I especially miss the summer music festivals. In this guide, well show you what to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more. The highway is basically straight the entire way and the halfway point is the city of Red Deer. Please review our full Terms and Conditions as well as our Privacy Policy for more information. Known for its natural beauty, culture, history and attractions, Edmonton is a city for everyone. From June to August, the scenery is much more beautiful and the city comes to life with a variety of festivals and activities. If you want a beach but dont want to drive as far as Sylvan Lake, head 1-hour north from Edmonton to Lac St. Annes Alberta Beach. If that is not enough, it is also has a vibrant theatre scene, numerous professional sports teams and some stunning architecture. There are also plenty of junior sports teams in Edmonton. Note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided on this website may have changed since the initial publication. Every season is festival season in Edmonton. Learn how your comment data is processed. Another cool feature of Edmontons winter is the inner-city ski hills. End the visit with a bite at the onsite caf. If you happen to be in Edmonton during the winter months between January and March, you simply should not miss the chance to experience the Edmonton Ice Castles. Northlands Park is the largest horse racing track in Alberta, with race season running between February and June. 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. 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. You can kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or go canoeing down the river. The Arts District is also home to numerous boutiques, and, of course, art shops. 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. Also in the Central district are numerous fine dining options, where French, Continental and Japanese cuisine are prepared with the finest skills. They can set up tours as you like but its a great way to experience your first Segway. This open-air museum is a provincial historic site that sits just outside of the city. Kingsway Mall in North Edmonton is the second largest shopping mall in the city. While it can be relatively hazardous in the winter, its fairly straightforward in the summer months. How about an arts & culture aficionado? Jasper sits with the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is often accessed via Edmonton. 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. But theres much more than that. Founded in 1976 to preserve the provinces rich railway heritage, the museum features more than 75 engines and railcars, a number of original railway buildings, and many related artifacts. It was once the citys commercial core, but today it is a provincial historic area. You sure know Canada! Of these, the most famous is the NHLs Edmonton Oilers, which was once the team of the great Wayne Gretzy. This is a truly unique thing to do in Edmonton. I live in Edmonton. West Edmonton Mall is probably the only mall in the world where you can stay indoors for multiple days and still have so much fun. 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! During the winter months, Edmonton is one of the coldest cities in Canada. what do you mean? I look forward to Covid free days when we can take part in all the activities that Edmonton has to offer. Located in the river valley, paddling the river is one of the top things to do in Edmonton, for both locals and tourists. Home to over 800 stores, it is North Americas largest mall and breaks a lot of records in many other ways as well. In the winter, the hiking trails become cross-country ski trails, while four hills are turned into downhill ski slopes. Grab your FREE Trip Planning Guide and Canada Packing Checklist, including lists for camping, hiking, and winter excursions! There are also close to 100 historic aircraft housed here, as well as in the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame, and numerous vintage motorcycles to see as well. Its always open and is located on the east wall of the TELUS building and the south wall of the Mercer Warehouse building on 104 Street and 104 Avenue. Im from Alberta. By navigating on this website, you agree to our use of cookies during your browsing experience. Stretched along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is a city that can be visited year-round, depending on what youre looking for. Your email address will not be published. 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!? We have so much daylight that theyre hard to see in the summer. Like most major cities, Edmonton offers a plethora of ways for getting around the city. The largest is the Royal Alberta Museum, which showcases over 10 million objects that showcase the areas native tribes. For those looking to get an immersive experience, the TELUS World of Science (TWOS) is a great place to go. It is a massive 490,000 square metre mall that boasts over 800 stores and services! He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. 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. If you cant make that, try to come for the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. Another famous place is Yellowknife and the Yukon. The streets are lined with funky cafs and trendy shops, and it also has quite a lively nightlife. 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. The sun is also out until almost midnight, giving you lots of time to do everything you need to do. This premier horticultural facility features over 700 species of plants as well as an on-site restaurant. Speaking of festivals, we recently attended Heritage Days, which occurs every year on Augusts long weekend. ), blacksmiths working and word workers carving. The best times is typically October to November, although the winter months are also good. There are lots I havent done too. We all have to eat and there are some incredible restaurants in Edmonton to choose from. It should be at my time MST but Ive noticed it can be off as well. These early settlers made a significant impact on Albertas identity and the museum, which opened in the 70s, showcases the stories of survival and perseverance through more than 35 restored historic buildings and costumed interpreters. For a deeper look into the history of both Edmonton and Canada, Fort Edmonton Park is the place to go. 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. The Inner Zoo is the oldest area, which is home to meerkats, otters, red pandas, emus and alpaca. Often compared to Narnia, this acre-sized castle is home to a variety of rooms and is extremely popular with Instagrammers. The Works Art & Design Festival is one of the most famous, which takes place between June and July. Luxury: When it comes to luxury, the top choice for most would be the iconic Fairmont Hotel MacDonald. So. Calgary to Edmonton: The drive from Calgary to Edmonton is approximately 300-km and takes roughly 3-hours. The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village showcases this. Public Transportation: For $5, you can take route 747 which travels from the airport to the southern transit station of Century Park. Budget: One of the best budget hotels is actually the Best Western Plus South Edmonton Inn & Suites, which includes a hot Buffett breakfast, an indoor heated pool, a hot tub, and a fitness centre. We love tubing down rivers so it was a great way to see some nature and see Edmonton from a different vantage point. In the warm weather it is a popular place to cycle, hike and go camping. 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. Let us help you discover Edmonton your own way. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. There are Las Vegas-style slot machines in the slot lounge, as well as an additional restaurant just for slot players. Thanks for subscribing. Carnivore Alley is home to the large cats, while Elephant House and Exhibit is, of course, where the elephants live. Ive lived in Edmonton most of my whole life, barely ever saw the northern lights. K-Days is the biggest event of the summer. Considering the fact that Canada is known as one of the top multi-cultural countries in the world, this is a great festival to really see it up close and personal. West Edmonton Mall is home to theme parks, a water park, a miniature golf course, four movie theatre complexes and a massive entertainment centre. Its also home to Canadas largest parking lot, North Americas largest indoor waterpark, and North Americas largest indoor amusement park. Thanks for the reply! Other activities include hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months. It is also home to a large indoor skating rink, which sits right in the centre of the shopping mall. Novembers Canadian Finals Rodeo and Farmfair is a massive event, which is second only to the rodeo in Las Vegas. There are open-air displays of old agricultural machinery and tools, including some real old dinosaurs-steam tractors, threshing machines, caterpillar tractors, and trucks. A winter festival with sculptures made of ice andfire? Edmonton to Saskatoon: Edmonton is fairly popular with Saskatoonians as well, as its the closest major city and somewhat similar in culture. Perhaps one of the most iconic images of Edmonton, not to mention a great place to get views of the city skyline, the Muttart Conservatory is more than just three beautiful glass pyramid structures. In addition to the West Edmonton Mall, the city is also home to numerous shopping districts. This page and website in general may contain affiliate links. Youll need at least a full day to truly enjoy this park as its both large and simply incredible to visit. Once here, you can take the light-rail transit, bus, or taxi. These are great places for those looking to learn how to ski as theyre not that big or intimidating. There are eight separate areas within the zoo, all of which house different animals from different parts of the world. This is a really cool event because it showcases the many different cultures that call Alberta home. Great post! Speaking of festivals, Edmonton is known to some as the City of Festivals. Far too many fans out there will still live for the Green and Gold Eskies good luck with the name change! Please check your inbox and confirm :). Whether youre interested in history or just coming to look at the impressive design, the Alberta Legislature Building is well worth the visit. They offer a number of different tours, including a Wanderlust Picnic tour, and make it easier to explore the city, especially if its your first time on a scooter. Although Greyhound has suspended service in Western Canada, there are some options for getting to and from Edmonton by bus. Shopping, dining, hiking, skating and even skiing are all offered in the city, making it one of Canadas top tourist destinations. The Park includes a reconstructed Hudsons Bay Fort from 1846, as well as historically accurate reconstructed streets from 1885, 1905, and 1920, each depicting the evolution of Edmontons early history. One part consists of 160-acres that have been set aside in their natural state. Youll also find tunnels, a waterfall, and an ice maze. It also happens to be the largest mall in North America. If possible, try to time your visit with one of the many events or workshops hosted throughout the year, which include cooking demonstrations, harvest celebrations, and commemoration of Ukraines national day. Join our weekly newsletter for the latest articles, videos, top photos, and more! These games are fun to watch and could mean getting a glimpse of the next biggest hockey, football or soccer star. Required fields are marked *, Join our Newsletter and Get a FREE Trip Planning Guide. It is home to Canadas largest living history museum, Canadas largest historical park and North Americas largest mall. Im not sure. The park can be found just 35 kilometres east of the city. Another feature is the Aga Khan Garden, a nearly 12-acre site inspired by Islamic architecture and landscapes, but with a northern twist. They look far more difficult than they really are but theres something about utilizing your balance to control them that makes it such a fun experience. Workers are dressed in traditional costumes and are doing activities that were part of everyday life then. 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. For sports fanatics, Edmonton is home to one of the most iconic NHL teams the Edmonton Oilers. It features over 30 historic buildings, gardens and monuments that depict the life of the settlers between 1899 and 1930. 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. 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. Another less-luxurious option is the Ebus, which is just $42 for the same trip. The 194 square kilometre park is not large, but it is quite amazing. The Matrix is our favourite out of the two as they offer a better breakfast and a bigger, more modern hotel, but the Metterra is a great option if you want to be where the action is as Whyte Avenue is truly alive with loads of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Enjoyed The Taste of Edmonton and the Legislature Grounds. There is something to please everyone in Edmonton, from outdoor recreational activities to indoor fun. Its located at Hawrelak Park and consists of a collection of Alberta Based cultural groups that come together, annually, to share their history, song, dance and food with the world. 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. For those who love gardens and flowers, youll want to make your way to the 240-acre University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Please check your inbox and hit confirm. 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. Edmonton is definitely under-rated -its a remarkable city with a great variety of amenities. Makira Outpost is one of the newer areas that was built to house the zoos lemurs. I miss that part quite a bit. Some examples of what to do outside of Edmonton are below: If youre looking for a beautiful slice of nature, make your way to Elk Island National Park. Informative guided tours are available and last around 90 minutes. On the hunt for the best things to do in Edmonton? There are also 11 lakes, 22 ravines, and a host of facilities and attractions such as the Fort Edmonton Zoo, Gold Bar Park, the Edmonton Valley Zoo, a golf course, skiing opportunities, skating, and more. 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 is the best area for cheap eats, as it is where the University of Alberta is located. Done and done. Free outdoor fitness led by elite athletes. Yes! Home Travel Guides Canada 15 Best Things to Do in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada). 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. Youll also find a massive movie theatre, an aquarium, a full-size replica of the Santa Maria (Christopher Columbus flagship used to sail to the Americas in 1492), a full-size skating rink, mini-golf, bars, restaurants, and even one of the nicest hotels in the city the FantasyLand hotel which is home to a variety of really cool themed rooms. 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. Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. It features 22 ravines, 11 lakes, golf courses and nature centres. 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. Edmonton is home to several professional sports teams. South Central is another great area of the city for foodies.
What Men's Shorts Are In Style 2022, Dark Teal Green Nike Shirt, Hoover Nano Cyclonic Filter, Power Washer Accessories Near Me, Jewellery Raw Material Wholesalers, Aromatherapy Candles - Bath And Body Works, Graco Pack And Play Target, Kind Nut Butter Bars Healthy,