Alberta's Capital, Edmonton knows how to have fun. This "Festival City” is always celebrating something, from music, film, and theatre, to heritage, food, accordions, dragon boats, and even winter. With over 30 festivals throughout the year, it’s easy to find a reason to celebrate.
Escape the urban bustle without leaving the city in the parks and pathways winding along the river - the longest stretch of urban parkland on the continent. In the summer, check out an outdoor festival, or hike, bike or blade along 150 km (93 mi) of trails. Tee off on one of the valley’s golf courses. When the snow falls, embrace Edmonton’s passion for winter and go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Carve some powder on four downhill ski slopes right here in the valley.
About Edmonton
Alberta's Capital, Edmonton and it's surrounding area are home to over 1 million residents, however the city centre itself has one of the lowest population densities in the world. The city's river valley park area is 22 times the size of New York's Central Park making it the largest urban park in North America, so there is plenty of opportunities to take part in outdoor activities in the city, or simply to unwind and relax.
Edmonton is Canada's Festival City, playing host to more than 30 festivals each year. The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is popular amongst performers and music fans alike. The International Fringe Ftivaesl attracts over half a million visitors each year to see some of its 1000+ theatrical performances. The Heritage Festival is one of Canada's longest established multicultural celebrations, with over 60 cultures celebrated. Also extremely popular is the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival when street entertainers and performances from all over Canada and further afield congregate in the city.
Shopping is one of Edmonton's best and biggest attractions. The West Edmonton Mall has over 800 shops, 100 eateries and attractions including its waterpark all under one roof. The historic Old Strathcona shopping district offers a variety of dining and pubs as well as a farmers market.
Here are just a few of the attractions you can enjoy on your visit to Edmonton:
Alberta Legislature - Relax in 23 hectares of beautiful parkland surrounded by history, grandeur, and parliamentary tradition and perhaps take a free tour of the grounds and building.
Alberta Aviation Museum - With over 50 aircraft, 40 exhibits including flight simulators, the Alberta Aviation Museum makes you feel like you're in the cockpit.
Art Gallery of Alberta - This iconic building, with its contemporary architectural lines, has an extensive collection of over 6,000 works of art and features world-class exhibits.
Edmonton Valley Zoo - Tigers, red pandas and cotton-top tamarinds are just some of the animals at The Valley Zoo, home to more than 100 exotic, endangered and native species.
Elk Island National Park - Elk Island is a beautiful oasis home to over 250 species of birds and herds of free-roaming plains bison, wood bison, moose, deer and elk.
Fort Edmonton Park - Join costumed historical interpreters and try your hand at living life as an early pioneer in Canada's largest living history museum. Explore up to 150 years of Edmonton's history.
Muttart Conservatory - Nestled in the scenic river valley, the Conservatory's pyramids allow visitors to experience an exotic jungle, a desert oasis, the changing seasons in a temperate forest and floral paradise.
Old Strathcona - Stroll along historic Whyte Avenue and visit the farmers' market, shops, nightclubs and theatres. Named one of Canada's top five shopping districts.
Royal Alberta Museum - From pictographs to petroglyphs, grizzlies to bison and rattlers to spiders, mountains to the windswept prairies, experience Alberta's history at this fascinating museum.
TELUS World of Science - Become part of a larger-than-life experience in IMAX®, take part in fun and informative science demonstrations and explore a changing selection of feature exhibitions.
West Edmonton Mall - An entire city awaits at West Edmonton Mall, home to over 800 stores and services, more than 100 eating establishments, 10 attractions and two great hotels.
