Edmonton

Downtown

Downtown Edmonton buzzes with activities and events throughout the year. Head to Sir Winston Churchill Square, a lively outdoor plaza in the city centre, and take part in top-notch festivals, enjoy food from vendors, play a game of giant chess or just sit back and relax on a bench.

Next, strap on your comfy shoes and stroll through 23 hectares of walkways with your family across the Alberta Legislature Grounds, admiring picturesque gardens and fountains along the way. Plus, your kids can splash around wading pools in summer and spin around skating rinks in winter.

Stop by the historic Edmonton Federal Building and learn all about Alberta’s parliamentary history and culture through heritage exhibitions, interactive activities and immersive presentations. 

Get your retail fix at Edmonton City Centre, a downtown shopping mall offering a wide selection of trendy stores, then head to 104^th Street and discover a stunning tree-lined area with stylish lofts and unique specialty stores.

Take a break from your shopping spree and sip on a latte at a cozy café, grab a quick bite at a modern bistro or savour a gourmet dish at a stylish eatery—there are over 200 restaurants to choose from in the heart of the city.

Then make your way to an outdoor exhibit, the Neon Sign Museum, the first of its kind in Canada, and view historic neon signs collected by the City of Edmonton and installed on a wall of a downtown building. Top off your evening with a live show at the Citadel Theatre, one of the largest not-for-profit theatres in North America, catch a hockey game at Rogers Place or try your luck at Grand Villa Casino Edmonton, a first-class entertainment and gaming destination.

You can discover downtown Edmonton year-round.

Art Gallery of Alberta

Head to the heart of downtown Edmonton and check out both contemporary and historical exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Alberta. Explore all three floors of this modern structure, a work of art itself, made of zinc, glass and steel, and inspired by the city’s unique northern environment and urban grid.

Take a tour led by knowledgeable staff and admire the gallery’s collection of paintings, sculptures, installation art and photographs by local and international artists. If you want to learn more about the gallery’s works of art, you can attend a lecture given by an artist, curator or academic, and even join in some of the discussions. Later, browse for unique gifts to take back home at Shop AGA

The Art Gallery of Alberta is open year-round.

Fort Edmonton Park

Explore Edmonton’s past at Fort Edmonton Park, a 64-hectare wooded grassland with original and reconstructed historical structures. Check out a model of the 1846 Hudson’s Bay Company Fort set up in Edmonton, and see where they traded fur and other goods at that time.

Then hop into a horse-drawn wagon and stroll through 1885 Street, stopping by an animal farm, an old-fashioned drugstore, a traditional bakery and a saloon.

Later, head to 1905 Street and visit the home of Alberta’s first Premier, try on some historical costumes and have your picture taken, then ride a vintage streetcar and play games at an ancient arcade.

Next, stop by 1920 Street and watch a 4-D film in a classic theatre, hop on rides at an amusement park, enjoy lunch at a café and then spend the night at a historic hotel from that era to complete your journey to Edmonton’s past.

Fort Edmonton Park is open all year.

West Edmonton Mall

For some indoor fun, head to West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping centre in North America and a premier tourist attraction. Check out over 800 stores, including designer boutiques; stroll through themed streets, such as Europa Boulevard and Chinatown; and choose from more than 100 dining venues to please your palate.

Looking for something more to do at the mall? Hop on a roller coaster, splash around a water park, book a bowling lane, skate at an ice rink, hit a hole-in-one or discover an underground aquarium. You can shop, eat and play at West Edmonton Mall all day!

Elk Island National Park

Take a trip to Elk Island National Park, about half an hour east of Edmonton, and get ready to come face to face with bison, elk, moose, deer and more than 250 bird species. Hike or bike over 80 kilometres of trails around this wildlife oasis, which played an important role in the conservation of the bison.

If you prefer to plunge into water activities, try canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding on a lake, and then settle down for a peaceful picnic on the park’s grassy grounds.

Come winter, strap on your ice skates and glide across the lake’s frozen surface or go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to explore the frosty surroundings. And if you’re brave enough to bear the cold, then bundle up and try winter camping in designated areas around the park. Get cozy around a campfire and stargaze into the endless night sky, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to see the gorgeous greenish hues of the northern lights. Be sure to bring your camera!

Enjoy Elk Island National Park’s both summer and winter activities.

Calgary : Discover a dynamic city with a Western heritage

Set your sights on a city steeped in Western culture and see for yourself why it’s nicknamed “Cowtown.” Attend the city’s annual Wild West-inspired festival and rodeo, the Calgary Stampede. But there’s so much more to Calgary than cowboy boots and hats! Catch other superb celebrations in the city throughout the year, from music and dance performances to film screenings and food fairs.

Did you know Calgary is considered as the gateway to the Canadian Rockies? Complete your Calgary visit with a trip to the renowned mountains, where you can explore the Columbia Icefield and embark on cool outdoor adventures at Banff and Jasper national parks.

Canadian Rocky Mountains

Jagged, ice-capped peaks, alpine lakes and abundant wildlife—the Canadian Rocky Mountains (or Canadian Rockies) are a year-round adventure playground, spanning the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

Head to one of the renowned parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Go hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding or camping amidst majestic mountain scenery. If you want to explore Banff National Park, a 90-minute drive from Calgary will get you there, while a trip to Jasper National Park would take you five hours.

For frosty adventures in the Canadian Rockies, go skiing, dogsledding, glacier walking on extremely thick, ancient ice or try climbing a frozen waterfall.
 

Enjoy both summer and winter activities in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.