From the continent’s first, most prominent, & wildest Fringe Theatre Festival to a shopping mall that expands over 48 city blocks, Edmontonians have never been afraid to do things differently. Edmonton is the youngest & rapidly-growing capital city of Canada. In addition, it is a hotbed of cultural diversity that embraces new ideas & experimentation. Thus, if you are planning a trip, here are the best places to visit in Edmonton. But before we go any further, let’s see why to visit Edmonton!
Why Visit Edmonton?
Below are the top reasons why you must visit Edmonton. Take a look!
- Edmonton is full of booming culinary places. The place has some of the best-crafted beer taprooms, hyper-local bistros, indie bakeries, & much more!
- It is the festival city, i.e., a winter festival takes place with sculptures made of ice & fire. Also, there’s no shortage of events as they occur throughout the year. Thus, you’ll find some or the other festival going on whenever you go!
- Edmonton is home to wildlife. The Elk National Park is home to free-roaming bison, deer, moose, elk, and other 250 species of birds. In addition, it also has the largest as well as the smallest terrestrial mammals in North America.
- Edmonton has an adventure park, a shopping complex, & a dining destination, i.e., the West Edmonton Mall.
- It is an incredible hub for sports & entertainment downtown. The ICE district downtown includes restaurants, nightlife, casinos, luxury accommodations, & much more.
Best Places To Visit In Edmonton
There is no dearth of places to visit in Edmonton. However, the top places are listed below.
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North Saskatchewan River Valley
There’s this green space & then there is North Saskatchewan River Valley. The place has a vast collection of scenic parks which is 22 times bigger than New York City’s Central Park. Having over 150 kilometers of trails, golf courses, & pathways, individuals can picnic, bike, run, take a paddle boat, & do so much more. Thus, it is one of the top destinations to visit in Edmonton.
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West Edmonton Mall
If you are thinking of some big chain stores along with a food court, then it’s time to readjust your lens. West Edmonton Mall is a nearly 500,000 sq meter mall & is the largest mall in North America. The mall is home to over 800+ stores, 100 dining venues, a huge indoor wave pool, an amusement park, seventeen water slides, and an ice skating rink, to name a few. Thus, whatever you are looking for is here, in this mall!
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Elk Island National Park
Love animals? Love wildlife? Then don’t go any further!
If you remain in harmony with the nature, then you’d want to visit Elk Island National Park. Herein, you can hike, snap images of wildlife, lie on the beach, watch northern lights, etc. Canada’s largest enclosed park is a refuge for moose, black bears, elk, gray wolves, over 250+ species of birds, etc. In addition, beware, as you can even get stuck in a bison traffic jam!
What’s more? Stargaze in the serene wilderness & make your visit to Edmonton a memorable experience!
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Alberta Legislature
Another one of the topmost destinations to visit in Edmonton is Alberta Legislature!
Set atop the North Saskatchewan River banks; this place is a marvel of carved oak & marble pebbles. Discover the Alberta Legislature on a free guided tour offered every hour.
In addition, you can ask about Famous Five who fought for Women’s right to vote. Moreover, you can also learn about the fascinating stories behind the art, architecture, & portraits.
Also, don’t forget to listen to the spectacular phenomenon, i.e., ‘magic spot’.
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The Art Gallery Of Alberta
The Art Gallery Of Alberta is a striking architecture reminiscent of Bilbao’s Guggenheim. It is one of Edmonton’s prominent cultural venues having over 6,000 paintings, installations, and sculptures. In addition, this premium venue includes historical, contemporary, international, & contemporary works. Thus, if you are a history buff, then visiting this place in Edmonton is a must for you!
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University Of Alberta Botanic Garden
Ready to be amazed by the wealth & diversity of nature?
The University Of Alberta Botanic Garden is a must-visit for people who love flora, fauna, picturesque views, etc. With over 80 acres of display gardens, there are tons to explore.
Moreover, there’s also a new garden, i.e., Aga Khan Garden, which is 4.8 hectares of modern architectural beauty. It is inspired by Mughal traditions & is designed explicitly for Edmonton’s topography & climate.
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Fort Edmonton Park
Love history? There’s Fort Edmonton Park for you!
Fort Edmonton Park is an 1800s-era park wherein actors dressed in period costumes barter for beads at fur trading posts & socialize at the train stations. Herein you will learn about the four time periods, i.e., the 1846 fort, 1885 communities, 1905 railway boom, and 1920 commerce hay day!
In addition, you’ll also see horse-drawn carriages, historic/ vintage cars, etc., at Canada’s largest living history museum.
However, Fort Edmonton Park is presently working on creating an indigenous people’s experience – a new signature exhibit showing the indigenous culture of the Territory of Treaty 6.
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Alberta Railway Museum
Located in the city’s Northern suburbs, the Alberta Railway Museum features a selection of still-operating & static locomotives. Established in 1976 to protect the province’s railway heritage, this museum features over 75 rail cars & engines along with some original railway buildings and other artifacts.
What’s more? You can have a chance to ride on one of the trains during the summer. Also, self-guided tour maps are available as you pick your tickets!
Conclusion
Edmonton is a beautiful place & we are sure that anyone who visits it cannot forget its beauty, serenity, wildlife, etc. Moreover, the best time to visit Canada is every season except winter.
Being the coldest city in North America, you wouldn’t want to ruin your trip by going in winter!
So, have you decided which place you are going to explore first? Well, we’d prefer you to visit all the places mentioned above for a truly unforgettable experience. Let us know where/ which place you’ll begin from!