After school, on the weekend, summer vacation…there’s always something to check out when you’re looking for adventure in Edmonton. Whether it’s by yourself or with your besties, check off the events and activities below for a totally awesome time.
Indoor Adventures
1. West Edmonton Mall
You’ll never run out of things to do at West Ed! The largest shopping and entertainment centre is more than just a mall – hit up the amusement park, ice rink, waterpark, aquarium, movie theatre, mini golf, and so much more.
Address: 8882 170 St NW
Phone: 780-444-5321
Website
2. Laser Tag
The lights are dim, the vests are on, the lasers at the ready – it’s laser tag time. Check out Laser Quest, Edmonton’s largest, multi-level laser tag facility to go head-to-head with your friends and see who will come out on top in this game that will have you sneaking around with the adrenaline pumping.
Address: Laser Quest 11271 170 St NW
Phone: 780-424-2111
Website
3. Escape Rooms
Solve the puzzles, put together the clues, and try to escape! Edmonton has plenty of escape rooms to try, such as Escape City, known for ultra-realistic themed rooms sure to challenge you. Can you figure it out and unlock the door before time runs out?
Address: Escape City 5916 104 St
Phone: 780-761-2489
Website
4. Bowling
Kick it old school in a pair of bowling shoes. Edmonton has a lot of bowling alleys for drop in games, such as Plaza Bowling Co. Plaza’s restored retro vibe matches perfectly with the spirit of the game for five-pin bowling.
Address: Plaza Bowling Co. 10418 118 Ave NW
Phone: 780-477-7848
Website
5. Board Game Cafes
Board game cafes are popping up around the city and have quickly become a popular place to spend the day. Try out new games or play an old favourite – most have hundreds of games available to play on site. Try out the popular Hexagon Board Game Cafe for a great selection.
Address: The Hexagon Board Game Cafe; 10750 Whyte Ave
Phone: 780-757-3105
Website
6. The Rec Room
The Rec Room is the perfect place for food, games, and live entertainment. Redemption games like skee ball and whack-a-mole, video games, car simulators, and more let you go head to head with your buddies to see who can get the highest score.
Address: multiple locations
Website
7. Telus World of Science
Celebrate science at Telus World of Science! You may have been there on a school field trip before, but grab some friends and check out the exhibits you actually want to explore. There’s always something new to check out.
Address: 11211 142 St NW
Phone: 780-451-3344
Website
8. Cineplex Events
Sure, going to see a movie is pretty standard. Doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile, though! And, Cineplex Theatres have special events that make the movies stand out even more. Check out their Classic Film Series, Family Favourites, Flashback Film Series, Anime, and more. Visit the website for the scheduled events.
Address: Cineplex theatres
Website
Feeling Sporty
1. Snow Valley
No matter the time of year, Snow Valley is a must for adrenaline seekers. Ski and snowboard all winter long on fresh, white powder. Then, get discover the aerial park in the summer. Imagine an extreme jungle gym combined with a tree house, and you’ve got an attraction like no other.
Address: 119 Whitemud Dr NW
Phone: 780-434-3991
Website
2. Outdoor Pools
Make a splash this summer! Edmonton has plenty to choose from, including Mill Creek, Queen Elizabeth, and the Borden Natural Swimming Pool – the first of its kind in Canada – for outdoor swimming without worrying about brushing up against a fish.
Website
3. Ski Hills
Edmonton isn’t just big city skyscrapers – check out one of the local ski hills and hit the slopes. Ski or snowboard at Rabbit Hill Ski Resort all winter long. Want to impress your friends? Take a lesson or two first to brush up on your skills.
Address: Rabbit Hill Snow Resort D-25512 Twp Rd 510 A
Phone: 780-955-2440
Website
4. Indoor Racing
Address: Speeders 13145 149 St
Phone: 780-451-4377
Website
5. House of Wheels
You’ve got to check out House of Wheels! It’s the largest indoor sports riding facility open to all skill levels in Alberta. At 32,000 square feet, it’s filled with scooter ramps, box jump runs, pump tracks, BMX biking areas, skateboard areas, flow track, and so much more. Bring your own ride, or rent while you’re there.
Address: 8834 48 Ave NW
Phone: 780-461-2368
Website
6. Archery
Indoor archery arenas are a growing trend – and it’s easy to see why! Grab the gang and go head-to-head to see who can best who with a bow and arrow. Try Combat Archery for dodgeball with arrows, where you can hide behind obstacles, run for cover, and shoot your opponents.
Address: Combat Archery 8128 46 St NW
Phone: 780-490-8166
Website
7. Ninja Obstacle Course
Find your inner ninja. Fitset Ninja lets you train like a warrior and tackle an unique obstacle course. Double salmon ladder, warped walls, inverted rope walls…they’ve got it all. Challenge your friends to see who can accomplish the course with the best time.
Address: Fitset Ninja 11511 120 St
Phone: 780-455-4442
Website
8. Rock Climbing
You don’t need to head out to the mountains for some rock climbing; just head to one of the indoor climbing gyms. Rock Jungle Fitness has two floors of climbing stations, and their route setters change things up each week, so there are always new courses to try.
Address: Rock Jungle Fitness 10247 184 St
Phone: 780-454-7625
Website
9. Pitch & Putt
Hit the green, even if you’re a newbie. Perfect for those just learning to golf, pitch and putt courses are short greens, each under 100 yards. Kinsmen Pitch & Putt has been a favourite since 1961, making it perfect to give the game a shot.
Address: Kinsmen Pitch & Putt 9100 Walterdale Hill NW
Phone: 780-432-1626
Website
10. Trampoline Park
Discover new heights at a trampoline park. LaunchPad has over 24,000 square feet of trampolines set in the floor and walls, with activities like dodgeball, foam pit, and orbiter – a blow up Wipeout style course. Check out Neon Nights on Fridays and Saturdays, and see what deals are on special on their website.
Address: LaunchPad Trampoline Park 6142 50 St NW
Phone: 780-468-3161
Website
A Breath of Fresh Air
1. Festivals
It’s no mystery Edmonton is known as Festival City! With over 50 different festivals all year long, the city is buzzing with celebrations and excitement. From the famous K-Days to small community events, there’s always something to hit up with the crew.
2. Hiking
You don’t have to leave the city to find great hiking trails. The North Saskatchewan River Valley is riddled with trails, both paved and unpaved, that are perfect for exploring and getting back to nature. Keep an eye out for animals who call the river valley home!
Address: North Saskatchewan River Valley
3. Picture Perfect
Looking for that perfect photo for Instagram? Get all the pics to show what #yeg is really like at some of the most Instagram-able sites in the city. From public art to breathtaking viewpoints, there is no shortage of selfie spots.
4. Edmonton Prospects
It’s time to cheer for the home team! The Edmonton Prospects make it easy to take in a baseball game, without needing a full-time salary to pay for the tickets. Check out a home game and see if you can get a wave going during the seventh-inning stretch.
Website
5. Edmonton Corn Maze
This maze is worth the wait for the corn to grow tall enough. Get lost among the 9 foot stalks and see how long it takes you to make it through each leg. Tackle it after the sun sets for an added challenge.
Address: 26171 Garden Valley Rd
Phone: 780-554-4540
Website
6. Ice Castles
The Edmonton Ice Castles is perfect for getting out in the winter in a fairytale setting. Hundreds of thousands of icicles were hand-placed to create the spectacle, and thousands of LED lights illuminate it after dark. No matter the time of day you go, your group of friends are sure to have a good time.
Address: Hawrelak Park
By: Sarah Chestnutt
Sarah Chestnutt is a freelance writer and editor, working in the field for over 10 years. She calls Edmonton, home and loves to share it’s stories.