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Stuff to Do in Edmonton

There is more to Edmonton than the West Edmonton Mall. Here are some suggestions (in no particular order) that would be pleasant even for a mall rat so fanatic they are normally on constant pilgrimage between "West Edmonton Mall" and "The America Mall"....

A place for a relaxing walk is the Legislature Grounds. (Approach from the north on 108 street for the best start, and ensure you walk around to the south side of the grounds.)

Go for a walk, bicycle ride, or a cross-country ski along the many trails in the river valley, one of the best park systems in a city anywhere on the planet. (It's twelve times larger than New York's Central Park.)

Go skating outdoors at, for example, City Hall, the south side of the Legislature Grounds, and (weather and ice thickness permitting) the lake at Mayfair Park (a.k.a.: William Hawrelak Park).

Go see whatever at the Provincial Museum. While you're in the neighbourhood, daydream of the homes in Old Glenora, then meander around the art galleries in the 124 street area. Reward yourself with a visit to Pinnochio's Italian Ice Cream at 109A Avenue and 124 street; and, for dessert, pop into Bernard Callebaut Chocolaterie on 102 Avenue and 123 street.

Pop into the Muttart Conservatory to warm up to flowers and other plants.

Visit the Edmonton Space and Sciences Centre, especially in the evening so you can gaze through a telescope. With Edmonton's clear skies and northern latitude, you will be able to see stars, constellations, and Northern Lights that, in most other cities, get washed out or obscured.

Take a course in a city that is known for its facilities for learning.

Have a coffee or some chocolate in Old Strathcona.

Try something new at any of the many ethnic restaurants.

Look for something old in the pawn shops on 97 street south of 104 avenue, on 124 street north of 107 avenue, and on Stony Plain Road near 150 street.

Look for a special book at Audrey's, at Greenwood's (which also has a place for lots of children's books), or at the University of Alberta bookstore. (Pour les livres, musique, cartes, et video cassettes en Francais, visitez Carrefour.)

Look for (and maybe buy) an old record album at the Centennial Library.

Skim articles in rare magazines and newspapers at Hub Cigar and Newstand.

Swim, dive, run, or play a variety of raquet sports at the Kinsmen Sports Complex.

Attend a show at the Citadel Theatre, perhaps the best theatre complex in Canada.

See a movie at the Paramount (what a movie theatre is supposed to be). See a unique movie at the Princess Theatre, especially with a cup of warm cider from the snack counter.

Dine with the love of your life in the restaurant at the top of the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza.

Relax with the love of your life at the Hotel MacDonald....

And that's just a start, in the "dead" of winter yet. There are other things to do, all the more when most of the festivals occur during the months of June through August. (For more information (including a copy of "The Greater Edmonton Visitor Guide", which has other suggestions), contact Edmonton Tourism at 1-800-463-4667 (or phone (403) 496-8400).)

If you are travelling to Alberta, high on your list (after Edmonton, of course) should be a visit (even a day trip) to one of the mountain National Parks... and some areas up north... and some pioneer towns... and dinosaur country... and the prairie areas... and even Calgary.

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Your comments, suggestions, questions, or concerns would be very much appreciated. Please direct them to: vschmid@telus.net.

Copyright ©1996 Vernon R.J. Schmid. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: 2005-01-28.