Many people don't realize what a fantastic vacation spot Edmonton is. There is so much to see & do here & it doesn't cost very much. The city is massive & spread out, bisected by the North Saskatchewan River & interwoven with so many long parks. In the Summer, the sun sets long after 10 pm, giving you more daylight in which to get so much seen & done.
Favourite spots:
The Muttart Conservatory, the West Edmonton Mall (the world's biggest), the Provincial Museum of Alberta, the Edmonton Art Gallery, the Alberta Legislature, & the University of Alberta.
What's really great:
I arrived in time for Klondike Days a 1-week festival commemorating the Klondike Gold Rush, which made Edmonton prosperous by supplying the prospectors. In the downtown parks were food stands & live music. People of all races & ages enjoyed the festivities together. No one brought guns or knives. There were no gangs & no fights. The place was kept clean as each did their part to put their garbage, & any other they found, in the trash cans. And they didn't need an army of police to keep the peace. Just one patrol car came by every once in awhile.
Sights:
Their are parks all along the North Saskatchewan River with trails that go on for miles. They all have scenic views of the city & nature. On my birthday, on one point of the river, I saw for the first time in my life a beaver in the wild. Before i had only seen them in zoos & on TV. So this was a unique experience for me.
Accommodations:
The YMCA is just a block from City Hall & inexpensive.
Nightlife:
There are so many in such a large city. Local papers; such as 'The Edmonton Journal' Friday insert 'What's On', 'The Edmonton Sun' Friday insert 'Weekend', & 'The Edmonton Bullet' Wednesday insert 'Live Wire' can give you a comprehensive listing.
Hangouts:
same as above
Restaurants:
same as above
Other recommendations:
Many shopping malls in downtown Edmonton are connected by underground passages.
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