7 reasons to visit Edmonton, the gateway to Canada's North

Edmonton’s proximity to the vast, untouched wilderness of Northern Canada places it right on urbanism’s final frontier. The city is an approximately three-hour drive from the entrance to the expansive Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies; yet, you don’t have to leave Alberta’s capital to find crowd-free, tree-lined trails and an abundance of wildlife. The North Saskatchewan River Valley is accessible from various points around Edmonton and offers plenty of outdoor activities — from hiking and mountain biking in the summer to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The city is also home to action-packed festivals, high-energy sporting events and a rich Indigenous history, which can be explored on immersive tours. Here, we share seven ways to discover the best of Edmonton.

1. Explore wild landscapes in the North Saskatchewan River Valley

Rising from the banks of the snaking North Saskatchewan River, groves of aspen and tall poplar trees are segmented by 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. With more designated green space than any other city in North America, Edmonton’s urban parkland offers access to the Canadian woodlands within mere minutes of the city’s lively downtown. Here, travellers can follow trails that weave past cityscapes and wild ravines, tackle a mountain biking route — with bike rentals available from River Valley Adventure Co — or paddle a canoe down the glacier-fed river. To learn more about the North Saskatchewan River Valley, take an EcoFloat tour with RiverWatch or embark on a guided tour through Edmonton's geological past with Talking Rocks Tours.

2. Uncover Alberta’s history with an authentic Indigenous cultural experience

For thousands of years, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples have lived on and cared for the ancient boreal forests of Northern Canada. Today, the city of Edmonton — known in Cree as Amiskwaciywâskahikan, which translates to 'Beaver Hill House' — has the second largest Indigenous population in Canada, offering visitors hands-on heritage experiences. At Métis Crossing, travellers can tour a historical village to step into pre-colonial Canadian life, as well as hear the shared story of the Métis People and the herding bison on a wildlife excursion. Alternatively, discover the history of Canada’s First Nations and Métis People in their own words at the Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples Experience.

3. Marvel at the pristine night sky

The Milky Way illuminates the Albertan nights in dark sky destinations located just outside Edmonton. This includes the town of Bon Accord — which was recognised as Canada's first Dark Sky Community for its efforts to preserve its dark night skies — and the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. The latter encompasses Elk Island National Park, where stargazers gather to map out constellations just 30 miles from Edmonton. It is also possible to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights here in the winter. For the best chance of spotting them, check for updates on the University of Alberta’s Aurora Watch website.

 4. Experience local arts and culture in Canada’s ‘festival city’

No matter what time of year you visit Edmonton, there’s a good chance your trip will coincide with a festival — the city hosts over 50 each year. Engage with the contemporary Canadian arts scene during the Rainbow Visions Film Festival in May, which showcases queer Canadian cinema; laugh alongside some of the biggest names in comedy at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in July; or enjoy a wide range of outdoor street performances, live music, comedy, theatre shows and more during the 11-day Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival in August. Alternatively, learn about legends passed down for generations at the wintertime Flying Canoë Volant festival or celebrate the city's modern multiculturalism during the Edmonton Heritage Festival in August.

5. Get caught up in the city’s sporting fervour

What’s more Canadian than risking a mild case of whiplash to keep up with the rapid-fire pace of an ice hockey game? Snag a ticket to see the Edmonton Oilers and cheer along with the roaring crowds of fans in Rogers Place, the centrepiece of downtown Edmonton's vibrant ICE District, a hub for sports, entertainment and nightlife. Edmonton’s top-notch teams aren’t limited to Canada’s national sport, either. Watch the city’s CFL team, the Edmonton Elks, collide with their rivals on the football field, see the Stingers slam-dunk on the basketball court or cheer on the Riverhawks’ home runs on the baseball field.

6. Eat your way through Edmonton’s world-class cuisine

Edmonton’s food scene tells the story of the city itself. Here, Indigenous chefs lean on their knowledge of Alberta’s native flavours, Chinatown restaurants offer creative twists on traditional treats and the city’s eastern European community serve up supple perogies and smoked sausages. Order an array of Indigenous plates to share at the elegant Bernadette’s; add Edmonton’s unofficial signature dish, green onion cakes, to your dim sum order at Fu’s Repair Shop; or check out EPIC market, located in a shipping container development on Whyte Avenue, which is home to five different cuisines, two bars and a chef’s table offering custom culinary experiences.

7. Explore bohemian boutiques or visit a mega-mall

Shoppers seeking unique keepsakes should head to the Old Strathcona neighbourhood. Amid its colourful murals, you can join the treasure hunters in Old Strathcona Antique Mall — featuring over 120 vendors selling vintage and antique items — or peruse local boutiques on Whyte Avenue, a street that is also known for its creative murals. 124th Street is another popular spot to wander, with plenty of art galleries, antique shops and boutiques to explore. Alternatively, those looking for a full-on sensory blast can get lost inside North America’s largest mall. West Edmonton Mall’s 800 shops, 100 eateries, indoor waterpark, twisting roller coasters, ice rink and underground aquarium challenge any visitor to be bored within its 5.3 million sq ft bounds.