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Top things to do in Edmonton

Attractions, tours and activities in Edmonton

Edmonton: the city's best neighbourhoods

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About Edmonton

Including tips for the best time to visit Edmonton

Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, Canada, is a true city. Although it often serves as a stopover between visits to nearby Jasper National Park, Edmonton's monumental shopping mall, top-notch arts and culture scene and rapid transit system offer more than enough reasons to stay awhile.

The temperature is so often cold in Edmonton that when summer hits, the city goes all out in celebration. Whyte Avenue, a trendy strip in the historic Old Strathcona district, buzzes as shoppers pop in and out of its independent boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafés. A wave of festivals also hit the streets. The Fringe Theatre Festival in August lures crowds from all over the world. Not to be outdone, the West Edmonton Mall entertains year-round with more than 800 stores and attractions including a water park, ice rink and mini-golf course.

Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton manages to merge its urban metropolis with surrounding nature. Roaming bison have been spotted in town, while a multitude of parks protect land from further development. In Fort Edmonton Park, you can experience local heritage at the reconstructed fur trading post or during a ride on a steam train. Of course, you'd be remiss to visit Edmonton and not spend at least a day exploring Jasper National Park. A four-hour's drive will deliver you to its vast landscapes shaped by glaciers, lakes and mountains home to moose, elk, bears and bighorn sheep.

Tonight

From £80 per night

Next weekend

From £160 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency CAD 10 = £5.84
Language French
Average weekend price £79 per night
Average weekday price £77 per night
Typical stay 2 nights

Points of interest in Edmonton

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Edmonton

Edmonton reviews

What other travellers say about Edmonton

2.0

Was not a great trip to Edmonton because of the hotel mess...

17 March 2024

Was not a great trip to Edmonton because of the hotel mess up my whole trip ,I had to make different arrangements and spend money that wasn't budget to spend. Worst trip ever .With 3 kids to care for was pretty rough.

Sophia
Sophia
2.0

I showed up for my reservation, waited in queue and my turn...

18 February 2024

I showed up for my reservation, waited in queue and my turn to checkin came, the front desk woman asked if "I WAS DELIVERY GUY (OR DELIVERING SOMETHING)" basically, she did not think a black man was here to stay in hotel, VERY RACIST ! after booking and confirming my booking (booking.com) and calling hotel to confirm reservation. The hotel refused to accept Visa debit payment, at 10:30 PM, I had to call around and find another place to stay. Already my experience was worse enough even if they did accept my reservation I wouldn't have stayed.

Alex
Alex
10

Edmonton is a great city!

24 November 2023

Edmonton is a great city! Super affordable with lots of things to do, but you have to plan the time that you come to catch the right events. People are friendly here, you just have to be aware of yourself as you travel as there are some homeless people downtown - they don't bother you, but its just means you should stay on main streets and you'll be fine.

Tash
Tash Canada
8.0

We live in Calgary so we often take three to five mini...

13 November 2023

We live in Calgary so we often take three to five mini holidays. We come up so hubby can gamble and I can do whatever I want or don’t want to do. We take in local markets, drive around exploring, go to west Edmonton mall, just do whatever.

Judithe
Judithe Canada
8.0

I was there for a family emergency so it was as long as it...

4 November 2023

I was there for a family emergency so it was as long as it needed to be. I used to live in Edmonton and although I still have many friends and family there, it isn't my home anymore. The city has changed a lot. The public transit is miserable and really expensive for what is there. The city is super dirty and the parks that are still there, are really not well maintained. I used to work at the Legislature and was able to attend there to meet some old friends but it just felt wrong. I think Edmonton is a shadow of what it used to be. Too bad. Would I recommend it as a travel destination? Well maybe WEM but otherwise I can't imagine why anyone would go as a travel destination. Just another city with nothing really special to offer. I do still recommend going to Japanese Village for dinner however. Still the same show and good food.

Nicky Walker-Kobly
Nicky Walker-Kobly Estonia
10

Great place to visit.

2 November 2023

Great place to visit. People are nice and friendly. The hockey is great! I hope to return someday, preferably in summer. I relied on being driven to places and all of the drivers were very nice and helpful.

Anonymous

Popular places to stay in Edmonton

Stay in some of the best accommodation Edmonton has to offer