Things to do in Edmonton
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Da-De-O
The best Cajun diner this side of The Big Easy, with checkerboard floors, '50s-style booths and tunes born on the bayou. Hitch yourself up to the counter and tuck into an order of jambalaya. It's a little slice of Bourbon St in the Great White North. Go on, eat to the beat, you know you want to.
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High Level Diner
If you want to catch up with some locals over eggs then the High Level Diner is the place to go. It's a friendly, popular eatery, right beside the river, and a great way to start the day.
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The Edmonton Space & Science Centre
The Edmonton Space & Science Centre is a great place for kids. With an emphasis on interactive displays, there are a million things to discover, all under one roof. Fight crime with the latest technology, see what living on a spacecraft is all about, go on a dinosaur dig and explore what makes the human body tick. Young and old will have a blast and maybe even learn something at the same time.
For the ultimate souvenir, you can buy the naming rights of an actual star: the more you spend, the brighter it is.
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Fort Edmonton Park
If the weather is nice, head to Fort Edmonton Park, where you can see a slice of the old west, right in amidst the city. Walk along the vintage streets lined with period buildings or take the steam train for a spin. Costumed guides are there to answer questions and add some flavor. There is a small amusement park for the kiddies too - who knew that miniature golf had such a long history?
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Shumka
You can't come to Edmonton and not tuck into some good Ukrainian food. With a huge Ukrainian population, the city is speckled with authentic options. Shumka is a standout, although your first impression will be, 'I drove all the way out here for this?' Don't let the mini-mall location discourage you; the pierogi and cabbage rolls are topnotch.
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Yianni's
This is a great traditional Greek restaurant with a mint location right on Whyte Ave - big windows open onto the street, making it a prime spot for watching the world go by. There are two levels of eating to double your pleasure - opa!
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Café Mosaics
An Edmonton institution, the funky art, creaky wood floors and cool vibe brings 'em in here, and the amazing vegetarian food keeps them coming back (go for the tofu curry). Full of that style you just can't manufacture, it'll make your day.
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West Edmonton Mall
It's hard to know whether to laugh or cringe at the West Edmonton Mall, which may as well be a different planet orbiting the city. Not content to simply be a shopping mall, it has the world's largest waterslides, an equipped indoor wave pool, a full-sized amusement park, a skating rink, two, yes, two minigolf courses, a fake reef with real seals swimming around, a petting zoo, a hotel and 800 stores thrown in as a bonus. It truly is a sight to see.
The kids will love it and no visit to Edmonton is complete without seeing it - love it or hate it, there's nothing else like West Ed. So go for a stroll through Chinatown, grab a meal on the delightfully unauthentic Bourbon St,…
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Alberta Railway Museum
The Alberta Railway Museum, on the northeast edge of the city, has a collection of more than 50 railcars, including steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock, built and used between 1877 and 1950. A trainspotter's paradise, it also has a collection of railway equipment, old train stations and related buildings.
On weekends, volunteers fire up some of the old engines and you can ride along for around C$3 (the diesel locomotives run every Sunday in season; the 1913 steam locomotive gets going only on holiday weekends).
To get there, drive north on 97th St (Hwy 28) to Hwy 37, turn right and go east for 7km (4.5mi) to 34th St, then turn right and go south about 2km (1.2m…
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Royal Alberta Museum
Exhibits in Edmonton’s leading museum include sections on insects and diamonds, and a lauded display of Alberta’s First Nations’ culture. The highlight, however, is the ‘Wild Alberta’ gallery which splits the province into different geographical zones and displays plants and animals from each. The museum – in operation since 1967 – is situated high on a bluff to the west of downtown in a modern granite building that was visited and renamed by Queen Elizabeth II during Alberta’s centenary in 2005.
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Hardware Grill
When you really want to impress, head to this upmarket oasis. Perched on the brink of the dodgy end of town, this former hardware store has become the undisputed champ of restaurants in Edmonton. Featuring a suburb wine list and a menu that is nothing short of inspiring, with an emphasis on game and fusion cooking, memorable will be the word you'll use to describe this culinary adventure. Go for the elk - where else are you going to get the chance?
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Alberta Legislature
Home to politicians, debate and some nice art is the Alberta Legislature. Where Fort Edmonton once stood, the Leg is a grand old building. With its iconic dome and marble interiors, it has grown to become a local landmark. There are free tours to take you behind the scenes and the grounds themselves are a splendid place to spend a warm day. To hook up with a tour, head to the interpretive center/gift shop in the pedway at 10820 98th Ave.
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Muttart Conservatory
Looking like some sort of pyramid-shaped, glass bomb shelter, the Muttart Conservatory sits south of the river off James MacDonald Bridge. Each of the four pyramids holds a different climate region and corresponding foliage. It's an interesting place to wander about, especially for gardeners, plant fans and those in the mood for something low-key.
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Edmonton Queen
A neat way to get a good glimpse of the downtown core is to take a ride on the Edmonton Queen . This modern sternwheeler riverboat will take you for an hour-long cruise up- or downriver, depending on the mood of the captain. There is often onboard live entertainment to keep the mood festive and the punters entertained.
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The Bank Ultra Lounge
Oozing groovy style, this former bank is as hip as they come. The center bar deposits cocktails to the metrosexual crowd that gathers there for popular post-work drinks. Cruise downstairs to the dark dungeon below; the hidden bar has a different vibe and the shadowy booths are a good place to get more acquainted.
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Alberta Government House
Alberta Government House is the former residence of the lieutenant governor and an opulently spectacular mansion. Steeped in history and tirelessly preserved, you'd never guess that it's nearing its centennial birthday. The art alone is worth visiting - the walls are lined with stunning works by Alberta artists.
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Black Dog Freehouse
A locals' favorite, this place is cramped, loud and cool. Good music and a fun atmosphere are its trademarks. The rooftop patio has heaters, or you can slip back into the pulsating crowd if you happen to get chilly. The long skinny bar is a good place to saddle up, grab a pint and meet some locals.
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Valley Zoo
The Valley Zoo, with more than 100 exotic, endangered and native animals, is a good option for children. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, camel and pony rides, miniature train, carousel and paddleboats. If you want to brave the zoo in the frigid winter, admission costs are reduced.
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Edmonton Art Gallery
The Edmonton Art Gallery is going through some growing pains at the moment. With a new purpose-built structure set to be unveiled in 2009, its temporary location feels a bit, well, temporary. The art is fantastic, however, and definitely deserves attention.
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Madison's Grill
Located in the Union Bank Inn and continuing the same amazing standards of service and quality, delicate meats and seafood are prepared here with flair. The dining room is elegant, the service is topnotch and the wine is up to scratch, as you would expect.
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Blues on Whyte
This is the sort of place your mom warned you about: dirty, rough and cool. It's a great place to check out some live music; blues and rock are the standards here. The small dance floor is good for a boogie, too. Always a good time - just don't tell mom.
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Princess Theatre
The Princess is a grand old theater in the tradition that has long since been spoiled by the mall-housed multiplexes dominating the scene today. Showing first run, art house and cult classics, this is a movie theater for a more elegant age.
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La Ronde
For a revolving restaurant, this one goes pretty slowly, but that's a good thing. Great views and a romantic setting atop the Crowne Plaza hotel add up to a wonderful experience, but the culinary excellence is the real ride here.
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The Urban Dog
For the dog or dog owner who has everything. It gets cold come winter and you wouldn't let your pooch go out wearing any old thing, would you? High fashion for your canine friends - very fun, very tongue in cheek, very camp.
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Upper Crust Café
Tucked into the front of a nondescript, shabby-looking apartment building is this hidden neighborhood gem serving wicked seafood. Check out the specials board for great down home meals, the kind you wish mom had made.
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