A bright and vibrant city with numerous things to see and do, Alberta’s capital is brimming with fantastic activities and attractions. Whether you’re looking to enjoy live events at glitzy venues in the Arts District, experience an adrenalin rush at a theme park with a difference, or want to absorb some knowledge by exploring the city’s fascinating museums, you’re sure to find an adventure to remember here in Edmonton.
Those visiting on business or for pleasure, or stopping over on a longer journey through the great Albertan landscape, will find plenty of potential to make their trip to Edmonton an exciting one. With so much to see and take in, we’ve created a list of the best things to do in Edmonton during your stay.
West Edmonton Mall
Bursting with life, West Edmonton Mall is a shopping destination like no other – and could be mistaken for a city on its own. With its thrilling waterpark and space-themed amusement centre, this multi-purpose wonder is the largest mall in North America, and has the potential to keep visitors entertained for more than a few days.
World Waterpark is a key destination. Boasting a FlowRider surfing system, fun slides and an extravagant zip wire, adventure-seekers will find much to enjoy. The 26-metre gravity defying ‘Cyclone’, with its vertical loop, is the star attraction.
Galaxyland meanwhile is the spectacular resident theme park. Home to the world’s largest indoor rollercoaster, dubbed ‘Mindbender’, this park also has a rope quest experience and a ‘7D’ movie theatre. There’s even a marine life centre, where you can find some of nature’s most mesmerising creatures, including penguins, sharks and sea lions.
As for the shopping itself, this vast mall also has a wide choice of designer and high street stores to suit all manner of retail-lovers.
Edmonton Valley Zoo
With a conservational focus and more than 350 species of wildlife, Edmonton Valley Zoo on the North Saskatchewan River is home to wolves, snow leopards and Siberian tigers, and offers an extraordinary opportunity to see some of the world’s most enchanting animals in an intimate and spellbinding setting.
There are also regular events which allow visitors to find out more about conservation and environmentalism, and the exciting species that dwell here.
Fort Edmonton Park
If you’re interested in Canadian heritage, you’ll learn a great deal of fascinating things at Fort Edmonton Park. Dotted throughout the relaxing green space are eye-catching buildings designed to recreate key periods in local history. These create a living history museum that revives the past in compelling fashion. The park is also home to the Capitol Theatre, where you can watch colourful shows including Northern Light – a 4D short film that tells the story of Edmonton. The Mahogany Room Bar, meanwhile, is a 1920s-style saloon that’s sure to get you in the vintage spirit.
Edmonton International Fringe Festival
Alberta’s main city comes to life in a whirl of showmanship every August, when the Edmonton International Fringe Festival comes to town. This theatrical extravaganza is a 10-day event packed with more than 1,600 outdoor performances and indoor shows.
Throughout the rest of the year, the fringe theatre stands between the Westbury Theatre and Walterdale Playhouse on Gateway Boulevard. There is a convenient public parking lot next to the Cosmopolitan Music Society, for visitors to leave their vehicles and head out in the area on foot.
Muttart Conservatory
Muttart Conservatory is a botanical garden that sits south of Henrietta Muir Edwards Park and the North Saskatchewan River. Set in a striking, pyramid-shaped structure, here you’ll find more than 700 species of plants in three biomes, each with its own unique microclimate. You’ll be instantly transported to temperate, arid and tropical climates - a welcome respite from the wintery snowscape outside.
The feature biome is the premier attraction, showcasing Asian horticulture spanning bamboo, bonsai and citrus trees. Guided tours led by plant experts run Tuesdays, Fridays, and on weekends, so it’s easy to drop in and soak up the wonder.
Snow Valley Ski Club
Located in its own park just off the Freeway, Edmonton Snow Valley offers a fantastic opportunity to hone your ski skills in the winter, or try out the sport if you’re a complete beginner. These scenic slopes are open from November to March, and you can book lessons too.
Art Gallery of Alberta
The Art Gallery of Alberta celebrates excellence in visual arts, and even the building itself is a masterpiece. Located on Sir Winston Churchill Square in the Arts District, the galleries stretch for almost 3,000 metres inside a structure designed by the talented architect Randall Stout.
With 6,000 items in the permanent collections alone, art connoisseurs are in for a real treat on their visit. The gallery specialises in Canadian abstract painting and sculpture, but there is also a great deal of photography, not to mention exciting exhibitions on topics such as religion and indigenous cultures.
Telus World of Science
If you’re looking for a family attraction that’s out of this world, Telus is the place to visit. This interactive science museum is a transformative world, ideal for both avid gamers and young travellers with technical minds. There are laser shows as well as incredible displays on the human body, environment and outer space.
You can book online for an educational day out with your loved ones. And, if you can’t get enough of the glimmering IMAX theatre, it’s even possible to book a sleepover within this adventure playground.
Elk Island National Park
Venturing half an hour’s drive out of Edmonton to experience the wonders of nature here, where you’ll find an ideal serene retreat as part of your trip. Elk Island National Park is Edmonton’s eastern paradise, where huge lakes break up the rolling wilderness. Take a road trip out to see elk and bison in their natural habitat, spot up to 250 bird species, or take a picnic to enjoy a few moments of rural relief.
The park’s winter camping site offers a unique way to gaze upon nature behind the comfort of a campfire too. With the unspoilt night sky stretching overhead, you can even skate out to the islands of Astotin Lake when the temperature drops.
Whether you’re visiting Edmonton for a short city break or as part of a larger Albertan adventure, car rental with Hertz is a great way to navigate this extensive and expansive destination - and enjoy its picturesque surroundings