When it’s time to come in from the cold, there’s still lots to do in Edmonton! These fun indoor attractions will keep you warm and entertained.
North America’s largest virtual reality theme park, Virtual Land, opened September 2021 in West Edmonton Mall with options for all ages. This newest attraction takes over the giant space in Phase III once occupied by The Brick, near Professor WEM’s Adventure Golf. It lets you combine a day at an amusement park with a day at an arcade, featuring over 20 different VR experiences combined with experiential elements like physical props and sets, wind effects, and vibrating floors. Try multiplayer racing, test your skills during a zombie apocalypse, or even play a game with other teams worldwide in real-time. Individual game tickets and unlimited day passes are available. While the zombies may be VR, the adrenaline rush will certainly be real!
If a more traditional amusement park experience is more your speed, one of the world’s largest indoor amusement parks is also within West Edmonton Mall. When it originally opened in 1985, it operated under the name Fantasyland until a legal battle with Disney led to a space-theme overhaul in 1995, giving us what’s now Galaxyland! A newer transition is underway as the Hasbro brand entered the picture in 2019, transforming several iconic rides over the past year. The Balloon Race children’s Ferris wheel is repainted with My Little Pony, the new and extreme HAVOC has a G.I. Joe makeover, and even more is on the horizon. Keep an eye out for more surprises from Galaxyland powered by Hasbro.
For adventures in learning and even more cool technology, head over to the TELUS World of Science—Edmonton. Take in a feature film or documentary at the IMAX Theatre—the biggest of its kind in Alberta—or navigate the night skies at the state-of-the-art Zeidler Dome planetarium. Kids can explore a revamped treehouse playground of iconic Edmonton landmarks at the CuriousCITY gallery, travel the cosmos at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, and invent the next great gadget at the Science Garage. Starting November 6, you can also embark on an oceanic quest with the James Cameron—Challenging the Deep feature exhibition.
This article originally appeared in our Info Edmonton Fall/Winter Guide. Read the full digital issue for the best in arts, culture, dining, shopping, and more!
