Edmonton Tourist Questions
- Thread starter Roo Returns
- Start date
ThreeOfAPerfectPair
Registered User
I'm from Edmonton, but my wife and kid are not.
After coming here annually and being bored out of their minds, they were absolutely floored by the rec centers.
It sounds dumb but I assure you New York has nothing like this:
Alberta government created an initiative to get everyone excercising and moving. So they spent $billions on these world class super epic recreation centers.
Terwillegar is our favoirite, but we've only been to 3.
www.edmonton.ca
The pools are as warm as baths and have this crazy cool thing called a 'lazy river' and cool slides.
Several skating rinks.
Weight rooms
Tracks
Several racketball courts
Volleyball
Just a massive facility with a coffeeshop, and Subway Sandwiches.
We spend a few days at these things. My kids LOVE the massive indoor play structure.
East coast cities don't have the space for anything like this.
After coming here annually and being bored out of their minds, they were absolutely floored by the rec centers.
It sounds dumb but I assure you New York has nothing like this:
Alberta government created an initiative to get everyone excercising and moving. So they spent $billions on these world class super epic recreation centers.
Terwillegar is our favoirite, but we've only been to 3.
Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar | City of Edmonton
The Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar, located in southwest Edmonton, is a premier recreation centre with exceptional health, wellness, and sports amenities.
The pools are as warm as baths and have this crazy cool thing called a 'lazy river' and cool slides.
Several skating rinks.
Weight rooms
Tracks
Several racketball courts
Volleyball
Just a massive facility with a coffeeshop, and Subway Sandwiches.
We spend a few days at these things. My kids LOVE the massive indoor play structure.
East coast cities don't have the space for anything like this.
Roof Daddy
Registered User
- Apr 1, 2008
- 13,199
- 2,381
I just checked the schedule and this person is in luck. Rangers visit Edmonton Oct 26th. Fort Edmonton: DARK runs from the 6th-29th. I will guarantee the OP this is a unique experience.
Ft. Edmonton is an old….. well….. Fort. Basically a historical place with resident actors who pretend it’s the 1800’s - that’s nothing new, other cities have them as well, but they have shot some scenes from western movies there (Revenant and the Brad Pitt Jesse James movie come to mind).
Where Ft. Edmonton is unique is they transform the site into haunted houses/haunted carnival grounds for the month of October. They do an amazing job. Only complaint would be that if you’re going with the intent of having some drinks there, they butchered handling that last year by selling drink tickets, so you had to be in 2 long ass lineups instead of one. By the time we go our drink tickets there was 1 hour until last call. Ended up with so many extra tickets. Poorly handled vs years prior.
Will also say dress warm for that.
As for restaurants, a good one that’s close to the arena is Sabor. Portuguese surf n turf. Wild Boar is on the menu, highly recommend the 3 Boars dish or the Wild Boar Rizzoto.
PositiveCashFlow
the construction could be better
- Jul 10, 2007
- 6,277
- 3,640
Trails, bridges, and stairs along the river valley? Lots of good strolling and views
PositiveCashFlow
the construction could be better
- Jul 10, 2007
- 6,277
- 3,640
Drivesaitl
Finding Hemingway
This thread happens around 10X a year. Each time every suggestion is rekindled. I've asked before but why not a sticky for visitors thread. This is present on most boards. That way we don't end u just repeating ourselves.
I will second that Dark at Fort Edmonton would be interesting for a visitor to see. Definitely take a look at our river valley or ravines that time of year. Should be lots of colors out there.
University is nice to check out. A stroll across HLB or take the streetcar, hit up a resto, explore the beautiful campus area. Legislature and grounds also interesting to look at.
I will second that Dark at Fort Edmonton would be interesting for a visitor to see. Definitely take a look at our river valley or ravines that time of year. Should be lots of colors out there.
University is nice to check out. A stroll across HLB or take the streetcar, hit up a resto, explore the beautiful campus area. Legislature and grounds also interesting to look at.
Stoneman89
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2008
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DARK sounds very cool! Also, good call on Sabor, one of my favourite restos in town. Another to consider is Range Road.
Gunnersaurus Rex
Registered User
- Jan 14, 2008
- 3,360
- 2,359
Edmonton doesn't really have much for tourist attractions in general, but in the winter months it's virtually nothing.
I had to cringe at a few of the suggestions haha, especially for someone coming from New York.
The long and short answer is there isn't a ton to do in Edmonton proper at the end of October that is very exciting in comparison to bigger cities with more tourist attractions. Other than the possibility that there are some decent musical acts here around that time, I'm stuck for anything interesting other than drive to the mountains. Hang out around Whyte Ave at night for restaurants/bars, but that's really it.
joestevens29
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2009
- 54,050
- 17,175
Say what? The biggest event of the year is at the end of October
2023 Heritage Classic - Wikipedia
But yes generally speaking July and August are when you want to come to Edmonton with all the festivals going on. After that it generally becomes pretty slow. Maybe the Eskimos will have some excitement going into the fall this year that we haven't had for awhile.
94 Oil Drops
Copa o Muerte
If you're from the greater NYC area, you are going to be very underwhelmed. Very little to see here. We have a mall with a huge water park in it and you can watch our nhl team in a shinny building... I guess that's nice.
Whyte Ave and Jasper Ave have a whole bunch pretty good restaurants to try but again, you're from New York so it's not like great food is anything new to you. lol
Whyte Ave and Jasper Ave have a whole bunch pretty good restaurants to try but again, you're from New York so it's not like great food is anything new to you. lol
Drivesaitl
Finding Hemingway
But how is anybody coming from NY going to be interested in hanging out around Whyte AVe or its restos or bars. There would be nothing to compare to what could be found in NY. The bolded applies in that context too.
Edmontons restaurant scene is sad, sad, sad in general. Pretty routine places with rip off menus. Edmonton had better restaurants in the 70's.
Rge Rd. and Sabor, listed above are decent, but nothing that would thrill a NYer
Oh I agree. Just in general if you wanted to do something at night that would pretty much be the only spot, despite obviously not measuring up to NY.
Drivesaitl
Finding Hemingway
but but but what about Ice District.
We were told when this build out was financed this would be an entertainment mecca with several people place draws to it. man, so many places closed DT as well due to pandemic, DT decline, and people staying away. For instance I used to recommend looking around the Arts District, I don't now.
The places that work here as recommendations are Fort Edmonton, University, Legislature, river valley because of them being unique appeals and entities that make up what Edmonton is as a city. Fort Edmonton fairly nails it with its location next to riverbank access to the river that gave birth to exploration of this area.
Side comment but the City banked on Louise McKinney infrastructure and promenade being such an appeal and put the Funicular down there to increase access except its poorly monitored, often vandalized, often closed. So much investment in that area and so little oversight.
The one promenade I would recommend is from High Level Bridge to 121 street. Victoria Promenade is nice year round and good spot to look at river, the city, U of A etc across the banks. After a bite at High street area with multiple options. I did mention the High level streetcar as well. Its an interesting ride and it'll feel very um, elevated. It offers some fantastic views.
but but but what about Ice District.
man, so many places closed DT as well due to pandemic, DT decline, and people staying away. For instance I used to recommend looking around the Arts District, I don't now.
The places that work here as recommendations are Fort Edmonton, University, Legislature, river valley because of them being unique appeals and entities that make up what Edmonton is as a city. Fort Edmonton fairly nails it with its location next to riverbank access to the river that gave birth to exploration of this area.
Side comment but the City banked on Louise McKinney infrastructure and promenade being such an appeal and put the Funicular down there to increase access except its poorly monitored, often vandalized, often closed. So much investment in that area and so little oversight.
The one promenade I would recommend is from High Level Bridge to 121 street. Victoria Promenade is nice year round and good spot to look at river, the city, U of A etc across the banks. After a bite at High street area with multiple options. I did mention the High level streetcar as well. Its an interesting ride and it'll feel very um, elevated. It offers some fantastic views.
COVID obliterated downtown. I lived downtown and moved out shortly before COVID hit.
Downtown was truthfully picking up before I left, then when things opened again and I went back it was completely different, and now even worse. I am certain that area would be in a much better place today had COVID not ever happened, but here we are unfortunately.
Stoneman89
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2008
- 28,432
- 23,931
Someone coming from NY is likely going to have experienced or had the chance to experience nearly the biggest and best of everything. Pretty sure they have all kinds of gyms and pools. Yes, they have the best restaurants, but people still have to eat, so we suggest the best of what we have. Which leaves things that could be considered unique to Edmonton, and Ft. Edmonton comes to mind. Sad as it is to say, WEM is still pretty unique. NY has hockey, but here in Edmonton, you can see the greatest player in the league live. You can suggest parks, but NY has a pretty nice big one there already. A drive out to the country or at least the outskirts might be an idea, as it's pretty easy to get swallowed up in a big city like NY.
joestevens29
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2009
- 54,050
- 17,175
People started working from home and never really came back. Killed a lot of things down there. Work ethic being and/or a sense of entitlement being a couple of other things that were killed too
Drivesaitl
Finding Hemingway
Central Park is a different experience than a Natural setting river valley that is among the best protected river valleys of green found anywhere in a major city. it is unique.
Central park is not appreciably different from Mountroyal Park (Montreal) or standard British Parks. These are designed. They are not really comparable as such.
Its no comparison, Central Park with the Edmonton River Valley.
North Saskatchewan River Valley | Explore Edmonton
The North Saskatchewan River Valley is North America’s largest stretch of urban parkland. Looking for things to do outside in Edmonton? Cruise through the trails by foot, canoe, bike, snowshoe, or ski. You can access the river valley at various points throughout the city, including the 100...
exploreedmonton.com
Edmontons River Valley parkland itself is bigger than all of Manhattan.
- The Edmonton River Valley is the largest urban green space in North America. At 7,300 hectares, it is larger than all of Manhattan in New York City, or 18 times larger than Stanley Park in Vancouver.
Where else can you find Beavers, Moose, Deer, Bears etc in the confines of a city and urban environment. The best thing about Edmonton is the foresight regarding the river valley and our preserved ribbon of green.
In the fall some of my favorite walks are in Whitemud or Blackmud ravine. With Whitemud you walk all the way to the North Saskatchewan and can do that easily from far off Riverbend through rainbow valley. Guaranteed unique experience.
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TopShelfGloveSide
Registered User
- Dec 10, 2018
- 19,931
- 28,883
Oof October is a slow slow time for Edmonton.
One place I’ll recommend to eat at is Panini's Italian cuisine. Nice family owned place down town. Not overly expensive as well. Campio brewing is a fun pub especially in the summer. Whyte avenue is where you want to go if you want to walk down the street and visit multiple pubs. Doesn’t compare to NY but it’s a fun time none the less.
The hockey scene on game day is pretty good down town in the ice district. Go down there before the game and I’m sure you’ll have fun. There’s also a vodka tasting ice house if I’m not mistaken.
Keep your head on a swivel if you are going to take the LRT and there isn’t a lot of people riding it. (After a game is safe)
If you have have access to a car make a drive to the mountains. It’s beautiful.
I know you already mentioned the mall but the water park in there is actually amazing. Galaxy Land isn’t bad either if you have kids.
One place I’ll recommend to eat at is Panini's Italian cuisine. Nice family owned place down town. Not overly expensive as well. Campio brewing is a fun pub especially in the summer. Whyte avenue is where you want to go if you want to walk down the street and visit multiple pubs. Doesn’t compare to NY but it’s a fun time none the less.
The hockey scene on game day is pretty good down town in the ice district. Go down there before the game and I’m sure you’ll have fun. There’s also a vodka tasting ice house if I’m not mistaken.
Keep your head on a swivel if you are going to take the LRT and there isn’t a lot of people riding it. (After a game is safe)
If you have have access to a car make a drive to the mountains. It’s beautiful.
I know you already mentioned the mall but the water park in there is actually amazing. Galaxy Land isn’t bad either if you have kids.
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94 Oil Drops
Copa o Muerte
Covid obliterated the city in general. Earlier on in our marriage when we couldn't afford a car, (back in 2020) my wife was harassed several times by creeps when she had to take transit. She grew up near Mexico City and claims that she felt a lot safer there than in certain parts of Edmonton. Let that sink in. That's not good.
Fortunately we just moved into our first home which is a few minutes away from my parent's place. It's a pretty good neighborhood but her and I seriously considered moving to St. Albert (which turned out to be way too expensive) and Spruce Grove due to the amount of crime in Edmonton. There's beggers at seemingly every major intersection these days. Its terribly sad and tbh, quite appalling.
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As far as I'm concerned the LRT system is a complete no go zone other than the very busiest of times. Even then I would avoid whenever possible.
Mr Kot
Registered User
- Jan 15, 2022
- 5,525
- 12,639
What's fun is relative anyway. OP might be into some of these suggestions and he should give them a shot anyway.
