Edmonton Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Edmonton Travel & Tourism, Free Edmonton Travel Guide Online
 Edmonton Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Edmonton Travel & Tourism, Free Edmonton Travel Guide Online The natural beauty of Edmonton is prominently displayed in the deep, wide North Saskatchewan River Valley that winds through the city center. Edmonton's downtown overlooks the north bank of this picture-perfect river. Its stately Old Strathcona historic shopping and entertainment district and the University of Alberta overlook the south bank. Edmonton is a bustling metropolitan center that is home to about 800,000 people. As Edmonton has grown, it has remained a place of beauty and prosperity. Unlike some other oil boomtowns, Edmonton has never allowed uncontrolled development. Now known as "Canada's Festival City," Edmonton has developed an amazing park system, world-class sporting facilities, and a cultural ambience that attracts major annual events of the highest caliber. The city is well known as the home of the West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the world, with over 800 stores and services. The Mall is located in the city's west end, and all freeways seem to lead directly to it. The Mall has the world's largest parking lot, an indoor wave pool, indoor waterslide, and an indoor rollercoaster. T o make a visit to this exciting megaplex even more enjoyable, there is a hotel in the Mall, as well as an area featuring its own nightlife district (Bourbon Street), complete with a Las Vegas-style casino. Other major Edmonton attractions are the Muttart Conservatory and the Alberta Legislature Building, both noted for their architectural design, and Fort Edmonton Park, considered to be Canada's largest living history museum. Edmonton has turned its greatest natural resource, the North Saskatchewan River valley, into a 17 mile greenbelt of parks and recreational facilities. As the seat of the provincial government, the city has an unusually sophisticated atmosphere that has generated many fine restaurants and a thriving arts community. Summer activities include golf, bicycling, swimming, jogging, racquetball, squash, and spectator sports. Edmonton is home to three professional sports teams. The Oilers play hockey from September to April; the Trappers excel at baseball in the summer months, and the Eskimos play football from June to November. In the winter there is cross-country skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. For visitors who prefer the indoors, there is an extensive system of underground and overhead "pedways" in the downtown area that make it possible to travel in comfort regardless of the weather outside. For ease of access, phenomenal natural beauty, and a wide variety of year round activities for the entire family, Edmonton is unsurpassed.
Edmonton Attractions: Edmonton Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Edmonton Travel & Tourism, Free Edmonton Travel Guide OnlineShaw Conference Centre 9797 Jasper Ave Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/421-9797 This unique structure has been built into the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Its terraced levels are reached by glass-enclosed escalators, which afford great views of the River Valley. Muttart Conservatory 9626 96A St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/496-8755 Weekdays 9-6, weekends 11-6. Admission charged. The four glass pyramid greenhouses that rise up from Edmonton's river valley are home to one of North America's most important botanical facilities. Three pyramids contain flora of different climates (arid, tropical, and temperate), and a show pyramid has seasonal floral displays. gift shop, an art gallery, and café. City Hall 1 Sir Winston Churchill Sq., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/496-8200 City Hall is an architectural showcase which contains a grand stairway, an exhibition space, and a 200-ft tower with a 23-bell carillon. Old Strathcona Historic Area 780/433-5866 The area surrounding 104th Street and Whyte (82nd) Avenue on the south side of the river is a district of restored houses and shops built in the 1890s, prior to the merger of Strathcona Town with Edmonton in 1912. Old Strathcona is an attractive shopping district with antiques shops, boutiques, music and book stores, theaters, museums, and over seventy restaurants and coffeehouses. The Old Strathcona Farmer's Market has fresh produce and crafts. Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site 11153 Saskatchewan Dr., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/427-3995 Early Sept.-mid-May, Tues.-Sun. noon-5; mid-May-early Sept.) daily 9-5. Admission charged. Built in Jacobean Revival-style, the 1911 home of Alberta's first premier, Alexander Cameron Rutherford, has been restored. Costumed interpreters reenact life in 1915. The gift shop sells reproductions of Edwardian gifts, cards, linens, and jewelry. Lunch and afternoon tea are served at the Arbour Restaurant. Stanley Milner Library 7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/423-2331 The Edmonton Public Library features fine books and art exhibits, along with many activities in the Children's Department. Edmonton Art Gallery 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/422-6223 Mid-May-June, weekdays 10-4, weekends 10-6; July-early Sept.) daily 10-6. Admission free Thurs. after 4. Weekdays 10:30-5, weekends 11-5. The collection includes more than 4,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs by national and international artists. The museum also has a children's gallery. Provincial Museum Of Alberta 12845 102nd Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/453-9100 Daily 9-5. Admission charged. This innovative natural-history museum includes an Aboriginal Peoples Gallery that covers 11,000 years and 500 generations of native history and displays an impressive collection of artifacts. The Natural History Gallery contains minerals and gems, a "bug room", dinosaur fossils, saber-toothed tigers artifacts, and Canada's only complete Columbian mammoth skeleton. Odyssium 11211 142nd St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/452-9100 Call for Hours Admission charged. The Zeidler Star Theatre has the largest planetarium dome in North America and presents laser and star shows hourly. Galleries hold scientific and technological exhibitions, a Challenger Learning Centre/Space Mission, and an amateur ham radio station; there is also an IMAX theater. Sir Winston Churchill Square Sir Winston Churchill Square is the focus of the Arts District, a six-block area that incorporates many of Edmonton's major institutions. The newest addition is the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, a 1,900-seat concert hall (home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) and the largest theater complex in Canada, the Citadel Theatre, which has five different venues and an indoor garden with a waterfall. West Edmonton Mall 8770 170th St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/444-5300 Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest mall, Alberta's most popular tourist attraction extends over 5.2 million square ft. The more than 800 stores and services include 11 department stores, 20 movie theaters, and more than 100 places to eat. The mall contains many of the world's largest indoor attractions, including an amusement park with a roller coaster; an indoor water park; recreation room with billiard tables, bowling lanes, and the latest interactive video games; an NHL-size ice-skating rink; four submarines in an indoor artificial lake; a dolphin show; a Las Vegas-style casino; a miniature golf; and the Fantasyland Hotel. Electric scooters are available for transport. Admission charged. Ukrainian Museum of Canada 9543 - 110 Avenue, Edmonton (780) 424-7580 The museum is open in the summer (May to August) Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Viewing from September to April is by appointment only. The museum features traditional Ukrainian cultural items including costumes, hand-painted Easter eggs, dolls, tapestries and paintings. Admission to the museum is free although donations are welcome. Recommended viewing time is one hour. Valley Zoo Buena Vista Road and 134 Street, Edmonton (780) 496-6912 Admission charged. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This unique zoo combines the fun of nursery rhyme characters with the beauty and excitement of wild animals, with over 350 domestic, exotic and endangered species. The zoo also offers daily demonstrations of elephant and sea lion training, along with rides. Other activities include demonstrations, hands-on activities, picnic sites and a lunch bar. Fort Edmonton Park Fox Drive & Whitemud Drive Edmonton, AB 780 496-8787 Canada's largest living history park, Fort Edmonton Park features costumed interpreters, a replica 1846 fort, and three recreated historical streets from 1885, 1905, and 1920. Steam train and streetcar rides are included in admission price. Join the costumed historical interpreters and try your hand at living life as an early pioneer. Edmonton Events: Edmonton Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Edmonton Travel & Tourism, Free Edmonton Travel Guide OnlineArts and Entertainment Edmonton Film Society 12845 102nd Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/453-9100 Metro Cinema Edmonton Art Gallery Theatre, Canada Place 9700 Jasper Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/425-9212 Metro Cinema presents classics, imports, and new films on weekend nights. Princess Theatre 10337 Whyte St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/433-5785 The Princess Theatre, an old-time movie house in Old Strathcona, shows revivals, experiments, and foreign films. Edmonton Symphony Orchestra 780/428-1414 The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performs in the Francis Winspear Centre for Music on Sir Winston Churchill Square.
Events February Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival (780) 430-7153 2,600 participants enjoy this cross-country ski festival. In addition to the 55 km endurance races and the 31 km Journal Tour, there are shorter distance events such as the 2.5 km Ole's Two-Bit Tour, the 5 km Dow Snow Shuffle and the 15 km Celanese Mini-Birkie. March Local Heroes International Film Festival Independent short and feature-length films are shown during this week long event.
May Edmonton International Airshow May Dreamspeakers Festival An annual celebration of aboriginal culture through the arts June The Works Visual Festival (780) 426-2122 This Festival brings together artists and artisans. Mid-Late June Jazz City International Music Festival (780) 432-7166. Concerts, workshops, club dates, and outdoor events. Late June (June 21-July 1) Edmonton Celebrates Canada 10 day celebration beginning with National Aboriginal Day. On June 24th Francophone festivities honor Jean Baptiste. The celebration concludes each year on Canada Day, July 1st with a full day of events and a Fireworks Finale. Late June-Mid July Shakespeare Festival Presents two shows on alternate nights in William Hawrelak Park.
Late June to early July
The Works This visual art "Feast for your senses" featuring nearly 1000 artists in over 70 exhibits. All special events are free and suitable for all ages. (780) 426-2122
Early July
Whyte Avenue Artwalk For three days in July 130 visual artists from all backgrounds transform Whyte Avenue into an outdoor studio and marketplace. Experience art-in-action in Old Strathcona. (780) 432-0240 July Highland Gathering Scottish heritage festival at Fort Edmonton Park Early July Edmonton International Street Performers Festival . Come downtown to Sir Winston Churchill Park and see the Musicians, Clowns, Jugglers and Magicians as they put on a show for the entire family. (780) 425-5162
Late July to early August
Third Annual Historic Edmonton Week The Historic Edmonton Week is Edmonton's newest community-wide festival, with over twenty special events including the history show and a heritage trade fair. (780) 434-9145
early August
Edmonton Heritage Festival Enjoy food, crafts, dance and song from around the world at the world's largest celebration of multi-culturalism. Free admission, but no parking at William Hawrelak Park. (780) 488-3378 Mid-July Edmonton International Street Performers Festival Magicians, clowns, jugglers, mime artists, and musicians entertain in the streets over a ten day period. Late July Klondike Days 780/479-3500 One huge event that encompasses music, shows, and special events is the 10-day Klondike Days, held in late July. The festivities celebrate the prosperity that the Yukon gold rush brought the city, which was a supply route and stopping point for miners. Residents dress in gay 90's fashions. Parades, casinos, gold panning, a chuck wagon derby, and related events keep the city a very lively place for 10 days. Illuminations Colored lights illuminate Great Divide Waterfall on Sunday evenings of summer holiday weekends. August Edmonton Folk Music Festival A mix of Folk, Blues, Worldbeat and Pop artists perform on the many stages set up at Gallagher Park. Small workshops let you enjoy your favorite artists in a more personal setting. (780) 429-1999 late August-early Sept Enbridge Symphony Under the Sky This Labour Day festival, presented by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, includes mainstage performances, recitals, workshops, a Pub in the Park, a Teddy Bear Picnic, children's concert and fireworks. Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival Labatt Blues Festival Dragon Boat Festival International Fringe Theater Festival A 9 day event of plays, dance, mime, and street performances. September Symphony Under the Sky Festival Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's 5 day Festival at Hawrelak Park.
Early October
Edmonton New Music Festival The very finest in contemporary classical music, recorded and broadcast nationally on CBC Stereo's Two New Hours. New work by local and international composers. Performances range from piano solos to chamber music ensembles with some of the country's most accomplished musicians. (780) 434-4521 November Canadian Finals Rodeo Thousands of cowboys compete in the last (indoor) rodeo event of the season. (780) 471-7210
December 31
Edmonton's First Night Festival Ring in the new year with the thousands of families for entertainment, fireworks and fun at various NO ALCOHOL locations around the downtown area. Purchase your First Night buttons in advance. Edmonton Facts: Edmonton Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Edmonton Travel & Tourism, Free Edmonton Travel Guide OnlineFacts Population: 666,104 Greater Edmonton area: 900,000 Elevation: 2,198 feet Time Zone: Edmonton is in the Mountain Time Zone and observes Daylight Saving Time. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City, it is 10:00 AM in Edmonton. Average Temperatures: | Month | High | Low | | | January | 16F | 0F | | | February | 35F | 0F | | | March | 38F | 15F | | | April | 52F | 27F | | | May | 65F | 40F | | | June | 70F | 46F | | | July | 75F | 56F | | | August | 72F | 46F | | | September | 62F | 40F | | | October | 53F | 30F | | | November | 34F | 15F | | | December | 20F | 7F | | Holidays New Year's Day (January 1) Good Friday (varies) Easter Monday (varies) St. George's Day (April 24) Victoria Day (May 22) Discovery Day (June 26) Memorial Day (July 1) Alberta: Heritage Day (August 7) Labour Day (September 4) Thanksgiving (October 9) Remembrance Day (November 11) Christmas (December 25) Boxing Day (December 26). When to Go Winter brings cold temperatures and deep snow, but Edmonton averages 12 hours of sunshine a day, more than any other major Canadian city. On some spring nights, the northern lights (the aurora borealis) are visible from Edmonton. In the summer, there are almost 17 hours of daylight and temperatures are in the mid-70s (F). The fall is warm to cool, with the first snow in late October. Business Hours Banks & Offices Most banks in Canada are open Monday through Thursday 10-3 and Friday 10-5 or 6. Some banks are open longer hours and also on Saturday morning. All banks are closed on national holidays. Shops Stores, shops, and supermarkets are usually open Monday through Saturday 9-6, although in major cities supermarkets are often open 7:30 AM-9 PM. Retail stores often stay open Thursday and Friday evenings, most shopping malls until 9 PM. Drugstores in major cities are often open until 11 PM, and convenience stores usually are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergencies Ambulance, fire, poison center, police ( 911). Guided Tours Out an' About Tours ( 780/909-8687) and
Magic Times Tour & Convention Services ( 780/940-7479) offer half- and full-day tours of the city and surrounding sights. Klondike Jet Boats ( 780/486-0896) can be chartered for tours of the North Saskatchewan River May through October. The
Edmonton Queen ( 780/424-2628) paddlewheeler cruises the North Saskatchewan River from May through September. Some excursions include lunch or dinner and dancing. Language English is the predominant language in Alberta. Money The $1 and $2 bill are no longer used; they have been replaced by $1 and $2 coins (known as a "loonie," because of the loon that appears on the coin, and a "toonie," respectively). Exchanging Money ATM rates are excellent because they are based on wholesale rates offered only by major banks. You won't do as well at exchange booths. Taxes A goods and services tax (GST) of 7% applies on transactions in Canada except for the purchase of basic groceries. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, however there is a provincial room tax in addition to the national GST. GST Refunds GST refunds on purchases taken out of the country and on short-term accommodations of less than one month are available. Rebate forms, which must be submitted within 60 days of leaving Canada, may be obtained from certain retailers, duty-free shops, customs officials, or from Revenue Canada. Instant cash rebates up to a maximum of $500 are provided by some duty-free shops when leaving Canada, and most provinces do not tax goods that are shipped directly by the vendor to the purchaser's home. Always save your original receipts from stores and hotels (not just credit-card receipts), and be sure the name and address of the establishment is shown on the receipt. Original receipts are not returned. To be eligible for a refund, receipts must total at least $200, and each individual receipt must show a minimum purchase of $50. Revenue Canada (Visitor Rebate Program, Summerside Tax Centre, 275 Pope Rd., Suite 104, Summerside, PE C1N 6C6, 902/432-5608; 800/668-4748 in Canada). Telephones The country code for Canada is 1. The area code for Edmonton and elsewhere in Alberta is 403. You do not need to dial the three-digit area code when making a call from within the same code. Getting Around
By Bus and LRT
Edmonton Transit ( 780/496-1611) operates a comprehensive system of buses throughout the area and a light rail transit (LRT) line from downtown to the northeast side of the city. Fares are low, and transfers are free. Buses operate 5:30 AM to 2 AM. The LRT is free in the downtown area (between Churchill and Grandin stations) weekdays 9 to 3 and Saturday 9 to 6. The
Edmonton Transit Information Centre (102A Ave. and 99 St.) at Churchill Station provides information weekdays 9:30 to 5. Rail Service The VIA rail station is at 12360 121st Street. Telephone (780) 448-2575 for baggage information. 1-800-835-3037 for arrival and departure information. Or 1-800-561-8630 for reservations. Bus Service Greyhound Canada's downtown depot is at 10324 103rd Street. Telephone: (780) 413-8747.
By Taxi Cabs may be hailed on the street, but phoning is recommended. Arriving & Departing By Air All flights use
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) (Hwy. 2) (780) 890-8900), 12 mi, south of downtown. An airport-improvement fee is assessed on all flight departures within Alberta, and for departures outside Alberta; Fees are paid at the airport. Transfers Between the Airport and Town The
Sky Shuttle ( 780/465-8515) provides frequent service between the airport and major downtown hotels. By Bus Greyhound Bus Lines ( 800/661-8747) provides service to Edmonton. By Car Edmonton is on the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16), which runs from Winnipeg, Manitoba, through the central parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta. This highway is four lanes and divided through most of Alberta; it intersects with the four-lane divided Highway 2, which runs south to Calgary. Edmonton Kids Activities: Edmonton Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Edmonton Travel & Tourism, Free Edmonton Travel Guide OnlineAttractions of Interest to Children Valley Zoo Buena Vista Road and 134 Street, Edmonton (780) 496-6912 Admission charged. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This unique zoo combines the fun of nursery rhyme characters with the beauty and excitement of wild animals, with over 350 domestic, exotic and endangered species. The zoo also offers daily demonstrations of elephant and sea lion training, along with rides. Other activities include demonstrations, hands-on activities, picnic sites and a lunch bar. Odyssium 11211 142nd St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/452-9100 Call for Hours Admission charged. The Zeidler Star Theatre has the largest planetarium dome in North America and presents laser and star shows hourly. Galleries hold scientific and technological exhibitions, a Challenger Learning Centre/Space Mission, and an amateur ham radio station; there is also an IMAX theater. West Edmonton Mall 8770 170th St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780/444-5300 Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest mall, Alberta's most popular tourist attraction extends over 5.2 million square ft. The more than 800 stores and services include 11 department stores, 20 movie theaters, and more than 100 places to eat. The mall contains many of the world's largest indoor attractions, including an amusement park with a roller coaster; an indoor water park; recreation room with billiard tables, bowling lanes, and the latest interactive video games; an NHL-size ice-skating rink; four submarines in an indoor artificial lake; a dolphin show; a miniature golf course; and the Fantasyland Hotel. Electric scooters are available for transport. Admission charged. Fort Edmonton Park Fox Drive & Whitemud Drive Edmonton,AB 780 496-8787 Canada's largest living history park, Fort Edmonton Park features costumed interpreters, a replica 1846 fort, and three recreated historical streets from 1885, 1905, and 1920. Steam train and streetcar rides are included in admission price. Join the costumed historical interpreters and try your hand at living life as an early pioneer. Columbia Travel Guide |Seattle Travel Guide |Manchester Travel Guide |Beaufort Travel Guide |Springfield Travel Guide |Birmingham Travel Guide |Lancaster Travel Guide |Cleveland Travel Guide |London Travel Guide |Buena Vista Travel Guide |Santa Cruz Travel Guide |Ocean City Travel Guide |Montgomery Travel Guide |Florianopolis Travel Guide |Fort Myers Travel Guide |Bangkok Travel Guide |Baton Rouge Travel Guide |Whistler Travel Guide |Tucson Travel Guide |Toronto Travel Guide |Denver Travel Guide |Shanghai Travel Guide |Krakow Travel Guide |Madison Travel Guide |Regina Travel Guide |Duluth Travel Guide |Topeka Travel Guide |Quebec City Travel Guide |Chattanooga Travel Guide |Knoxville Travel Guide |
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