Edmonton on the North Saskatchewan River

Edmonton, the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, lies on both banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The city is a cultural center with theaters, great museums, art galleries, and a thriving music scene.

West Edmonton Mall is the country's largest shopping center and one of the largest in the world. There are hundreds of shops and restaurants, a hotel, movie theaters, an ice skating rink, an aquarium and so much more.

The mall also has themed sections that have been designed to mimic popular travel destinations all over the world. Europa Boulevard has European-style shop fronts, and Bourbon Street is a copy of the famous New Orleans street.

Also at the mall, Galaxyland is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. It even has a triple-loop roller coaster.

World Waterpark is the largest such attraction in North America. Among the highlights are the world's biggest indoor wave pool and two 83-foot-tall water slides. 

The Royal Alberta Museum is western Canada's largest museum. It offers both cultural and natural history exhibits. There are traveling exhibits from across Canada and around the world, a kid's gallery, and a bug room with live invertebrates and a visible nursery. There are also a gift shop and a cafe on site.

Elk Island National Park and Beaver Hills is a national park located a thirty-minute drive from Edmonton. It is a wooded area with lakes and wetlands. You can see wildlife like moose, elk, deer, and beaver. The main attraction is the large herd of buffalo grazing over a special enclosure. There is hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing as well as camping. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The Beaver Hills area is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a bird sanctuary and a wilderness center. At one time it was the tribal home of the Sarcee Indians.

Ukrainian Heritage Cultural Village lies along the Yellowhead Highway. This is an open-air museum that preserves the cultural heritage of immigrants from Bukovina and Ukraine, who settled in Alberta in the 1890s. You can see many living elements like a blacksmith, a market, and an old-fashioned general store. Over the years there are harvest celebrations, cooking demonstrations, and commemorations of Ukraine's national day.

Fort Edmonton Park is another open-air museum with reconstructed buildings reflecting the historical development of the city. You can enjoy riding a horse-drawn wagon and a steam train.

Muttart Conservatory is located on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River. There are four pyramid-shaped hothouses with rare species of plants. Each of the pyramids has a distinct environment that represents different biomes of the world,

Alberta Legislature Building sits in a park-like garden, It has a terrace from which you can have lovely views of the North Saskatchewan River. Visitors can get guided tours. 

The nearby Legislative Assembly Visitor Center has displays that are related to art, culture, and history. There is a gift shop selling arts and crafts from Alberta.

The Art Gallery of Alberta is located on Sir Winston Churchill Square. It displays visual art with an emphasis on Western Canada, The gallery has changing and traveling exhibits. Its extensive collection has over 6,000 pieces. On-site there is a gift shop, restaurant, and theater. Private guided tours are available. The gallery also features educational programs, lectures, and workshops.

At the end of July every year Edmonton hosts the 10-day festival, K Days. It is a representation of the 1890 Klondike Gold Rush days. There are street parties, dancing, parades, live entertainment, gold panning, and other events.

The Edmonton Valley Zoo opened in 1959 and focuses on the research of threatened animal species. Over 350 animals from over 100 species make their home here. They are both exotic and from the province of Alberta. Among rhe animals here are red pandas, lemurs, snow leopards, and arctic wolves. They live in their natural habitats. Children can enjoy rides like paddle boats, a miniature train, and a carousel.

The Alberta Aviation Museum is located near the Edmonton city center airport. There are two fighter jets mounted in interesting positions. On display are forty aircraft and there is a rare form of aircraft hanger that was constructed as part of Canada's pilot training program during WW II. Informative guided tours are available.

The TELUS World of Science is an educational science center. It has interactive and hands-on science and technology exhibits. The adjoining Margaret Zeidler Star Theater and the IMAX theater offer films from all over the world. To do some star-gazing there is the on-site observatory. A gift shop and cafes are also on the premises.

The University of Alberta Botanic Garden was founded in 1959. It is the largest such garden in the province. Among the highlights here are a Japanese Garden, a large tropical greenhouse with butterflies, and many displays of other plant species, both indoors and out. The Indigenous Garden has plants that were used by the indigenous people living in Canada. 

The newest feature to the botanic garden is the Aga Khan Garden which was inspired by Islamic architecture and landscapes. There are forest paths to walk, terraces, ponds, and pools. Guided walking tours are available. For classical music lovers ever June the annual Opera al Fresco takes place here featured by the Edmonton Opera Company.

The Alberta Railway Museum ARM has still-operation and static locomotives. It was established in 1976 to preserve the rich railway heritage of the province. The museum has over 75 engines and railcars. Among the highlights is a ride on one of the trains in the summer month. Self-guided tour maps are available.

The Edmonton Convention Centre is also known as “the Shaw.” This building is mostly underground. It is also home to a variety of accommodation and dining options.