Edmonton

As the capital of Alberta, Edmonton has a big heart and a cultured soul. Known as the “Gateway to the North”, Edmonton is Canada’s final urban frontier before embarking upon the Great North. Its close connections to nature allow for regular viewing of the Aurora Borealis in the winter months, something that most city centres cannot boast of.

A modern city with small-town charm, Edmonton marches to its own beat. Its most famous attraction is the West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping centre in North America that defies one’s expectation of a mall with its own indoor waterpark, theme parks, miniature golf, skating rink, movie theatres, and a sprawling entertainment complex. Its gorgeous River Valley Park is the biggest urban park in Canada, sitting at 22 times the size of Central Park. As home to North America’s first and largest Fringe Theatre Festival, it’s safe to say that Edmonton likes to do things big.

Absorb Albertan culture at the interactive Fort Edmonton Park or the Royal Alberta Museum, where you’ll come to understand Edmonton’s unique character more intimately. The Art Gallery of Alberta brings you some of the best collections of modern and contemporary art in Western Canada, with a focus on regional and national artists. Visit the city’s most beloved neighbours at Elk Island National Park, where you can get up close and personal with bison, elk, and more in their natural habitats.