Culture, food, and entertainment collide in the heart of Edmonton — a family-friendly, vibrant and lively urban centre. Annual events such as the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, A Taste of Edmonton and The Works Art and Design Festival take over downtown, transforming it into one huge celebration. Something fun for everyone can be found amongst the surrounding hotels, shops, restaurants, cafés, pubs, lounges and more!
Wander through fascinating exhibits at the visually striking swirl of glass, steel, and zinc that is the Art Gallery of Alberta; shop ‘til you drop at local boutiques and the Edmonton City Centre shopping mall; catch a pitch-perfect concert at the Winspear Centre; or sip a specialty cocktail on the stunning patio at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald built in 1915.
Just looking for a place to relax? Splash in City Hall’s wading pool, which becomes a skating rink in winter; take a Segway ride through the river valley or lounge in one of the chilled-out cafes near Sir Winston Churchill Square.
1) Art Gallery of Alberta — A swirl of glass, steel and zinc, the Art Gallery of Alberta shows world-class art in a building that’s a work of art itself!
2) The Citadel Theatre — Home to outstanding live theatre, this multi-stage complex showcases our city’s finest actors and comedians. Make sure to visit the Lee Pavilion, a tropical atrium with an impressive waterfall.
3) Stanley A. Milner Public Library — One of Canada’s largest libraries, this spot features an impressive reference desk, conference space and a free art gallery displaying work by local artists.
4) Alberta Legislature Building and Grounds — On the bank of the North Saskatchewan River, this iconic sandstone building (pg 40) and its impeccablylandscaped grounds are welcome to all.
5) Sir Winston Churchill Square — Whether it’s a Zumba class, a concert, a human-sized chess competition or one of the city’s exciting festivals, you can always find something going on in this open-air, public plaza!
6) Edmonton City Centre Mall — This upscale shopping centre, with diverse eateries and a movie theatre, is connected by pedways to businesses and shops in Manulife Place and Commerce Place.
7) Chinatown — Established in 1910, this dynamic dining and shopping enclave welcomes visitors with its elaborate Chinatown Gate.
8) River Valley — At the heart of Edmonton runs a ribbon of green that is 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park, making it the largest urban parkland in North America! Enjoy golf courses, nature trails, bike paths, jogging, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and more.
