Edmonton boasts one of the best arts scenes in western Canada – with top museums, galleries, and festivals – along with top shopping and a vibrant history. Here are the top eight things to check out when visiting Edmonton.

Shop the West Edmonton Mall

West Edmonton Mall is North America’s largest mall and was once the largest in the world, at nearly 500,000 square metres. With over 800 stores, 100 dining venues, an amusement park, indoor wave pool with multiple waterslides, a skating rink, and more, you’ll never run out of things to do here.

Check Out Some Art

Housed in a stunning modernist building, Edmonton’s Art Gallery of Alberta features over 6,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations including both contemporary and historical pieces from both Canadian and international artists. With rotating exhibits, an onsite restaurant and theatre, and a changing roster of lectures and workshops, any art enthusiast will delight in a visit to this gallery.

Take In Some Culture

Located in the city’s downtown Arts District, the Royal Alberta Museum is western Canada’s largest museum, housing fascinating exhibits documenting the province’s rich history. You’ll get to admire a vast assortment of dinosaur fossils, an aquarium, and more, along with displays on the province’s indigenous culture and political history. 

Explore the River Valley Parks

Spanning over 7,000 hectares, Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System is Canada’s largest urban park. With over 150km of trails, walkways, and golf courses, along with 11 lakes, there are endless opportunities for kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and more. 

Visit the Alberta Legislature

Overlooking the tranquil North Saskatchewan River is the stately Alberta Legislature Building, dating back to 1913. Any history buff should be sure to take in one of the free tours of the building to learn about the fascinating political history of the province and breathtaking architecture of the building itself. The building is also home to a theatre and gallery showcasing impressive historical artworks.

Attend a Festival

Known as ‘The Festival City’, Edmonton hosts over 100 festivals each year. With a variety of festivals for music, dance, art, film, sports, and more, you’re sure to find something to suite your interests. Check out the famous Fringe Theatre Festival to see top theatre performances, or the Boardwalk Ice Festival for some stunning ice carving sculptures.

Enjoy the Muttart Conservatory 

Plant enthusiasts will be enamored with the stunning Muttart Conservatory botanical garden which is home to more than 700 species of plants housed in three iconic glass pyramids. Each pyramid is its own climate regulated biome – one Tropical, one Arid, and one Temperate. After a day exploring the vast assortment of breathtaking plant life, enjoy a leisurely meal at the conservatory’s on-site restaurant.

Stroll Through Old Strathcona 

The eclectic neighbourhood of Old Strathcona, located just south of downtown Edmonton, is celebrated for its unique shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs. Walk down the area’s Whyte Avenue and enjoy the historic architecture, trendy shopping, and tasty cuisine, or visit the Old Strathcona Famer’s Market for some fresh local produce.

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Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, Flickr