Edmonton

No reviews yetCity Alberta, Canada

The Alberta Legislature Building stands on a promontory above the river valley, Edmonton, Alberta

The High Level Bridge opened in 1913 and links downtown with the south side, Edmonton, Alberta

The Muttart Conservatory is made up of four glass pyramids, Edmonton, Alberta

Fort Edmonton Park is the largest living history museum in Canada by area, Alberta

About Edmonton

Alberta's capital spreads along both banks of the North Saskatchewan River, and the deep, wooded river valley that cuts through the middle of the city is its defining feature. Once a fur-trading post, Edmonton grew into a government, university and energy center, and today it balances a working-city practicality with a busy festival calendar and an unusually large network of urban parkland.

The domed Alberta Legislature Building anchors the north bank, and in summer a heritage streetcar rattles across the top deck of the High Level Bridge toward Old Strathcona, where Whyte Avenue is lined with pubs, vintage shops and theaters. The glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory hold tropical, arid and temperate gardens, while Fort Edmonton Park recreates several eras of local history along the river. Downtown, the angular Art Gallery of Alberta and the Royal Alberta Museum cover art, natural history and Indigenous heritage. West Edmonton Mall, with its indoor waterpark and amusement rides, draws its own crowd.

Summer is the city's high point, with long evenings, trail cycling in the valley and the Fringe theater festival in August. Winters are long and cold, though skating in places like Hawrelak Park helps. Elk Island National Park, with its free-roaming bison, is an easy half-day trip east.

Best seasonJune through August brings long daylight, river valley trails and most of the city's major festivals.

Ideal stayThree days allows time for downtown museums, Old Strathcona and a half-day trip to Elk Island.

ArrivingEdmonton International Airport lies south of the city; VIA Rail's transcontinental train also stops here.

WiserMap travel guideEdmonton Alberta River Valley Old Strathcona and FestivalsPlan your Edmonton trip with river valley parks, Old Strathcona, Fort Edmonton Park, summer festivals, local food, where to stay and a simple itinerary.Read the guide

Your Edmonton Bucket List: 12 Top Picks

Landmarks 2

Alberta Legislature Building

Completed in 1913, Alberta's seat of government is a handsome Beaux-Arts building of sandstone and granite topped by a great dome,...

High Level Bridge and the streetcar

Opened in 1913, the steel High Level Bridge spans the North Saskatchewan River valley and once carried trains as well as cars. Tod...

Gardens 1

Muttart Conservatory

The four glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory, opened in 1976, are one of Edmonton's most recognisable sights, set in the ri...

History 1

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park is Canada's largest living history museum, laid out along the river valley in the city's southwest. You walk fo...

Parks 1

Hawrelak Park

Hawrelak Park is one of the largest green spaces in Edmonton's river valley, built around a small lake ringed with walking paths,...

Neighborhoods 1

Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue

Old Strathcona was once a separate city that merged with Edmonton in 1912, and its brick and stone main street, Whyte Avenue, stil...

Museums 3

Art Gallery of Alberta

The Art Gallery of Alberta's building, opened in 2010 and designed by architect Randall Stout, wraps a swirling ribbon of steel ar...

Royal Alberta Museum

The Royal Alberta Museum opened in its large new downtown building in 2018 and is the biggest museum in western Canada. The natura...

TELUS World of Science Edmonton

Located in Coronation Park in the city's northwest, this science centre is built for curious minds of all ages. Its hands-on galle...

Family 1

Edmonton Valley Zoo

Tucked into the river valley in the west end, the Edmonton Valley Zoo opened in 1959 as a storybook-themed children's zoo and has...

Shopping 1

West Edmonton Mall

When it opened in 1981, West Edmonton Mall became one of the largest shopping centres in the world, and it remains a destination i...

Events 1

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival

Founded in 1982, the Edmonton Fringe was the first fringe theatre festival in North America and is now one of the largest in the w...

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