Trio Grande, Edmonton Hub and Spoke Tours

Tour 1

"SCIENCE & SHOPPING"-DAY TOUR WEST
From Edmonton City Centre
Allow a full day for stops at the Edmonton Space & Science Centre, West Edmonton Mall, the Devonian Botanic Garden and the nearby town of Stony Plain. Note: allow an extra day to experience the attractions and shopping at West Edmonton Mall.

Edmonton Space & Science Centre
This interesting and unique 57,000 sq. ft. facility was designed by the renowned Douglas J. Cardinal, known for his striking and innovative buildings. In 1980, the City of Edmonton selected the Edmonton Space & Science Centre as the City's flagship project commemorating Alberta's 75th anniversary, and it was officially opened in 1984. The building is situated in Coronation Park. The centre features dozens of hands-on exhibits, IMAX® adventure films, IMAX® concession and gift shop, planetarium shows, a cafe, gift shop, and ample free parking. In the summer of 2001 the centre's $14 million expansion and renovation will open, featuring four exciting new galleries: The Body Fantastic, The Bluesky Space Thinkshops, Mystery Avenue and The Green's Home.

West Edmonton Mall
Where else can you experience the thrills of an amusement park, explore the depths of the sea, make a splash in a giant wavepool, glide on ice used by the Edmonton Oilers hockey team, play a round of golf, and shop 'til you drop' all under one roof? At the world's largest shopping and entertainment complex!

Devonian Botanic Garden
Thirty minutes drive southwest of Edmonton near Devon, the Devonian Botanic Garden consists of 190 acres of ecological reserves, 10,000 different species of plants displayed over 80 acres of gardens and nature trails over sand dunes.

Stony Plain ­ The Town With the Painted Past
Proud of its heritage, Stony Plain offers visitors a Heritage Main Street including 16 life-size outdoor murals, the Multicultural Heritage Centre, winery tours, and the tranquil Japanese Shikaoi Park.

Tour 2

"OIL, INDUSTRY & AGRICULTURE"-DAY TOUR SOUTH
From Edmonton City Centre
Allow a full day for stops at Gateway Park, the Leduc No. 1 Discovery Well Historical Site, the Canadian Petroleum Interpretative Centre at Devon, and the Reynolds-Alberta Museum at Wetaskiwin.

Gateway Park
The discovery of oil near Leduc on February 13, 1947 ushered in an era of prosperity and made Edmonton the Oil Capital of Canada. To commemmorate this historic event, and the pioneers of early oil exploration, Imperial Oil erected Leduc No. 1 Oil Derrick in 1958. The derrick was moved to its present site in 1987 to coincide with the opening of Edmonton Tourism¹s Visitor Information Centre. Visitors can choose from a variety of Edmonton- and Alberta-made souvenirs at the Experience Edmonton shop.

Leduc No. 1 Discovery Well Historical Site
The Leduc No. 1 Discovery Well Historical Site, located one km south of Devon, features a replica of the original oilrig and dozens of pieces of historical oilfield equipment from the 1947 strike. The Canadian Petroleum Interpretive Centre and Hall of Fame (opened in 1997) contains artifacts, photos, scale models and colorful stories to give visitors a sense of Canada's oil history. From the early oil discoveries of southern Alberta to the development of the vast oil sands of northern Alberta, the centre showcases Canada's oil industry to the world.

Reynolds Alberta Museum
Forty minutes drive south of Edmonton, you can experience the history of ground and air transportation, agriculture and other selected Alberta industries. The museum is also home to Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, which recognizes Canadians who have made a significant contribution to aviation history.

Note: An optional add-on is the Brazeau Natural Resources Tour (125 km), which will require a minimum of six hours to complete. It provides insight into the management of forests, petroleum, water, fisheries, wildlife and recreation resources. Tour stop locations are identified by signs.

Tour 3

"PARKS, PIONEERS, & PYROGIES"-DAY TOUR EAST
From Edmonton City Centre
Allow a full day for stops at Elk Island National Park, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, and the Spectrum at Northlands Park for horse racing.

Elk Island National Park
Surrounded by grain fields, pastures, industries and towns, but within its boundaries lie a trace of what was once natural to the Beaver Hills ­ forests and meadowlands, wandering herds of elk and bison, quiet lakes and beaver ponds. It's an "island of nature" in the landscape of man! One of the smallest of Canada¹s national parks (194 square km), Elk Island National Park is less than a 45-minute drive east of Edmonton on the Trans-Canada Highway. -Elk Island National Park is the only place in Alberta where all of the grazing species of Canada's aspen parkland ecosystem still co-exist.
-40 species of mammals, including more than 1,000 plains and wood bison, elk, moose, deer, beavers and coyotes roam freely in this "safari-type" national park.
-The rare trumpeter swan, sighted occasionally at Astotin Lake, is one of 230 species of birds which live in the park, which includes 250 lakes and ponds, covering 20 per cent of its total area.
-Over 300 flowering plant species have been identified in the national park.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Learn the fascinating story of the immigration to Canada from Ukraine more than a century ago and the settlement of East Central Alberta. Costumed interpreters re-enact the lifestyles of the pioneer settlers in a village typical of those that once thrived here at the turn of the century.

The Spectrum at Northlands
Enjoy horse racing at one of North America's finest racing attractions. This state-of-the-art five-level racetrack grandstand includes a 5,000 seat multi-purpose facility, 700-seat Colours Dining Room overlooking the track, and 250 Las Vegas-style slot machines.

© 2001 Copyright Tanner Young Marketing Ltd. This article can not be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written permission.