Jan
10
Edmonton Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Canada
A trip to Edmonton
Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, Canada, and lies on the watersides of the North Saskatchewan River. The city owes its prosperity to the oil industry and boasts the world’s biggest shopping mall as well as Canada’s largest theatre complex. Old Strathcona is Edmonton’s ancient quarter, an area of hip bistros and cafés, boutiques and galleries frequented by the student and bohemian crowd. An eye-catching piece of architecture is the Alberta Legislature Building, placed in 57 acres of parkland.
Flights to Edmonton
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is Canada’s fastest growing major airport. Located about 20 miles south of the city’s central business district, it offers non-stop service to 50 domestic, US and international destinations including London, England. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Edmonton try Ebookers. There are numerous hotels and parking lots within the direct radius of the terminal, and a shuttle service offers a convenient transport option.
Transportation from the airport into the city is provided by plentiful buses and taxis. The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) is a network of public transportation throughout the city. A bus fleet services most routes, while a light rail transit line (LRT) operates north from Clareview to the southern University Health Centre. As part of its trans-Canada service, Via Rail Canada serves Edmonton and takes passengers through the spectacular Rocky Mountains into British Columbia. The inter-provincial Yellowhead Highway 16 provides convenient automobile access from Winnipeg via Edmonton to British Columbia.
Edmonton
Sightseeing in Edmonton
One of Edmonton’s most popular attractions is the Odyssium, which comprises Canada’s biggest planetarium as well as a virtual reality showcase, IMAX theatre and an observatory. Canada’s largest living history museum, Fort Edmonton Park is another point of interest where visitors can get an idea of what life was like for the first pioneers who founded the city. This area features a replica fort dating from 1846 and restorations of streets from diverse time periods.
The extraordinary glass pyramids of Muttart Gallery are home to a fantastic exhibit of flowers and plants, while a further highlight for garden lovers is the Devonian Botanic Garden, presenting thousands of species on 110 acres of nature paths. The widespread park system throughout Edmonton’s forested river valley offers additional leisure time opportunities including cycling, mountaineering and cross-country skiing.
Fun by night - eating, drinking and partying
Dining options in Edmonton are plentiful, and food lovers will find something to suit their tastes from fast food to haute cuisine. The city offers a lively bar scene including an endless choice of country and western bars, but besides honky-tonk entertainment there is also several other options available. Night-time entertainment in Greater Edmonton abounds and varies from dancing to dinner theatre, while live music ranges from Celtic to the blues.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
No trip to Edmonton would be comprehensive without heading for the awesome West Edmonton Mall, the planet’s largest shopping centre featuring some breathtaking facilities. This overwhelming complex is home to more than 800 stores and services, over 100 eating options, an amusement park, indoor water park, indoor skating rink, two miniature golf courses and much more.
Daytrips
There are some great daytrip opportunities for those staying in Edmonton, all of which are easily accessed by hire car via Canada’s well-maintained system of highways. Follow the Yellowhead Highway 25 miles east of town to find Elk Island National Park. Founded in the early 20th century, this was the first park of its kind in Canada, and it continues to attract tourists with the prospect of viewing the diverse collection of elk, deer, moose and bison that reside here. The park is ideal for overnight camping, midday picnics and hikes of any length.
Following the Yellowhead Highway in the opposite direction brings visitors to Jasper National Park (224 miles to the west). This is one of Canada’s wildest parklands, known for the Columbia Icefields, which are actually accessible by car. Also in the park is a formidable collection of wildlife headlined by caribou, wolves and majestic grizzly bears.
Must-see attractions
Edmonton boasts a number of high-profile tourist attractions, the whole of which combine to make this the largest centre of tourism in Alberta Province. The Provincial Legislative Building is one of the most prominent landmarks, complete with a summer wading pond that transforms into a winter skating rink.
Equally prominent (and strikingly modern) is the Muttart Conservatory, a collection of four glass pyramids each housing a botanical garden from a different climate zone. Three of the pyramids hold permanent climatic displays (arid, tropical and temperate), while the fourth pyramid features a rotating display that changes from season to season. Tourists will find this unique set of gardens in the valley of the Saskatchewan River.
Festivals and outdoor symphonies are staged in the River Valley Parks when the weather is suitable. The entire complex taken together constitutes North America’s largest urban parkland, and it bustles with joggers, cyclists and walkers during the warmer months.
West Edmonton Mall is especially popular during the winter months. The largest indoor shopping centre in North America, this sprawling centre of commerce features more than 900 shops along with a large theme park complete with sea lion shows, a flamingo wading pool, a casino and a host of other entertainment facilities.
Best time to go
Most tourists visit Edmonton between the months of June and August, when summertime highs regularly reach 25°C and occasionally spike as high as 30°C. During this season, thunderstorms strike from time to time though conditions are pleasant overall. Snow falls during the winter although temperatures are much milder than visitors usually expect. Skiing is possible in the mountains and ice skating is available on ponds and in indoor facilities throughout the metropolitan area.
Rainy day suggestions
It is wise for those visiting during the summer to have a backup activity planned in case of thunderstorms. The Alberta Railway Museum and Royal Alberta Museum are both found here, though the most popular museum is the TELUS World of Science (previously known as the Odyssium), famous for its planetarium, IMAX Theatre and striking architectural style. For a less cerebral escape, head to the lavish indoor playground inside West Edmonton Mall.
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