West Edmonton Mall
📍 Address: 8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 4J2 Canada
West Edmonton Mall (WEM) is Alberta’s largest tourist attraction, drawing over 30 million visitors annually. Spanning approximately 490,000 square meters, it’s one of North America’s biggest mega-malls, resembling a small city. Since its opening in 1981, it has continuously expanded, now housing over 800 stores, the world’s largest indoor wave pool ‘World Waterpark’, the indoor amusement park ‘Galaxyland’, an ice skating rink, and even an indoor lake featuring a massive replica of the Santa Maria ship. All sorts of entertainment are concentrated indoors here, a testament to Edmonton’s long, severe winters and the drive to ‘complete everything indoors’.
Wandering aimlessly through the vast mall will certainly get you lost, so it’s essential for travelers to narrow down their objectives beforehand. For shopping, we recommend looking for unique Canadian local souvenirs. For instance, at the hat specialty store ‘Lids’, you can have your name embroidered on a purchased hat for an extra fee, creating a one-of-a-kind original item. Also, while ‘Old Navy’ is a familiar brand in many countries, this location offers limited-edition T-shirts and sweatshirts featuring the Canadian flag, making them popular and affordable souvenirs for travelers.
Access from downtown Edmonton is generally by bus. Express bus #100 is the fastest, but it’s often crowded with locals and tourists, making it hard to find a seat. Considering you’ll be walking around for a long time during your stay, opting for a local bus where you can sit might be a smart choice. Additionally, during major sales like Black Friday, the mall is enveloped in incredible excitement and heavy crowds, so if your visit coincides with these dates, be prepared for the throng.
100 Street Funicular
📍 Address: 10065 100 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1J1 Canada
Connecting the heart of downtown (100 Street) to the vast natural expanse of the River Valley is the ‘100 Street Funicular’. Completed in 2017, this glass-enclosed inclined elevator (cable car) is completely free to use. Although the ride lasts only about a minute, it offers a hidden, stunning view where you can take in the beautiful contrast of the surrounding nature, Edmonton’s architecture, and bridges. Its barrier-free design allows smooth boarding for wheelchair users, cyclists, and families with large strollers, making it a beloved part of locals’ daily commute.
At the bottom of the funicular, you’ll find the ‘Frederick G. Todd Lookout’, named after the landscape architect who contributed greatly to the conservation of the River Valley. It’s a superb photo spot overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Right beside the funicular, there’s also a magnificent 170-step staircase made of Kebony wood, allowing you to choose between taking the funicular or the stairs, depending on your energy level.
However, there’s a crucial ‘real-world tip’ that travelers absolutely must know: the time of your visit. While it’s a peaceful spot with beautiful views during the day, the atmosphere can change dramatically from dusk into nighttime, or in the early morning. Drug users and homeless individuals may gather in the blind spots of stair landings and benches. To travel safely in Edmonton, avoid visiting alone during dark hours or using the stairs with many blind spots. Instead, use the funicular during bright daylight hours to safely enjoy the scenery.
Elk Island National Park
📍 Address: Improvement District No. 13, Alberta, Canada
Just a 40-minute drive east of downtown Edmonton lies ‘Elk Island National Park’, Canada’s eighth smallest but its only fully fenced national park. It’s renowned as a ‘historic sanctuary for bison conservation’, where efforts in the early 20th century saved the endangered bison (American buffalo) and preserved their lineage for future generations. Today, two subspecies, Plains bison and Wood bison, are carefully protected. The greatest attraction is the chance to encounter majestic herds of giant bison grazing grandly by the roadside simply by driving along the park roads.
The park features the beautiful Astotin Lake, where visitors of all levels can enjoy nature by canoeing across its calm waters or leisurely strolling along the ‘Living Waters Boardwalk Trail’ by the lakeside. If you’re lucky, you might spot beavers or elk (wapiti). Many of the trails are flat and easy to walk for even beginner hikers, allowing you to completely forget the hustle and bustle of the city amidst the silent forest.
An important piece of advice for travelers is that there are no restaurants or cafes inside this national park. Therefore, the essential strategy is to stop by the nearby town of Lamont beforehand to stock up on snacks, drinks, and gas before entering the park. Additionally, a national park pass is required for entry, so it’s recommended to purchase it in advance to avoid congestion at the gate.
Edmonton River Valley
📍 Address: 11037 97 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 2W3 Canada
The ‘Edmonton River Valley’ is a massive network of urban parks stretching along both banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Its expanse is astonishingly about 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park. As North America’s largest ‘urban green space’, it is a source of great pride for Edmontonians. The area boasts over 20 major parks and more than 150 km of paved trails, perfect for cycling, jogging, and enjoying breathtaking autumn foliage walks.
To efficiently enjoy this incredibly vast park, the best approach for travelers is to use the aforementioned ‘100 Street Funicular’ to access it directly from downtown and leisurely stroll along the surrounding trails and public art-adorned bridges. If you have time and budget, joining a Segway tour along the river is also a wonderful experience that allows you to truly feel the local atmosphere.
Incidentally, there’s also a local dilemma due to the immense size of this River Valley. The park contains no fewer than six expansive golf courses, including Mayfair and Victoria. Some locals engage in heated debates over the park’s existence, arguing that ‘it’s unfair for a limited number of people to occupy such vast land’. Keeping these real local issues in mind as you gaze at the beautiful Edmonton downtown skyline across the river, you’ll gain a different perspective and deeper appreciation for this city.
Edmonton Local Tips for 120% Enjoyment
Edmonton is known as the ‘Festival City’, a vibrant place with various events held throughout the year. However, it also presents unique challenges for walking due to its harsh winter cold and vast geographical spread. For travelers to make the most of a multi-day stay, securing transportation between attractions is key.
While the downtown area is convenient for LRT (Light Rail Transit) or walking, for vast suburban spots like West Edmonton Mall or Elk Island National Park, you’ll save significant time by checking bus routes in advance or opting for a rental car or Uber. Furthermore, when visiting natural areas, be aware that temperatures drop sharply after dusk, and some areas may require attention to safety. The best way to enjoy Edmonton is to create a balanced schedule: ‘fully enjoy sightseeing during daylight hours, and in the evening, savor local craft beers at safe downtown restaurants or pubs’.
