Edmonton, Canada: travel guide
Alberta's river-valley capital of festivals and big parks
Alberta's capital on the North Saskatchewan River, known for festivals, river-valley parks and West Edmonton Mall.
About Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, set on the North Saskatchewan River in the northern prairies. Its great asset is the river valley, a long ribbon of parkland with trails running through the middle of the city, and the city is best known for its summer festivals.
Things to do in Edmonton include browsing the independent shops and cafes of Old Strathcona around Whyte Avenue, visiting the Royal Alberta Museum, or spending a family day at West Edmonton Mall, a huge indoor attraction. The Ice District around Rogers Place is a hub for sport and concerts.
The city suits families, festival-goers and travellers heading north to the Rockies. Summer has long daylight hours and a busy events calendar, while winters are cold and snowy.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Edmonton
- Nearest airport
- YEG
Last updated
Top places to visit in Edmonton
West Edmonton Mall
shopping-entertainment · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest shopping malls in North America, with 800+ stores plus an indoor waterpark, amusement park, ice rink, and aquarium.
Rogers Place / Ice District
sports-entertainment · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Home arena of the Edmonton Oilers anchoring the Ice District, Canada's largest mixed-use sports and entertainment development.
Old Strathcona / Whyte Avenue
historic-district · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic district along Whyte Avenue packed with heritage buildings, independent shops, cafes, bars, theatres and a farmers' market.
North Saskatchewan River Valley
urban-park · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of North America's largest stretches of urban parkland, with extensive trails, parks and bridges threading through the city.
Royal Alberta Museum
history-natural-history · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Western Canada's largest museum, covering Alberta's natural and human history, including Indigenous galleries and a bug gallery.
TELUS World of Science
science-centre · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Interactive science centre with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX dome theatre and an observatory.
Fort Edmonton Park
living-history · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Canada's largest living-history museum, recreating Edmonton across four eras with costumed interpreters, a steam train and 1920s street.
Muttart Conservatory
botanical-garden · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Four iconic glass pyramids housing tropical, arid, temperate and feature-display botanical biomes beside the river valley.
Elk Island National Park
national-park · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Bison-conservation national park about 35 km east of the city, with prairie, lakes, hiking and dark-sky stargazing.
Edmonton Valley Zoo
zoo · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
River-valley zoo home to about 350 animals across exotic and native species, popular with families.
Alberta Legislature Building
government-landmark · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Edwardian-era seat of Alberta's provincial government overlooking the river valley, with free guided tours and landscaped grounds.
Art Gallery of Alberta
art-gallery · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Striking contemporary-architecture gallery in downtown Edmonton with Canadian, Indigenous and international art.
Things to do
- World Waterpark Day Pass Water Park · 5 h · from CAD 65 per person
- Galaxyland Amusement Park Pass Amusement Park · 4 h · from CAD 60 per person
- River Valley Guided Cycling Tour Cycling · 3 h · from CAD 55 per person
- Elk Island Bison & Stargazing Tour Wildlife · 5 h · from CAD 120 per person
- Old Strathcona Food & History Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Edmonton Festival City Experience Festival · 3 h · from CAD 40 per person
- Edmonton Oilers Game Experience Sports · 3 h · from CAD 110 per person
Day trips and tours
- Elk Island National Park Day Trip 5 h · from CAD 130
- Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village Tour 6 h · from CAD 110
Where to stay in Edmonton
- Downtown / Ice District about CAD 200 per night
Central, walkable core around Rogers Place with hotels, dining, the Art Gallery and nightlife.
- Old Strathcona about CAD 165 per night
Historic, lively district along Whyte Avenue with boutique hotels, cafes, bars and theatres.
- West Edmonton about CAD 180 per night
Suburban area around West Edmonton Mall, convenient for shopping and indoor attractions.
Hotels
- Fairmont Hotel Macdonald 4.5-star · CAD 280 to CAD 520 per night
- JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District 5-star · CAD 320 to CAD 600 per night
- Matrix Hotel 4-star · CAD 150 to CAD 230 per night
- Metterra Hotel on Whyte 4-star · CAD 140 to CAD 220 per night
- Varscona Hotel on Whyte 3.5-star · CAD 130 to CAD 200 per night
- Fantasyland Hotel 4-star · CAD 170 to CAD 350 per night
Where to eat
- Duchess Bake Shop Bakery, French, Cafe · about CAD 15 per person
- Tres Carnales Taqueria Mexican, Tacos · about CAD 20 per person
- Padmanadi Vegetarian Restaurant Asian, Vegetarian, Vegan · about CAD 22 per person
- Continental Treat Fine Bistro European, Polish, Ukrainian · about CAD 35 per person
- Da-De-O Cajun, Creole, American · about CAD 30 per person
- The Next Act Pub Pub, Burgers, Canadian · about CAD 24 per person
- RGE RD Canadian, Farm-to-table, Contemporary · about CAD 90 per person
- Sabor Restaurant Spanish, Portuguese, Seafood · about CAD 55 per person
Getting to Edmonton
Airport: Edmonton (YEG)
Getting around
- Bus
- Metro
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Aggressive panhandling downtown
Downtown core and along Jasper Avenue / Whyte Avenue at night
Some individuals near transit stops and bars persistently ask for money or "bus fare", occasionally following tourists.
How to avoid it: A polite firm "no" is fine; keep walking and avoid displaying cash. Use well-lit main streets at night.
Unofficial event ticket resellers
Outside Rogers Place on Oilers game and concert nights
Scalpers sell overpriced or counterfeit tickets near the arena before big events.
How to avoid it: Buy only through Ticketmaster or the Oilers/Rogers Place official box office.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Edmonton
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Edmonton?
- The highest-rated places in our Edmonton guide are North Saskatchewan River Valley, Elk Island National Park, Rogers Place / Ice District, Old Strathcona / Whyte Avenue, Fort Edmonton Park.
- Where should I stay in Edmonton?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Edmonton: Downtown / Ice District, Old Strathcona, West Edmonton.
- How do I get around Edmonton?
- Ways to get around Edmonton covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Edmonton?
- Scams reported to us for Edmonton include Aggressive panhandling downtown; Unofficial event ticket resellers. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Edmonton?
- The nearest airport to Edmonton has the code YEG.