Things to do in Edmonton

It may be Alberta’s business epicentre but modern, sophisticated Edmonton has a lot more up its sleeve than trade shows and skyscrapers. This city boasts four distinct seasons and as Canada's northernmost metropolis, it’s the perfect getaway for exploring the wilderness beyond. Popular with outdoor sports enthusiasts as well as those looking for a cultural city break, Edmonton has something for every type of traveller.

From long, summer days with 18 hours of sunshine, to romantic snowy winter scenes and even the chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, Edmonton offers a range of experiences that no other Canadian city can.

Outdoor Adventure

Outdoor adventure is a major aspect of life in the city and tops of any list featuring the best Edmonton thing to do. If you really want to get stuck in, head out east from the city to Elk Island National Park. Not only does the park have the highest concentration of hoofed animals outside of the Serengeti, but it also offers a chance to try something totally new. Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, skiing and camping are all on offer with plenty of scope for everyone from newcomers to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

There are also many opportunities to ski closer to the city centre, with public slopes open from early Winter to early Spring. Golf is another popular pursuit in Edmonton where you will find plenty of centrally-located public courses including Victoria, Rundle Park, and Riverside.

North Saskatchewan River Valley

Edmonton boasts a vast network of river parks that run throughout the North Saskatchewan Valley. It is the longest urban park in North America, with a total of 150km of walking trails and bike paths which are just itching to be explored. The valley also features Fort Edmonton Park, Canada’s largest historical park, where you'll encounter a truly hands-on history lesson.

Indigenous Edmonton

Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) has the second largest indigenous population in Canada. It is located on Treaty 6 Territory, the ancestral home of many indigenous groups including Saulteaux, Cree, Blackfoot, Métis and Sioux People. Indigenous spaces and landmarks are found all over the city, but you can find out more via a trip to the Metis Crossing attraction, which includes a historical village, canoe experience and the chance to learn traditional arts and crafts.

Shop until you drop

Edmonton is home to the largest shopping mall complex in the western hemisphere, the West Edmonton Mall. It’s more than just a shopping mall, it’s also an entertainment centre. At West Edmonton, you can also enjoy an amusement park, IMAX cinema, skating rink, a swimming pool, a casino, and an indoor lake.

Long Summer nights

If you’ve only ever visited Edmonton in winter then be sure to return in summer. Its northerly location means sundown can be as late as 11pm in June and July and Edmontonians certainly like to make the most of the sunshine. Summer is a great time to visit the city’s bustling, but sophisticated al fresco bar scene. Many of the city's greatest bars can be found at Jasper Avenue in Downtown Edmonton or Whyte Avenue, close to the university.

During the summer months musical and cultural events are held all over the city, as well as a packed-out calendar of festivals. In fact, Edmonton is Canada’s ‘festivals centre’ with the highest number of annual musical and cultural events in the country. This means you'd have to work pretty hard to visit when there's nothing on!

Muttart Conservatory

The Muttart Conservatory is both a fascinating visitor attraction and a stunning Edmonton landmark in its own right. Composed of four glass pyramids, sensitively built into the river valley. Between them three controlled climates and one seasonal display tells us more about the natural world than we could ever read in a book or watch on a TV show. A terrific attraction for families.

City of Theatre

A modern city built with a passion for the arts, Edmonton is well-equipped with a number of excellent theatres. Many of these can be found in the South Central theatre district, including the huge Royal Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, The Roxy Theatre, and the Mayfield Dinner Theatre. The not-for-profit Citadel Theatre is also committed to bringing the arts to everyone across its five performance areas.

Whether you're jetting off to catch a play, or to experience the great outdoors, check out BudgetAir flight prices to Edmonton, as well as their excellent deals on hotels and start your trip to this fine Northern city today.