Edmonton Alberta | Edmonton Alberta may be a modern, urban city but few metropolises can boast parkland 21.7 times larger than New York City’s Central Park; the city’s River Valley is the largest expanse of urban parkland in North America. The great outdoors comes together with the best of Canada’s Festival City.

Urban places and spaces in Edmonton include white-hot Whyte Avenue on the city’s south side where people-watching, shopping and dining give way after dark to one of the city’s two premiere club zones. From coffee houses to trendy, chic shopping, Whyte Avenue is the place to be for that uniquely Edmonton feel.

Edmonton nightlife also hosts an array of possibilities. There are more than two dozen spots to choose from when it comes to bars, clubs and pubs, including Hudson’s Canadian Tap House, Devlin’s and The Black Dog. Edmonton nightlife also gets kicked up a notch downtown in an area recently christened as ‘The New Jasper. Located on Jasper Ave. there’s an assortment that should satisfy most: The Fluid Lounge, Oil City Roadhouse, The Bank Ultra Lounge, The Globe Tap Bar and Grill, and the Vinyl Retro Dance Lounge. As for the difference between E-town’s two club zones? Expect a slightly younger crowd on Whyte, a slightly ‘older’ crowd on Jasper.

If shopping is on the list of things to do, downtown Edmonton has upscale shopping with stores such as Holt Renfrew, Escada, and the neighbouring City Centre Mall, which has more than 170 shops and services in one convenient spot. West Edmonton Mall is a must on the shopping list. As North America’s largest one-stop, over-the-top shopping destination it features more than 800 stores and services in the world’s original mega mall including some of the best stores around.

Edmonton festivals are some of the most entertaining around. One of the world’s top fringe festivals – The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival awaits each summer. Uncensored fringe shows from around the world – as well as local selections – combine with an entertaining street scene, a plethora of food vendors and craftwork by local artisans for an experience that just needs to be experienced. Or head over to the Varscona Theatre, home to Improvaganza, Canada's largest improv festival.

Visit Edmonton and explore what sets it apart as a vacation destination. For more information, visit

Jenifer Christenson
Edmonton Tourism