Top 5 Enjoyable Things To Do in Edmonton, AB

Many know that Canada boasts some marvelous scenery and nature. But not everyone knows that the country is also home to some gorgeous, large cities that are abundant in culture and entertainment and put even some of the U.S.’s prized cities to shame.
 
One such city is Edmonton, AB. The capital of the province of Alberta, it is a city full of life and enjoyable things to do and see.
 
If you’re a resident or just visiting our great city, here are the top 5 things we at EdmontonLimo.net think you should definitely check out while you're here!

1. Visit West Edmonton Mall:
   
   When you plan a trip, you probably don’t envision the local mall as being a key attraction.
   
   But the West Edmonton Mall is not like other malls. It is in fact the largest mall in North America, and was the largest mall in the world until 2004. It still stands as the 10th largest mall in the world today.
   
   The mall takes up over 48 city blocks and has something for everyone to enjoy, with over 800 shops, an indoor roller coaster, a water park with the world’s largest indoor wave pool, mini-golf, a penguin habitat, a casino, movie theaters, and more.
   
   Adventure park meets retail therapy, meets fine dining and grown-up fun in this massive mall. Even if you are not a “shopper,” you won’t want to miss this mall. 
   
   
2. Explore Fort Edmonton Park:
   
   To get a taste of history, spend a day at Fort Edmonton Park, the largest living history museum in all of Canada. It is named for the first lasting European settlement in the area. 
   
   This living museum brings the area’s history to life, reaching all the way back to the aboriginal peoples who lived their long before European settlement. It uses both original and reconstructed historical structures, and during the summer it is staffed by live historical actors and interpreters in authentic costumes.
   
   Take a step into the past by visiting this 158-acres park. Ride a genuine, working steam engine train, trot along in a horse-drawn carriage, or hop on the streetcars or catch an automobile, all located in appropriate eras within the park.
   
   You’ve never experienced history quite like you will here!
   
   
3. Attend a Performance:
   
   In a city so bursting with music and performing arts, you can’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy them.
   
   The city is home to the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, known as one of the most acoustically perfect music halls in all of Canada. It houses the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and is also home to the largest concert organ in the country.
   
   The city is also home to the Citadel Theatre, composed of five halls each uniquely specialized for certain types of productions. And don’t forget the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, which functions as the main base for the city’s opera house.
   
   
4. Visit the Nature Parks:
   
   One thing is for sure, you will have no shortage of parks to visit, and they are great parks, too!
   
   Along the river valley itself is the longest stretch of urban parkland on the continent. There are parks of all sorts, from urban parks to campgrounds. The park system contains over 11 lakes, 14 ravines, and a total of 22 major parks with many biking and walking trails. Some of the trails hook up to the 146 mile-long Waskahegan Walking Trail.
   
   During the winter, these parks are still put to excellent use, providing great land for cross-country skiing, ice skating, and even downhill ski slopes and sledding hills.
   
   Elk Island National Park is also just a drive away. It has played a major role in protecting the American bison population and is one of the best places to see the bison up close. The park offers backcountry and regular camping, hiking and biking trails, canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing, and numerous other activities and festivals throughout the year.
   
   
5. Check Out the Festivals:
   
   Edmonton has earned the nickname of “Canada’s Festival City” for its over 40 annual festivals.
   
   At any given point in the year, you can probably find one to attend. They have music festivals of all sorts (including a Folk Music Festival, Bluegrass and Country Music Festival, and a Jazz Festival, just to list a few), film and theatre festivals, history and heritage festivals, art and food festivals, and too many others to list.
   
   There are festivals truly all year long, every month of the year, even in January and February during the heart of winter.
   
   

          With so much to do, there is something for everyone, and far more things than just 5 activities to find and enjoy... gotta love E-Town!

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