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Here are our suggestions for some fun things you can do while in Edmonton.
Here are our suggestions for some fun things you can do while in Edmonton.
Explore Edmonton's Ice Castles. The award-winning frozen attraction located in six cities across North America. The experience is built using thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists.
Take a walk along Whyte Ave. Once the main street of Old Stratchona (one of the little towns absorbed by Edmonton in the early 1910s), it boasts some of the liveliest and most picturesque restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops that are yours to explore. If you want to get away from the cold you can always stop by for a film at the iconic Princess Theatre.
Visit Alberta Art Gallery. Located in Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown it is only a short train ride from the University and the hospital site. The Gallery has 3 floors of exhibition space, but even just the building, with its juxtaposed angular windows against a winding 190-metre steel ribbon that references the forms of the North Saskatchewan River and Aurora Borealis, is well worth a visit.
Go for a walk across the High Level Bridge (one of Edmonton's oldest bridges, built in 1913) and to the Legislature building and grounds. Even in the cold weather the view from the bridge over the river valley on the one side, and downtown and the Legislature on the other is well worth the walk. There are free tours around the Legislature building 362 days of the year, and you can download the info for a self-guided tour of the grounds here.
Rutherford House, a restored Edwardian mansion with much of the original furniture and all of the original charm. The house was built in 1911 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and the co-founder (with Henry Marshall Tory) of the University of Alberta.
Have breakfast at the Sugarbowl, the sweetest place in Edmonton since 1943. It is just a short walk from the campus (map), and has the best cinnamon buns you have ever tasted. If you miss the breakfast, it's still a good place to visit as their drink list, with over 160 craft beers and 15 rotating taps, remains the one to beat.
West Edmonton Mall, one of the largest malls in the world, and still the largest mall in North America. There are over 800 shops and services in the mall and some of its other attractions include an amusement park, waterpark, ice rink, sea life caverns and sea lion rocks. The mall is located in the west end of the city but is easily reachable form the University (buses no. 4 and 106) and the downtown (bus no. 100).
The Duchess Bake Shop - a local bakery located at 124 Street. They make everything in house from scratch, using no mixes, no preservatives and no short cuts. They are best known for their amazing pastries and cakes, buttery cookies, pies, Florentines and macarons, but they also serve quiches, soups and sandwiches. The 124 Street is also worth exploring as it boasts several other fantastic food venues (food on 124).
Ice District - Stroll through the heart of Edmonton and take in an Oilers or Oil Kings game in our new Rogers Place arena or enjoy some of the restaurants located in this newly developing sports and entertainment district.
Boardwalk Ice on Whyte - Enjoy a fun-filled winter experience. When you visit the festival, you will find the International Ice Carving Competition and be inspired by professional artists at their jaw-dropping icy splendors. Get your tickets in the link above!
Edmonton Neon Signs - Stroll through the ice district on 104 Street and 104 Avenue to see Edmonton's collection of functional historic signs that tell a story about Edmonton's neon past.
Walls of our city - Discover some of Edmonton's local artists by visiting walls of the city link. Stroll around Edmonton and don't forget to stop at Remedy Cafe and grab yourself a delicious Chai Latte to warm you up on your walk!
Alberta Legislature - Known to Edmontonians as "the Ledge", the Alberta Legislature Building is a marvel of marble pillars. Take a free guided tour through this beautiful architecture or walk around the grounds to see the unforgettable lights.
Stargazing- Stay up after midnight, dress warmly, and bring hot chocolate and check out the Northern Lights. Check out the Aurora Watch for real-time monitor of Edmonton's Northern Lights activity.
Royal Alberta Museum - Located in the Arts District in downtown Edmonton is one of Canada's top museums in Canada. Visit the exhibits related to Alberta's people and natural environments.
Still unsure what to do while in Edmonton? Take a look at Explore Edmonton, a site showcasing many of Edmonton's most popular sites and businesses, to get some ideas.
Time to get out of the city! From the Rocky Mountains to the rolling western Canadian prairies and our many beautiful lakes, Alberta is the perfect place for camping, hiking, or just taking in nature's beauty. Head over to Travel Alberta to plan your next adventure
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