One of Canada's best kept urban secrets, Edmonton is an attractive, fast growing, friendly city, so special that even other Canadians choose to come and experience the good life!
With all the added advantages of a large city, Edmonton still benefits from being small enough to have a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
Our sophisticated, compact downtown area, invites visitors to come visit our contemporary stores, attractions, galleries, museums and theatres. The bohemian area of Old Strathcona is a charming town within a town and has an abundance of cafes, unique shops, theatres and galleries.
Edmonton is without doubt a nature loving centre and has over 460 city parks in additional to our pride and joy, the River Valley, which provides more greenery than any other city in Canada!
The largest mall in North America, the West Edmonton Mall chooses to make Edmonton its home. With over 800 stores and services, an indoor zoo, waterpark, ice rink, golf course and an amusement park, it's no wonder its known as The Greatest Shopping & Entertainment Complex in the World!
Of course, Edmonton is not just about shopping and parks (as if that's not enough!); the city also flaunts an amazing selection of year round festivals, earning its name and distinction as the Festival City. Whether your passion is jazz, art or beer, there's a festival in Edmonton to suit all. See Edmonton's official
Festival Calendar for full listing of annual festivals.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit the city of Edmonton and experience your own insight into our urban life!
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Additional Information
GETTING HERE
Edmonton International Airport is serviced by more than twenty-five national and international airlines and is only 29 kms from downtown Edmonton. The airport is right next to Queen Elizabeth II Highway, the major commuter highway linking Calgary and Edmonton. The drive from Calgary is approximately 3 hours by car. There are many transportation options available from the airport including airport shuttle, vehicle rentals, private transfers and taxi services. Please see our Transportation section for further information.
GETTING AROUND
Edmonton is fairly easy to navigate for most visitors with streets and avenues being designated numbers rather than names. Streets run north and south and avenues run east and west. Edmonton's LRT (Light Rail Transit) provides a fast and affordable means of city transportation. The service covers the downtown core with a south extension to the University of Alberta and a north extension to Commonwealth Stadium, Rexall Place and Northlands. Edmonton Transit offers facilitate other areas of the city including the West Edmonton Mall.
WHAT TO DO
There are endless options to keep you occupied during your visit to Edmonton. Out list below highlights just some of them:
- Visit the bohemian town of Old Strathcona
- Spend a day (or two) at the West Edmonton Mall
- Enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Edmonton Queen Riverboat, a 170 foot paddle wheeler!
- Visit one of the many festivals that Edmonton hosts
- Ride The Eddie! Edmonton's newest attraction, a hop on/hop off city tour
- Walk,rollerblade or cycle along the stunning River Valley
- Spend the day at Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest living history museum
- Catch a play at the Citadel, Canada's largest non-profit theatre
- Check out great Albertan and international art at the Art Gallery of Alberta
- Experience a Canadian Football game with the Edmonton Eskimos!
- Complete your urban experience with an Urban Spa package
DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
Edmonton boasts a wide range of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Many of our restaurants showcase Alberta's regional cuisine: delectable and home-grown bison and wild game meats such as deer or elk. And for the international palate, Edmonton's diverse ethnic communities provide an abundant selection of global cuisine.
For the night owl, your visit to Edmonton will give you endless opportunities to stay out late! Choose from one of the many pubs and bars on Whyte Ave, take in a concert or theatre performance or enjoy the comedy club or dinner theatre. Or for a night to really remember, catch a local hockey or football game during your stay.
SHOPPING
Edmonton benefits from abundant opportunities for shopping, making it one of the most popular destinations in Canada for shopping trips. The West Edmonton Mall (WEM) has over 800 stores and services and is the largest mall in North America! With over 9 major attractions in the mall, including the World Waterpark, Galaxyland, a skating rink, mini golf and more, it is also a great place for families to visit. In addition to the WEM, Edmonton is home to three unique shopping districts. In the Old Strathcona, 124th Street, and High Street neighbourhoods there is new and second-hand booksellers, antique shops, lively eateries and coffee shops, alternative cinemas, independent fashion stores, live theatre and live music venues.