Edmonton's Area Attractions
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Edmonton & Area, Alberta.
Alberta's provincial capital and one of its largest cities, Edmonton is an obvious destination when it comes to things to see and do. From the grand Alberta Legislature Building to the overwhelming West Edmonton Mall, the city boasts attractions to lure a diverse crowd.
Culture vultures flock to the Art Gallery of Alberta to admire more than 6,000 priceless artworks, and to the Royal Alberta Museum with its astounding display of fur trade artifacts and Canada's most extensive collection of mounted birds. The country's largest living history museum—Fort Edmonton Park—fascinates history buffs as they stroll through the streets of four historic periods spanning 1846 to 1920, while downtown's eclectic neighbourhoods, such as Chinatown, the Avenue of Nations and Old Strathcona District, delight visitors from all walks of life. Travellers with kids won't be able to stay away from amusement parks Galaxyland and World Waterpark, both located at West Edmonton Mall (a major attraction in itself). Sports fans may try to time a visit to catch the Edmonton Oilers hitting the ice at Rexall Place, and road-trippers will get a kick out of passing by the World's Largest Western Boot... there truly is something for everyone.
But while Edmonton's museums, theatres, historic sites and parks can easily occupy one's time, it is also worth venturing outside the city's boundaries to discover the charms of Edmonton's surrounding communities.
JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY'S LIMITS
Skirting the eastern edge of Edmonton proper, the residential community of Sherwood Park draws visitors from the big city and beyond to its vibrant hub of arts and culture at Festival Place. Here, creative expression can be enjoyed in every form, from live music and dance to comedy and plays, performed by talented local, national and international artists.
On the other side of Edmonton, just northwest of the city sprawl, lies St. Albert. This little city began as a missionary settlement in 1861 with the construction of the Father Lacombe Chapel, now Alberta's oldest building. St. Albert's history also lives on at the Musée Heritage Museum, located at St. Albert Place—the heart and soul of downtown. Designed by Albertan architect Douglas Cardinal, St. Albert Place is also home to City Hall, the public library and Arden Theatre, an exceptional facility with a stage that has been graced by some of the world's most respected artists. The trails of the Red Willow Park system—which encompasses five parks stretching across the city along the Sturgeon River—can also be accessed from this central complex.
SOUTH OF EDMONTON
Fifteen minutes southwest of Edmonton, the small town of Devon, idyllically located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, showcases Alberta's immense oil industry at the Leduc No. 1 Energy Discovery Centre. Marking the very spot where Canada's oil boom began in 1947, the Leduc No. 1 Historic Site features exhibits of scale models, photographs, artworks, rigs and oilfield equipment, depicting all aspects of the industry, from personal stories to environmental issues. For a very different yet implicitly related scene, sightseers can travel just 5 km (3 mi) north of Devon to revel in the fresh air and exquisite natural beauty of the expansive Devonian Botanic Gardens.
A little farther south of Devon, Leduc is a popular stopover en route between Calgary and Edmonton, and the landing site for visitors arriving by plane at the Edmonton International Airport. The small city is adorned with attractive parks, the biggest of which is William F. Lede Regional Park, home to Telford Lake. A magnet to recreationists year round, the lake is an excellent spot for canoeing, birdwatching, ice skating, cross-country skiing or just strolling along the boardwalks. Leduc is a community born of farming and its western traditions are especially evident at the Alberta Heritage Exposition Park, the setting of various historic buildings and displays as well as two of Leduc's major annual events: the Leduc West Antique Exposition in July and Country Harvest festival in September.
NORTH OF EDMONTON
Located 17 km (11 mi) northeast of Edmonton's city limits, the city of Fort Saskatchewan was established in 1875 as the headquarters of the Northwest Mounted Police. Drawn by its historic significance, visitors to Fort Saskatchewan often make a day of exploring the picturesque Fort Saskatchewan Museum and Historic Site overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. The 1.2-ha (3-acre) site resembles a historic fort village, dotted with heritage buildings and featuring museum exhibits about the Northwest Mounted Police and the fort's early settlement.
Even farther northeast of Edmonton yet still only a half-hour drive from the city, the small town of Redwater is another Albertan community that got a big boost from the discovery of oil in the mid-1900s. Originally a farming settlement established by Ukrainian immigrants in 1907, Redwater now stakes claim to the World's Largest Oil Derrick—the original 45-m (148-ft) discovery well that is now a historic landmark and obligatory photo opportunity. While in town, it is worth it for nature lovers and ATV enthusiasts to travel approximately 10 km (6 mi) east to the Sandhills Natural Area, one of the region's largest sand dune fields where nature trails and excellent ATV-riding opportunities await.
Culture vultures flock to the Art Gallery of Alberta to admire more than 6,000 priceless artworks, and to the Royal Alberta Museum with its astounding display of fur trade artifacts and Canada's most extensive collection of mounted birds. The country's largest living history museum—Fort Edmonton Park—fascinates history buffs as they stroll through the streets of four historic periods spanning 1846 to 1920, while downtown's eclectic neighbourhoods, such as Chinatown, the Avenue of Nations and Old Strathcona District, delight visitors from all walks of life. Travellers with kids won't be able to stay away from amusement parks Galaxyland and World Waterpark, both located at West Edmonton Mall (a major attraction in itself). Sports fans may try to time a visit to catch the Edmonton Oilers hitting the ice at Rexall Place, and road-trippers will get a kick out of passing by the World's Largest Western Boot... there truly is something for everyone.
But while Edmonton's museums, theatres, historic sites and parks can easily occupy one's time, it is also worth venturing outside the city's boundaries to discover the charms of Edmonton's surrounding communities.
JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY'S LIMITS
Skirting the eastern edge of Edmonton proper, the residential community of Sherwood Park draws visitors from the big city and beyond to its vibrant hub of arts and culture at Festival Place. Here, creative expression can be enjoyed in every form, from live music and dance to comedy and plays, performed by talented local, national and international artists.
On the other side of Edmonton, just northwest of the city sprawl, lies St. Albert. This little city began as a missionary settlement in 1861 with the construction of the Father Lacombe Chapel, now Alberta's oldest building. St. Albert's history also lives on at the Musée Heritage Museum, located at St. Albert Place—the heart and soul of downtown. Designed by Albertan architect Douglas Cardinal, St. Albert Place is also home to City Hall, the public library and Arden Theatre, an exceptional facility with a stage that has been graced by some of the world's most respected artists. The trails of the Red Willow Park system—which encompasses five parks stretching across the city along the Sturgeon River—can also be accessed from this central complex.
SOUTH OF EDMONTON
Fifteen minutes southwest of Edmonton, the small town of Devon, idyllically located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, showcases Alberta's immense oil industry at the Leduc No. 1 Energy Discovery Centre. Marking the very spot where Canada's oil boom began in 1947, the Leduc No. 1 Historic Site features exhibits of scale models, photographs, artworks, rigs and oilfield equipment, depicting all aspects of the industry, from personal stories to environmental issues. For a very different yet implicitly related scene, sightseers can travel just 5 km (3 mi) north of Devon to revel in the fresh air and exquisite natural beauty of the expansive Devonian Botanic Gardens.
A little farther south of Devon, Leduc is a popular stopover en route between Calgary and Edmonton, and the landing site for visitors arriving by plane at the Edmonton International Airport. The small city is adorned with attractive parks, the biggest of which is William F. Lede Regional Park, home to Telford Lake. A magnet to recreationists year round, the lake is an excellent spot for canoeing, birdwatching, ice skating, cross-country skiing or just strolling along the boardwalks. Leduc is a community born of farming and its western traditions are especially evident at the Alberta Heritage Exposition Park, the setting of various historic buildings and displays as well as two of Leduc's major annual events: the Leduc West Antique Exposition in July and Country Harvest festival in September.
NORTH OF EDMONTON
Located 17 km (11 mi) northeast of Edmonton's city limits, the city of Fort Saskatchewan was established in 1875 as the headquarters of the Northwest Mounted Police. Drawn by its historic significance, visitors to Fort Saskatchewan often make a day of exploring the picturesque Fort Saskatchewan Museum and Historic Site overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. The 1.2-ha (3-acre) site resembles a historic fort village, dotted with heritage buildings and featuring museum exhibits about the Northwest Mounted Police and the fort's early settlement.
Even farther northeast of Edmonton yet still only a half-hour drive from the city, the small town of Redwater is another Albertan community that got a big boost from the discovery of oil in the mid-1900s. Originally a farming settlement established by Ukrainian immigrants in 1907, Redwater now stakes claim to the World's Largest Oil Derrick—the original 45-m (148-ft) discovery well that is now a historic landmark and obligatory photo opportunity. While in town, it is worth it for nature lovers and ATV enthusiasts to travel approximately 10 km (6 mi) east to the Sandhills Natural Area, one of the region's largest sand dune fields where nature trails and excellent ATV-riding opportunities await.
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