Edmonton
Edmonton Tourist Guide: Explore Canada's City of Champions
Edmonton is a city of champions. With the Oilers, Elks, and Stingers all being champions in their respective sports, there's no wonder that Edmontonians are proud to call this place home. This article will be a tourist guide for those visiting the great city of Edmonton as well as those who live here and want to explore it further!
How to Get Around in Edmonton
Edmonton's public transit system includes buses, LRT (light rail transit), and bus/LRT combo. To get around the city, we recommend taking the LRT downtown because it takes only 20 minutes to go from the south to the north. After that, you can walk or take a bus depending on where your destination is!
Driving is another viable option to get anywhere in the city. Edmonton has an extensive road and freeway network, but if you're staying downtown, parking is limited!
General Information about Edmonton
- Area – 767.85 sq km (296.47 sq mi)
- Population – 932,546
- Location – Alberta, Canada
- Established - 1795
- Best time to visit – Year-round
- Top attractions – Fort Edmonton Park, Royal Alberta Museum, Elk Island National Park
A Brief History of Edmonton
Edmonton has a long history, dating back to 1795 when it was called Fort Edmonton. It later became an outpost for the Hudson Bay Company in 1821 and then eventually grew into its own settlement (now known as the city of Edmonton). After that, Edmonton kept growing and growing into the large city it is today.
What to Do in Edmonton
Looking for something fun to do in Edmonton? There are many things to see and do here, but these are the activities we recommend doing:
Watch a Sports Game
Edmonton is the city of champions, and you will be able to see that if you watch a game at Rogers Place (home of the Oilers) in Edmonton’s Ice District downtown, Commonwealth Stadium (the home field for the Edmonton Elks), or Clarke Field (home stadium for FC Edmonton).
Golf
There are many golf courses in the city of Edmonton, and the Edmonton region has more than 80 courses. The Lewis Estates Golf Course in the west end is one of the most popular, but you can also visit Highlands, Riverside and Victoria in the North Saskatchewan River Valley or The Ranch, Jagare Ridge or Raven Crest if you want to play some more challenging courses.
Go Ice Skating
On a frozen winter day in Edmonton, there's nothing better than going ice skating! There are many places to go ice skating in Edmonton. All you need to do is Google search "Ice Skating Rinks near me", and you'll most likely find a rink nearby. Your best choices are in Victoria Park and Hawrelak Park in Edmonton’s river valley or downtown at City Hall.
Take in Some Art
Edmonton is home to many galleries and museums, such as the Art Gallery of Alberta near City Hall (which has some really neat exhibits), the Royal Alberta Museum, and much more! The Alberta Craft Council Gallery is full of local art, as well as the 104 Street Market, Downtown Farmers Market.
Festivals
Edmonton is known as ‘Festival City’ and has more than 50 festivals year-round, one of the most popular being the Edmonton International Fringe Festival. It is a live theatre festival full of art and entertainment from around the world that takes place every August in Edmonton.
Nightlife
Edmonton has great nightlife! There are many pubs, bars, and clubs in Edmonton where you can go to have fun. The most popular place for people 18-35 is Whyte Ave (82nd Street), but if you want something more family-oriented, check out Jasper Ave downtown.
When to Visit Edmonton
Edmonton has four distinct seasons, and it is important to know which season you will be visiting, so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Edmontonians love their summers because the days are long and hot (with temperatures reaching 30°C) while winters tend to get rather cold (-20°C). Fall sees a mixture of both summer heat and winter cold. Spring is the time when you will see Edmonton at its prettiest with flowers everywhere and temperatures warming up to that of summer.
Where to Stay in Edmonton
Edmonton has a variety of hotels and accommodations, but these are some of the best:
Best Western Plus City Centre Inn
This hotel is located downtown in the heart of it all, so you can walk everywhere. It's also right by Rogers Place if you're visiting Edmonton for an Oilers game!
Comfort Hotel & Suites
This hotel is also downtown, and it has great amenities like a pool, hot tub, fitness center, sauna room with steam bath, and a BBQ area for grilling your own food!
Holiday Inn Express
This hotel is located right on the edge of downtown, so it's great if you want to be close but still away from all of the noise.
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
This hotel has a great view of the river valley, so if you want to take some pictures, this is definitely the place to stay.
Concluding Thoughts on Edmonton
Edmonton is a great city with an abundance of activities, culture, food, and more! It's definitely one of the greatest places to visit in Canada! All in all, Edmonton is a fun place to visit with something for everyone!
