BIG-CITY WONDERS WITH A WARM WELCOME

Discover the friendliness of Alberta’s capital, where big-city sophistication can be experienced in attractions such as the new Art Gallery of Alberta, a stunning swirl of glass, steel and zinc in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District. What makes Edmonton an ideal destination is the way it blends excellent value and warm hospitality with a wide range of shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.

Downtown Edmonton
Downtown Edmonton shines with eye-catching arts facilities like the Winspear Centre for Music - home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra; the new Art Gallery of Alberta - a magnificent architectural vision by Randall Stout; and the celebrated Citadel Theatre - the cornerstone of Canada’s regional professional theatres.

Other downtown gems include the pyramid-shaped City Hall, right next to the activity hub known as Sir Winston Churchill Square, where Edmontonians and tourists alike enjoy popular festivals such as A Taste of Edmonton, The International Street Performers Festival or the New Year’s Eve Downtown.

Historic Whyte Avenue
One of the most famous strolls in the city is Whyte Avenue, a bohemian stroll just south of downtown in Old Strathcona. This trendy, happening strip is lined with pubs, cafes, live music venues, restaurants and more than 300 stores that carry everything from clothes and accessories to books, musical instruments and fair-trade merchandise from around the world.

Walking tours through this historic district also afford a chance to check out the fresh produce, foods and crafty gifts at its celebrated Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market and to appreciate early 1900s architecture alongside its one-of-a-kind, eclectic shops.

Avenue of Nations
North of downtown, the Avenue of Nations is lined with shops, services and restaurants inspired by cultures including China, Vietnam, Italy, Ukraine, Poland and Japan.

Gallery Walk District
West of downtown, the 124th Street area encompasses the Gallery Walk district, with art galleries, specialty stores, fashion boutiques and fabulous eateries. Nearby, the internationally acclaimed Royal Alberta Museum plays host to world-class travelling exhibits as well as its permanent displays such as the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture - one of North America’s most expansive exhibitions on Aboriginal peoples - and the captivating wildlife exhibit, Wild Alberta.

West Edmonton Mall
Needless to say, shopping, dining and entertainment are the name of the game at the world-famous West Edmonton Mall - Alberta’s top tourist attraction with 28 million visitors a year - hailed by many as The Greatest Indoor Show on Earth.

WEM features more than 800 stores and services, upwards of 100 dining establishments as well as nine world-class attractions that include the world’s largest indoor wave pool, an indoor amusement park, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a casino. All this action resides under one roof that spans the equivalent of 48 city blocks.

University of Alberta
If you’re a fan of sports, science, nature and history, then head south of the river to the University of Alberta. Established in 1908, this sprawling centre of advanced education has garnered international acclaim for its advances in the fields of science and medicine. It’s also home to the new Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, the first of its kind in Canada, as well as the National Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada’s centre for cutting-edge micro systems and nanotechnology research.

Celebrating Past and Future
Canada’s largest living history museum, Fort Edmonton Park, affords glimpses of early life in Edmonton during the fur trading and pioneer eras, while the TELUS World of Science - Edmonton fascinates with hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations of leading-edge science and technology.

Unspoiled River Valley
Nature lovers can walk, jog or bike along the scenic North Saskatchewan River Valley - the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America - with its many golf courses and its extensive network of trails.

Edmonton’s Valley Zoo, located in the city’s west end, houses more than 100 exotic, endangered and native species and offers educational programs and family adventures.

If your passion is plants and flowers, the Muttart Conservatory is a horticultural haven with some 700 species of temperate and tropical plants in four glass pyramids.

A Festive, Polished Host
As a practised and polished host to the world, each year Edmonton welcomes hundreds of thousands of international guests to conferences and athletic meets. The city has proudly hosted Universiade, World Figure Skating Championships, three Canadian Football League Grey Cups, and much more. An elite racing event among the city’s popular draws - the Edmonton Indy - will return here in 2010.

Named "Cultural Capital of Canada" in 2007, the adopted moniker "Festival City" sums up Edmonton perfectly. With at least one major annual festival each month in fields such as music, theatre, visual arts and sports, finding something to do is easy!

Most Accommodating
Staying in Edmonton is a breeze. More than 13,000 hotel guest rooms make the Edmonton region a highly accommodating centre.

From the majestic Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - one of the city’s best-loved historical landmarks - to a host of suite hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts, Greater Edmonton’s accommodations offer something for every taste and budget. Making Edmonton your destination of choice is not only smart but effortless too!

Visitor Information
For visitor information check out either of Edmonton Tourism’s Visitor Information Centres. One is located at Gateway Park coming into Edmonton from Queen Elizabeth II Highway; the other located downtown on Jasper Avenue and 99th Street in the World Trade Centre Edmonton building.

Photo: Marc Califoux

Photo: Travel Alberta

SEAT OF GOVERNMENT - Fans of architecture will also enjoy a visit to the Alberta Legislature, a beaux arts edifice built from 1907 to 1912 next to the North Saskatchewan River. Beneath its scenic grounds lies the Legislature Pedway, a government mall with a gift shop that offers a wide selection of arts and crafts created by Alberta artisans as well as an interpretive centre which highlights the history and traditions of the Legislature.

Photo: Edmonton Tourism

FRIENDLY CITY HALL - Distinctive steel and glass pyramids distinguish Edmonton’s City Hall, set in the downtown Arts District. An inviting destination, its outdoor plaza refreshes with a wading pool and fountains in the summer and converts to a skating rink in winter. Its plaza and adjacent Sir Winston Churchill Square provide a friendly home for many of Edmonton’s internationally acclaimed festivals.