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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Edmonton

Written by Chloë Ernst and Michael Law Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Edmonton, the capital of Alberta , stretches along both banks of the North Saskatchewan River in roughly the center of the province. The city has had a long rivalry with Calgary , just over two hours south, which claims that Edmonton is a boring government town. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Edmonton is Alberta's center for culture, with excellent theaters, top-notch museums, world-class galleries, and a thriving musical scene.

Walterdale Bridge, Edmonton, Alberta

The folks that live in Edmonton are a stout and hardy breed. The city is among the coldest cities in the world, with a population of over one million, other members of this elite club include Moscow and Harbin, China.

The cold weather doesn't stop Edmontonians from getting out and getting busy at winter festivals and events, including the Deep Freeze Festival and the Ice on Whyte, featuring fun and crazy events sure to beat the winter blues.

Learn more about the best places to visit in this exciting city with our list of attractions and things to do in Edmonton.

See also: Where to Stay in Edmonton

1. Shop & Play at West Edmonton Mall

2. royal alberta museum, 3. enjoy nature at elk island national park & beaver hills, 4. ukrainian cultural heritage village, 5. fort edmonton park, 6. whyte avenue, 7. muttart conservatory, 8. alberta legislature building, 9. art gallery of alberta, 10. reynolds-alberta museum, wetaskiwin, 12. edmonton valley zoo, 13. alberta aviation museum, 14. telus world of science, 15. university of alberta botanic garden, 16. alberta railway museum, where to stay in edmonton for sightseeing, when is the best time to visit edmonton.

West Edmonton Mall

Canada's West Edmonton Mall is not only the country's largest shopping center and one of the largest in the world — it's also a major tourist attraction. In addition to hundreds of shops and restaurants, the facility contains a hotel, movie theaters, an ice rink , an aquarium , and much more.

Adding to the appeal are the themed sections of the mall, designed to mimic the feel of popular travel destinations around the world. In Europa Boulevard, for example, many of the shops have European-style fronts and carry the names of international fashion designers, while Bourbon Street, a copy of the famous New Orleans street, is the place to visit for Creole food and live music.

The mall's Galaxyland is one of the largest covered, indoor amusement parks in the world, boasting a variety of family-friendly rides. Also fun is the recently renovated World Waterpark , the largest such attraction in North America. Highlights include the world's biggest indoor wave pool, and two 83-foot-tall (and very steep) water slides. The park has a variety of slides, ranging from beginner to extreme.

Address: 8882 - 170 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Royal Alberta Museum

The Royal Alberta Museum is Western Canada's largest museum. Home to a fascinating mix of permanent cultural and natural history exhibits, as well as always-changing temporary installations, a visit to this ultra-modern facility is certainly time well spent.

Particularly impressive are the many fossils from the dinosaur and ice age eras, a large aquarium of native fish, and live insects-including some exotic and enormous species.

Be sure to visit the large feature gallery hosting traveling exhibits from across Canada and around the world, a huge new kids' gallery, and a bigger bug room with live invertebrates and a visible nursery. The museum's cultural history departments explore aboriginal cultures with artifacts from Blackfoot, Cree, and other First Nations. A well-stocked gift shop and a café are also located on-site.

Address: 9810 103a Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Bison

This national park is just a 30-minute drive from Edmonton and covers a wooded area with lakes and wetlands, and is home to all kinds of wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, and beaver. But the main attraction of Elk Island National Park is the large herd of buffalo (bison), which graze over a special enclosure.

Anyone driving slowly along the road through the park cannot fail to catch sight of one of these massive shaggy beasts. Fun things to do here in the summer include hiking and biking, kayaking and canoeing, as well as camping, while winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The Beaver Hills area has now been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and includes a dark sky preserve, a bird sanctuary, and a wilderness center. Originally the tribal home of the Sarcee Indians, it was the Cree, however, that hunted the beaver and buffalo for their pelts, which were then traded with the large fur-trading companies.

With hunting and settlement, the buffalo were almost wiped out, though some Beaver Hills buffalo are thought to have been captured in 1909 and placed in a reserve of their own. These are the forebears of the animals now living in Elk Island National Park.

Address: 54401 Range Road 203, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Established in the 1970s along the Yellowhead Highway, this open-air museum preserves the cultural heritage of the many immigrants from Bukovina and Ukraine who settled in what is now Alberta in the 1890s.

The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village , known locally simply as "the Village," various historic buildings have been reconstructed on the site, and the pale onion dome of a Ukrainian church is visible from afar.

There are many living history elements to explore, including a blacksmith, a market, and an old-fashioned general store. Part of the fun is the opportunity to interact with the costumed guides, here to explain what life was like for these early settlers.

If possible, try to time your visit with one of the many events or workshops hosted throughout the year, from cooking demonstrations to harvest celebrations and a commemoration of Ukraine's national day.

Address: Hwy 16 E, Tofield, Alberta

Fort Edmonton Park

Another open-air museum that should be included in your Edmonton travel itinerary, Fort Edmonton Park has old buildings faithfully reconstructed to reflect Edmonton's historical development. The buildings include a typical 1846 fort belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, a street from a pioneer town of 1885, the up-and-coming provincial capital in 1905, as well as buildings from the 1920s.

Among the different forms of old transport, visitors can ride a horse-drawn wagon or a steam train. At the John Janzen Nature Centre nearby, there are exhibits about local geology and ecology.

Address: 7000 143 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Whyte Avenue

No trip to Edmonton would be complete without some time spent on Whyte Avenue, one of the most popular and vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Whyte Avenue is a hub for arts and culture, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Whyte Street is located in the trendy Old Strathcona area, and this area comes alive at night with live music, trendy restaurants, theaters, and other entertainment options. During the day, the area is also popular with shoppers and culture vultures. A heady mix of trendy clothing stores, unusual shops, art galleries, and home décor places make shopping here a popular and fun pastime.

Throughout the year and especially in the summer, Whyte Street and the Old Strathcona area are home to multiple events such as the Whyte Avenue Blues Festival, the Edmonton Fringe Festival, and a weekly farmers market.

Muttart Conservatory

On the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River, four pyramid-shaped hothouses at the Muttart Conservatory are home to rare and far-traveled species of plants. Each pyramid features a distinct environment representing different biomes of the world, from the tropical climate of Myanmar (Burma) and Fiji to the temperate pavilion with its American redwoods and Australian eucalyptus. With so many species of plants on display, the conservatory is the premier horticultural facility in Edmonton.

From the high ground above the river, there is a beautiful view of the gleaming pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory against the skyline of Edmonton city center.

Address: 9626 96A Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Legislature Building

In the midst of a park-like garden, where the last Fort Edmonton once stood, is the 1913 Legislature Building . It's an imposing and attractive building, and from the terrace, there are beautiful views across the North Saskatchewan River to the far bank. Guided tours are the best way to learn about the history of what the locals refer to fondly as "the Ledge," including its architecture and secrets of the building. A highlight of a visit is spending time wandering the park-like grounds surrounding the building.

Be sure to also visit the nearby Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre, which includes important displays related to local art, culture, and history. There's also a 4D immersive experience that provides an impressive visual history of the province and its people, as well as a great gift shop selling arts and crafts from across Alberta.

Address: 10800 97 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Art Gallery of Alberta

A twisting modernist building on Sir Winston Churchill Square , the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton is dedicated to visual arts with an emphasis on Western Canada. The gallery features changing and traveling exhibitions and maintains an extensive collection of more than 6,000 pieces.

The site also features a gift shop, restaurant, and theater space. Private guided tours are available and can be tailored to suit your particular interests. The facility also offers a variety of educational programs for all ages, as well as lectures and workshops.

Address: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, Alberta

Reynolds-Alberta Museum, Wetaskiwin

One hour by car south of downtown Edmonton is the friendly little town of Wetaskiwin . Here, the main attraction is the Reynolds-Alberta Museum , dedicated to everything to do with aircraft and vehicle construction. There are open-air displays of old agricultural machinery and tools, including some real old dinosaurs-steam tractors, threshing machines, caterpillar tractors, and trucks.

There are also nearly 100 historic aircraft housed here, as well as in the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame , and numerous vintage motorcycles to admire. A café, store, and theater are also located on-site, and a good time to visit is during one of the regular summer events when a variety of machines and vehicles are operating.

Address: 6426 40 Avenue, Wetaskiwin, Alberta

K Days

The greatest event in Edmonton's calendar is the 10-day festival known as K Days (formerly called Capital Ex) held every year at the end of July, when the wild days of the 1890 Klondike Gold Rush come to life once more.

Street parties, dancing, parades, top-notch live entertainment, gold panning, and a midway liven up the whole city. A highlight of a visit to K Days is definitely the food. Tickle your tastebuds on everything from bison burgers right through to foot-long hot dogs and, of course, cotton candy.

Visitors who plan to be in Edmonton during the festival should be sure to book accommodation well in advance.

Edmonton Valley Zoo

Opened in 1959, the Edmonton Valley Zoo has traditionally focused on research into threatened animal species. However, its family-oriented grounds are also home to more than 350 animals representing over 100 species, both exotic and from the province of Alberta.

The animals and their caregivers are regularly out and about meeting and engaging with guests. Popular species to visit include red pandas, lemurs, snow leopards, and arctic wolves, each located in specially themed areas to represent their natural habitat. Children's rides at the zoo include paddle boats, a miniature train, and a carousel.

Address: 13315 Buena Vista Road, Edmonton, Alberta

Alberta Aviation Museum

The Alberta Aviation Museum is a must-see for all aviation buffs. Located near the Edmonton city center airport, the museum is easy to find with its two fighter jets mounted in interesting positions, one nearly vertical. Along with its 40 aircraft on display, the museum is home to a rare form of aircraft hangar constructed as part of Canada's pilot training program in WWII.

Informative guided tours are available and last around 90 minutes. They include a look at the fascinating restoration facility where many of these vintage airplanes were rebuilt.

Address: 11410 Kingsway Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta

TELUS World of Science

Situated in a modern white building, the TELUS World of Science (TWOS) in Edmonton is a fun, all-ages, educational science center experience perfect for those traveling with kids. The attraction's many interactive and hands-on science and technology exhibits cover topics like space, robots, forensics, and the environment.

Adjoining is an excellent planetarium called the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre , and the IMAX theater shows fascinating films from all over the world.

One of the best free things to do in Edmonton is to visit the on-site observatory, which offers a variety of interesting star-gazing opportunities. A gift shop and café are also available.

Address: 11211 142 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta

University of Alberta Botanic Garden

Another Edmonton attraction for those who enjoy flowers and gardening is the University of Alberta Botanic Garden . Founded in 1959 and the largest such garden in the province, this 240-acre site includes 160 acres that have been set aside in their natural state.

Of the remaining 80 acres, notable features include a Japanese Garden, a large tropical greenhouse with butterflies, plus numerous displays of many other plant species, both indoors and out. Of special interest is the Indigenous Garden, consisting of plants that have been used by Canada's indigenous peoples for centuries.

A must-see is the Aga Khan Garden , a nearly 12-acre site, inspired by Islamic architecture and landscapes, with a northern twist. It's a delightful garden to explore, and notable features include a number of pleasant forest paths, peaceful terraces, ponds, and pools, plus a waterfall.

Free guided walking tours of the botanic gardens are available and come highly recommended. Of special interest to those who also love classical music is the annual Opera al Fresco event performed here by the Edmonton Opera Company each June.

Address: 51227 AB-60, Spruce Grove, Alberta

Alberta Railway Museum

Located in the northern suburbs of the city and well worth the effort to visit, the Alberta Railway Museum (ARM) features a selection of still-operating and static locomotives and rolling stock. Established in 1976 to preserve the province's rich railway heritage, the museum features more than 75 engines and railcars, a number of original railway buildings, as well as many related artifacts.

A highlight is having the chance to ride on one of the trains during the summer months (check their website for schedules). Self-guided tour maps are available when picking up your tickets.

Address: 24215 34 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta

We recommend these great hotels in the vibrant downtown area of the city, along with a selection located in West Edmonton near the famous mall.

Luxury Hotels :

  • The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald leads the way in luxury accommodations in Edmonton and boasts a beautiful riverside location in a landmark building dating from 1915, along with elegant décor, a heated indoor pool, and a well-equipped fitness center.
  • Also popular in the luxury hotel category is the Union Bank Inn , located in the downtown core in an old bank and boasting chic rooms with vintage décor and fireplaces, a great breakfast, and an exercise room.
  • Although on the somewhat gaudy (but fun) side of the luxury scale, the Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall is a great choice for those wanting to be close to the world's largest shopping center, and comes with quirky rooms, plus a restaurant, and free parking.

Mid-Range Hotels :

  • A favorite in the mid-range hotel category, the Matrix Hotel boasts a great downtown location with free breakfast and parking; great restaurants nearby; and light-filled, contemporary-styled rooms.
  • Staybridge Suites West Edmonton is another great choice, an affordable three-star hotel featuring spacious suites with kitchens, a social evening reception, a complimentary buffet breakfast, and a lovely indoor pool.
  • Also, check out the hotel deals at the Metterra Hotel on Whyte , located close to the botanic gardens and featuring bright, attractive rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, a breakfast buffet, and the use of bikes to get around the city.

Budget Hotels :

  • The Hilton Garden Inn West Edmonton offers budget-friendly rates, helpful front desk staff, a hot tub and heated saltwater pool, comfortable beds... and free cookies!
  • Other great affordable accommodation options include the Crash Hotel , a fun location with bunk beds and shared bathrooms, just steps from the river and the downtown core.

This is an easy question to answer: any season except winter. Edmonton is the coldest major city in North America. Spring, summer, and fall are all great times to visit with moderate temperatures. This is also the time that the city comes alive with festivals, concerts, and celebrations that the citizens, who have to endure long winters, embrace with passion and gusto.

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Edmonton (Downtown) Map - Tourist Attractions

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Downtown Edmonton

Things to do

From the continent's first, biggest and wildest  Fringe Theatre Festival External Link Title  to a  shopping mall External Link Title that spans over 48 city blocks, Edmontonians have never been afraid to do things a little differently. As Canada's youngest and fastest growing capital city, Edmonton is a hotbed of cultural diversity that embraces new ideas and experimentation. Here are the best ways to play, sightsee, tour, and relax on vacation in  Alberta's  Capital.

North Saskatchewan River Valley

tourist place edmonton

There's green space, and then there's the North Saskatchewan River Valley. This vast collection of scenic parks is 22 times bigger than New York City's Central Park.  Over 150 kilometres of trails External Link Title , pathways,  golf courses External Link Title , and tree-lined, manicured lawns connect 20 parks, where locals and visitors picnic,  bike, run, kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, take a paddle boat or Segway  External Link Title , and, in winter,  snowshoe External Link Title  and ski (both  cross-country External Link Title  and  downhill External Link Title ).

West Edmonton Mall

West Edmonton Mall

If you're thinking some big chain stores and a food court, readjust your lens. This  nearly 500,000-square-metre mall External Link Title  is the largest in North America, with  800+ stores External Link Title ,  100 dining venues External Link Title , a massive  indoor wave pool with 17 water slides External Link Title  and a lake, plus  amusement park External Link Title , zoo, and ice skating rink. You can stay at one of two hotels, including one aptly named  Fantasyland External Link Title  for its 120 themed guest rooms. 

Elk Island National Park

Elk Island

You'll want to spend time in  Elk Island External Link Title , just east of the city --  hike External Link Title , snap pictures of  wildlife External Link Title , lay on the  beach External Link Title , and, come sundown, watch the  Northern Lights External Link Title . Canada's largest fully enclosed park is a refuge for moose, elk, lynx, black bears, gray wolves, 250 species of birds, and herds of plains bison imported from Montana and rescued from extinction. Get stuck in a  bison traffic jam External Link Title  on purpose or  snowshoe and stargaze External Link Title in the serene wilderness.

Alberta Legislature

Alberta Legislature Edmonton

Set atop the banks of the  North Saskatchewan River External Link Title , the Alberta Legislature is a marvel of marble pillars and carved oak. Discover  the Legislature External Link Title  on a free guided tour, offered hourly. Ask about the Famous Five who fought for women's right to vote. Learn about the fascinating stories behind the portraits and magnificent art. Glance at the bejeweled gold and silver ceremonial Mace. And don't forget to listen for the phenomenon known as the "magic spot".

The Art Gallery of Alberta

Art Gallery of Alberta

A striking architectural landmark reminiscent of Bilbao's Guggenheim, downtown's  Art Gallery of Alberta External Link Title  is one of the province's prominent cultural venues. The 6,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations on display at this premier venue include historical and contemporary, international and Canadian works.

Rogers Place and the Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers

With its stunning curvilinear architecture and an interior that'll make you think you just stepped onto the Starship Enterprise,  Rogers Place External Link Title  is sure to make your jaw drop. Home to young phenom Connor McDavid and the  Edmonton Oilers External Link Title  hockey team, the arena features state of the art technology including the largest high definition screen in the National Hockey League. Catch an Oilers game at Rogers Place during the regular season, which runs from October to April each year and some of the world's biggest music acts all year long.

Festivals Galore

Edmonton Folk Music Festival

Shakespeare under an open sky External Link Title ? You got it.  A winter festival External Link Title  with sculptures made of ice and...fire? No problem. With over 60 festivals annually, there's no shortage of excitement to fill your stay - whether it's 30 degrees above, or below.  The Edmonton Folk Music Festival External Link Title ,  International Fringe Theatre Festival External Link Title ,  Flying Canoe Volant Festival External Link Title  and Boardwalk Ice on Whyte External Link Title  are just the beginning.

University of Alberta Botanic Garden

University of Alberta Botanic Garden

Be amazed by the wealth and diversity of nature at the stunning  University of Alberta Botanic Gardens External Link Title  - a must-visit for lovers of flora, fauna and beautiful things. With 80 acres of display gardens (and 110 additional acres of natural areas and ecological preserves), there's tons to explore. Don't miss the new  Aga Khan Garden External Link Title --4.8 hectares of modern architectural beauty inspired by Moghul traditions, and designed for the Edmonton region's climate and topography.

Outdoor winter activities

City-wide snowball fight Edmonton

Edmontonians don't hibernate, they strive to make Old Man Winter proud with outdoor patios, city-wide snowball fights, deep freezer races, and a spectacular view of the Northern Lights. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and you're off on an exhilarating day trip through areas like  Elk Island National Park External Link Title  or Edmonton's  river valley External Link Title , or slip on some skates and head to one of the city's many  outdoor rinks External Link Title . Downhill ski or snowboard at  Snow Valley Ski Club External Link Title ,  Rabbit Hill Snow Resort External Link Title  or  Edmonton Ski Club External Link Title , or  cross-country ski External Link Title through one of Edmonton's  beautiful parks External Link Title . You can't help but have a great time when you've got good company and the glory of a northern winter.

Royal Alberta Museum

Royal Alberta Museum

You'll want to pack your comfy shoes to explore the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) External Link Title in downtown Edmonton's Arts District. As Western Canada's largest museum, the RAM boasts over 82,000 square feet of exhibition space and houses a large and wide-ranging collection of artifacts External Link Title to foster wonder, inquiry and understanding about Alberta. Pull the curtain back on Alberta life and landscape in a remarkable journey from petroglyphs to prehistoric dinosaurs, and from 500 generations of First Peoples External Link Title to new beginnings on the windswept prairies. Feed your curiosity here.

Fort Edmonton

Fort Edmonton Park

Please note: Currently closed for the Summer 2019 season for renovations.

History is fun at 1800s-era  Fort Edmonton Park External Link Title , where actors dressed in period costume barter for beads at the fur trading post and socialize at the train station. Learn about four time periods: the 1846 fort, 1885 community, 1905 railway boom, and 1920 commerce hay day. You'll see horse-drawn carriages, historic cars, and 75 structures, including many originals, at Canada's largest living history museum.

Ready to explore museums, go shopping, and ice skate? See you in Edmonton External Link Title !

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Road Trip Alberta

30+ BEST Things to Do in Edmonton, Alberta (for 2024)

Disclaimer: this page may contain affiliate links. please review our full terms and conditions for more information and our privacy policy. note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided below may have changed since initial publication..

Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team

Last Updated on January 8, 2024

Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city, is the farthest north of all of Canada’s capitals, but don’t expect it to be cold, dark, and inhospitable. It is exactly the opposite of all those things – except for maybe the cold, YES, winter temps can dip quite low – but it also exudes a level of “coolness” (pardon the pun), friendly warmth, and charm. The city has fully embraced its northerly location, and now there are many wonderful and exciting things to do in Edmonton year-round.

Edmonton river valley in the fall.

Acknowledgments

The land on which Edmonton is located is Treaty 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux, Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, and Nakota Sioux Peoples.

About the City

Edmonton is Canada’s “Gateway to the North”, and the country’s fifth-largest city, with a population of nearly one million people.

The city of Edmonton started out as Fort Edmonton in 1821. The name came from the town of Edmonton, England (which is now a part of London). People were slow to settle the area, largely because the Canadian Pacific Railway line only went up as far as Strathcona. It only received its own connection in 1905 after becoming the Capital City and being incorporated as a city in 1904.

An aerial view of the Edmonton river valley

Where is Edmonton located?

Edmonton is 610 metres above sea level and is situated almost smack dab in the middle of Alberta (although the area is often called “northern Alberta”). To be exact, it’s at 53.55 latitude and -113.47 longitude. It is 300km north of Alberta’s 2nd biggest city – Calgary.

  • Edmonton’s River Valley is 22 times the size of Central Park. The urban green space is filled with many pathways for the public to enjoy.
  • One of Canada’s sunniest cities, Edmonton sometimes getting up to 17 hours of daylight.
  • Being farther north, Edmonton is a hot-spot for the Aurora Borealis in wintertime.

Best Time to Visit Edmonton

Though Edmonton is great to visit any time of the year, visiting from June through August will ensure a lot of available activities and a beautiful river valley bursting with green. You’ll get to enjoy summer in the prairies – mild weather and no* snow! This is also peak time for the festival season, so there are plenty of activities to take part in. Longer days in the summer (up to 17 hours!) are also something to take advantage of.

*Once in a blue moon, it will snow in summer, but that’s Alberta for you .

A view of the Edmonton river valley

If you are not scared by winter, then Edmonton should also be on your must-visit list. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to marvel at aurora borealis (the best time to see northern lights in Alberta is winter). Consider also planning your visit around the Ice on Whyte Festival , which features an ice carving competition and even an ice slide! (Try not to worry too much about the weather! If you get cold, book an experience at one of the excellent Edmonton spas to warm yourself from the inside out.)

Getting Here

How far is Edmonton from Calgary? From one city centre to the other city centre, it is approximately 300 km. It takes just under three hours to drive via Highway AB-2 (or as locals know it, the QE2). Want a more scenic route? We have a guide outlining two alternatives to get from Edmonton to Calgary , plus it gives plenty of ideas for great places to stop along the way.

How far is Edmonton from Saskatoon? 522 km sit between Saskatoon and Edmonton , and it takes roughly 5 1/2 hours to make the drive.

How far is Edmonton from Vancouver? A whopping 1,159 km via the most direct route between Vancouver and Edmonton . If you want to make this drive (which takes over 12 hours), consider splitting it up with stops in Kamloops, BC, and/or Jasper, AB.

The Walterdale Bridge at night in Edmonton, Alberta

The Via Rail Canadian train connects to Edmonton! Experience travelling by train and you’ll have time to appreciate all the beautiful sights out the windows. Connected destinations include Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Vancouver.

Several bus companies also service Edmonton (easy comparisons can be made on Busbud , but a couple of the options are outlined below):

  • We’ve personally taken Red Arrow several times and always had a seamless and on-time journey. There are three drop-off points (south, downtown Edmonton, and the International Airport), and the current cost, if originating in Calgary, is nearly $80.
  • Ebus is Red Arrow’s less-luxurious sister company, with similar pick-up/drop-off points but at a lower rate. If originating in Calgary, the cost is approximately $51.

Skyscrapers in Edmonton, Alberta

With non-stop service to 50 destinations around the world, the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is a popular spot for people travelling to the city. Travelling from the airport to the rest of the city is easy through a number of options:

  • There are multiple options for renting a car at the airport. Book in advance to avoid any hassle! We recommend booking via  RentalCars.com , to select the cheapest rate or to book with whichever company you prefer.
  • A taxi from the airport to downtown will take approximately 40 minutes, and all taxis charge a flat rate of $62 or splurge and take a limo for $71. You can phone the Edmonton International Airport Ground Transportation Office at 1-800-268-7134 or 780-890-8553 for assistance booking a taxi.
  • Uber is in Edmonton and does pick-ups and drop-offs at YEG.
  • The Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) operates a bus ( route 747 ), that travels from the airport to the southern transit station of Century Park (from there you can get on the light-rail-transit, or take a bus or taxi to get to your final destination). The one-way fare is $5. The ETS has this handy trip planner to help you figure out the system from there.
  • At the time of writing this, the Edmonton Skyshuttle service from the airport is reported as being currently suspended.

Edmonton International Airport YEG

Take the guesswork out of planning your Alberta trip!

We now offer two ways to help ease the burden of travel planning:

  • We've developed ebook itineraries and travel guides for hot Alberta destinations and for a variety of 7-day trips. For one low price, you'll get local travel advice that you WON'T find elsewhere!
  • Want a custom trip tailored exactly to your needs? We are pleased to also offer a custom service for planning your Alberta vacation .

Getting Around Edmonton

  • Taxis – There are multiple taxi services available to get around! Download the Greater Edmonton Yellow Cab app for easy access to eight taxi fleets. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play (or just the good ol’ telephone)!
  • Uber – Edmonton Uber gives you a large area of travel with nearby communities of Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Leduc and Sherwood Park making the map.
  • Transit – A cheaper option for travelling around Edmonton is its transit system. An adult day pass is only $10.25! The Edmonton LRT map and bus route maps can all be found on their website. There is also a handy trip planner to help you figure out how to get from point A to point B.
  • Cycling – Looking for a more active way to travel? Rent a bicycle at United Sport & Cycle – they’re just a few blocks south of the River Valley. Travel around on either a mountain, road, electric or casual bike. (Here’s a map of all of Edmonton’s bike trails.)

An aerial view of the Edmonton River Valley

The Best Things to Do in Edmonton

There are so many things to do in Edmonton. From beautiful parks to explore, a vibrant food and beverage scene and more festivals than any other destination in Alberta, Edmonton has a plethora of things to do in any season.

West Edmonton Mall

Most likely, Edmonton’s number one tourist attraction, West Edmonton Mall, is on your to-do list. It’s a destination in and of itself! What was once the largest mall in the world is now the largest mall in North America, with over 800 stores and services. Also inside, the mall hosts theme parks, a giant amusement park (Galaxyland), the massive World Waterpark, two miniature golf courses, an indoor race track, multiple movie theatre complexes, and even a large indoor skating rink, so you don’t have to spend all your time shopping.

Conveniently, there is also an on-site hotel at West Edmonton Mall that has one-of-a-kind themed rooms, including Pirate, Space, Polynesian, and more. 

A view inside West Edmonton Mall

Fort Edmonton Park

Experience a true immersion into the history of Canada in one of the best Edmonton museums ! Complete with costumed historical interpreters, Fort Edmonton Park is the largest living history museum in Canada by area at 64 hectares (158 acres).

Dancers at Fort Edmonton Park

The Park includes a reconstructed Hudson’s Bay Fort from 1846, as well as historically accurate reconstructed streets from the years 1885, 1905, and 1920, each depicting the evolution of Edmonton’s early history.

Muttart Conservatory

The iconic glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory juxtapose the river valley that surrounds them. Inside each pyramid is a climate-regulated biome with three different zones – arid, temperate, and tropical – with a mission of education and conservation. The conservatory is home to more than 700 species of plants and has an on-site restaurant to make a nice afternoon out of a visit.

The pyramids at the Muttart Conservatory Edmonton

Stroll Along Whyte Ave

If you are in the mood to get a taste of Edmonton and really feel what the city is all about, a trip to Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona is a must. It is full of historic buildings but also is the trendiest part of town – with art galleries, music shops, and trendy restaurants and cafes (including some of the best Edmonton cafes and coffee shops). Also, take a stroll through the picturesque Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, which, in true Edmonton fashion, is a place for festivals, public events, and informal gatherings at the notable gazebo.

A sign that says Old Strathcona Farmer's Market against a blue sky

Also, don’t miss the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market , which is just off of Whyte Avenue and is open every Saturday from 8 am – 3 pm year-round!

Take the High-Level Bridge Streetcar

Running on what used to be Canadian Pacific Railway’s mainline over the North Saskatchewan River (from Old Strathcona to downtown), the High-Level Bridge Streetcar is a fun way to experience this piece of history plus get gorgeous views of Edmonton’s river valley. Running at limited times and only from May through October, don’t miss a chance to enjoy (and support) this volunteer-run streetcar service.

An old streetcar at the Whyte Avenue stop in Edmonton

Alberta Legislature Building

Known to Edmontonians as “the Ledge,” the Alberta Legislature Building is definitely a sight to see during your stay in this capital city. Constructed in 1913, not only is the building architecturally interesting to look at, but political buffs would be interested to note that the building is the meeting point for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the Cabinet of Alberta.

The Alberta Legislature Building

Free tours of the building are available 362 days a year and cover topics related to the levels of government, Alberta’s political history, and the art and architecture of the building.

TELUS World of Science

Everyone loves to learn, right? Science nerds rejoice at the TELUS World of Science in west Edmonton. It’s their mission to: “Ignite curiosity. Inspire discovery. Celebrate science. Change lives.” Spending a day at the World of Science is easy for the family as there is always so much to do with the fun and interactive exhibits. And the best part is that the exhibits change so often, each time you visit it’s a new experience.

TELUS World of Science photos of birthday parties and families

Want more family-friendly fun? Read our recommendations for Edmonton bowling alleys and Edmonton escape rooms .

Winspear Centre

“My dream is to have a place where the people of our region can make the most beautiful music they are capable of – and share it with each other.” – Dr. Francis G. Winspear .

The Winspear Centre is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and attending a symphony here is a special experience. There are scheduled performances throughout the year and special holiday shows over Christmas.

Winspear Centre

Alberta Art Gallery

One of the most unique pieces of architecture in Edmonton is the Alberta Art Gallery . The building itself is a piece of artwork, and the artist, Randall Stout, wanted to juxtapose a 190-metre steel ribbon that took inspiration from the North Saskatchewan River and the Aurora Borealis. Inside, there are three floors of galleries, a gift shop, and a 150-seat theatre. Exhibitions rotate throughout the gallery, so check the website to see what’s currently on display.

The Art Gallery of Alberta in downtown Edmonton on a summer day

Royal Alberta Museum

One of the top Edmonton museums is the  Royal Alberta Museum  (RAM). It’s the largest museum in Western Canada and opened to the public in 1967. It showcases all that makes Alberta so incredible, with exhibits ranging from the province’s natural history, Indigenous culture, botany, archaeology, political history, geology, zoology, plus much more. It’s a fantastic place for individuals or families to indulge all their curiosity about the history of Edmonton and Alberta.

Visitors look at an exhibit at the Royal Alberta Museum

Edmonton Riverboat

Step onboard and cruise down the North Saskatchewan aboard the Edmonton Riverboat . There are options for weekend brunch, dinner on board, or just a beautiful sunset cruise. The new owners have invested in a million-dollar renovation on what was formally known as the Edmonton Queen (it’s now known as the Edmonton Riverboat). Tickets can be purchased online.

Edmonton Riverboat

Edmonton Riverhawks

Is there anything better than a beer in hand, a footlong hotdog and watching a baseball game on a hot summer night? It’s tough to beat, and that’s why going to an Edmonton Riverhawks baseball game is a fantastic idea. The stadium is nestled right in the Edmonton River Valley and on the footstep to downtown. Grab a ticket and cheer on the ‘Hawks – kaw kaw’ ! Tickets are available online and at the stadium on game day.

Edmonton Riverhawks

Edmonton Valley Zoo

Nestled in the river valley and open 364 days a year (only closed on Christmas Day) is the Edmonton Valley Zoo . Home to more than 350 animals, it’s a popular spot for families to spend a day. There are interactive exhibits, petting farms, performances, a gift shop and spots to grab a bite to eat. In the winter, it’s home to Zoominescence, a popular spectacular Christmas light display in Edmonton.

Edmonton Valley Zoo

We must mention, however, the controversy surrounding the Edmonton Valley Zoo, which has been named the Worst Zoo for Elephants because of its treatment of Lucy the Elephant. Among many issues recorded over the years, one of the most damaging is that Lucy has lived alone for over 15 years, which violates zoo standards because of the fact that elephants are highly social. For years, many activists such as Jane Goodall have called for the move of Lucy to a sanctuary. But now, because of Lucy’s advanced age and health problems, an independent review at Goodall’s request has determined that moving Lucy would be unethical .

Edmonton Festivals

The festival season never seems to end in Edmonton; there is a good reason why it is called ‘the Festival City’. From music, street performing, heritage and culture, and even ice sculptures, Edmonton hosts over 100 festivals annually across all genres. The renowned International Fringe Theatre Festival, Flying Canoe Volant, Cariwest, and the Folk Festival are just a few that give a taste of what Edmonton has to offer.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival

Since 1981, the second weekend in August has played host to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in beautiful downtown Gallagher Park. The four-day festival sees popular folk artists from around the world come to Alberta’s capital. It’s one of the world’s leading folk festivals.

Edmonton Folk Festival at Night

International Fringe Theatre Festival

For the last 40+ summers, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival has entertained the city. It is the largest, longest-running Fringe Theatre Festival in North America and ranks among the top 5 Fringe Festivals in the world. For 11 days, it is also one of North America’s most influential art movements. Located in the heart of Old Strathcona, there are over 160+ shows in 25+ venues, including live and street performances, plus many more events throughout the 2 weeks. Tickets for shows can be purchased in advance.

Formerly known as Klondike Days, K-Days is a 10-day festival and midway that runs during mid-to-late July in Edmonton. There are thrilling rides, exciting games, free concerts, performances, and the zaniest festival food. It’s fun for all ages!

Klondike Days in Edmonton - photo via Northlands Events

Cariwest Festival

The 3-day Cariwest Festival in downtown Edmonton and Churchill Square is one of the most colourful and vibrant to experience in the summer! It was first introduced to Edmonton in 1984, and over the 3 days, there is Caribbean art, music, scrumptious food, costumes, and carnival culture. There’s a parade, a Costume Extravaganza, live entertainment, a marketplace, plus much more!

A Caribbean festival in Edmonton, Alberta

Flying Canoe Volant

This high-energy evening outdoor festival is a must-do if you appreciate local Canadian folklore and great storytelling. The Flying Canoë Volant festival is lit by colourful LED lighting, and festival-goers wander among tipis and enjoy live performances. There is live music and dancing, Indigenous art, hot drinks, and bannock roasting. There is lots of good cheer at the Flying Canoë Volant – and it will warm you to your very soul! Best of all, admission is FREE!

Flying Canoe Volant in Edmonton

Enjoy the Holidays in Edmonton

It’s magical to visit Alberta’s capital during the holiday season! From enjoying the holiday lights at the Legislature to taking in some of the awesome Christmas markets, there is always so much going on (see our post on  Christmas in Edmonton  for plenty of ideas). And if you plan to be in the city at the end of December, check all of the party hot spots inside our  New Year’s Eve in Edmonton article.

Christmas at Old Strathcona Farmers Market

Things to See in Edmonton

Edmonton really is a beautiful city. The city has a lot to offer, with the downtown core surrounded by the beautiful river valley. Plus there are so many parks, murals, and other viewpoints throughout.

Edmonton River Valley

Did you know that Edmonton has the largest urban park in all of Canada? With more than 160 km of maintained pathways and 20 major parks , the Edmonton River Valley provides endless outdoor opportunities for exploration and recharging in nature. Bonus: You don’t even have to leave the city to immerse yourself in nature! The north Saskatchewan River valley is a must-see on any visit to Edmonton, especially in the summer.

Edmonton River Valley

Neon Sign Museum

The Edmonton Neon Sign Museum is a blast from the past, shining in neon! The first of its kind in Canada, 20 functional historic signs tell the story of Edmonton’s neon past. You can find this installation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the east wall of the TELUS building and the south wall of the Mercer Warehouse building on 104 Street and 104 Avenue. No admission is required.

tourist place edmonton

Sir Winston Churchill Square

Sir Winston Churchill Square, next to city hall in downtown Edmonton, is the place to be in the summer months. There’s always something happening in the lively plaza in the heart of downtown. There are festivals, pavilions, public art, a pool and water features and plenty of seating areas. It’s a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat or an ice cream and watch the world go by.

Edmonton Churchill Square

100 Street Funicular

The 100 Street Funicular opened in 2017 and gives visitors viewpoints of Edmonton’s north Saskatchewan river valley. At the bottom, there is a viewing platform over the river and a panoramic view of downtown from below. Taking the funicular is a fun and scenic way to get from the river valley up McDougall Hill to reach downtown or vice versa. Feeling energetic? You can also take the stairs and race your friends up to burn off a few calories.

The view of downtown Edmonton from the 100 Street Funicular

Edmonton Murals and Street Art

Scattered throughout Edmonton, there are a bunch of amazing murals and sculptures. The murals are painted on buildings, walls, sidewalks and more. Every year, more and more appear, with businesses getting into the spirit by decorating their own premises. Here is a detailed list of Instagrammable Walls of Edmonton curated by resident Linda Hoang.

Art Tunnel REVO Cycle

The Silver Balls

Better known as the Talus Dome, this pile of silver balls is both a sculpture that represents the landscape and also the reflection of that landscape. It’s made up of nearly 1,000 handcrafted stainless steel spheres forming an abstract talus shape, and it reflects the sky, weather, and passing cars. It’s a fun spot to capture a selfie.

Talus Dome Edmonton

Edmonton Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Finding a park in Edmonton for a picnic, a hike, a running or biking trail or ice-skating in the winter is simple. There are so many beautiful parks and green spaces to choose from. Some of our favourites include William Hawrelak Park, Gallagher Park (home of the Folk Festival), Mill Creek Ravine in the south, Terwillegar Park (be sure to check out the view from Wolf Willow Stairs) and Borden Park. For more park suggestions, visit the City of Edmonton website .

Aerial View of William Hawrelak Park

Things to Do Near Edmonton

Venturing just outside the city limits, there are a number of fun and unique places to visit near Edmonton. For more ideas, check out our 11 day trips from Edmonton post for some family-friendly travel suggestions.

University of Alberta Botanic Garden

Over 240 acres of gardens, plants, flower collections and stunning natural spaces have long impressed visitors at the University of Alberta Edmonton Botanical Gardens . Visitors can (and are encouraged to) spend hours wandering through the variety of gardens and sprawling landscapes, including a Japanese garden for that moment of zen. Take in the sights of all of the trees, plants, flowers, shrubs, plus much more. You may even see a wedding because it’s a very popular spot for one.

U of A Botanical Gardens

Edmonton Corn Maze

One of the most popular attractions west of Edmonton is the Edmonton Corn Maze . It’s a giant 15-acre corn field which each year is uniquely themed into a maze. It opens in August (the corn has to grow all summer) and runs until October. There are plenty of other fun activities and games for the kids, a marketplace, and the best part – a petting zoo with goats.

Edmonton Corn Maze

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Can’t get enough of local history? The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is located 25 minutes east of Edmonton , and this open-air museum houses refurbished buildings from east-central Alberta that tell the tale of the early and abundant Ukrainian settlement in Alberta from 1892-1930.

Ukrainien Village Dancers

These early settlers made a significant impact on Alberta’s identity, and the museum showcases the stories of survival and perseverance through more than 35 restored historic buildings and costumed interpreters. The 25-minute drive is also well worth it for the mouth-watering Ukrainian food available at the concession!

Elk Island National Park

Another wee jaunt from the city, Elk Island National Park , is also well worth the trip. It is one of the best spots for stargazing and northern lights viewing, and the park is also an important refuge for bison, elk, and more than 250 species of birds.

Bison in Elk Island National Park, Alberta

The national park is open year-round, but a summer visit also includes some incredible camping options (including “comfort” camping)! Note the fees that come with visiting National Parks in Canada.

Elk Island National Park Fees

Effective January 1, 2024 Elk Island National Park daily pass fees are:

  • Adult: $8.50
  • Senior: $7.25
  • Youth (up to 17 yo): FREE
  • Family/group (up to 7 people): $16.75
  • Commercial group (per person): $7.25

Annual Elk Island National Park pass fees:

  • Adult: $41.75
  • Senior: $36.75
  • Family/group: $83.75

The daily passes expire at 4 pm the following day. If you’re looking to enter multiple times or staying longer, consider the Parks Canada Discovery Pass . It gives you unlimited admission for a year to all the national parks in Canada.

Discovery Pass fees are as follows:

  • Adult: $72.25
  • Senior: $61.75
  • Family/group: $145.25

Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve

As mentioned above, areas just outside of Edmonton are incredible for stargazing and northern lights viewing. Encompassing Elk Island National Park and the neighbouring Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve is home to the annual Star Party every September, or you can independently go to witness the beauty of the night sky on your own. Our tips? Choose a clear, cold night, and if you’re aiming to spot the Northern Lights, the winter months are your best bet.

Where to Eat in Edmonton

Tasting Edmonton is also exactly what you should do. The culinary scene has really been heating up, rivalling Alberta’s other major delectable metropolis of Calgary. Be sure to line up some of these top Edmonton restaurants to complement your full day of exploring (or dive into a fabulous meal for breakfast or brunch in Edmonton to start your day off right)! Oh, and save room for the craft beer scene, too – don’t miss enjoying any of these excellent Edmonton breweries .

We cannot recommend Rge Rd enough. It tops our list of best Edmonton restaurants with its exciting menu of local fare that changes with the seasons. Meat-eaters will especially rejoice here (you can’t go wrong with any protein on the menu – but especially try the bison with spaetzle), and more adventurous dinners can order the “questionable bits” which exemplify the restaurant’s commitment to using all parts of the ingredients they source.

A chef prepares dishes in Edmonton, Alberta

Vaticano Cucina

Ranked as one of the best restaurants in Edmonton, Vaticano Cucina is the place to go for authentic rustic Italian food. With a warm ambiance and creative decor, Vaticano Cucina is a welcoming place to warm your belly with fresh pasta and hot pizza that is made fresh with the highest quality ingredients for a reasonable price.

Frida Urban Taqueria

Frida Urban Taqueria , just outside the downtown core, is fairly new to Edmonton. The restaurant is all about authentic Mexican street food and family. The result? They take tacos to the next level. Every tortilla is made by hand in their kitchen and the tacos, in our opinion, are as close to eating a taco at a taco stand in Querétaro, Mexico as you can get.

Frida Urban Taqueria

Hathaway’s Diner

Offering one of the best breakfasts in Edmonton, Hathaway’s Diner is a secret local spot! There’s a good reason why it is such a popular restaurant in Edmonton. Despite the lack of curb appeal, Hathaway rocks the old-school-cool-diner atmosphere while serving up quality food at reasonable prices. Don’t forget to finish your meal with some pie…it is to die for!

Duchess Bake Shop

Looking for something sweet? The Parisian-inspired Duchess Bake Shop offers the perfect blend of classic French pastries with Alberta favourites that are made from scratch daily. The quality is especially notable as only the finest ingredients are used to create their fresh goodies, including imported chocolate from France. It’s no wonder they are regularly mentioned as one of the best cafes in Edmonton.

Inside the Duchess Bake Shop

Where to Stay in Edmonton

Being Alberta’s capital city, there is no shortage of great Edmonton hotels to rest at during your travels. Not all are created equal, though, and the quality you get is really dependent on your budget.

Fairmont Hotel MacDonald (Luxury)

In terms of luxury accommodations in Edmonton, nothing beats the iconic Fairmont Hotel MacDonald . You can’t miss this hotel as it offers spectacular views of the north Saskatchewan river valley and features a restaurant and spa. Close to many Edmonton attractions and located right in the heart of downtown, this hotel is worth the splurge, even if it’s just for one night!

View from the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Edmonton

Mettera Hotel on Whyte (Mid-range)

The Mettera Hotel on Whyte is close to the shopping and vibrant amenities Whyte Ave is known for. Fitting in with the funky vibe of Old Strathcona, Mettera Hotel on Whyte offers rooms decorated in fire, earth, air, or water themes. Additionally, this boutique hotel features a cozy library with a fireplace!

Travelodge by Wyndham Edmonton South (Budget)

Close to Whyte Ave and West Edmonton Mall, Travelodge by Wyndham Edmonton South gives you access to Edmonton sightseeing without breaking the bank. Great for kids, it also has a hot tub and pool and also includes a complimentary continental breakfast.

Edmonton Airbnbs

Being such a large city, there are plenty of options for Edmonton Airbnbs . We recommend staying at the cozy carriage house in Strathcona, perfect for 2 people and close to Whyte Avenue.

Quick Day Trips From Edmonton

Sylvan lake.

You don’t need to go all the way to British Columbia to enjoy time at a quality lake! Sylvan Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Alberta and is less than a two-hour drive away. The 2.5 km white sand beach is perfect for relaxing. Grab some ice cream at the ‘ Big Moo ’ on Lakeshore Drive to help you cool off on those hot summer days. During the summer, catch the weekly movie at the beach. The food trucks are always out during movie nights so you can grab some great local food too! There are great campgrounds in Sylvan Lake , hotels, and cute cabins to stay in to extend your visit.

People playing frisbee at Sylvan Lake

Alberta Beach

On the southeast shore of Lac St. Anne sits Alberta Beach, just an hour north of Edmonton. The beach is in the center of town, with a grocery store and ice cream store within walking distance. This cute cottage-filled village is a popular spot for boating, swimming, and fishing. There is a campground in the middle of town too, open from May 1 to Sept. 30. Check out local goods at the weekly farmer’s market every Sunday from spring until fall.

The town of Jasper is a four-hour drive from Edmonton and one of our favourite towns in Alberta. It’s the anchor to Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies and is the laid-back counterpart to the more popular Banff. For more information, check out our post on travelling from Edmonton to Jasper , as well as our guide on what to do in Jasper .

Visiting other spots in Alberta? Check out our extensive guides for all the things to do while visiting Calgary , Banff , or Drumheller !

ALSO, don’t forget that while you’re on the road, you can download our FREE Road Trip Alberta bingo cards , to make it just that much more fun. One of those cards is for Alberta roadside attractions , of which there is a big one in Edmonton!

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25 Best Things to Do in Edmonton

May 19, 2020 By Matthew G. Bailey 28 Comments

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Things to Do in Edmonton

Things to Do in Edmonton Last updated: April 10th, 2023

Known as the “Gateway to the North”, Alberta’s capital city is the farthest north of Canada’s major cities and is home to a variety of things to do and places to see. Stretched along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is a city that can be visited year-round, depending on what you’re looking for. Due to its location, Edmonton’s winters can be some of the coldest and darkest in Canada, and yet, it can be a great time to visit if you’re looking to experience frozen castles, ice hockey, or perhaps the Northern Lights. The summers, in contrast, can be quite hot with the sun staying up until close to midnight. This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, as well as an incredible array of festivals and events.

Speaking of festivals, Edmonton is known to some as the “City of Festivals”. This is, in part, due to the fact that Edmonton has lively festivals all year round. However, the best of them is during the summer, when the city comes to life with the International Fringe Theatre Festival, Heritage Festival, the Folk Festival, and the International Jazz Festival, just to name a few.

So whether you’re looking for some of Canada’s best festivals, a beautiful river valley, a delicious culinary scene, or North America’s largest mall, Edmonton is a great place to visit. In this guide, we’ll show you what to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Edmonton

There are so many places to see and things to do in Edmonton, including visiting North America’s largest mall and the largest urban park in Canada! But there’s much more than that. Here are the best things to do on your next trip to Edmonton, Alberta!

West Edmonton Mall

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. Home to over 800 stores, it is North America’s largest mall and breaks a lot of records in many other ways as well. It’s also home to Canada’s largest parking lot, North America’s largest indoor waterpark, and North America’s largest indoor amusement park. But we’re not done yet. You’ll 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.

Edmonton’s River Valley Parks

Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System is the largest urban park in Canada. 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. 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. There’s even wildlife, including hares, deer, skunks, and porcupines.

Travel Idea: Click here to learn about a fun 1-Hour Segway tour in Edmonton’s River Valley .

Muttart Conservatory

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 fact, it’s 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. This premier horticultural facility features over 700 species of plants as well as an on-site restaurant. Note: the Muttart Conservatory is closed for rehabilitation work and will reopen in early 2021.

Neon Sign Museum

Located outdoors and thus, free of charge, this first-of-its-kind museum in Canada is home to 20 functional historic signs that tell the story of Edmonton’s “neon” past. It’s 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.

Edmonton Ice Castles

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 Castle s. Often compared to “Narnia”, this acre-sized castle is home to a variety of rooms and is extremely popular with Instagrammers. You’ll also find tunnels, a waterfall, and an ice maze. This is a truly unique thing to do in Edmonton.

Things to do in Edmonton

Alberta Legislature Building

Whether you’re interested in history or just coming to look at the impressive design, the Alberta Legislature Building is well worth the visit. Built back n 1913, this attractive building is the meeting point for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the Cabinet of Alberta. Free tours of the building are available 362 days a year and cover topics related to the levels of government, Alberta’s political history, and the art and architecture of the building. The tours are highly recommended and this is also a great spot for beautiful views of the North Saskatchewan River.

Experience Many Festivals

Considering the fact that Edmonton is known as the “City of Festivals”, you should definitely try to experience one if you can. While the city is home to more than 50 festivals annually, some of the most popular ones include the Edmonton International Fringe Festival , the Edmonton Folk Festival, and the 10-day-long K-Days , which brings Street-parties, dancing, parades, live entertainment, gold panning, and a midway that really livens up the city.

Heritage Festival

Speaking of festivals, we recently attended Heritage Days, which occurs every year on August’s long weekend. This is a really cool event because it showcases the many different cultures that call Alberta home. It’s also free and is perfect for families as it’s both alcohol and tobacco-free as well. It’s 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. They supply all the songs, dance, crafts and music. We watched all sorts of cultural dances from Russia, Poland, Israel, Palestine, and many more, as well as food from countries such as Mexico, Azerbaijan, Nicaragua, and Ukraine. Considering the fact that Canada is known as one of the top multicultural countries in the world, this is a great festival to really see it up close and personal.

Walk Whyte Avenue

Edmonton’s most popular street is Whyte Avenue , which is located in Old Strathcona. This historic district is full of historic buildings but is also one of the trendiest parts of town, including many art galleries, music shops, and trendy restaurants and cafes. You’ll also find the nearby picturesque Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, which is often home to festivals, public events and informal gatherings. If you happen to be there on a Saturday between 8 am and 3 pm, don’t miss the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market.

YEG Scoot Tour

Edmonton and Calgary are some of the few cities in Canada that allow scooters to be operated throughout the city and they are really fun to ride! 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. They offer a number of different tours, including a Wanderlust Picnic tour, and make it easier to explore the city, especially if it’s your first time on a scooter.

Paddle the North Saskatchewan River

As you’ll notice, there’s a big river that cuts through the centre of Edmonton and it’s called the North Saskatchewan River. Located in the river valley, paddling the river is one of the top things to do in Edmonton, for both locals and tourists. You can kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or go canoeing down the river. During our visit, we rented a raft from River Valley Adventure and paddled the river from the Edmonton Valley Zoo to the heart of downtown Edmonton. The river is different throughout the year but for us, it was extremely calm, almost to the point of not moving at times. We love tubing down rivers so it was a great way to see some nature and see Edmonton from a different vantage point.

Take a Segway Tour

Another activity that River Valley Adventure offers is Segway tours. We had no idea how much fun a Segway is but they are truly a great experience. They look far more difficult than they really are but there’s something about utilizing your balance to control them that makes it such a fun experience. 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. They can set up tours as you like but it’s a great way to experience your first Segway.

Fort Edmonton Park

For a deeper look into the history of both Edmonton and Canada, Fort Edmonton Park is the place to go. Home to costumed historical interpreters, this 150-acre park is the largest living history museum in Canada. The Park includes a reconstructed Hudson’s Bay Fort from 1846, as well as historically accurate reconstructed streets from 1885, 1905, and 1920, each depicting the evolution of Edmonton’s early history. Visitors can also enjoy a ride on a horse-drawn wagon or a steam train and enjoy the brand-new Indigenous Peoples Experience. You’ll need at least a full day to truly enjoy this park as it’s both large and simply incredible to visit.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Located 25 minutes east of Edmonton, this open-air museum houses refurbished buildings from east-central Alberta that tell the tale of the early Ukrainian settlement in Alberta from 1892 to 1930. These early settlers made a significant impact on Alberta’s 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. The delicious Ukrainian food available at the concession is worth the drive alone.

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. 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. 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 the commemoration of Ukraine’s national day.

Royal Alberta Museum

Since its move to a new location in 2018, the Royal Alberta Museum is now western Canada’s largest museum. Home to a fascinating mix of permanent cultural and natural history exhibits, as well as temporary installations, a visit to this ultra-modern facility is a must-do when visiting Edmonton. Some of the most impressive exhibits include the many fossils from the dinosaur and ice age eras, a large aquarium of native fish, and live insects-including some exotic and enormous species.

You’ll also find a large feature gallery hosting travelling exhibits from across Canada and around the world, a new kids’ gallery, and a bigger bug room with live invertebrates and a visible nursery. The museum’s cultural history departments explore aboriginal cultures with artifacts from Blackfoot, Cree, and other First Nations.

Art Gallery of Alberta - Top things to do in Edmonton

Art Gallery of Alberta

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. The gallery features changing and travelling exhibitions and maintains an extensive collection of more than 6,000 pieces. The site also features a gift shop, restaurant, and theatre space, as well as lectures and workshops. Private guided tours are also available and can be tailored to suit your particular interests.

edmonton valley zoo things to do in edmonton

Edmonton Valley Zoo

Opened in 1959, the Edmonton Valley Zoo has traditionally focused on research into threatened animal species. 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. 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. 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.

Alberta Aviation Museum

For those interested in aviation, the Alberta Aviation Museum is a must. Located near the Edmonton city center airport, the museum is easy to find with its two fighter jets mounted outside. Along with its 40 aircraft on display, the museum is home to a rare form of aircraft hangar constructed as part of Canada’s pilot training program back in WWII. Informative guided tours are available and last around 90 minutes.

University of Alberta Botanic Garden 

For those who love gardens and flowers, you’ll want to make your way to the 240-acre University of Alberta Botanic Garden . Founded in 1959 and the largest such garden in the province, this massive site is split into two parts. One part consists of 160 acres that have been set aside in their natural state. 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. Another feature is the Aga Khan Garden, a nearly 12-acre site inspired by Islamic architecture and landscapes, but with a northern twist. You’ll find a number of pleasant forest paths, peaceful terraces, ponds, pools, and even a waterfall.

Visitors are free to roam on their own or can opt for a free guided walking tour, which comes highly recommended. For those interested in Opera, you may want to time your visit with the annual Opera al Fresco event performed here by the Edmonton Opera Company each June.

Alberta Railway Museum

Located in the northern suburbs, the Alberta Railway Museum (ARM) features a selection of still-operating and static locomotives and rolling stock. Founded in 1976 to preserve the province’s rich railway heritage, the museum features more than 75 engines and railcars, a number of original railway buildings, and many related artifacts. One of the highlights of visiting is having the chance to ride on one of the trains during the summer months.

TELUS World of Science

For those looking to get an immersive experience, the TELUS World of Science (TWOS) is a great place to go. 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. Another feature is the excellent planetarium called the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre, as well as the IMAX Theatre. You can also visit the on-site observatory for free, which offers a variety of interesting star-gazing opportunities.

Rogers Arena, Edmonton Alberta things to do

Hockey with the Edmonton Oilers

For sports fanatics, Edmonton is home to one of the most iconic NHL teams – the Edmonton Oilers . Once known as the “City of Champions”, the Edmonton Oilers had one of the top dynasties to ever play in the NHL, including players like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Juri Kurri, and many others. They won 5 Stanley Cups in just 6 years. They now have the NHL’s #1 player (Conner McDavid) and play in the brand-new Rogers Arena in downtown Edmonton. If you like hockey and can get a ticket, this is one of the most exciting places to watch a game.

Football with the Edmonton Elks

Another popular team in Edmonton is the CFL’s Edmonton Elks . For those who like American Football, you’ll definitely want to make it out to a Canadian Football Game, which is typically faster in play and is played on a larger field at 110 yards long and 65 yards wide. Either way, it’s 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.

Another cool feature of Edmonton’s winter is the inner-city ski hills. These are great places for those looking to learn how to ski as they’re not that big or intimidating. Popular hills include Snow Valley Ski Hill and Rabbit Hill Snow Resort . If you’re looking for more of a thrill, you’ll want to head west to Jasper where you can ski at the world-class Marmot Basin Ski Resort.

Eat Some Delicious Food

We all have to eat and there are some incredible restaurants in Edmonton to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a mouth-watering brunch or fine dining to impress your date, there’s no shortage of options in Edmonton. 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. We also have a guide to the best brunch in Edmonton .

Drink Some Great Beer

Just like the many amazing restaurants in the city, there are also many Edmonton breweries that you should visit. From dark stouts to fruity sours and everything in between, Edmonton has some of the best breweries in the province.

what to do in Edmonton - Night Skyline

Where is Edmonton?

Edmonton is located in the middle of Alberta, just 3 hours North of Calgary and about 4 hours east of Jasper. Although it’s now one of Canada’s biggest cities, it was once a small fort, dating back to 1821.

Fun facts: Canada’s largest parking lot is located in Edmonton, but it’s also home to a massive River Valley urban park that is 22x the size of New York’s Central Park. So, whether you’re looking for inner-city nature or a concrete jungle, you can find it here. For more fun facts, check out our article on both Alberta facts and Canada facts .

Getting to Edmonton

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Edmonton, here’s some practical advice on how to get here.

Getting to Edmonton by Car

Calgary to Edmonton: The drive from Calgary to Edmonton is approximately 300 km and takes roughly 3 hours. The highway is basically straight the entire way and the halfway point is the city of Red Deer.

Jasper to Edmonton: The beautiful town of Jasper is just 4-hours west of Edmonton. If you’re in Edmonton and want to experience the Rocky Mountains and/or the world-famous Icefields Parkway , this is where you’ll want to go. If you’re already in Jasper, you’ll simply take Highway 16 and head east all the way to Edmonton.

Edmonton to Saskatoon: Edmonton is fairly popular with Saskatoonians as well, as it’s the closest major city and somewhat similar in culture. The drive takes just over 5 hours, heading east on Highway 16. There are lots of things to do in Saskatoon once you arrive, including the beautiful Prince Albert National Park just north of the city.

Vancouver to Edmonton: The drive from Vancouver to Edmonton is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. While it can be relatively hazardous in the winter, it’s fairly straightforward in the summer months. The drive takes approximately 12 hours but you’d be better off adding a few days or even a couple of weeks to truly enjoy the sights along the way, such as Wells Gray Provincial Park and Jasper National Park. If you’d rather get to Vancouver via the Trans-Canada, you’re better off driving south to Calgary and then driving from Calgary to Vancouver .

Getting to Edmonton by Plane

Edmonton is home to the Edmonton International Airport (YEG), which is one of the biggest airports in Canada and also a hub for reaching Canada’s far north, such as Nunavut, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Downtown Edmonton is about 30 kilometres from the airport, which takes approximately 30 minutes by car. There are a variety of ways for getting into Edmonton, including:

  • Rental cars: We recommend using Priceline to find the best deal, however, any search engine should do the trick. Generally, it’s cheaper to book in advance.
  • Taxi: taxies can be found at the airport and will take you to downtown Edmonton in 40 minutes for a $48 flat fee.
  • Public Transportation: For $5, you can take route 747 which travels from the airport to the southern transit station of Century Park. Once here, you can take the light-rail transit, bus, or taxi.
  • Shuttles: If your hotel doesn’t offer a free shuttle, you could take the non-direct service from the airport to any hotel downtown for $18 ($10 for kids). Please note that this is the slow option as it takes up to 90 minutes, depending on the number of stops. Rides must be pre-booked.
  • Uber: If you have the Uber app, this is another option.

For more, click here to see transportation options from YEG .

Getting to Edmonton by Bus

Although Greyhound has suspended service in Western Canada, there are some options for getting to and from Edmonton by bus. The best way to search is by using Busbud . The only bus we’ve personally used is the Red Arrow, which is really good and costs around $72 to and from Calgary. We love the free snacks. There are three drop-off points (south, downtown Edmonton, and the International Airport), and the current cost, if originating in Calgary, is nearly $72. Another less-luxurious option is the Ebus, which is just $42 for the same trip. Prices can change so please check with the bus companies for accurate pricing.

Getting to Edmonton by Train

Since Edmonton is actually home to the VIA Rail, it can be reached by passenger train. Connected destinations include Toronto , Winnipeg , Saskatoon, and Vancouver .

What to Do in Edmonton

Getting Around Edmonton

Like most major cities, Edmonton offers a plethora of ways for getting around the city.

  • Taxis: For the fastest, most convenient option, albeit more expensive, you could opt for a taxi. Edmonton has multiple taxi services.
  • Uber: If you have the Uber app, this is another popular option that serves the city and nearby communities.
  • Transit: Edmonton has both public buses and a light-rail transit system, which makes getting around quite easy. You can buy an adult day pass for less than $10 or pay per trip if you like.
  • Cycling: If you’d rather exercise while you get around, you can rent a bike at a variety of places, including the River Valle Adventure Co., Revolution Cycle, Edmonton Bike Rentals, and United Sport & Cycle. Options include everything from mountain bikes to road bikes, and even electric bikes as well.

Best Time to Visit Edmonton

During the winter months, Edmonton is one of the coldest cities in Canada. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do if you’re willing to brave the cold. For example, you can go skiing, snowshoeing, hang out in West Edmonton Mall, or experience the famous Ice Castles! However, there’s no doubt that the most popular time to visit is during the warmer months. From June to August, the scenery is much more beautiful and the city comes to life with a variety of festivals and activities. The sun is also out until almost midnight, giving you lots of time to do everything you need to do.

Where to stay in Edmonton

Where to Stay in Edmonton

As with any major city, there are no shortages of places to stay in Edmonton. While there are hundreds of hotels, here are some of the best options for your next stay.

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. 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. There’s also the Jasper B&B and the HI-Edmonton Hostel .

Mid-range: While this might be considered somewhere between mid-range and luxury, we have to recommend the Fantasyland Hotel , which is located inside West Edmonton Mall and offers a truly unique experience with themed rooms, including Roman, Polynesian, and  Hollywood Themes. However, if you rather be on trendy Whyte Avenue or in the heart of downtown Edmonton, we’ve stayed in and recommend The Matrix and Metterra on Whyte . 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.

Luxury: When it comes to luxury, the top choice for most would be the iconic Fairmont Hotel MacDonald . This luxurious hotel offers spectacular views of the Edmonton River Valley and features a restaurant and spa.

Things to Do in Alberta Near Edmonton

While Edmonton itself is a great place to explore, there are also a TON of awesome things to do and places to see not that far away. Some examples of what to do outside of Edmonton are below:

Elk Island National Park

If you’re looking for a beautiful slice of nature, make your way to Elk Island National Park . Located just over 30 minutes east of the city, this wooded area with lakes and wetlands is a great place for spotting wildlife, stargazing, watching the Northern Lights, and camping. It’s also an important refuge for bison, elk, and more than 250 species of birds. The park is open year-round but is especially popular in the summer months when the area opens up to camping. Other activities include hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.

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.

Reynolds-Alberta Museum

One hour by car south of downtown Edmonton is the little town of Wetaskiwin , which is home to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum, dedicated to everything to do with aircraft and vehicle construction. There are open-air displays of old agricultural machinery and tools, including some real old dinosaurs-steam tractors, threshing machines, caterpillar tractors, and trucks. 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.

Sylvan Lake

Known as one of Canada’s top 10 beaches, this beautiful lake community can be reached just a two-hour drive south of Edmonton. It’s also the halfway point between Edmonton and Calgary, making it a great place to stop while visiting Alberta’s other major cities. The 2.5km white sand beach is perfect for relaxing and the lake is very popular with boaters as well. There are a variety of hotels as well as campgrounds and cute cabins.

Alberta Beach

If you want a beach but don’t want to drive as far as Sylvan Lake, head 1-hour north from Edmonton to Lac St. Anne’s Alberta Beach . This cute cottage-filled village is a popular spot for boating, swimming, and fishing but there’s also a campground and a weekly farmers market from spring until fall.

best things to do in Jasper alberta

Jasper National Park

Located just four hours west of Edmonton is one of the most beautiful places on Earth – Jasper National Park. 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. To learn more, check out our article about getting from Edmonton to Jasper .

Travel Idea: Click here to check out the many tours and activities offered in Jasper .

By now, your schedule is going to be full for weeks. As you can see, there are many to do in Edmonton and Alberta. For more things to do nearby, check out these travel guides below:

  • Things to Do in Alberta
  • Things to Do in Banff
  • Things to Do in Canmore
  • Camping in Alberta
  • Drumheller Camping

Note: Many of the photos above were taken by Edmontonian photographer Steven Li of stevenliphotography.com .

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About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. 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. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

Reader Interactions

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June 8, 2020 at 5:44 pm

Where and when are the best Times and places to see northern lights in Canada. I’m from Alberta. I’m thinking of taking the train to Manitoba to see them .

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June 8, 2020 at 9:50 pm

Oh wow, you mean the train from Winnipeg to Churchill? I mean, Churchill is a good place but so is Alberta. I grew up in Fort.McMurray and saw the Northern Lights hundred of times. I miss that part quite a bit. So, Fort Mac is a great spot, and probably a number of regions north of Edmonton. Another famous place is Yellowknife and the Yukon. The best times is typically October to November, although the winter months are also good. The only reason the fall and winter are better than the summer is because of the sun. We have so much daylight that they’re hard to see in the summer. Lots of things have to fall in place, which makes them unpredictable. It needs to be an active night, no clouds (or few) and the darker the better. So, for example, a full moon would make it harder to see. This is one good place to check the forecast: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast

June 8, 2020 at 10:42 pm

Thanks for the reply! You sure know Canada! Great stuff? Why is the posted time so different from my tune?

June 9, 2020 at 2:32 pm

what do you mean? like the time the comment is posted? I’m not sure. It should be at my time MST but I’ve noticed it can be off as well

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April 7, 2021 at 3:49 pm

Great article! I look forward to Covid free days when we can take part in all the activities that Edmonton has to offer. I especially miss the summer music festivals.

April 8, 2021 at 5:42 pm

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April 25, 2021 at 6:39 pm

Check out the High Level Bridge Streetcar ride next time you visit.

April 25, 2021 at 7:51 pm

Yes! Looks awesome. Hope to be back this summer

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April 28, 2021 at 4:39 pm

Great to see ideas for things near by- thanks

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April 29, 2021 at 12:03 pm

Always so many great things to do and see in YEG

May 8, 2021 at 9:51 am

It’s nice to be reminded all the possibilities close to home

It’s nice to be reminded all the possibilities close to home and near by without travelling too far

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May 12, 2021 at 1:28 pm

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!? Far too many fans out there will still live for the Green and Gold Eskies – good luck with the name change!

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May 12, 2021 at 6:55 pm

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. Inuit people of the north had no issue with the name as they are as they call themselves – Eskimos Good luck to the name change

May 12, 2021 at 9:15 pm

When we were up in Nunavut last year, we were told by the Inuit that it is an offensive name. So….

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May 13, 2021 at 9:12 am

Great site – thanks!

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May 13, 2021 at 9:02 pm

I live in Edmonton. I sure miss those festivals.

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May 14, 2021 at 10:06 am

Edmonton is definitely under-rated -it’s a remarkable city with a great variety of amenities.

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May 14, 2021 at 10:07 am

Excited to visit!

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May 14, 2021 at 11:26 am

Can’t wait to check Edmonton out when this Covid nonsense is over, didn’t realize there’s so many places to see and enjoy.

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May 21, 2021 at 5:45 pm

Lots of seasonal and year-round greenhouses and plant boutiques for plant lovers 🙂

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May 25, 2021 at 7:30 pm

I’ve lived in Edmonton most of my whole life, barely ever saw the northern lights.

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May 25, 2021 at 9:15 pm

There are the cafes that encourage board game playing. There are also live Interactive Improv shows to join and see. Hidden gems all over the city.

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May 25, 2021 at 11:53 pm

I grew up in Edmonton and need to plan a summer trip back so I can reminisce!

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August 24, 2021 at 11:43 am

So many things to do in Edmonton. There are lots I haven’t done too. Great post!

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September 1, 2021 at 4:41 am

Revisited this beautiful city in 2018 and crammed lots of things into the few days we had. Enjoyed The Taste of Edmonton and the Legislature Grounds. After reading your article I discovered so many things that I’d love to do that it’s back on my list for when travel is safer.

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September 1, 2021 at 1:49 pm

I had teen out of towners in for volleyball camp, 9am-4:30pm. Everything closed at 5pm. Only thing to do was the Segway, but cancelled due to rain and WEM, but attractions closed 7pm. Why do we roll up our sidewalks at 5pm?

September 1, 2021 at 3:01 pm

yea i never understood why museums close so early

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A first-timer’s guide to Edmonton, Alberta's capital city

Debbie Olsen

May 11, 2024 • 9 min read

Man walking on Terwillegar Bridge in Edmonton, Alberta.

Edmonton is full of fascinating corners – like this sci-fi spot in Terwillegar Park © 770 Productions / Design Pics / Getty Images

Edmonton does things big: it’s home to Canada ’s largest sports and entertainment district, the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America, the oldest and largest fringe theater festival in North America and one of the largest shopping malls on the planet. But underneath that big, bold surface is a vibrant capital city with an unpretentious population and a rich and diverse culture.

Canada’s fifth-largest city and northernmost major metropolis is filled with so many fascinating places to explore that planning a visit can be a bit overwhelming. Where should I go? How can I get there? How can I experience the real culture of this place? This guide tackles those questions and provides practical advice on how to make the most of your first visit to Edmonton.    

What is the best time to visit Edmonton?

The summer months are the most popular time to visit – the city receives as much as 17 hours of daylight per day, and temperatures range between 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (86°F). It’s also the season when you can enjoy many of the most popular festivals, like K-Days in July or the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival in August. Accommodations will cost more during the peak summer months. Edmonton can get quite cold in winter, with typical temperatures ranging between -5°C (23°F) and -15°C (5°F) and snowfall happening as early as November and as late as March. You shouldn’t be afraid of winter, though – it’s a great time to visit if you like skating, skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. 

One added bonus to a fall or winter visit is that you might get the chance to see the northern lights . The University of Alberta’s Aurora Watch website monitors aurora activity near Edmonton and can send you alerts. There are festivals year-round, too, so there’s really no bad time to visit. Flying Canoë Volant is a highlight of winter, and the International Children’s Festival in spring is great family fun. Accommodations also tend to cost less during the fall, winter and spring. 

Northern Lights as seen from Elk Island National Park near Edmonton, Alberta

What is Edmonton best known for?

As the gateway city to Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies, Edmonton is a fast-growing city with a young population compared to other Canadian cities. It’s also known as Canada’s festival city because it hosts more than 50 festivals annually . And you may have heard of its biggest attractions: the beautiful North Saskatchewan River Valley and West Edmonton Mall (the biggest in North America). Edmonton is also a sports-loving city, home to the Edmonton Oilers NHL hockey team and the Edmonton Elks CFL football team. The city used to have the moniker “City of Champions” in honor of its sports teams. 

Is it easy to get in and around Edmonton without a rental car?

A rental vehicle is the easiest and most convenient way to get around Edmonton, but you have plenty of other options. The city has a good public transit system with both buses and Light-rail Transit (LRT) services . Uber, taxis and bicycle rentals are also a possibility. If you want to get around on foot, Edmonton is a very walkable city .

How much time should I spend in Edmonton?

Ideally, you should have at least two or three days to explore Edmonton. It won’t be enough time to see everything, but you will be able to see some of the top attractions. If you only have one day, you’ll have time for one or possibly two attractions. Exploring West Edmonton Mall can take a full day, but you might be able to visit two smaller attractions in a single day. With three days, you could visit one of the attractions outside the city, like Elk Island National Park , the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village or Métis Crossing .   

Members of the First Nations dance in regalia during the traditional Pow Wow competition, at the K-Days Festival in Edmonton

How much money do I need for Edmonton?

Compared to other cities, Edmonton is a bargain. Accommodation rates vary depending on the location and the season, but they tend to be higher in the downtown core. Unsurprisingly, you can find some deals if you book early and avoid peak-season travel. Major attractions may charge hefty fees, but there are a lot of free festivals and things to do . There are some great farmers markets and picnic spots if you want to save a buck and still enjoy high-quality local food.

Here are some average daily costs at peak season (in $CAD):

  • Downtown hotel $150-375 per room per night
  • Private double room in a hostel $65 per night
  • Coffee (Tim Hortons or similar) $2
  • Entrée at a midrange restaurant $25-35
  • Glass of wine $8-10
  • Museum admission $14-21
  • Public transit single ticket $2.75 within Edmonton, $5 from the airport to Edmonton
  • Cab fare from Edmonton airport to downtown $62

What food is Edmonton known for?

One of the best things about visiting a place is discovering unique local foods. Green onion cakes were introduced to Edmonton in 1978 when Siu To, an immigrant from northern China, began serving them in his restaurants. These pan-fried pancakes filled with scallions are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and they are so beloved in the city that some have suggested they should be declared Edmonton’s official food. They are served at restaurants around the city and at many festivals, but try the original at Green Onion Cake Man restaurant. 

Other foods that should make your must-eat list: perogies, donairs and Alberta beef. There’s a huge Ukrainian and Polish community in Edmonton and some amazing restaurants that make perogies fresh daily. Sample the goods at  Uncle Ed's Ukrainian Restaurant , Taste of Ukraine , Shumka Ukrainian Foods or Widynowski's Sausage House . Next up is the donair, a uniquely Canadian food similar to a Greek Gyro with seasoned shaved rotisserie beef, veggies and special sauce wrapped in a pita. There are over 120 donair restaurants in Edmonton, and  Marco's Famous , Swiss Donair and Top Donair are all good places to try it. Finally, Alberta is famed for its beef (there are more cattle than people in the province), and many restaurants serve up this local specialty with flair.

A green onion cake on a wood chopping board with sliced scallions around it.

Where to eat in Edmonton

Edmonton’s food and drink scene is worth traveling for. Dynamic and always evolving, you’ll find some fantastic bakeries, ice cream shops, restaurants, breweries, pubs and bars. For breakfast or brunch, check out The Sugarbowl , where you'll find everything from fresh cinnamon buns to huevos rancheros and Belgian waffles. Duchess Bake Shop is the most famous French bakery in town, serving up amazing macarons, tarts, croissants and éclairs. Farrow Sandwiches is known for its uniquely delicious sandwiches, freshly brewed coffee and delicious baked goods. 

Small-batch, hand-crafted ice cream is a thing in Edmonton, and there are several fantastic shops, including Made by Marcus , Kind Ice Cream  and Yelo’d . For local prairie cuisine at its finest – including Alberta beef from an onsite butchery – go to RGE RD . For Asian-inspired food that’s meant to be shared, visit Baijiu , a trendy cocktail bar and eatery in a historical building. Also, take a brewery tour at Monolith , one of the only breweries in North America that offer barrel-aged beer. For cocktails and late-night snacks, check out Fu’s Repair Shop or Bar Clementine , two of the city’s trendiest spots. To get a taste of several different places, go on a food tour with Alberta Food Tours .    

Experience Edmonton’s must-see attractions

There are many attractions in Edmonton, and some of them are iconic. It’s hard not to be blown away by West Edmonton Mall . Canada’s largest shopping and entertainment complex has more than 800 stores, a water park, a theme park and much more. The Royal Alberta Museum is Western Canada’s largest museum – a great place to explore history. See 6000 pieces of art from Alberta and around the world at the Art Gallery of Alberta . Experience Canada’s national winter sport at an Edmonton Oilers hockey game at Rogers Place. Enjoy a performance of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Winspear. There are several places to enjoy live theater, but the Citadel Theatre is the city’s premiere facility. Just outside the city, you can enjoy hiking, canoeing, wildlife watching and other outdoor adventures at Elk Island National Park . Herds of bison, elk and more than 250 bird species are found in the park.

An afternoon view of the North Saskatchewan river valley and downtown Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province. Also visible is the train bride connecting the east and west sides of the city. It is the beginning of Autumn and the leaves have just started turning yellow, orange and red.

My favorite thing to do in Edmonton  

I love exploring the North Saskatchewan River Valley, often referred to by locals as the Edmonton River Valley – the city’s pride and joy. Take a free ride on the 100 Street Funicular  and embark on an adventure through the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America, an area 22 times bigger than New York City’s Central Park. There are 20 major parks in the river valley, many attractions and more than 99 miles (160km) of trails to explore by running, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or on a guided Segway tour; use this handy trail map for exploring.  River Valley Adventure Co is the place to go for Segway tours, mountain bikes, stand-up paddle boards and other sports equipment rentals.

If you prefer to hit the water, grab a canoe or kayak and glide along the North Saskatchewan River. Canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle service are available at Edmonton Canoe .

Download the free app if you’re exploring the six-mile (10km) Edmonton Commonwealth Walkway  to listen to one of five themed audio tours – Indigenous, history, family, river and winter.  There are quite a few attractions in the Edmonton River Valley, including Snow Valley Ski Hill , Snow Valley Aerial Park , Fort Edmonton Park , the Edmonton Valley Zoo , Muttart Conservatory and the John Janzen Nature Center .

Attend a festival in Canada’s festival city

You could plan your entire trip around Edmonton’s festival schedule. Hosting more than 50 festivals every year, Canada’s Festival City celebrates everything from arts and culture to music, food and LGBTQIA+ pride. Check out the Explore Edmonton event calendar to see what’s happening during your stay. Some recommendations in summer include the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival , Edmonton Heritage Festival , Edmonton International Street Performers Festival , Edmonton Folk Music Festival , K-Days , Edmonton Pride Festival  and Cariwest . In winter, Flying Canoe Volant , Silver Skate Festival  and Deep Freeze take the edge off cold days.

Discover the Indigenous side of Alberta’s capital city

Edmonton is located within Treaty No. 6 territory and within the Métis homelands and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4. The city has the second largest urban Indigenous population in Canada, and there are many unique opportunities to learn about Indigenous Edmonton. The Indigenous People’s Experience at Fort Edmonton Park is a multi-media experience that tells the stories and shares the cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of this region of Canada. To see the city from an Indigenous perspective, take a tour with Talking Rock Tours . Also consider making a visit to Métis Crossing , an 80-minute drive northeast of Edmonton, where you can learn about Métis culture and enjoy fun activities like paddling a voyageur canoe and taking a wildlife tour to see a sacred white bison.

Keep planning your trip to Alberta: 

Go remote with  the best of Banff and Jasper’s backcountry lodges Add  Canada's best experiences  to your itinerary Do your research with 12 things one local wants you to know about Canada Time your adventure perfectly with the best times to visit Canada

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Independent Travel Cats

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Edmonton City Guide: 20 Things to do in Edmonton Alberta

Last updated: April 3, 2021 - Written by Jessica Norah 28 Comments

After our recent trip to Western Canada, we wanted to share a list of some of the top things to do in Edmonton Alberta. As Alberta’s capital city, there are loads of things to do in the city from skiing and biking to visiting farmers’ markets and perusing art galleries.

During our time in the capital, we did a Segway tour in Canada’s largest urban park, went to a hockey game, visited an art museum, searched for street art, rode a roller coaster in North America’s largest shopping mall, appreciated plants in a glass pyramid, and ate our way around the city’s growing food scene. We also made a day trip to nearby Elk Island National Park for some great wildlife spotting!

We’ll share our tips for visiting the city and our list of the top things to do in Edmonton Alberta based on our recent experience.

sunset spots things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on Edmonton Alberta

Here are all the basics you’ll need to know for planning your trip to Edmonton:

Where is it? 

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, one of the provinces in the western part of Canada. The city is located in south central Alberta and is the province’s second largest city. Both Jasper National Park and Banff National Park are about a four hour drive away. Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, is about a three hour drive south.

Getting here? 

Most visitors outside of Canada will likely arrive by air, and the  Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is the main airport serving the city. There is also an airport in Calgary. Those in Canada (or in parts of the United States) may also want to drive or come by train as Edmonton is also well connected by rail.

Getting around Edmonton?

Edmonton is a fairly easy city to get around, with an extensive public transit network that includes buses and light rail trains. You can also take taxis or use Uber.

We had a rental car during our stay, which made getting around a lot easier. However, if you have a car be aware that parking in the city center is generally not free, and most city center hotels charge in the region of $15 to $20 CAD per night for parking.

There are Park & Ride locations throughout the city if you arrive by car but want to use the buses or light rail to get around the city.

Best Times of Year to Visit Edmonton? 

Edmonton has a seasonal varied climate with cold winters (average temperatures often below freezing) and warm summers. Winter lasts from about November to March with short autumn and spring like seasons in between. The wettest month tends to be July.

There is no best time to visit Edmonton as it depends on your interests but the weather does have some effect on the available things to do in Edmonton. In the summer, you’ll find more attractions open, warmer weather, and the majority of the city’s festivals take place between June and August. However, in the winter you have the opportunity for skiing and other winter sports, winter festivals such as the Silver Skate Festival , holiday celebrations, outdoor ice rinks, lower prices, and fewer visitors.

Also if you are planning to head north to chase the aurora borealis , northern Alberta and Jasper National Park are prime spots for seeing the Northern Lights with the best chances to catch them from September through early May.

Lodging in Edmonton? 

There are a lot of lodging options in Edmonton from hostels and budget motels to mid-range and luxury hotels, so you should be able to something that suits your budget and style. You can search and compare lodging in Edmonton here .

We recommend trying to find a central spot in Edmonton to have easy access to the city’s main attractions. During our time in Edmonton, we split our time between the downtown area and Old Strathcona, staying at two different hotels. This ended up being a good idea as it allowed us to explore these two different areas of the city more easily.

Our first hotel was the Chateau Lacombe  located in the downtown area. We had a nice suite with a good view of the city skyline and it was a short walk from many of the city’s highlights, including Rogers Place and the River Valley Park. Chateau Lacombe is also home to La Ronde, Edmonton’s only revolving restaurant which offers panoramic views from the 24th floor. 

Our second hotel, the  Metterra Hotel  is located on Whyte Avenue in the center of Old Strathcona. We had a standard room but the location was perfect for us to explore the area on foot and it was close to a number of shops, restaurants, and theaters. Our stay included complimentary breakfast, free valet parking, and a daily complimentary wine and cheese tasting hour! These were amazing extras and we highly recommend making time to attend the wine and cheese hour each evening before dinner. 

You can also check Vrbo  and similar alternatives to Airbnb if you are wanting to stay in a room or apartment in Edmonton. You can also find serviced apartments, camping, caravan parks, and other options in the city. 

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Edmonton’s many nicknames?

The city of Edmonton goes by a lot of possible nicknames, such as The Big E, Oil Capital of Canada (official slogan/nickname), Canada’s Festival City, The Chuck, The City of Champions, E-Town, Gateway to the North, Canada’s magpie capital, and River City.

You’ll also see a lot of local people just writing YEG or yeg to refer to Edmonton, especially on social media, which is in reference to the city’s airport code. Similarly Calgary (Alberta’s largest city) regularly goes by yyc, its airport code.

Finding Additional Information on things to do in Edmonton? 

If you are looking for additional information on planning your trip to Edmonton, check out the  Explore Edmonton tourism site which is full of information, tips, lodging information, itineraries, and upcoming event information. If your travels are taking you to other locations around the province, check out the Travel Alberta tourism site for trip planning information.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

20 Top Things to do in Edmonton Alberta

Laurence and I have not yet traveled very much in Canada, in fact, our trip to Alberta was Laurence’s first time in Canada! I had been a couple of times before, but only to the Niagara Falls area in Ontario.

When asked to come to Alberta to explore the capital city of Alberta and experience the Dark Sky Festival in Jasper National Park, we both had to consult a map to see where Edmonton and Jasper were located. But come to Canada we did and we are so glad that we got to have a taste of Western Canada.

We are both looking forward to returning to explore more of Alberta as a week was definitely not enough time. If you are interested in heading to Jasper National Park from Edmonton (a 4-5 hours drive or shuttle ride), you can read this post Laurence wrote about our time exploring Jasper and attending the Dark Sky Festival .

Now onto our recommendations for things to do in Edmonton to help you put together your own Edmonton trip itinerary! Whether you have one day or a week, you should be able to find plenty of things to do in the city from this list.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Tour the Alberta Legislature Building

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta so the main buildings of government for the province can be found here. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Alberta Legislature Building , an impressive Beaux Arts style building built between 1907 and 1913.

The guide will tell you the history of the building, show you the primarily architectural features and art of the building, describe a bit of the political process in Alberta, and tell you a bit about some of the most famous premiers (leaders of Alberta’s government). A curious feature inside the building is the palm trees growing around the inside of the dome of the legislature building; how they got there is unknown although they are believed to have come from California in the 1930’s.

Tours are free and generally given every hour on the hour (just check the website for tour times and information). You can also pick up a brochure for a self-guided tour of the grounds of the Alberta Legislature Building, which feature 56 acres of manicured lawns and trees and contains a number of memorials, statues, fountains, and other points of interest.

Before or after your tour, we’d recommend taking the time to visit the new Alberta Legislative Visitor Centre which is on the main floor of the Edmonton Federal Building just a 3 minute walk from the Legislature Building. Here you’ll find the Pehonan Theatre where you can watch a free 4-D show about Alberta’s parliamentary history and culture (recommended!), the Agora Interpretive Center, and the Alberta Branded retail shop selling local products. 

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Get your Learning On at Edmonton’s Museums

For those interested in a good general museum that has a bit of everything from the history and culture of the area to natural history and science, I’d recommend the Royal Alberta Museum.

For art, I’d recommend the  Art Gallery of Alberta  which has a funky photogenic building and a collection of over 6,000 works from both Canadian and international artists. For everything science and for some great IMAX movies, head to the TELUS World of Science .

There are also plenty of museums for those with a special interest such as the  Alberta Railway Museum , Alberta Aviation Museum ,  Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum , and the Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta .

Even if you are someone who hates museums, you might still want to check out the outdoor Neon Sign Museum  on 104th Street, which is simply an outdoor collection of old working neon signs from around the area with some informational panels.

No matter your interests, you’ll likely find at least one museum of interest in Edmonton.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Eat and Drink up the Edmonton Food Scene

Edmonton offers a wide variety of places to eat and being a larger city, there are always new places popping up.

Some places we tried and can recommend during our time in Edmonton include Next Act Pub (classic pub grub in Old Strathcona), MEAT (BBQ places with their own sauces in Old Strathcona), Tres Carnales  (popular downtown Mexican taqueria), Mercer Tavern (pub known for its fried chicken across from Rogers Place), Woodwork (nicer dinner-only New Canadian restaurant in downtown known for its wood-fired dishes and cocktails), and MKT (pub food and large beer selection in a historical railway station in Old Strathcona).

For coffee or tea, we had a nice coffee and tarts at the Duchess Bake Shop  on 124th Street , a good cuppa at Canadian tea chain David’s Tea , and coffee and a muffin in the pleasant but out of the way Little Brick Cafe & General Store  in north central Edmonton which also serves breakfast and lunch.

You might also want to take a food or drink walking tour to sample some of the city’s edible delights. Here is a list of several tours , which include food walking tours, beer tours, and distillery tours.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Go Vintage and Antique shopping

You can easily spend an afternoon or two exploring the vintage, thrift, and antique stores in Edmonton. Although they are dispersed throughout the city, we found a number of them within walking distance in Old Strathcona.

If you only have time for one place, I’d recommend heading to the Old Strathcona Antique Mall , the largest antique mall in Western Canada with over 130 vendors selling everything from Victorian era jewelry to industrial furniture to books and collectible glass. There is even a cozy nook upstairs offering free coffee and a small cafe offering refreshments and snacks downstairs.

A few other places we visited during our time in Edmonton included the  The Junque Cellar which specializes in a large variety of retro and vintage goods of all kinds, the Peacock Boutique which has a good selection of used clothing, toys, and household goods and is run by the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society volunteers, and Blackbyrd Cellar which specializes in vinyl (used and new), CDs, and music equipment.

There are also a number of Value Village and Salvation Army stores in the city selling used clothing, accessories, furniture, and home goods.

For alternative clothing (Gothic, hipster, hippie, etc.) head to Old Strathcona where there are a number of alternative and speciality clothing stores, especially along and just off Whyte Avenue.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Browse for Art 

Edmonton has a number of art galleries, and we visited several during our trip. Use the Galleries West website to search for art galleries in Edmonton or elsewhere in Alberta or Western Canada. One street that has several art galleries within a short walking distance is 124th Street where we visited the   Bear Claw Gallery ,  Peter Robertson Gallery , The Front Gallery , and West End Gallery . 

If you are looking for a larger collection but not interested in buying, we’d recommend a trip to the Art Gallery of Alberta . 

Peter Robertson Gallery things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Watch a Hockey (or Lacrosse) Game

One big difference between Canada and the United States is the popularity of various sports. Hockey is the national winter sport of Canada and lacrosse is the summer national sport.

If you are in Edmonton during hockey season, we’d recommend heading to the newly built Rogers Place to watch the NHL team Edmonton Oilers or the minor league Edmonton Oil Kings. Wayne Gretzky, probably the most famous hockey player in history, played with the Edmonton Oilers from 1979-1988. 

On our first night in Edmonton we watched the Oilers defeat the Carolina Hurricanes at Rogers Place. The place was packed with excited fans, many seeing the stadium for the first time, and it is a great venue for sports or other events.

Rogers Place will also be used for rodeos, concerts, and other sporting events so check out the event schedule for what might be happening during your visit. Rogers Place is one of a series of projects aimed to revitalize the newly named Ice District downtown area of Edmonton.

Rogers Place things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Pay homage to Neon Signs

They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway… but in Edmonton you’ll want to head to 104th Street to see the brightest neon in town.

The outdoor  Neon Sign Museum is a collection of historical working signs that were collected from in and around Edmonton, repaired, and placed along a few buildings, mostly the Telus building, on 104th Street for display. The signs chosen are representative of the commercial signage that was once prevalent in Edmonton’s history and informational panels along the street provide a bit of background.

Best to see after dark so you can get the full effect of the signs when they are turned on. You’ll find the Neon Sign Museum just across the road from Rogers Place and Mercer Tavern.

Neon Sign Museum things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Hunt for Street Art

We didn’t intentionally seek out street art but we found several street murals and other public art displays in Edmonton, particularly in the area around Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona. There are a few locations where artists are welcome to legally paint on the walls but these seem to be ever-changing.

If you are wanting to find the latest best locations for street art, we’d recommend popping in and asking the staff at The Paint Spot  for tips.

street art things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Visit the Glass Pyramids

Across the river from downtown Edmonton are four large glass pyramids which look a bit out of place amongst the North Saskatchewan river valley. These pyramids are home to the Muttart Conservatory , a botanical garden which hosts four different biomes (one in each of the four pyramids), featuring plant species from around the world.

It was already cold when we were in Edmonton, so we were excited to see some flowers and exotic plant species. Three of the biomes house permanent displays, featuring a temperate zone, an arid zone and a tropical zone. Be prepared for a bit of humidity and heat! The fourth pyramid features a rotating display and it was a Tuscany themed exhibit during our visit.

After checking out the four pyramids, we enjoyed soup and a tasty sandwich at the good on-site cafe.

Muttart Conservatory things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Take a boat ride

If you are wanting to get off land, you might consider a boat tour while in Edmonton. Whether you are looking to go fishing in one of Edmonton’s rivers or lakes, or just want to sightsee along the mighty North Saskatchewan river, there are several companies offering boat tours in Edmonton. One of the local fishing companies is  Get Hooked Fishing Adventures.

The Edmonton Queen riverboat is an iconic Edmonton boat that offers sightseeing tours and entertainment on the North Saskatchewan River. During our visit the riverboat had just been sold and was out of commission, but it has been renovated and is back in action.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Go on safari at Elk Island National Park

If you have a car during your time in Edmonton and enjoy wildlife, then we very much recommend taking a day trip out to Elk Island National Park . It is about an hour’s drive from downtown Edmonton.

Elk Island National Park is Canada’s largest fully enclosed national park and is an important refuge for a number of animals, including bison, elk, moose, coyotes, deer, wolves, beavers, and over 250 bird species. In addition to wildlife spotting, it is also a popular place for picnicking, hiking, canoeing, and camping.

In winter, there are also opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Unfortunately we visited on a rainy gray day, but we still saw a herd of bison, a coyote, and grouse as we drove along the park’s roads and stopped at a couple of the lakes.

If you don’t have the time (or car) for a day trip to Elk Island, you can still do some wildlife spotting in the city’s many River Valley parks or head to the  E dmonton Valley Zoo   for some more exotic animal spotting.

For those who are really interested in learning about the bison, I would recommend booking one of the Bison Backstage Tours if they are available during your visit. These are 45-60 minute tours with a park ranger that allow you learn more about the bison conservation efforts taking place at the park.

I love animals of just about any type but I am always amazed by seeing bison in the wild, such magnificent animals. Elk Island National Park has both wood bison and plains bison and manages the recovery of both of these species. It is sad to think about the number of bison that once roamed the plains of North America before the mass hunting and killing of the animals to almost extinction. Currently there are more bison at Elk Island National Park than existed in all of North America in 1890!

bison things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Spend a Day at “the Mall”

A shopping mall may not sound of high interest, but the West Edmonton Mall is probably the largest attraction in Edmonton. It is very very big! It is currently the largest shopping mall in North America and until 2004 was the largest mall in the world!

In addition to the obvious pursuits of shopping (there are over 800 stores to choose from) and eating, there is much else to do in this giant mall complex.

Our day at the West Edmonton Mall started off with admiring the impressive full-size replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship  Santa Maria , then onto a game of blacklight mini-golf (I won!), then a bit of winter gloves shopping (found some at Hudson’s Bay), a break for a quick lunch at one of the food courts (Greek fast food), then we visited Galaxyland which is the world’s second largest indoor amusement park (the Mindbender roller coaster is scary!), and finally our day ended with us getting wet at the indoor waterpark (lots of fun slides and pools). 

In addition to what we did, there is also an ice skating rink, bowling alley, aquarium, bingo parlor, mirror maze, comedy club, cinema (includes IMAX), piano bar, and dinner theater! You can easily spend most of a day here (as we did) but some people spend a full weekend here. 

If you plan to visit multiple parks and attractions, I would check out the current promotions and passes available at WEM to see if they would save money over buying individual tickets.

If you want to stay overnight there is the popular Fantasyland Hotel Resort (featuring themed rooms) as well as the more simple  West Edmonton Mall Inn located within the mall complex. 

Santa Maria things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

No many cities offer skiing within the city limits but you can ski, snowboard, or just do a bit of snowtubing without leaving Edmonton in the winter months. Ski season had not yet begun when we visited but Edmonton had already had its first snow so it was expected to begin soon.

If you are visiting in winter, you can check out rates and latest snow conditions at  Snow Valley  and  Sunridge Ski Area .

Explore Old Strathcona

Old Strathcona is an area of Edmonton that was designated a Provincial Heritage Area due to the number of historical buildings found here, many over 100 years old. Strathcona was once an independent city that sprung up and prospered around its railway station.

In 1912, Strathcona merged with the much larger city of Edmonton and the central district of what was once Strathcona is now the historic district of Old Strathcona. The main street here is Whyte Avenue which runs from 99th to 109th Street.

The area today has been revitalized and is known for its alternative clothing stores, independent boutiques, independently owned restaurants, art house theaters, and historical buildings. Every August, Old Strathcona is the c entral hub for the  Edmonton International Fringe Festival , the largest and oldest Fringe Theatre event in North America. 

We spent quite a bit of our time in Edmonton in this area. For instance we bought used books at Wee Book Inn , browsed vinyl records at BlackByrd Music , ate at the Next Act Pub, admired the street art, went antiquing at  Old Strathcona Antique Mall , and slept at the Metterra Hotel .  

Old Strathcona things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Pick a Street to Explore

One great way to get to know a city is to just pick a popular street and explore. We got recommendations from locals for areas to explore and headed off to walk from one end to the other, stopping at places we found interesting along the way.

Three streets you might consider in Edmonton would be Whyte Avenue (see Old Strathcona section), 104th Street, and 124th Street. 

4th Street Promenade

A number of Edmonton’s oldest buildings can be found on 104th Street, often referred to just as 4th Street or the 4th Street Promenade . It runs from the former railroad tracks to the North Saskatchewan River, where the original Fort Edmonton and Fort Augustus shared a riverbank in 1802. You’ll find a lot of former brick warehouses in this area.

Today it is both a business district and residential neighborhood, and is one of the downtown areas undergoing revitalization with a number of new restaurants and shops popping up here. It is also a gateway to the new Rogers Place arena and newly planned Ice District.

We spent most of a morning visiting shops, having lunch, reading some of the many historical plaques placed along the street about the history of the buildings in the area, seeing the Neon Sign Museum, and buying some sweet artisanal chocolates from Jacek Chocolate Couture .

For those who like history and architecture, you can put together your own self-guided downtown walk using this historical walking tour guide which gives you plenty of info about a number of historical buildings in Edmonton and organizes them by area, including one focused on 104th Street.

chocolate things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

124th Street

If you want to explore Edmonton’s art scene, 124th Street is a great street to do it. The street is home to a number of excellent art galleries along with a mix of eateries, boutiques, offices, and funky stores like the Barking Buffalo which is both an independent clothing store and coffee shop.

We spent most of our time having coffee and pastries at the Duchess Bake Shop and perusing art galleries. Two of our favorite galleries were the Bear Claw Gallery which has a wide range of amazing First Nations art and the Peter Robertson Gallery.

During our visit to the Peter Robertson Gallery, one of the gallery rooms had been flooded with water for an incredible art installation featuring Canadian artist Steve Driscoll .

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Bring History to Life at Fort Edmonton Park

If you love history, you’ll want to be sure to save some time to visit the family-friendly  Fort Edmonton Park , a living history museum that brings to life Edmonton’s history from about 1800 to 1930.

The park’s name comes from the former Fort Edmonton , which was a trading post set up by the Hudson’s Bay Company to trade in beaver pelts. The fort once sat near where the Alberta Legislature Building sits today and the remains of the old fort were torn down in 1915.

The park is set up around different historical periods, such as the fur trading era and the municipal era, and allows visitors a chance to learn and explore what the city would have been like in that time period through costumed interpreters, demonstrations, replica buildings, attractions, information panels, and games. The park includes eateries, period transportation rides (e.g., streetcars and wagon rides), a penny arcade, live theater events, and a miniature golf course.

The park is only currently open to the public May to September; expansions are in the works to add more exhibits and attraction to this popular Edmonton attraction.

This would be on the top of my list of things to in Edmonton on a return visit.

Shop at the Local Farmers’ Markets

There are a number of farmers’ markets in Edmonton where you can find fresh produce, buy freshly baked bread, and check out local speciality products. Two of the most popular are the City Market Downton and the Old Strathcona Market , which are both open on Saturdays.

However, there are many other farmer’s markets in and around Edmonton and you can find a full list here . Many are open year-round but some are only seasonal.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Play in the City’s Parks

Edmonton is a great place to spend some time walking, biking, Segwaying, relaxing, playing, picnicking, and exploring in the city parks. Edmonton has the largest expanse of urban parkland in North America and the River Valley is the largest urban park in Canada. There are over 800 park areas, and over 400 official parks in Edmonton!

I am not sure what actually constitutes a park, but you’ll find them in all shapes, sizes, and levels of facilities in the city. To find a park in your area of Edmonton, check out this exhaustive list of city parks .

We can particularly recommend exploring the parks in the River Valley with interesting urban natural spaces like Whitemud Ravine Park & Nature Reserve. The River Valley Trail in Edmonton is part of The Great Trail of Canada, which will be the longest recreational trail in the world once completed, stretching from the Pacific to Atlantic Ocean.

By the way, if you happen to encounter an unusually high number of black-and-white birds, these are magpies and there are a lot of them in Edmonton. Edmonton is known as the Canada’s magpie capital and the locals have a love-hate relationship with the bird.

things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Experience Sunset over the River Valley

If you are looking for things to do in Edmonton in the evening, you might just want to head outside and look up. Edmonton is a great place for a sunset, and the best spots are probably along the river where you have a clear view of the river valley. Find a bench or bring along a blanket so you can settle into a nice spot along the river bank to watch the sunset.

We chose to head to Ada Boulevard for a nice view, but you can ask around for other  locally recommended locations  throughout the city which are also popular date spots. If you are looking for another idea for great views of the city, you might also consider booking a meal at La Ronde , a rotating restaurant offering panoramic views of the city located on the 24th floor of the Chateau Lacombe Hotel .

sunset spots things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Segway or Bike around the city

If you are looking for something active to do but not too strenuous, consider a Segway tour or renting a bicycle to explore the area. The River Valley Adventure Co offers Segway tours, bike rentals, and snowshoe rental. We decided to do a Segway tour through the beautiful river valley of Edmonton as a way to orient ourselves to the city.

We specifically did this winter Segway tour during our visit. Laurence and I had both done a Segway tour before but not for a couple of years, so the safety video and training session got us back up to speed for the tour.

It was a fun tour with some great scenery and a bit of local history about the river valley area of Edmonton. Our guide was very friendly and we felt quite safe throughout the tour even when navigating hills and crossing a couple of roads.

The only downside is that the tour felt a little short, so we’d definitely recommend the 90 minute tour rather than the shorter 60 minute one.  But the good news is that once you’ve done the training on one of their tours, you can book additional tours with River Valley Adventure Co that don’t include the training portion, meaning you can explore much further on a second visit.

We didn’t have time for a second visit, but we did learn that River Valley also operate tours of Edmonton’s downtown area, which sounded like fun.

Segway things to do in Edmonton Alberta Yeg guide

Have you been to Edmonton Alberta? If so, what are your favorite things to do in Edmonton and what tips do you have for visitors wanting to make the most of their time in the city? If not, which of these things would make it on your Edmonton itinerary?

As always, feel free to ask us any questions about our trip to Edmonton below and we’ll do our best to answer them all!

20 Things To Do in Edmonton

**Disclosure: We visited Edmonton in partnership with Explore Edmonton who helped provide free visits to some of the above attractions, provided our accommodation, a meal per diem, and transportation during our trip. However, we freely chose the places we visited, ate, and wrote about in this article. We worked with Explore Edmonton in order to review attractions and services as travel writers; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our  Ethics Code about how we accept work.**

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Miller Post author

July 26, 2022 at 10:03 am

This is so helpful and informative. I was planning to visit Edmonton Alberta but couldn’t find the best itinerary. Now, with the help of your article it’s easier for me to get my itinerary done and soooooo excited to visit those place oh not a right word but instead, I cannot wait to visit your capital city!!!. This is really the perfect guide for me. Those picturesque and instagrammable places are a must visit. I have plenty in my bucket list!! don’t even know where to start. Thank Jessica for this travel advice you’re the best!!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

July 28, 2022 at 3:17 am

Glad this was helpful in planning your upcoming visit to Edmonton! Enjoy your time in Alberta and wishing you a wonderful trip.

Best, Jessica

Rosana Post author

July 3, 2022 at 8:11 pm

This is a fun list to do in Edmonton, cool pictures by the way. Thanks for sharing such a complete list.

July 4, 2022 at 4:26 am

Glad you enjoyed our post about Edmonton! Wishing you a great visit.

Lot Post author

March 31, 2021 at 4:27 pm

Edmonton is a great city to visit! And I am so lucky to live here! In the summer we have lots of festivals and cool places to go and see. Our attractions are really worth exploring!

April 1, 2021 at 10:47 am

Thanks Lot for taking the time to comment. I am glad you love your home city and all the attractions in Edmonton. We really enjoy our time there would would love to return some day 😉

Happy travels, Jessica

Mel Post author

July 10, 2020 at 10:09 pm

Thank you for showing how amazing Edmonton can be from a tourist perspective! Living here I am aware of the negative comments, so reading an article that shows our positive side was great. It can be really underrated, you covered so much.

July 11, 2020 at 4:45 am

Thanks for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed our article. Yes, there are of course negative aspects to most travel destinations, but I think there are places of interest in almost any destination. We had a great few days in Edmonton and found plenty of things to do and see during our visit.

virginia costa Post author

May 23, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Thanks, Jessica, for all the tips. I really enjoyed it. I will be in Edmonton soon and I had no idea how much there is to explore.

May 24, 2019 at 3:27 am

Hi Virginia, Glad you enjoyed our Edmonton post, and there is plenty to keep you busy for a couple of days and there are also some good day trips (like Elk Island National Park) that you can do. Enjoy your visit. Best, Jessica

Joanne Post author

August 6, 2018 at 10:19 pm

I think Edmonton is one of the great places in Alberta, tourist should get to see this wonderful spot when they visit the country of Canada.

August 7, 2018 at 3:50 am

Hi Joanne, We agree and we’d love to visit Alberta again and revisit Edmonton as well as explore some other parts of the province! Best, Jessica

Emily Post author

December 23, 2016 at 8:33 am

I really love travel, I wish I could have the time and money to go around the world but thanks so much for your guides to help one do so. I love reading them. When I visit other country, I often look for and buy some souvenirs, so I feel interested in the Vintage and Antique shops you recommend in this post, I’ll go there when I come to Edmonton Alberta.

travelcats Post author

December 26, 2016 at 5:35 am

Hi Emily, Glad you enjoyed our post on Edmonton Alberta and some of our other city guides. Yes, there are a lot of vintage, thrift, and antique stores in Edmonton. A good place to start is probably the Old Strathcona Antique Mall although it has limited clothing which you can find in the smaller downtown Edmonton shops. Best, Jessica

Ahila Post author

December 21, 2016 at 5:41 pm

That’s a comprehensive list of things to do in Edmonton! I love the wildlife photos you took at Elk Island national park and would certainly love to go there, if I visit Edmonton. Also, Fort Edmonton Park, the living history museum, is a place I’d love to visit.

December 22, 2016 at 1:32 pm

Hi Ahila, Yes, I definitely think the day trip to Elk Island National Park and Fort Edmonton are two great places to visit in Edmonton! Too very different spots, one historical and one very natural and full of scenery and wildlife. Best, Jessica

Mary Post author

December 21, 2016 at 9:15 am

I’ve never been to Alberta, but your post made me want to travel! I love cities where we thought would be “boring” but actually housed great hidden stuffs! Can’t wait to give this place a try!

December 22, 2016 at 10:04 am

Hi Mary, Yes, I have been to many cities and towns where people say there is nothing much to do and found plenty of things that I found interesting to learn and do. I think many travelers just look for highlight experiences and don’t spend a lot of time digging, but when you do you can almost always find some great spots in almost any city. Jessica

Lyn Post author

December 20, 2016 at 12:47 pm

Except for Elk Island, I think we managed to miss just about everything on your list when we went to Edmonton last year. We did find a great cycle path though along the river.

December 21, 2016 at 12:57 am

Hi Lyn, Sounds you have a lot of things to do in Edmonton whenever you return! Elk Island National Park is a great as a day trip but there are also many things to do in the city which are often missed! Jessica

Rhonda Albom Post author

December 18, 2016 at 2:38 am

Thanks for all the ideas on things to do in Edmonton. I like the combination of large indoor spaces and the outdoors.

Anisa Post author

December 18, 2016 at 1:40 am

As always your posts is full of great information and beautiful pictures! Just the building that holds the art gallery is impressive, so I would definitely love to visit. The food looks great and so does the street art. I had no idea there was so much to see in Edmonton. Thanks for sharing on #WeeklyPostcard.

Anda Post author

December 17, 2016 at 2:32 pm

This is a great guide to Edmonton, Jessica. There seems to be a lot to do in this city and like always there are plenty of gorgeous pictures to illustrate that. I didn’t know that Edmonton is nicknamed the Oil Capital of Canada. Like always,

December 17, 2016 at 3:31 pm

Thanks Anda 😉 When we went to Alberta we had no idea how important oil is to the province, but it is the largest supplier of Canada’s crude oil and oil sands and the economy revolves heavily around the industry. Hence the Edmonton Oilers and Oil Kings hockey teams. Alberta has become very urbanized & wealthy compared to the rest of the country because of the oil, but unfortunately for the area the oil industry is in a slump which is taking a toll on the local economy and on Canada more widely. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Jessica

Mar Post author

December 17, 2016 at 8:21 am

What a great city guide! Edmonton is definitely not a city most people want to visit, but it should be! My sister lives in Edmonton, so we visited for a few days to visit her and attend a friends’ wedding. Our favourite place to visit was the Zoo, a fantastic place and our daughter loved it! If time allowed, we would have liked to get to Elk Island. You took some gorgeous photos there!

December 17, 2016 at 8:39 am

Hi Mar, So great to hear that you enjoyed our guide as someone who knows the city much better than us! Yes, several seasonal attractions were closed when we visited (October) and we’d love to return. If you like the zoo, I would definitely recommend taking your family out to Elk Island National Park – great place for wildlife, hiking, boating, camping, etc. Best, Jessica

Angie Post author

December 17, 2016 at 3:25 am

This is the perfect guide for me! I have friends in Winnipeg which means I would fly to Edmonton to catch a connecting flight and, obviously, I will want to hang around Edmonton to see what’s there before dashing off. You have highlighted so many things I wouldn’t know where to start … oh scrub that, I will start with the Elk Island National Park and hope that I get to take Bison and Wolf photos as you did – that’s amazing, I love that! Great guide, pinned this for the future so thank you for taking the time to share this 🙂

December 17, 2016 at 7:14 am

Hi Angie, Glad you found our post useful and yes, sounds like you go through Edmonton a lot and now you have a list of things to do in Edmonton on your next trip! Elk Island National Park is a great day trip from Edmonton and you have a good chance of seeing some of the animals just from your car (elk, bison, deer), although I’d recommend doing at least one of the many hikes to get away from the road a bit. Thanks for pinning! Best, Jessica

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Wide World Trips

18 Impressive Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Edmonton

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta province of Canada. Some of the most fun things to do in Edmonton , Alberta include exploring history museums, art galleries, amusement parks, historical buildings, nature conservation areas, and winter activities.

The history of the goes back to 1754. But the first establishment, Fort Edmonton, was set up in 1795 as a trading post for Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). A replica of these trading posts is among the best places to visit in Edmonton . This historical building sits in Fort Edmonton Park, which is the biggest living history museum in North America. Other historical things to see in Edmonton include St. Joseph Cathedral, Alberta Legislation Building, and Rutherford House.

For further insight into history, art, culture, and science you can explore the museums in Edmonton. The city has museums dedicated to contemporary art, classical art, future technology, the history of Alberta, aboriginal culture, botany, zoology, railway, and more.

The city is home to several superlatives in leisure and entertainment as well. Edmonton tourist attractions include the largest indoor wave pool, longest indoor roller coaster, and tallest indoor ride. Edmonton attractions also include the largest mall in North America and the largest indoor amusement park in the world. Alongside the superlatives, these places also have several cool things to do in Edmonton such as rides, slides, games, arcades, theatre, slides, themed venues, skating, ice skating, and more.

Aside from indoor attractions, the city also has several parks with a variety of outdoor activities to do in Edmonton including nature trails, cycling, picnic, boating, and sports facilities. You can also explore theme parks, the most popular among these Edmonton tourist spots is William Hawrelak Park. This park is famous for its huge ice castles. These crafted wonders are a major highlight of Edmonton sightseeing during winter.

The city takes a whole new life in the snow season. There are several fun places to go in Edmonton for winter activities like skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and so on.

This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn a small part of the commission and for that, you do not need to pay any extra amount.

Table of Contents

Top 18 Tourist Places to Visit in Edmonton in 6 Days (Trip Itinerary)

1. william hawrelak park.

This park is developed around a 5-hectare lake. The park itself is spread over 68 hectares and is one of the best places for outdoor activities to do in Edmonton, Alberta. You will find hiking trails, green spaces, paddle boats, cycling trails, skating, sports facilities, and more. The park is better known for fun things to do in Edmonton in winter. You can enjoy ice skating and snowshoeing at this park. You will need about 2 hours to explore this park.

William Hawrelak Park

2. Alberta Legislature Building

This building was built in 1913 and is known for its beaux-arts style. The building is one of the most beautiful things to see in Edmonton in terms of architecture. You can take a guided tour of this government building. The tour explains the history of the building, important events, architectural features, and artworks. You will need an hour to tour this building.

Alberta Legislature Building

3. Muttart Conservatory

This conservatory was designed by Peter Hemingway and is built like a Pyramid with a glass and steel exterior. It is one of the most famous Edmonton tourist attractions.  The conservatory has more than 800 species of plants. These are grown in a variety of curated climates. You will need 2 hours to explore this conservatory.

Muttart Conservatory

4. Art Gallery of Alberta

This gallery houses more than six thousand works of art including paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, art installations, and more. The gallery specifically focuses on Canadian abstract art from different periods. The exhibits keep changing periodically. It is one of the best Edmonton attractions for art admirers. You will need about an hour to tour this gallery.

Art Gallery of Alberta

5. Royal Alberta Museum

This museum focuses on both human and natural history. The collection is divided into galleries dedicated to Life Science, Earth Science, Human History, and Collections Services. It is one of the top things to do in downtown Edmonton, Alberta to learn about aboriginal culture as well. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to tour this museum.

Royal Alberta Museum

1. Alberta Aviation Museum

This museum pays tribute to the aviation history of North Alberta and Edmonton. It has the third-largest aviation collection in North America. It is also the only surviving British Commonwealth WW2 hanger. It is one of the most fascinating Edmonton tourist spots. You will see aircraft and fighter planes from different times. You will need about an hour to tour this museum when you visit Edmonton.

Alberta Aviation Museum

2. TELUS World of Science

This science museum has several exhibits dedicated to different streams of science. They are named Robo Thespian, Syncrude Environment Gallery, Body Fantastic, Gallery of the Gross, and so on. It is one of the most fun places to go in Edmonton, Alberta for families. The museum has interactive exhibits, activities, and unique experiences. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Edmonton travel to explore this museum.

TELUS World of Science

3. West Edmonton Mall

This is the largest mall in North America and has more than 800 shops. It also has various facilities for fun things to do in Edmonton, Alberta. You can visit casino, cinema theatre, themed shopping areas, waterpark, restaurants, cafes, live theatre, and more. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Edmonton sightseeing to tour this mall.

West Edmonton Mall

4. World Waterpark

This indoor waterpark is part of the West Edmonton Mall. The waterpark is best known for its largest indoor wave pool. Aside from this the place also has other cool things to do in Edmonton, Canada. It recreates a tropical theme with a lot of rides, slides, pools, games, zip-line, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this waterpark.

World Waterpark

1. Edmonton Valley Zoo

This zoo has a variety of animals brought in from different parts of the world. You will see red pandas, elephants, wolves, tigers, snow leopards, camels, reindeers, and more. It is one of the best places to visit in Edmonton for family tourists. You will need about 2 hours to tour this zoo.

Edmonton Valley Zoo

2. Fort Edmonton Park

Spread over 158 acres, this park is the largest living history museum in North America. It is divided into 4 sections. Each section represents a period of history and is themed accordingly. It is also an amusement park with a variety of fun things to do in Edmonton in summer and winter. The park has guided history tours, performances, interactive historical experiences, amusement rides, restaurant, cafe and more. The park is also home to Edmonton tourist attractions like a replica of Ford Edmonton and 1885 Street. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this park.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to Fort Edmonton Park in advance.

Fort Edmonton Park

3. University of Alberta Botanical Garden

This botanical garden covers 80 acres area and exhibits plant life from different parts of the world. These gardens specifically focus on flora that can thrive in Canadian weather. It is one of the best Edmonton attractions to learn about botany and experience leisurely strolls amidst greenery. This place has several themed gardens including Tropical Plants, Butterfly Greenhouse, Kurimoto Japanese Garden, Native People’s Garden, Aga Khan Garden, and more. You will need an hour to tour this place when you visit Edmonton.

University of Alberta Botanical Garden

1. Galaxyland

This is the largest indoor amusement park in the world. It is also the world’s second-largest indoor carnival. The place has a lot of indoor activities to do in Edmonton including roller coasters, rides, carousels, carnival games, arcade games, 7D theatre, 3D theatre, and more. This amusement park is also home to the world’s largest and tallest indoor roller coaster. You can also enjoy the tallest indoor ride in the world in this park.  You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours from Edmonton travel to explore this amusement park.

Galaxyland

2. Ice Castle

These castles are among the biggest attractions of Edmonton sightseeing. They make you feel that you are part of a fantasy world or a fairy tale. These castles are built growing custom icicles and are massive. They are among the best places to visit in Edmonton, Alberta for exploration and to click some amazing pictures. These structures also have ice slides, ice maze, ice rooms, and more. You need about 2 hours to tour the ice castle.

Ice Castle

3. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

This heritage village honors the Ukrainian people in Canada and celebrates their culture. The village has 40 buildings that recreate Ukrainian immigrant settlements. You will learn about the history, culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people at this place. You can also see traditional music and dance performances. It is one of the most fascinating things to see in Edmonton. You will need about 2 hours to tour this place.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

1. Elk Island National Park

This national park is one of the best Edmonton tourist spots to explore nature and see wild animals. The park has Elks, Bisons, Deers, Coyotes, Wolves, Black Bears, Mules, Lynxs, and Moose.  This national park is also one of the best places to go in Edmonton for bird watching. You can see pelicans, grebes, herons, hawks, bitterns, swans, and more. It is also known for the top things to do in Edmonton in winter like hiking, trekking, camping, snowshoeing, star gazing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and more. You will need at least 3 to 4 hours to tour this national park.

Elk Island National Park

1. Alberta Railway Museum

This outdoor museum is the third largest railway park in North America. It sheds light on several aspects of the railway industry. The museum has a train terminal, water tanks, working locomotives, and maintenance shops. You will see 75 trains and exhibits concerning the history of the railway. The museum is also known for the prairie rail yard experience, it is one of the coolest things to do in Edmonton. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

Alberta Railway Museum

2. Rundle Park

This 319-acre park was built over a garbage dump. Now the park has green fields, grasslands, lakes, nature trails, and recreational activities. The park also has sports activities and outdoor activities to do in Edmonton such as football, soccer, volleyball, bike trail, golf courses, and more. You can also chill at the park’s public beach. People can easily spend a couple of hours at this park.

Rundle Park

If you are looking for more places to visit in Edmonton, check out the sections below. We have compiled a list of all attractions and activities in and around the city.

Things to do in edmonton, monuments, museums & historical places to visit in edmonton.

  • Art Gallery of Alberta
  • Fort Edmonton Park
  • Royal Alberta Museum
  • TELUS World of Science
  • Alberta Legislature Building
  • Alberta Aviation Museum
  • Neon Sign Museum
  • Alberta Railway Museum
  • Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
  • The Heritage Museum
  • John Walter Museum
  • Provincial Archives of Alberta
  • Historic McKay Avenue
  • Father Lacombe Chapel
  • University of Alberta Museum
  • Strathcona County Museum
  • Harcourt House Artist Run Center
  • St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica
  • Paleontology Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Edmonton

  • Elk Island National Park
  • Mill Creek Ravine
  • Sherwood Park Natural Area
  • Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park
  • Whitemud Park
  • Beaumaris Lake
  • Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Edmonton

  • West Edmonton Mall
  • World Waterpark
  • Muttart Conservatory
  • Edmonton Valley Zoo
  • River Cree Resort and Casino
  • Hawrelak Park
  • University of Alberta Botanic Garden
  • Snow Valley Ski Club
  • Rabbit Hill Snow Resort
  • Sunridge Ski Area
  • Edmonton Ski Club
  • Terwillegar Park
  • Rundle Park
  • Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
  • Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
  • Edmonton Corn Maze
  • Borden Park
  • Professor WEM’s Adventure Golf
  • Snow Valley Aerial Park
  • Emily Murphy Park
  • Louise McKinney Riverfront Park
  • John Janzen Nature Centre
  • Broadmoor Lake Park
  • Pure Casino Yellowhead
  • Marine Life Aquarium
  • Hermitage Park
  • Millenium Place
  • Starlight Casino
  • Kinsmen Park
  • Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
  • Pure Casino
  • St. Albert Botanic Park
  • RAD Torque Raceway
  • Sea Life Caverns
  • Grand Villa Casino
  • Devon Voyageur Park
  • Century Casino
  • Barr Estate Winery
  • Gold Bar Park
  • Victoria Park
  • Strathcona Science Provincial Park
  • Gallagher Park

Shopping in Edmonton

  • St. Albert Farmer’s Market
  • Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market
  • High Street
  • Kingsway Garden Mall
  • The Manulife Place
  • Super Flea Market
  • Edmonton City Centre
  • Bountiful Farmer’s Market
  • South Edmonton Common
  • Southgate Centre
  • Whyte Avenue
  • The Commerce Place

Beaches & Islands in Edmonton

  • Accidental Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Edmonton

  • River Boating
  • Wildlife Safari

Sightseeing in Edmonton

  • 82 Avenue Northwest
  • ICE District
  • High-Level Bridge
  • Sir Winston Churchill Square
  • 100 Street Funicular
  • Walterdale Bridge
  • River Valley Road Northwest
  • 109 Street Northwest

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Edmonton

  • Frida Urban Taqueria
  • OEB Breakfast Co.
  • Tres Carnales
  • Mediterranean Tapas
  • The Harvest Room
  • Sepp’s Pizza
  • Siam Thai Kitchen
  • Dorinku Tokyo
  • Little Brick
  • Vaticano Cucina
  • The Bedouins

Where to Stay in Edmonton?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Edmonton. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Edmonton.

Luxurious Hotels

  • Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
  • Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel by APA
  • The Westin Edmonton
  • Fantasyland Hotel
  • Metterra Hotel on Whyte
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel West Edmonton
  • Campus Tower Suite Hotel
  • Varscona Hotel on Whyte
  • Canterra Suites Hotel
  • Delta Hotels by Marriott Edmonton Centre Suites

Mid-Range Hotels

  • Matrix Hotel
  • Radisson Hotel & Convention Center Edmonton
  • Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown
  • Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Edmonton St. Albert
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton West Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Sandman Signature Edmonton South Hotel
  • Candlewood Suites West Edmonton – Mall Area, an IHG Hotel
  • Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Edmonton/West
  • Hyatt Place Edmonton-West
  • Wingate by Wyndham Edmonton West

Budget Hotels

  • TownePlace Suites Edmonton South
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Edmonton South, an IHG Hotel
  • Tru by Hilton Edmonton Windermere
  • Sawridge Edmonton South
  • Radisson Hotel Edmonton South
  • Best Western Plus South Edmonton Inn & Suites
  • Best Western Plus City Centre Inn
  • Hampton Inn by Hilton Edmonton/South, Alberta, Canada
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Edmonton North
  • Super 8 by Wyndham Edmonton South

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Edmonton

How to reach edmonton.

The city is served by Edmonton International Airport. You can get direct flights to visit Edmonton from Montreal , Vancouver , Toronto , Calgary , San Francisco , Seattle , Frankfurt , Los Angeles , Las Vegas , Ottawa , Victoria , Amsterdam , Cancun , Halifax , Orlando , Regina , and several other cities in North America and Europe.

You can get cabs and buses to get to the city from the airport.

You can get direct trains to reach Edmonton from Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Jasper, Winnipeg , and Toronto. You can also get connecting trains from other VIARail routes.

You can get direct buses to reach Edmonton from several cities in Canada and northern cities of the USA. On the other hand, if you are planning to visit Edmonton by road, you should head for highway routes 16, 21, and 2.

There are no direct water routes for Edmonton travel.

Image Reference

  • William Hawrelak Park – Janusz Sliwinski / Flickr
  • Alberta Legislature Building – Person-with-No Name / Flickr
  • Muttart Conservatory – David K Lam / Flickr
  • Art Gallery of Alberta – IQRemix / Flickr
  • Royal Alberta Museum – Kurayba / Flickr
  • Alberta Aviation Museum – Alan Sim / Flickr
  • TELUS World of Science – Kurayba / Flickr
  • West Edmonton Mall – Janusz Sliwinski / Flickr
  • World Waterpark – Janusz Sliwinski / Flickr
  • Edmonton Valley Zoo – IQRemix / Flickr
  • Fort Edmonton Park – Richard Laperche / Flickr
  • University of Alberta Botanic Garden – Adrian / Flickr
  • Galaxyland – GoToVan / Flickr
  • Ice Castles – Jason Woodhead / Flickr
  • Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village – Mpirie / Wikimedia Commons
  • Elk Island National Park – Richard Bukowski / Flickr
  • Alberta Railway Museum – SoftwareSimian / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rundle Park – Kurayba / Flickr
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Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

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  • 7 Beautiful Places To Visit In Edmonton You Must Not Miss On Your Canada Tour In 2024

04 Apr 2023

From stunning architectural marvels to enticing vistas of nature and the historical gateways, Edmonton is sprinkled with some of the best tourist attractions that you must check out at least once in your life. It is also renowned for its beautiful gardens, shopping malls and museums that will lure the wanderlust within you to pack your bags and get set for this amazing trip now. If you’re looking to explore Edmonton to the best of its capabilities, then here is a compilation of the best places to visit in Edmonton, where you can reel into tons of happy memories! So let’s together explore these scenic wonders in Edmonton that are a must-visit for every travel-bug-bitten soul.

7 Best Places To Visit In Edmonton

Relish a visit to these amazing Edmonton places to visit that will showcase a completely different world with surreal vistas and stunning attractions!

1. Royal Alberta Museum

Royal Alberta Museum

Image Source

Renowned as the biggest museum in Western Canada, Royal Alberta stretches in 7600 Sqm. Tourists especially come over here for a galore of exhibition activities and to witness the historical wonders in the display. The museum displays incredible exhibits of Canada’s incredible heritage and historical elements, which is a breath-taking experience for every person who witnesses it.

The museum also holds the fossils of one the largest and fiercest creatures of History, Dinosaur. You can also get an insight into the aboriginal culture over here that prevailed in Edmonton centuries ago. It also displays some of the most interesting remains of history and fun activities that truly fascinate the kids. Royal Alberta Museum is certainly one of the best places to visit in Edmonton with family.

Location: 9810 103a Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM Entrance fee: $19 (Adults), $10 (Youth), Free for kids below 6

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2. West Edmonton Mall

Renowned as the largest mall in the country, this massive mall holds an incredible variety of privileges for all ages of people. Wandering at this mall, along with your family, would be an unforgettable moment of your life. With Enthralling gaming activities for kids, eminent shopping outlets for women, and stunning nightlife for adults, this is the place to be for each one of you. You can also relish some of the scrumptious cuisines at the restaurant over here, and you can also enjoy a dramatic movie in the movie theatre.

West Edmonton Mall also has a huge aquarium where you can witness the glorious marine life. Some other essential aspects are World Waterpark, Dragon’s Tale, Mayfield Toyota Ice Palace, and Professor Wem’s Adventure Golf. Thus, all in all, West Edmonton Mall is certainly one of the finest places to visit in Edmonton at night.

Location: 8882 – 170 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM Entrance fee: $44.10 (Waterpark)

Suggested Read: 9 Best Hotels In Toronto To Taste The Luxury On Your Canada Trip

3. Telus World Of Science

the Dragon Boat festival

This place is an ideal destination for all those who are intrigued by the brilliance of science. With a galore of various science exhibitions, including forensic, robot-science, and space-science, you’re bound to be extremely amazed over here. It is an ideal place for kids to intrigue themselves about the wonders of science. One of the must-experience activities over here is star-gazing at the observatory site, which would give you insights into the majestic Galaxy!

There is an IMAX theatre where you can watch incredible sci-fi adventure. You may also visit Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre over here, where various science-related concerts and meetings are organized. All these wonderful prospects that Telus World of science offers makes it one of the best places to visit in Edmonton for tourists.

Location: 11211 142 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM Entrance fee: $10

Suggested Read: 8 Interesting Things To Do In Edmonton On Your Canada Vacay

4. Elk Island National Park

Island National Park

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, then this national park would be an ideal destination for you. Situated at just half an hour’s drive towards the east of Edmonton, this place oozes majestic vibes, which would fill you with exuberance and warmth as well. You can witness over here some of the finest breeds of animals and plants. This includes Bison, deer, beaver, and muskrat, as well. It is also renowned for birdwatching activities as it holds more than 200 species of birds, which are not found anywhere else in the country. Not only for wildlife enthusiasts, but this place is also perfect for adventurous outings. You may enjoy enthralling activities like Hiking, kayaking, and camping at this beautiful park in the summers. In winter you can enjoy activities like snowshoeing, skating and skiing over here. Thus, It is touted as one of the best places to visit in Edmonton in winter.

Location: 54401 Range Road 203, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Entrance fee: Starting at $3.90

Suggested Read: 8 Refreshing Toronto National Parks That’ll Make Your Canada Trip An Awesome Affair!

5. North Saskatchewan River Valley

North Saskatchewan River

Verdant greenery, brilliant backdrop, and exhilarating activities are the essence of North Saskatchewan River Valley. It is an ideal spot for a picnic or day outing with family. It spreads in massive 7400 hectares and is a hotspot for various enthralling activities like Kayaking, Canoeing, paddleboarding and biking as well. In winters, the snow-covered blanket on the trails encourages the visitors to relish snow-oriented activities like Snowshoeing and Skating. The mind-boggling 150 km trail of greenery over here is ideal for playing golf as well. This massive hub of parks is certainly one of the most famous places to visit in Edmonton.

Location: Garden River No.490, SK, Canada Entrance fee: Nil

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6. Alberta Legislature

Alberta Legislature

Alberta Legislature is an iconic historical site in Edmonton, where you can discover intrinsic details about the parliamentary history of Alberta. This is the hub for all legislative meetings and the executive council, as well. This site showcases the glorious heritage of Canada and is home to branded retail stores and Pehonan Theatre. Inside this towering building, there are stunning memorials and exclusive statues that you’ll love to adore. This place is frequently visited by a massive number of people from all around the globe due to its historical prominence. Thus, it is acclaimed as one of the finest tourist places to visit in Edmonton.

Location: 10801 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM Entrance fee: Nil

Suggested Read: 40 Best Places To Visit In Canada That Will Leave You Spellbound!

7. The Art Gallery Of Alberta

Art Gallery Alberta

If you are fascinated by the stunning magnificence of art and craft, then this marvellous museum would be a paradise for you. Spread in a massive 8000 sq.m of space, you can relish more than 6000 varied samples of art and craft over here. The museum has been renamed numerous times, but it didn’t have any impact on its glorious possessions or popularity! This astonishing place also holds the possession of historical works of Canada’s imperious history. The impeccable sculptures and paintings at this place would definitely allure the artist within you. This certainly is one of the best places to visit in Edmonton, which should be a must-visit for every enthusiast.

Location: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq, Edmonton, AB T5J 2C1, Canada Timings: 11 AM – 5 PM Entrance fee: $12.50

Further Read: Skydiving In Canada: A Must-Have Experience On Your Canadian Holiday

Have you decided which ones of these fascinating places to visit in Edmonton you’ll be checking out first? We would prefer you to visit all of them instead of just settling for one so as to immerse yourself completely into the visid culture and heritage of this charming city on your vacation in Canada .

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Edmonton

What are the top attractions to visit in Edmonton?

Some of the best attractions in Edmonton are: Royal Alberta Museum West Edmonton Mall Telus World Of Science Elk Island National Park North Saskatchewan River Valley Alberta Legislature The Art Gallery Of Alberta

What are the best outdoor activities in Edmonton?

Skiing, canoeing, golfing, and biking are some of the most popular activities that vacationers like to enjoy in Edmonton.

Can I visit Edmonton during the current Covid situation?

Yes, you can plan a visit to Edmonton during the current Covid situation. However, make sure that you are completely vaccinated and always carry your vaccination certificate. Besides this, you need to follow government protocols that include wearing a mask when in public, sanitizing hands at certain intervals, and maintaining social distance.

Which is the biggest mall in Canada?

West Edmonton Mall is the biggest mall in Canada. It occupies more than 800 stores, 23 amusement parks, and 100 stunning dining places.

Which is the best free place to visit in Edmonton?

North Saskatchewan Park Valley and Alberta Legislature are two of the best places you can visit without spending any money.

Which is the best place to visit in Edmonton with your family?

The West Edmonton Mall would prove to be an ideal place to explore with the family. This massive mall holds 23 amusement parks, movie theatres and other astonishing gaming events, which makes it great for families with kids.

Which is the best place in Edmonton for an adventurous outing?

Elk Island National Park is the best place for a fascinating experience of witnessing the wildlife in Edmonton. This place holds a massive 250 species of birds and rare mammals. You may also go kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. In winter you can also go snowshoeing and skating.

How many days are enough for exploring Edmonton?

A trip of 5-6 days would be enough to witness the best of Edmonton. To enjoy your vacation, you can go sightseeing and indulge in outdoor activities.

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tourist place edmonton

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Two visitors stand on the dock and watch the sunset over Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park.

Elk Island National Park

Experience the rolling hills, glassy lakes, and star-filled skies of Elk Island National Park, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve just 35 minutes east of Edmonton. Look for herds of bison, elk or one of more than 250 bird species that call this special place home.

Keep the "wild" in wildlife.

Know how to prevent and handle encounters with them. For more information, visit Safety and Guidelines .

A plains bison in the grasslands in front of an aspen forest in the fall

Wildlife safety

Important information about staying safe while enjoying Elk Island National Park.

Mother and daughter try on bison hats with a Parks Canada interpreter at the Astotin Theatre in Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park

Tours and programs

Guided tours, programs, workshops, and learning experiences.

Canoers paddle on Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing lists to stay informed about events in Elk Island National Park.

Most requested

Be bison wise.

  • Important bulletins
  • Trail conditions
  • Water safety
  • Brochures and publications

How to get here

  • School programs

Visiting Elk Island National Park

Activities and experiences.

Things to do, trails, tours, programs, volunteering, camping, wildlife watching and more.

Plan your visit

How to get here, local attractions, hours of operation, museum, facilities and services.

Daily visitor fees, camping and program fees, and more. Free admission for youth.

Camping and overnight accommodations

Types of accommodations, oTENTiks and nearby accommodations.

Follow these tips to enjoy each bison encounter safely at Elk Island National Park.

Shop and reserve

Reservations for campsites, passes and Official merchandise

Safety and guidelines

Important bulletins, trail conditions, weather, seasonal safety, and park regulations.

Use of drones

All Parks Canada places are ‘no drone zones’ for recreational use

About Elk Island National Park

Culture and history.

History, culture, cultural landscape, designation information.

Stewardship and management

Jobs, contact us, partners, permits and licenses, public consultations, plans, and policies.

Nature and science

Conservation and science, animals, plants, the environment, and research.

_Location name

Contact Elk Island National Park

General inquiries:

1-780- 922-5790 1-888-773-8888 (toll free)

[email protected]

For emergencies within the park:

1-877-852-3100

Hours of operation

Elk Island National Park is open daily all year round. Some services and facilities are open only during the summer season. See all hours

#ElkIslandNP

More places to discover with parks canada.

tourist place edmonton

Prince Albert National Park

Prince Albert National Park offers accessible wilderness and extensive outdoor recreation in central Saskatchewan. Hike boreal forests, canoe pristine lakes and see free-range bison, with the town of Waskesiu as a convenient base.

tourist place edmonton

Jasper National Park

Abundant in natural beauty, wildlife, lakes, waterfalls and mountains, Jasper is a wild and wondrous place to visit year-round.

tourist place edmonton

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

Discover a historic trading post along the North Saskatchewan River and immerse yourself in stories of Indigenous Peoples and legendary explorers.

tourist place edmonton

Banff National Park

Founded in 1885, Banff is Canada’s first national park and part of the first national park system in the world. With its soaring peaks, azure lakes and abundant wildlife, this Rocky Mountain park attracts millions of visitors every year.

tourist place edmonton

Grasslands National Park

At Grasslands National Park, expanses of dinosaur fossils harken back to a time before history. Tipi rings are testament to First Nations communities, and ruins of prairie homesteads tell of settlers intent on taming the prairie.

tourist place edmonton

Wood Buffalo National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park is our country's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. It protects an outstanding and representative example of Canada's Northern Boreal Plains.

Attractions & Experiences

There's truly no shortage of things to do in Edmonton. We've gathered a list of the city's best tourist attractions and local gems, perfect for making memories to last a lifetime. You'll find everything from kid-friendly outings to free outdoor experiences, immersive museums to inspiring galleries, and more.

Alberta Food Tours

Food, fun, and a little adventure.

Art Gallery of Alberta

Even the building itself is a work of art.

Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre

A throwback to the timeless cinema experience.

Canadian Craft Tours

Find out how we brew it in Alberta!

Root for Trees

Edmonton's volunteer tree-planting initiative!

RiverWatch – Summer EcoFloats

Guided urban river experiences.

Wild Calm Forest Therapy

Connect with nature in Edmonton's stunning river valley.

Alberta Avenue

No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it on Alberta Avenue.

124 Street Grand Market

A twist on the traditional market

The Roxy Theatre

Challenging and engaging theatre comes to life!

Edmonton Regional Helicopter Tours

Get above it all.

John Janzen Nature Centre

Take a walk on the wild side.

World Waterpark

The biggest waves in the west.

Edmonton Urban Farm

Discover a 2-acre farm in the heart of Alberta's capital!

South Edmonton Common

Open-air retail therapy where you can find a ton of great premium and discounted outlets.

Galaxyland Amusement Park

The world’s largest indoor amusement park.

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Where Dark Things Dwell

May 31 - September 7 2024

tourist place edmonton

Immerse yourself in Edmonton’s largest outdoor escape room!

Where dark things dwell is fort edmonton park’s newest interactive experience .

Stopping in the sleepy Village of Edmonton for a night’s rest, you and your fellow travellers find yourselves trapped by an ancient curse that has driven the villagers to madness. As the stars begin to align and the curse grows, it’s up to you to stop it from consuming your own mind and spreading out into the world. Explore the village, learn the secrets of occult tools and writings, and uncover the only relic powerful enough to lift the curse, but be warned: only the bravest will see the dawn.

You will know the travellers you rode in with, but there may be others playing that will be strangers to you.  Players are broken down into teams of four.  The price you see listed is for one individual ticket. 

May 31 - September 7, 2024 

There are two games per night. Wednesday to Sunday Games - 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

Tickets: $35 (plus service fee & GST)

Book Tickets

Please Note: 

  • This experience is very similar to the 2023 version to give guests who missed out last year a chance to participate.

This is a 105 minute experience with 90 minutes of gameplay and additional time for instructions.

  • Tickets must be pre-purchased online up to an hour before the game time. There are no walk-up tickets. 
  • No entry to the Park is permitted until 30 minutes before your game time.
  • Check the weather before you come! Please dress for weather conditions as this experience is both indoors and outdoors. We recommend wearing good footwear.  
  • Recommended for ages +14

What to Expect

tourist place edmonton

A Tad Bit Eerie

This adventure takes place in the early evening and at night in the shadowy confines of Fort Edmonton Park's historic buildings. Earlier game times are recommended for those younger or faint of heart. But don't fret, we’re not trying to send you running in terror!

*Disclaimer: Please note this event is not related to DARK. This experience is entirely fictitious and meant for entertainment purposes only.

Live Actors 

We've got some live actors in the mix, but they won't be laying a finger on you, and we ask that you do the same.

Immersive Experience

The historic locations and costumes have been curated with care to whisk you away to a bygone era.

Exclusive Access

With your ticket, you'll be granted exclusive after-hours access to 1885 Street’s quaint buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the event held?

The event takes place at Fort Edmonton Park (7000 143 St.) in Edmonton’s River Valley. 

Where can I park?

Please arrive at Kelly's Saloon 15 minutes before your scheduled program start time. No latecomers will be permitted. 

Please note that there is no entry permitted more than 30 minutes prior to your game time unless you decide to spend the day at Fort Edmonton Park and a daily admission ticket has been purchased.

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are $35 (plus GST & service fees). 

What if I want to come to the park during the day and attend Where Dark Things Dwell?

Fort Edmonton Park is open for our general admission season between the hours of 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. This means all attractions, food outlets, and historical buildings will be closed by 5:00 pm. Each after-hours experience requires the purchase of a separate ticket. To experience Fort Edmonton Park fully we suggest dedicating three or more hours to your visit.

We recommend booking a 6:00 pm game time for Where Dark Things Dwell on the weekend. In this scenario, you would not be required to exit the park and re-enter to play the game and, after your game, you would be able to walk back to the main parking lot.

For games with a start time later than 6:00 pm, you will need to exit the park and will be allowed re-entry no earlier than 30 minutes before your game begins. 

Is this experience historically accurate or based on true events?

No, this experience is entirely fictitious and meant for entertainment purposes only.

Can I play as a larger or smaller group?

Where Dark Things Dwell is designed to be played in groups of 4 with a maximum of 13 teams each night. If the experience is not sold out, it may be possible to play as a smaller group but we cannot make any guarantees that this option will be available. 

Teams of 5 and 6 are strongly discouraged as puzzles and gameplay are designed for 4 players and a larger or smaller amount of players will have impacts on the quality of the experience. Smaller teams may also find it difficult to complete the game.

Is this event suitable for children?

While the event is for people 14 years and older, entrance is at the parent or guardian’s discretion. There is no discounted rate for children. How long is the escape room adventure?

Is the event wheelchair accessible?

Due to the historic nature of the facility, several buildings would be challenging for persons with limited mobility and impassable for wheelchairs. 

What’s your refund policy?

This event is non-refundable. Can I purchase my ticket at the door?

Tickets must be pre-purchased online  up to an hour before the game time . There are no walk-up tickets. 

What if it rains?

The event continues rain or shine. Check the weather before you come! Please dress for weather conditions as this experience is both indoors and outdoors. We recommend wearing good footwear. We'd also recommend bringing a raincoat, umbrella, bug spray, sunscreen, and water.

What if it is smoky?

If the air index is high, programming will be adapted and moved mostly indoors. We recommend you bring a face covering for smoke as you will still be required to walk between buildings. If the air index is extremely high games may be cancelled.

Will the puzzles be the same as last year?

Where Dark Things Dwell is making its return in its original form. Stay tuned for new experiences coming your way soon!

Will there be food and beverages available?

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase at Kelly's Saloon 30 minutes prior to game time and during the game. Please be aware that there will not be time or space for dedicated lounging, as the game will proceed without interruption.

7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4P3

Planning your trip.

Edmonton's summer 2024 festival guide: explore dozens of fests in and around town!

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Article content

There have never been this many festivals around Edmonton — it’s staggering, honestly, and competition is mighty fierce for our shrivelling dollars!

Edmonton's summer 2024 festival guide: explore dozens of fests in and around town! Back to video

With new festival announcements weekly (plus the fact search engines are increasingly payola compromised), we thought it would be useful to compile this flyover festival guide to help you wade through it all — including handy site links online leading to tickets and passes.

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From the last day of Now Hear This Festival on Saturday through Purple City in September, here are a few dozen cultural gatherings to consider.

Many, like The Works, Street Performers, Taste of Edmonton and even much of the Jazz Fest are completely free. Others, well, you may need to hunker down and budget for them; hopefully this checklist helps you choose.

We’re leaning into the music side of things here, mostly around town — but some exceptions like Sled Island, Beaumont Music fest and North Country Fair are way worth their commutes.

Please don’t forget to check The List online every week as well, which has every gig in and around town announced, well into next year.

All aboard!

Now Hear This Festival

When June 15

Where Mile Zero Dance Space (9931 78 Ave.)

Headliners DJ Noodle Soup/Jia Jia Yong, Mustafa Rafiq, Jacob Audrey Taves, Shawn Pinchbeck

Contemporary music and sound, come here to witness new and exciting things. Saturday’s lineup — mwah (chef’s kiss)!

Sled Island Music & Arts Festival

When June 19-23

Where around Calgary

Headliners Mick Jenkins, Cherry Glazerr, Show Me the Body, W.I.T.C.H., Juana Molina

Tix $64.22-$90.55 single day; $233.19 fest pass

Alberta’s coolest, choose-your-own-adventure music juggernaut; sxsw but with elbow room (river pun intended).

Summer Solstice Music Festival

Where Yardbird, Trinity Lutheran

Headliners David Fung, Catherine Daniel, Kerson Leong, Peter Eom, Marina Thibeault

Edmonton Chamber Music Society brings out its classical heavy hitters, including a free piano masterclass by David Fung.

Alberta Circus Arts Festival

When June 20-23

Where La Cité Francophonie

Headliners Anouk Vallée-Charest, Ryunosuke Yamazumi, Agathe et Adrien

Tix $37.28-$52.87/show

Hosted by Firefly Theatre, four days of modern circus mayhem including professional development workshops for your inner clown.

Beaumont Music Festival

When June 21-23

Where Four Seasons Park

Headliners The Beaches, Headstones, Begonia, Dear Rouge, Shaguar

Tix $191.05 fest pass, $127.71/$138.26 single day pass

Sweet, sweet lineup includes just-Polaris-longlisted The Beaches and the mighty Headstones — your parents’ blues fest no more.

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North Country Fair

Where Driftpile, AB

Headliners Scenic Route to Alaska, Major Love, Raygun Cowboys, Shane Ghostkeeper

Tix $220 weekend pass incl. camping!

If you’re into a completely magical, life-altering natural experience with music till dawn, nothing ever gets close to NCF.

When June 22

Where Fan Park, Ice District

Headliners Armin Van Buuren, Jauz, Imanbek, Luttrell, David Stone

Tix $99.95, VIP $159.99

An all-day bumpin’ dance party with international DJ talent up front heading into the night, best do your stretches beforehand.

Edmonton International Jazz Festival

When June 25-30

Where Bellamy’s, La Cité, McDougall, Starlite, Triffo, Yardbird,

Headliners Cory Henry, Pasquale Grasso, Veronica Swift, Lakecia Benjamin

Tix many free/by donation – $51, by event

Wildly diverse in musical approach, venue size and even show price, take the time to scour the lineup; there’s likely something for you.

The Works Art & Design Festival

When June 27 – July 1

Where Churchill Square, around downtown

Headliners Denim Daddies, The Provincial Archive, Terry Morrison + John Gorham, Mark Davis

Running as its own entity again, dozens of artworks around the core are backed up by all-day, local stage performances — and every night closes with the original composition Bellcurve on City Hall’s 23-bell carillon!

River Valley Songwriters Festival

When June 29-30

Where Little Brick Café yard, Shiddy’s Distilling

Headliners Kyle McKearney, Nuela Charles, John Wort Hannam, Arlo Maverick

Tix $27.96/day

This looks just delightful, the intimate yard full of Edmonton’s top talent, plus some special guests moseying in.

Grindstone Comedy Festival

When July 3-7

Where Grindstone Theatre

Headliners Bruce McCulloch, Debra DiGiovanni, Bonnie McFarlane, Dave Merheje

Tix starting at $19.62 up to $115.45 fundraiser meet + greet

A spectacular lineup with the Kathleen McGee fundraiser at its core, no summer festival will have more incumbent heart than this raucous doggie.

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival

When July 5-14

Where Churchill Square

Headliners Heromacro Show, Ron Pearson, The Amazing Martika, Pancho Libre

Tix by donation (so bring cash!)

Also returning as its own separate thing (see The Works above), there’s almost no better place to bring the kids, the busker talent plucked from the world’s best.

Great Outdoor Comedy Festival

When July 12-14

Where Kinsmen Park

Headliners Shane Gillis, Kevin Hart, Whitney Cummings, Lisa Gilroy

Tix $99.50/day

Gillis is already sold out, but if you don’t know Edmonton ex-pat Lisa Gilroy , please correct this.

Taste of Edmonton

When July 18-28

Headliners Glass Tiger, Classified, Rellik, The Give ’Em Hell Boys

Tix no charge

The downtown juggernaut returns with some excellent free concerts while you take yourself to the stuff-your-gullet limit. Bibs recommended.

When July 19-28

Where Edmonton Exhibition Grounds

Headliners Ludacris, DFA 1979, Metric, Theory of a Deadman

Tix $46.35-$196.95 (Front & Centre Fan Zone only; concert general admission area free with park admission)

Besides KDays Music Fest, so much going on, including artist in residence AJA Louden , Top Talent Wrestling, SuperDogs and La Cité’s jaunty musical programming in Klondike Park.

When July 19-20, 26

Where Jubilee Auditorium

Headliners Celeigh Cardinal, Martin Kerr, BrassTactics

Tix $26.84/show

A crisp, affordable lineup of locals in one of the city’s most comfortable venues. Nice job, Jube!

Edmonton Reggae Festival

When July 20-21

Where Victoria Park

Headliners Destra Garcia, Singing Melody, The Melisizwe Brothers, Kianna Faith

Tix $88.69 fest pass, $66.86 July 20 only

With one-love talent from Leduc to Jamaica and Uganda, joy is the main ingredient here — though prepare for amazing food, as well.

Big Valley Jamboree

When Aug. 1-4

Where Camrose Exhibition Grounds

Headliners Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban, Riley Green

Tix $347.16 3-day general admission, $617.54 3-day reserved seating, $76.79 Thursday kickoff party

Taking its “Big” seriously, what becomes one of Alberta’s largest towns is full of amazing extras like the songwriters showcase, late-night dance parties and featured livestock, putting the culture in agro!

Blues on Whyte’s 40 th Anniversary Bash

When Aug. 2-4

Where Commercial Hotel

Headliners TBA

Happily shakin’ up the neighbours with its boom-boom outdoor stage, Blues on Whyte will definitely go to go heavy for its milestone birthday celebrations.

Edmonton Heritage Festival

When Aug. 3-5

Where Borden Park

Headliners musicians of Earth

Ah, yes — and then there’s the music and dancing of, you know, the entire world to consider as you sample various planetary meats on sticks. Another brilliant one for the kids.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival

When Aug. 8-11

Where Gallagher Park

Headliners Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, Fantastic Negrito, Rhiannon Giddens, Blue Rodeo, The Heavy Heavy

Tix single day Thurs./Fri. $123.75, otherwise sold out

A wicked, deep-cut lineup well worth caressing in advance, make time for the artists and storytellers in the Nikamowin area — and welcome back re-useable plates!

When Aug. 9-11

Also celebrating 40 juicy years, Cariwest’s stunning Saturday parade is merely the backbone of this swirl of irresistible dancing, music and food to go nuts for.

Punk in Drublic Craft Beer and Music Festival

When Aug. 10-11

Where Ice District

Headiners NOFX (final Edmonton performance), Interrupters, Descendents, Circle Jerks

Tix $128.94/day, $224.99 weekend pass, VIP sold out

Not precisely the final NOFX Canadian performance as advertised, this punk-ass lineup is still jaw-dropping — a perfect gape to pour all that beer into.

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival  

When Aug. 15-25

Where Old Strathcona

Tickets on sale Aug. 7

Find Your Fringe? OK! With 11 days of creative mayhem, no festival exchanges ideas on stage and in the beer gardens like The Fringe — 216 productions across 38 venues planned for the 43 rd annual. Look forward to our many saucy reviews!

25 th annual Edmonton Blues Festival

When Aug. 16-18

Where Klondike Park

Headliners Matt Anderson, Paul Pigat and Cousin Harley, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne

Tix $163.12 fest pass, $86.64/day

Bringing back some of its top talent from a quarter century of focused local blues love, the fest’s switched to the very comfy Klondike Park this year. Cheers and congrats, Cam!

6 th Annual Noise Fest

When Aug. 17

Where The Aviary

A good 20 experimental and noise artists are currently being pared down, but here’s where to hear the beautifully weird.

Edmonton Pride Festival

When Aug. 17-24

Headliners Dragonette, Retro Retro, Hybrid Theory

Tix Churchill Square free

It’s early, but word is the protest-paused parade might return, and Pride Fest’s concerts and dance parties are second to none when it comes to pure fun in the city. To joyful advocacy!

Purple City Music Festival  

When Sept. 6-8

Where various downtown venues

Headliners Gustaf, Urban Heat, Conan, Actors, Spoon Benders

Tix $138.50 fest pass, $219.50 VIP, individual shows TBA

All the best metal, punk, darkwave and indie bands you never heard of are here in the city’s super forward-looking music fest — plus: outdoor wrestling!

Dead Ends Live

When Sept. 13-14

Where Chateau Lacombe

Headliners Furthermore, John Kadlecik, Allmost Brothers, The McGowan Family Band

Inspired by The Grateful Dead and ’60s-’70s jam band vibe, this throwback lovefest will also dazzle with amazing psychedelic visuals by The Light Psychlone .

Please let us know if we missed anything, just fire an email with additional info to the address below!

[email protected]

@fisheyefoto

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Edmonton Oilers to sign Draisaitl, McDavid and Bouchard for $40 million per year, top NHL insider predicts

Edmonton oilers clinging to hope, but this is as bleak as it gets, the end is near: edmonton oilers dig 3-0 grave in game 3 loss to panthers.

tourist place edmonton

Man faces 28 charges after drugs, weapons and ammo seized: EPS

'extreme speed': motorcyclist killed in three-vehicle collision on anthony henday drive.

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Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, Odds, NHL Picks - Game 4 Stanley Cup Final [2024]

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, Odds, NHL Picks - Game 4 Stanley Cup Final [2024]

The Edmonton Oilers will face the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on Saturday, beginning at 8:00PM ET.

Based on updated simulation results, Dimers.com’s predictive NHL model (see Dimers Pro for full access) has picked the Edmonton Oilers as the most likely winner of the game.

“We have simulated the outcome of Saturday's Panthers-Oilers game 10,000 times using the latest data,” said Dimers.com data analyst Greg Butyn. “Incorporating the most recent updates along with thousands of other variables, we estimate the Oilers' chance of winning at 53%, with the Panthers at 46%.”

Panthers vs. Oilers Game-Day Updates and Essential Details

Saturday's game between the Oilers and Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final is scheduled to commence at 8:00PM ET.

  • Who: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers
  • Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
  • Time: 8:00PM ET / 5:00PM PT
  • Venue: Rogers Place

Dimers.com 's full preview of Saturday's Panthers vs. Oilers matchup includes our prediction, picks and the latest betting odds.

Before making any the Oilers vs. Panthers picks, be sure to check out the latest NHL predictions and betting advice from Dimers Pro.

Panthers vs. Oilers Prediction: Who Will Win, Cover the Puck Line

We have used trusted machine learning and statistics to simulate the result of Saturday's NHL Stanley Cup Final game between the Panthers and Oilers 10,000 times, in keeping with our coverage of NHL picks .

Our proven predictive analytics model gives the Oilers a 53% chance of defeating the Panthers in Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.

According to our model, the Panthers (+1.5) have a 67% chance of covering the puck line , while the 5.5-goal over/under has a 56% chance of going over .

Panthers vs. Oilers Game 4 Odds

We have sourced the best betting odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Panthers vs. Oilers Picks

The strongest edge our model has found in this Panthers vs. Oilers matchup is on the puck line . Our expert predictions, matched against the current odds, reveal NHL best bets in each major market, every day of the season.

Full access to our picks is available via Dimers Pro.

Panthers vs. Oilers Player Props

Who will score the first goal in Panthers vs. Oilers?

According to our model, Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl is most likely to score the first goal in Panthers vs. Oilers.

Our projections give Draisaitl an 8.6% chance of scoring the first goal at Rogers Place, while the Oilers star is a 43.3% chance of netting an anytime goal .

First Goal Scorer Predictions

Florida panthers, edmonton oilers, anytime goal scorer predictions.

We predict the Oilers, with a 53% win probability, will likely beat the Panthers in Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Panthers vs. Oilers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality . Our predictions are sourced from current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling , please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee.

More on NHL

Stay well-informed with the most recent NHL betting news and our analytics-driven NHL picks and parlays all season long. Plus, our Stanley Cup odds give you the most up-to-date predictions and the best available odds on the Stanley Cup winner.

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Jason Bevilacqua has a deep-rooted passion for sports and has been actively involved in sports betting for many years. Specializing in the MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, Jason delivers engaging game previews across these leagues. His expertise is particularly evident in his best bets for MLB, NHL, and college basketball. Additionally, Jason contributes valuable MLB and NFL props, as well as NBA first basket plays. 

Since joining Dimers in 2020 as the Head of Social and Community, Jason has also made significant contributions to the editorial department, offering daily articles that are not only well-researched but also deeply insightful. His strategic approach and collaboration with DimersBOT ensure his betting advice is top-notch.

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COMMENTS

  1. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Edmonton (Updated 2024)

    See way to experience (1) 12. Alberta Aviation Museum. 221. Speciality Museums. For more than 80 years, Edmonton's Blatchford Field was the center of a bustling aviation community that spurred the growth of the city, the region, and the North. Hundreds of men and women let their….

  2. 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Edmonton

    Learn more about the best places to visit in this exciting city with our list of attractions and things to do in Edmonton. See also: Where to Stay in Edmonton. On This Page: 1. Shop & Play at West Edmonton Mall. 2. Royal Alberta Museum. 3. Enjoy Nature at Elk Island National Park & Beaver Hills.

  3. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Edmonton

    See way to experience (1) 12. Alberta Aviation Museum. 221. Speciality Museums. For more than 80 years, Edmonton's Blatchford Field was the center of a bustling aviation community that spurred the growth of the city, the region, and the North. Hundreds of men and women let their….

  4. The top 10 attractions in Edmonton

    Elk Island National Park. Bison in Elk Island National Park - credit: Edmonton Tourism. You'll want to spend time in Elk Island National Park, just east of the city -- hike, snap pictures of wildlife, lay on the beach, and, come sundown, watch the Northern Lights. Canada's largest fully enclosed park is a refuge for moose, elk, lynx, black ...

  5. Things to Do in Edmonton

    On the hunt for the best things to do in Edmonton? You've come to the right place. Lose yourself in the immersive experiences at the Royal Alberta Museum or the Art Gallery of Alberta, breathe in the glory of the Northern Lights from our dark sky preserves, or embrace the excitement of West Edmonton Mall.

  6. The Top Attractions in Edmonton

    Thirty-five minutes east of Edmonton lies a wild oasis. Elk Island National Park is the perfect place to day-hike, canoe, snowshoe, skate, and more. This is also a designated dark sky preserve - meaning it's an incredible place to spot the Northern Lights. Get your cameras ready! Canada's largest fully enclosed park is a refuge for moose, elk, lynx, black bears, gray wolves, 250 species of ...

  7. Visitor Guide

    Got it. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Edmonton, Alberta. Interested in arts and culture? Out-of-the-box restaurants? Must-see local hot spots? We've got all that and more. Discover the unique neighbourhoods and districts, then plan your Edmonton bucket list with experiences, festivals and attractions.

  8. The top 10 attractions in Edmonton

    World Waterpark, West Edmonton Mall - credit: Edmonton Tourism. If you're thinking some big chain stores and a food court, readjust your lens. This nearly 500,000-square-metre mall is the largest in North America, with 800+ stores , 100 dining venues, a massive indoor wave pool with 17 water slides and a lake, plus amusement park, zoo, and ice ...

  9. 30+ BEST Things to Do in Edmonton, Alberta (for 2024)

    Sir Winston Churchill Square. Sir Winston Churchill Square, next to city hall in downtown Edmonton, is the place to be in the summer months. There's always something happening in the lively plaza in the heart of downtown. There are festivals, pavilions, public art, a pool and water features and plenty of seating areas.

  10. 25 Best Things to Do in Edmonton

    Paddle the North Saskatchewan River. As you'll notice, there's a big river that cuts through the centre of Edmonton and it's called the North Saskatchewan River. Located in the river valley, paddling the river is one of the top things to do in Edmonton, for both locals and tourists. You can kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or go canoeing down ...

  11. A first-timer's guide to Edmonton

    Edmonton can get quite cold in winter, with typical temperatures ranging between -5°C (23°F) and -15°C (5°F) and snowfall happening as early as November and as late as March. You shouldn't be afraid of winter, though - it's a great time to visit if you like skating, skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. One added bonus to a fall or ...

  12. Edmonton City Guide: 20 Things to do in Edmonton Alberta

    Play in the City's Parks. Edmonton is a great place to spend some time walking, biking, Segwaying, relaxing, playing, picnicking, and exploring in the city parks. Edmonton has the largest expanse of urban parkland in North America and the River Valley is the largest urban park in Canada.

  13. 33 BEST Things to do in Edmonton, Alberta (2024 Guide!)

    3. Visit the West Edmonton Mall. Europa Boulevard is one of the neat themed streets in WEM. With over 800 stores to lose yourself in, West Edmonton Mall (aka"WEM") will satisfy even the most hardcore shopper! It is actually the largest mall in all of Canada and the 2nd largest in North America.

  14. Explore Edmonton

    Edmonton shines brighter than a Zamboni-cleaned ice rink! We proudly cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they battle against the Florida Panthers in the NHL's Stanley Cup Final. Let's go Oilers! Edmonton is a vibrant urban centre in the heart of the wilderness, the largest northernmost metropolis, and the capital of Alberta, Canada.

  15. 16 Fun Things to Do in Edmonton On Your Alberta Getaway

    Alberta Railway Museum. Opened to the public in 1976, the Alberta Railway Museum has long been a favourite Edmonton attraction. For local train enthusiasts and travellers alike, there's no place like it in Alberta! The open-air museum occupies an old rail yard about 30 minutes north of the city.

  16. 18 Things to do in Edmonton, Alberta

    Top 18 Tourist Places to Visit in Edmonton in 6 Days (Trip Itinerary) Day 1 1. William Hawrelak Park. This park is developed around a 5-hectare lake. The park itself is spread over 68 hectares and is one of the best places for outdoor activities to do in Edmonton, Alberta. You will find hiking trails, green spaces, paddle boats, cycling trails ...

  17. 7 Places To Visit In Edmonton On Your Canada Holiday In 2023

    Royal Alberta Museum is certainly one of the best places to visit in Edmonton with family. Location: 9810 103a Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta. Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM. Entrance fee: $19 (Adults), $10 (Youth), Free for kids below 6. Must Read: Ottawa In January: How To Make The Best Of Your Canada Trip.

  18. THE 30 BEST Places to Visit in Edmonton (UPDATED 2024)

    1. West Edmonton Mall. 4,261. Shopping Malls. The world's largest shopping and entertainment complex, with a roller coaster, tropical rainforest and an indoor bungee jump, in addition to the over 800 stores and 20 restaurants. 2. Alberta Legislature Building. 789. Visitor Centres.

  19. Elk Island National Park

    Elk Island National Park is a natural oasis in Alberta, where you can see bison, elk, moose, and other wildlife. Explore the trails, camp under the stars, learn about the park's history and conservation efforts, and enjoy the scenic views. Find out everything you need to know before you visit, from fees and reservations to safety and contact information.

  20. Edmonton (Alberta) ᐈ Things to do

    In This Video You Can See the Top 12 Fun Things to do in Edmonton (AB) or Best Places to visit || Top Tourist Attractions || Destination || What to do || Pla...

  21. Attractions and Experiences

    There's truly no shortage of things to do in Edmonton. We've gathered a list of the city's best tourist attractions and local gems, perfect for making memories to last a lifetime. You'll find everything from kid-friendly outings to free outdoor experiences, immersive museums to inspiring galleries, and more.

  22. Where Dark Things Dwell

    The event takes place at Fort Edmonton Park (7000 143 St.) in Edmonton's River Valley. ... To experience Fort Edmonton Park fully we suggest dedicating three or more hours to your visit. We recommend booking a 6:00 pm game time for Where Dark Things Dwell on the weekend. In this scenario, you would not be required to exit the park and re ...

  23. Edmonton 2024 summer festival guide: explore dozens ...

    Edmonton Reggae Festival. When July 20-21. Where Victoria Park. Headliners Destra Garcia, Singing Melody, The Melisizwe Brothers, Kianna Faith. Tix $88.69 fest pass, $66.86 July 20 only. With one ...

  24. THE 10 BEST Tourist Spots in Edmonton 2024: Things to Do & Places to Go

    Points of Interest & Landmarks. Whyte Avenue (also known as 82 Avenue) is an arterial road in south-central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It became the main street of the City of Strathcona as it formed, and now runs through Old Strathcona…. 10. High Level Bridge Streetcar.

  25. The 10 Best Things to Do in Edmonton

    2023. 1. West Edmonton Mall. 4,261. Shopping Malls. The world's largest shopping and entertainment complex, with a roller coaster, tropical rainforest and an indoor bungee jump, in addition to the over 800 stores and 20 restaurants. 2.

  26. Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, Odds, NHL Picks

    The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will meet in Game 4 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on Saturday, with puck drop at 8:00PM ET. Dimers.com 's full preview of Saturday's Panthers vs. Oilers matchup includes our prediction, picks and the latest betting odds. JOIN NOW: For exclusive access to hundreds of data-driven bets ...