Edmonton 
10 Reasons to Visit Edmonton
Unusual Attractions in Edmonton – The Capital City of Alberta!
There are many wonderful things to do and places to see in this second largest city in Alberta. Even if you are in Edmonton during the dead of winter, there will be celebrations ON in this festival city that will warm your heart. BUT have you ever wondered what makes Edmonton different, what is unique about this city that you should consider a trip to Edmonton. Here are 10 reasons why Edmonton is worth your time.
Most big cities have something unique which it lights up everyday: colour coded to commemorate significant events and personalities. Toronto has CN Tower & Calgary lights up Calgary Tower, but Edmonton takes it a notch higher and lights up the an entire historic bridge named High level Bridge that spans North Saskatchewan River. It is even ‘dances’ on Canada Day. The bridge is lighted very single day. It is a beautiful sight at twilight, backdropped by the North Saskatchewan Valley. Ride the historic High Level Bridge Street Car that starts from Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum to have a truly historical trip. Join for a Street Car Show and make the trip truly magical – enjoy live music shows on a 100-year old streetcar, on a 100-year old bridge over a majestic river, at sunset.
Did you hear that Edmonton has only man-made attractions, and no outdoor to speak of? Well, you heard wrong! Edmonton is home to the largest urban park system in Canada. Straddling the City, pathways & parks along the North Saskatchewan river valley provides enough activities to nourish an outdoor enthusiasts soul. From cross country skiing to river cruises, from being a perfect site for geocaching to fall colour hikes, there is something for every age group.
Everything under one roof!! West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest shopping and entertainment centre, is the place in Canada that can truly claim this cliche for its own. It is both a shopaholics delight and a thrill seekers’ destination. Surf indoors at the World’s Largest Indoor Wave Pool and go on Hurricane, the longest water slide (first of its kind in Canada).
This historic shopping neighbourhood, named one of Canada’s five best shopping neighbourhood, takes the moniker ‘Shop Local’ to a whole new level with countless local, independent boutiques & one-of-a-kind art galleries , some of which are a century old. Edmonton’s celebrated arts and cultural community makes its home here, and you can take in a live music performance any day of the week.
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- Old Strathcona at Night Photo Credit: Ron Kelly
An Edmonton landmark with 4 themed pyramids, the Muttart Conservatory offers a year round escape into the beauty of the world’s plant life. A magical place filled with cheery flowers and plants from every corner of the world, a visit to the conservatory is truly family fun.
Almost every city in Canada has a living history museum, so what is special about Edmonton’s you might ask? Fort Edmonton Park houses the first mosque that was built (1938) amongst other notable attractions like The Rowand House, one of the largest dwellings of Western Canada in mid 1800s. It is also the largest living history museum in Canada by area. Photo: Fort of 1846.
7. Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre
Love to see wild life in its natural habitat, with out wanting to wait for hours to catch a glimpse of the elusive animals? Elk Island National Park is the place for a Canadian Safari. Protecting one of the endangered habitats of Canada, you can see more than 250 species of birds as you hike or ski the numerous trails in this national park. It is also dark sky preserve (one of the seven in Canada) where you can enjoy the night sky at its finest.
This outdoor museum that houses the vintage Neon signs which were icons of the avenues they lit up, is truly unique and one of its kind in Canada. Visit this outdoor museum, that tells the story of Edmonton and surrounding area’s Neon past.
10. Edmonton Festivals
Edmonton truly lives up to its name as the Festival city of Canada with its world class festivals held round the year, and for the 10th reason, we have two, one worth a winter visit and another for a summer visit.
Edmonton International Fringe Festival: Edmonton is home to the oldest and largest fringe theatre festival in North America, which is held in August of every year.
2017 Festival: August 17-27, 2017
Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival
Honouring the spirit of the Norwegian Birkebeiner legend, Canada’s largest classical-format cross country ski festival attracts 2000 skiers from across the globe. This family festival takes place during the second Saturday in February every winter.
2018 Festival: February 9-10, 2018
There are more than 10 reasons to visit Edmonton : This article lists 10 unique reasons, and there are more cool things in Edmonton – like the magnificent Legislature building; Art Gallery of Alberta, the oldest cultural institution in Alberta; Royal Alberta Museum which the has the largest collection of mounted birds and best collections of religious vestments and implements in Canada.
Why not make a visit , and discover everything Edmonton has to offer.