Central Edmonton is the top place to enjoy eating in the city, where authentic Italian, Mexican, Chinese and Portuguese can be enjoyed. If youre a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Edmonton, heres some practical advice on how to get here. Whether youre looking for a mouth-watering brunch or fine-dining to impress your date, theres no shortage of options in Edmonton. I look forward to Covid free days when we can take part in all the activities that Edmonton has to offer. So many things to do in Edmonton. They supply all the songs, dance, crafts and music. Tickets to a game are a must if in the city during hockey season. Please review our full Terms and Conditions as well as our Privacy Policy for more information. The four pyramids sit around a central core and were designed by British architect Peter Hemingway. The Alberta Aviation Museum holds a collection of military and civilian aircrafts, including the Cranwell CLA.4, de Havilland Mosquito MK B35 and one of only two BOMARC missiles in all of Canada. Cant wait to check Edmonton out when this Covid nonsense is over, didnt realize theres so many places to see and enjoy. Budget places are also scattered around this district, as are mid-range restaurants. It is home to Canadas largest living history museum, Canadas largest historical park and North Americas largest mall. I mean, Churchill is a good place but so is Alberta. If that is not enough, it is also has a vibrant theatre scene, numerous professional sports teams and some stunning architecture. They won 5 Stanley Cups in a period of just 6 years. The Strathcona Historic District sits in South Central Edmonton. 15 Best Things to Do in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 15 Best Things to Do in Gaithersburg (MD). Here are the best things to do on your next trip to Edmonton, Alberta! Known as the Gateway to the North, Albertas capital city is the farthest north of Canadas major cities and is home to a variety of things to do and places to see. End the visit with a bite at the onsite caf. Edmontons North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System is the largest urban park in Canada. Great stuff? In fact, it is nicknamed Canadas Festival City. Either way, its a fun, fast-paced sport and a great way to spend a summer day and witness the passion that Edmontonians have for the sport and for their team. I especially miss the summer music festivals. Lots of seasonal and year-round greenhouses and plant boutiques for plant lovers . Once here, you can take the light-rail transit, bus, or taxi. It is also home to a bison conservation centre. If there is one museum not to miss it is this one, which is made up of four sections, each of which depicts a different era. Check out the High Level Bridge Streetcar ride next time you visit. The Works Art & Design Festival is one of the most famous, which takes place between June and July. For example, you can go skiing, snowshoeing, hang out in West Edmonton Mall, or experience the famous Ice Castles! Elk Island National Park is home to the smallest and the largest land mammals in North America; the pygmy shrew and the wood bison. Youll also find the nearby picturesque Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, which is often home to festivals, public events and informal gatherings. So. Edmontons Arts District is centred on Churchill Square, which hosts numerous cultural festivals. Done and done. Theres also the Jasper B&B and the HI-Edmonton Hostel. Another cool area to see is Beaver Hills, which has now been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve featuring a dark sky preserve, a bird sanctuary, and a wilderness center. Ive lived in Edmonton most of my whole life, barely ever saw the northern lights. Hope to be back this summer, Great to see ideas for things near by- thanks, Always so many great things to do and see in YEG, Its nice to be reminded all the possibilities close to home, Its nice to be reminded all the possibilities close to home and near by without travelling too far. Lots of things have to fall in place, which makes them unpredictable. Like most major cities, Edmonton offers a plethora of ways for getting around the city. Although this is a historic area of the city, it is also very modern and vibrant. A winter festival with sculptures made of ice andfire? 2022 Must Do Canada. The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village showcases this. Another cool feature of Edmontons winter is the inner-city ski hills. Since its move to a new location in 2018, the Royal Alberta Museum is now western Canadas largest museum. If youd rather get to Vancouver via the Trans-Canada, youre better off driving south to Calgary and then driving from Calgary to Vancouver. like the time the comment is posted? During the winter months, Edmonton is one of the coldest cities in Canada. Normally, these hotels are mid-range, but with costs often ranging lower than $100, this is definitely a GREAT hotel for those on a budget. Known for its natural beauty, culture, history and attractions, Edmonton is a city for everyone. City Centre Mall is a great place to buy major name brands. Great article! Another beautiful modernist building in Edmonton, located on Sir Winston Churchill Square, is the Art Gallery of Alberta, which is dedicated to visual arts with an emphasis on Western Canada. This page and website in general may contain affiliate links. Great post! The animals are regularly out and about meeting and engaging with guests and some of the popular species include red pandas, lemurs, snow leopards, and arctic wolves. All Rights Reserved. To learn more, check out our article about getting from Edmonton to Jasper. With more than 160-kilometres of pathways and an area of more than 7,284 hectares, the River Valley is a great place to get into nature without leaving the city. In fact, its home to a climate-regulated biome with three different zones, such as the tropical climate of Burma and Fiji and the temperate pavilion with its American redwoods and Australian eucalyptus, all with a mission of education and conservation. I live in Edmonton. Everything closed at 5pm. It has over 200 shops that are spread across two levels. The delicious Ukrainian food available at the concession is worth the drive alone. We love the free snacks. Awesome! The summers, in contrast, can be quite hot with the sun staying up until close to midnight. Please check your inbox and confirm :). Public Transportation: For $5, you can take route 747 which travels from the airport to the southern transit station of Century Park. This is also a wonderful thing to do in Edmonton with kids as the zoo also has paddle boats, a miniature train, and a carousel. So, whether youre looking for inner-city nature or a concrete jungle, you can find it here. The Edmonton International Fringe Festival happens to be the largest of its kind in all of North America, which takes place each August. From June to August, the scenery is much more beautiful and the city comes to life with a variety of festivals and activities. The 194 square kilometre park is not large, but it is quite amazing. Jasper to Edmonton: The beautiful town of Jasper is just 4-hours west of Edmonton. For more things to do nearby, check out these travel guides below: Note: Many of the photos above were taken by Edmontonian photographer Steven Li of stevenliphotography.com. It is a 10-day exhibition with rides, games and shows. After reading your article I discovered so many things that Id love to do that its back on my list for when travel is safer. Even better, River Valley Adventure takes you on a tour through downtown Edmonton to see some of the top sites such as Rogers Place, the Royal Alberta Museum, and the Legislative Building. Grab your FREE Trip Planning Guide and Canada Packing Checklist, including lists for camping, hiking, and winter excursions! Let us help you discover Edmonton your own way. Located in the river valley, paddling the river is one of the top things to do in Edmonton, for both locals and tourists. If you like hockey and can get a ticket, this is one of the most exciting places to watch a game. Informative guided tours are available and last around 90 minutes. There is something to please everyone in Edmonton, from outdoor recreational activities to indoor fun. Good luck to the name change. Edmonton is host to many throughout the entire year. The only reason the fall and winter are better than the summer is because of the sun. Thanks for the reply! One of the highlights of visiting is having the chance to ride on one of the trains during the summer months. According to the news on TV last night, pretty soon (they were forced by major supporters (big company spenders) they will be changing the name of the Edmonton Eskimos (Football Team) to something else that likely will never hold a flame to the old name that should never have been changed. South Central is another great area of the city for foodies. Some come to shop in its stores, while others visit the mall for its attractions. Enjoyed The Taste of Edmonton and the Legislature Grounds. However, its beautiful family-oriented grounds are also home to more than 350 animals representing over 100 species, from both the province of Alberta and around the world. Known as one of Canadas top 10 beaches, this beautiful lake community can be reached just a two-hour drive south of Edmonton. Edmontons most popular street is Whyte Avenue, which is located in Old Strathcona. There are many museums in Edmonton, with something to appeal to the history buff in everyone. Considering the fact that Edmonton is known as the City of Festivals, you should definitely try to experience one if you can. Edmonton is home to several professional sports teams. Located near the Edmonton city center airport, the museum is easy to find with its two fighter jets mounted outside. Required fields are marked *, Join our Newsletter and Get a FREE Trip Planning Guide. There are eight separate areas within the zoo, all of which house different animals from different parts of the world. These are great places for those looking to learn how to ski as theyre not that big or intimidating. While we certainly recommend you check out our full guide on the best Edmonton restaurants, some of our favourites include DOSC, Pips, and RGE RD. Looks awesome. Jasper is not only a fantastic recreational destination, but also a stunning one. We have so much daylight that theyre hard to see in the summer. Vancouver to Edmonton: The drive from Vancouver to Edmonton is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. It should be at my time MST but Ive noticed it can be off as well. It also happens to be the largest mall in North America. The river is different throughout the year but for us, it was extremely calm, almost to the point of not moving at times. Fun for all ages, this educational science center experience features many interactive and hands-on science and technology exhibits covering topics like space, robots, forensics, and the environment. The Arts District is also home to numerous boutiques, and, of course, art shops. If youre in Edmonton and want to experience the Rocky Mountains and/or the world-famous Icefields Parkway, this is where youll want to go. The zoo also raises funds and awareness for endangered animals. Edmonton is home to the Edmonton International Airport (YEG), which is one of the biggest airports in Canada and also a hub for reaching Canadas far north, such as Nunavut, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Centrals 124th Street is a strip dotted with boutiques, high-end furniture shops and designer shops. Note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided on this website may have changed since the initial publication. Over 32 million people come to the mall on a yearly basis. You can kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or go canoeing down the river. This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, as well as an incredible array of festivals and events. Free outdoor fitness led by elite athletes. Shopping, dining, hiking, skating and even skiing are all offered in the city, making it one of Canadas top tourist destinations. West Edmonton Mall is home to theme parks, a water park, a miniature golf course, four movie theatre complexes and a massive entertainment centre. There are so many places to see and things to do in Edmonton, including visiting North Americas largest mall and the largest urban park in Canada! These teams often rival those in the other Alberta city of Calgary. I grew up in Edmonton and need to plan a summer trip back so I can reminisce! This is one good place to check the forecast: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. There is no shortage of things to do in Edmonton, whether you're visiting in the summer, winter or any season in between. Historic buildings found in the neighbourhood include the Strathcona Hotel, the Canadian Pacific Railway Station, the Princess Theatre and the South Side Post Office. Fun facts: Canadas largest parking lot is located in Edmonton, but its also home to a massive River Valley urban park that is 22x the size of New Yorks Central Park. Another famous place is Yellowknife and the Yukon. Although Greyhound has suspended service in Western Canada, there are some options for getting to and from Edmonton by bus. This is a really cool event because it showcases the many different cultures that call Alberta home. However, if you rather be on trendy Whyte Avenue or in the heart of downtown Edmonton, weve stayed in and recommend The Matrix and Metterra on Whyte. One of the top places to go skiing is Jasper, which is 365 kilometres to the west of the city. But besides renting them by the minute, you can also join a tour with YEG Scoot tours and get a guided scooter tour around the city and the river valley. Home Travel Guides Canada 15 Best Things to Do in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada). You sure know Canada! There are many living history elements to explore at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, including a blacksmith, a market, and an old-fashioned general store. The largest is the Royal Alberta Museum, which showcases over 10 million objects that showcase the areas native tribes. These include Edmonton Ski, Snow Valley and Sunridge Ski Area. Thanks for subscribing. There is also a beer garden/barbeque area that is open in the warmer months. For those interested in aviation, the Alberta Aviation Museum is a must. Prices can change so please check with the bus companies for accurate pricing. South Central is a great place to start, as it is home to the vibrant Whyte Avenue. Since Edmonton is actually home to the VIA Rail, it can be reached by passenger train. Located 25 minutes east of Edmonton, this open-air museum houses refurbished buildings from east-central Alberta that tell the tale of early Ukrainian settlement in Alberta from 1892 to 1930. Another less-luxurious option is the Ebus, which is just $42 for the same trip. You can also visit the on-siteobservatory for free, which offers a variety of interesting star gazing opportunities. Why do we roll up our sidewalks at 5pm? The best part is that the park system is accessible along trails right from the city. Im thinking of taking the train to Manitoba to see them . They can set up tours as you like but its a great way to experience your first Segway. The other part, which includes 80 acres, features dazzling gardens including a Japanese Garden, a large tropical greenhouse with butterflies, an Indigenous Garden, as well as numerous displays of many other plant species, both indoors and out. Part of the fun is the opportunity to interact with the costumed guides who are there to explain what life was like for these early settlers. Get your Edmonton Website tools ready they claim that the Eskimos Football franchaise being as it was forced to find another name for the team is sure to make it a good? name!? While it can be relatively hazardous in the winter, its fairly straightforward in the summer months. Due to its location, Edmontons winters can be some of the coldest and darkest in Canada, and yet, it can be a great time to visit if youre looking to experience frozen castles, ice hockey, or perhaps the Northern Lights. Home to the quaint mountain town of Jasper and the Canadian Rockies, there are so many things to do in Jasper, including a scenic tour on the Jasper Sky Tram, a boat trip on Lake Maligne, a hike into Maligne Canyon, and so much more. You will also see begonias, roses, geraniums and water lilies here.