price seeing while you go to Edmonton.
Costumed performers stroll the reproduction of an 1885 road and you may tour an 1846 fort from the times of the Hudson Bay fur merchants. Take a trip on the historic road automotive from 1909 and go to the recreation of the 1929 Capitol Theatre. It hosts occasions and live shows.
There is a Hudson Bay Fort and streets recreating Edmonton’s early historical past in 1885, 1905 and 1920. If you need a have a look at bits and items of Alberta and Canadian historical past the Fort Edmonton Park presents memorable experiences for everybody. Visit the fort for particulars.
8. Art Gallery of Alberta
The locals name it AGA (the acronym for Art Gallery of Alberta). The 8000 sq. meters constructing is situated in downtown Edmonton, so that you gained’t have any points discovering it. Dedicated to visible arts emphasizing Western Canada. 6000 items, present store, restaurant and theatre house.
The constructing itself is a powerful piece of structure. But there’s extra to the AGA than the magic of recent structure. Art Gallery of Alberta is amongst Canada’s largest galleries that includes up to date and historic exhibitions.
9. Alberta Aviation Museum
Are you obsessed with aviation? The Alberta Aviation Museum is an effective place is an effective possibility in order for you to be taught extra about Canadian aviation historical past. The museum is housed in a historic airplane hangar on the former Blatchford Field, which was as soon as one of many busiest airports in Canada.
Visitors can get pleasure from a variety of displays, together with classic plane, engines, and aviation artifacts from the early days of aviation to the trendy period. With 40 plane together with a World War II bomber and a duplicate of the Silver Dart, the primary powered airplane to fly in Canada, this can be a dream for historical past buffs.
The museum additionally presents academic applications and occasions for guests of all ages. Children can take part in the museum’s Junior Pilots Program, the place they’ll study aviation via hands-on actions and interactive displays.
10. Royal Alberta Museum
Located close to the Art Gallery of Alberta, these make for a fantastic mixture. The Royal Alberta Museum is a pure and human historical past museum with the standard See displays distinctly Albertan highlighting Alberta’s Heritage and setting. Dedicated to pure historical past with greater than 10 million objects on show. With 82,000 sq. toes of exhibit house, the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) is the Western Canada’s largest museum.
Visit the RAM Website for extra info.
Open Friday – Sunday
11. Neon Sign Museum
Let there be mild! With some historical past behind it! This is definitely an outside set up of classic indicators. Twenty neon indicators initially from shops, railroads, and theaters have been reconditioned and held on a constructing. It’s not your standard museum, however you’ll positively get superb photographs in case you determine to take a stroll in the world.
12. Alberta Railway Museum
If you get to Edmonton’s northern suburbs, you possibly can go to Alberta Railway Museum. The museum was based in 1976 to protect the railway heritage. Here you’ll uncover over 75 engines and a powerful assortment of still-operating, in addition to static locomotives. But the spotlight of this go to is the chance to go on a practice trip (solely obtainable throughout summer season).
Who doesn’t love trains? This museum is house to an unlimited huge assortment of classic trains, together with steam, diesel, and electrical locomotives. It additionally has mannequin trains. If you need to begin a brand new pastime, you possibly can be taught all about mannequin railroading right here. Take a guided tour for an in-depth have a look at rail transportation and historical past in Alberta.
13. High Level Bridge Streetcar
Owned by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, the High Level Bridge Streetcar is a heritage streetcar. Running on the previous Canadian Pacific Railway One of the issues to do in Edmonton is to take a trip in it and revel in spectacular views of the town and the river valley.
Your journey via Edmonton’s river valley in the hundred-year-old outdated streetcar can take you to Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market and over the High Level Bridge. And one of the best half is that you just get off while you need to go to a store or seize a chunk and hop on when you find yourself prepared to see extra.
14. Hang Out at Old Strathcona Historic District and White Avenue
It is also called 82 Avenue, and it’s probably the greatest locations in Edmonton! Many make it a precedence to get to the best neighborhood in Edmonton. With an eclectic mixture of eating places, theaters, and completely different retailers, Whyte Avenue is an arterial highway working via Old Strathcona.
The avenue acquired its identify in 1891, after Sir Willian Whyte (superintendent of the CPR’s western division). We can say that Whyte Avenue is the guts and soul of the humanities & enjoyable district, so it’s positively a not-to-miss attraction. Speaking of CPR, The historic Canadian Pacific Railway Station is one other attraction in the world that was constructed in 1908.
There are loads of issues to maintain you busy in the Strathcona Historic District with the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, the Strathcona Antique Mall and The Princess Theatre. The Princess Theatre dates again to 1915 and is a good place to catch a film in a basic setting. There aren’t lots of them left!
This strolling tour takes you thru Strathcona and White Avenue following the historical past from the Klondike Gold Rush to the individuals who lived there. The route begins on the outdated practice station tracing the historical past of this historic space.
15. Rogers Place
No go to to any Canadian metropolis could be full with out seeing a hockey sport in the course of the hockey season and Edmonton is not any completely different. The Edmonton Oilers are legendary. It was the crew that The Great One, Wayne Gretzky made historical past with throughout his hockey days breaking each document in the e-book. (too unhealthy he’s hawking playing advertisements nowadays, however that’s one other story)
The Edmonton Oilers play at Rogers Place which opened in 2016. It’s probably the greatest sports activities and leisure venues in North America. When hockey isn’t enjoying, it hosts a number of occasions and live shows.
16. Commonwealth Stadium
If you need to see some Canadian soccer, make your means to Commonwealth Stadium to watch the Edmonton Elks (previously Edmonton Eskimos) play. Besides getting used for the Canadian soccer league, it is usually used for quite a lot of different sporting and cultural occasions all year long.
If you might be visiting Edmonton throughout a time with no soccer on the books, don’t fear, there are a number of occasions and music performances all year long. Check their schedule for occasions.
17. Winspear Center
Winspear Center is house to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The heart was opened in 1997 and is situated in the town heart. Winspear Center is a performing arts centre that hosts several types of occasions and live shows. The acoustic is fabulous, so don’t hesitate to go see your favourite live performance right here. See what’s enjoying now at their web site
18. Edmonton International Fringe Festival
Are you a theater lover? Then you’ll in all probability need to try North America’s largest and oldest fringe competition. The Edmonton International Fringe Festival is held in August in the Old Strathcona District. Artists and road performers line the streets and authentic productions happen in the various theatres.
The Edmonton Fringe Festival options over 1000 performances that includes over 1500 nationwide and worldwide artists. Here you possibly can expertise progressive theater with out worrying that your little ones will get bored. Fringe Theater Festival has household and kids-friendly performances and likewise Theater for Young Audience exhibits. Enjoy ten days of interrupted enjoyable on the Fringe Festival in Edmonton!
19. Silver Skate Festival
Do you bear in mind we stated that Edmonton is a metropolis of festivals? Yes, even in the lifeless of winter, locals get out to embrace the chilly. The Silver Skate Festival is a celebration of winter sports activities and tradition that has been held in the Edmonton for greater than three many years.
The competition is called after a historic pace skating occasion, the Silver Skates, which befell on the frozen North Saskatchewan River in the early twentieth century. Today, the competition contains quite a lot of actions similar to ice-skating, cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing, reside music, artwork displays, and meals vans.
The competition additionally hosts a variety of competitions, together with the annual Canadian Birkebeiner ski race, one of many largest cross-country ski races in North America. Check out one other winter competition in Canada Winterlude Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide to Ottawa
Other festivals in Edmonton
In the summer season Louise McKinney Riverfront Park is the guts of the competition scene internet hosting The River City Shakespeare Festival, the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival, and the Edmonton International Jazz Festival.
We have talked about that Edmonton is a metropolis of festivals and some different festivals to maintain a watch out for are the Edmonton Heritage Festival, The Shakespeare Festival, The Bright Night’s Festival
20. Elk Island National Park and Beaver Hills
Founded in 1906, Elk Island National Park is a protected space in the Beaver Hills area. It was created to protect and defend the final of the large elk herds. Located simply 35 minutes from Edmonton, Elk Island NP was the primary wildlife refuge in Canada. Besides the large elk, it has additionally been a secure haven for the dwindling herds of Plains bison and wooden bison for greater than 100 years.
The park covers an space of 194 sq. kilometers and is house to a various vary of wildlife moreover the bison and elk and it’s a standard vacation spot for outside recreation, with mountain climbing trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and lakes for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Elk Island can be identified for its darkish sky protect. In the winter, Alberta’s nights are lengthy making for glorious alternatives to see the Northern Lights. Elk Island National Park presents a singular alternative to stargaze beneath a few of the clearest night time skies in the nation.
The Elk Island National Park is well accessible from Edmonton. The Yellowhead Highway goes via the park. You may have to get a cross to undergo the park, however the views are completely spectacular. Read extra: The Most Beautiful National Parks in Canada
21. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Located 50 km east of Edmonton, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (identified domestically as The Village) is an open-air museum devoted to preserving the Ukrainian Culture and historical past fo the Ukrainian immigrants who got here to Canada.
The village is house to over 30 genuine historic buildings, together with houses, church buildings, faculties, and farm buildings. These buildings have been fastidiously preserved and restored, offering guests with a glimpse into the previous.
The village is ready in a picturesque rural panorama that provides guests a peaceable and stress-free setting. The village’s pure setting contains rolling hills, forests, and streams, making it a really perfect vacation spot for a day journey from Edmonton.
22. Trip to Jasper
No journey to Edmonton could be full with out seeing the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Jasper National Park. If you drive, you will get to Jasper from Edmonton in about 4 hours. You may take a bus, however it is going to be an extended trip, roughly 5 hours. By practice is a minimum of 6.5 hours.
Despite the truth that it isn’t very straightforward to get there, a visit to Jasper is without doubt one of the greatest issues to put in your to-do listing whereas in the world. Jasper National Park is the biggest park in the Canadian Rockies, and that is simply one of many issues that makes Jasper an interesting vacation spot for a lot of vacationers. Check out all of the Amazing Things to do in Jasper.
How to Get to Edmonton
Edmonton International Airport YEG), is 30 km from the town. To get round Edmonton and Alberta we extremely recommend renting a automotive. You can try Car Rentals for costs and availability. Taxis, Uber and airport shuttles can take you downtown.
If you aren’t renting a automotive, you possibly can rent an airport taxi or take The Edmonton Skyshuttle. Uber and Lyft are additionally obtainable. We recommend reserving a non-public driver in advance to take the effort out of discovering transportaiton when touchdown.
By Car: Edmonton is well accessible by automotive, with a number of main highways passing via the town. The Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) connects Edmonton to British Columbia to the west and Saskatchewan to the east. The Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) connects Edmonton to Calgary to the south. Other main highways that join to Edmonton embody Highway 216 (Anthony Henday Drive) and Highway 28. Compare Car Rental Prices for Edmonton right here.
Edmonton is 3 hours straight north of Calgary up Highway 2. By Canadian requirements, this can be a quick drive. Grab your Tim Hortons Double Double and get driving. Compare automotive rental costs right here.
But in order for you to take a extra scenic drive, make your means to Banff and go up the Icefield’s parkway to Jasper after which onward to Edmonton. Why not make a full loop?
By Train: Don’t rule out the practice. Edmonton could be reached by main Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg or Saskatchewan. Via Rail operates practice companies to Edmonton from different main Canadian cities, together with Vancouver and Toronto. The Edmonton practice station is situated in the guts of the town at 12360 121 St NW, making it simply accessible by public transit, taxi, or automotive.
By Bus: Several bus firms, similar to Greyhound, provide companies to Edmonton from different Canadian cities, together with Calgary, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. The Edmonton bus station is situated downtown at 10041 103 St NW, making it simply accessible by public transit, taxi, or automotive.
Final phrases about your journey to Edmonton, Alberta
A year-round vacation spot, Edmonton has loads to provide guests. And it’s troublesome to make an inventory of the highest actions to strive whereas in the town, particularly when you’ve got little time.
Some select to come to Edmonton and spend most of their time on the golf course, whereas others discover it troublesome to go away North America’s largest mall as there isn’t a scarcity of leisure there. If you do determine to e-book a trip in Edmonton ensure you get out to get pleasure from its lovely parks, cultural sights, and museums. Edmonton has lots happening!