Best of Edmonton Activities
Edmonton is a city for everyone. No matter your interests, we guarantee you can find something to suit your mood. For up to date info on the day-to-day and fun events happening around the city, Explore Edmonton has the deets on all of the local experiences. We also love Curiocity and YEG date for planning our days off and adventures with friends and family. However, there is nothing like the inside scoop from born and raised Edmontonians like ourselves to help you build your itinerary for your stay. In our opinion, these are the best ways to enjoy your time in the city and our regular go to’s for our down time. We hope you enjoy as much as we do.
1: Explore the many trails of the Edmonton River Valley.
The River Valley is our happy place. We have over 160km of trails you can walk, jog, and adventure through. In the winter months, it’s just as beautiful as the lush summer months. Everyday in the ravine looks different.
One of our favourite family pastimes is finding the “secret swing”. Should we tell you where it is???
Check out some city trails maps or improve your Edmonton knowledge with a free walking tour through the “Commonwealth Walkway” with an interactive app that takes you on a journey of 5 storylines (Indigenous, History, Family, River & Winter).
2: Go on a graffiti/mural tour.
Graffiti is one of our favourite things to photograph when we travel the world. Getting an essence of the funk and creativity of a city through art that spans incredible heights, transforms buildings both old and new, and pops up in, sometimes, the most random nooks of a city. Thanks to some recent art initiatives, Edmonton is filled with murals that will blow your mind.
Here are a few of our faves:
Okuda San Miguel Mural at 8230 Gateway Boulevard Artist: Okuda San Miguel (@okudart)
Mr. Chi Pig Mural 104 Street and Whyte Ave. (Old Strathcona) Artist: Lacey Jane & Layla Folkmann
The Monolith Wall at 9919 78 Ave (Alley) Artist: Mr. Cenz
River Valley Animals under the James Macdonald Bridge Artist: Nomadic Alternatives
Floral Wall at Manchester Square (107 Avenue and 121 Street) Artist: Alixandra Jade Art & Design
Magpie Wall at 102 Avenue and 97 Street
Edmonton Mural 103 Avenue and 106 Street, north side of building Artist: OG Slick
ONEQ 10344 105 St. Artist: ONEQ
Wolf and Skull at 99 Avenue and 110 Street (along the tracks) Artist: EN MASSE
Colourful Shapes and Whale ‘Time to Change’ at 10210 111 St Artist: Seve Estevez
Tunnel at Revolution Cycle (15103 Stony Plain Rd.) Artist: Vignettes
3: Knock down some pins in hipster paradise + eat at a local gem.
Rolling since 1959, this 3rd generation family-owned and operated alley is loaded with character. When you hit the lanes at Plaza Bowling, you’ll be greeted with original wood lanes, a hot pair of bowling shoes, and a jam packed rumbling alley. Add a little hipster bells and whistles like good tunes, craft beer, natty wines, and the best vibes and you're guaranteed a good time. We love pairing bowling with dinner at Otto Food + Drink down the way in Norwood. Otto is another family owned neighbourhood joint inspired by cafes in Amsterdam. They offer the best sausage and sharing plates to be enjoyed with friends or new friends you’ll meet on your visit. If you get lucky, the owner Ed will be around and you will be warmed with his genuine smile and immense care for the Edmonton hospitality scene.
4: Test your balance paddling down the North Saskatchewan River
There is nothing we love more than escaping the city in the middle of the city by taking our inflatable stand up paddle boards for a leisurely paddle down the river. The whole fam, dog included, hop on and enjoy the sunshine and peace that the river brings. If you didn’t bring paddle boards along for your trip, MEC does rentals that come with all of your required safety gear and your inflatable boards. Of course, when you're on a river, you need a way back to your ride. A little hack that we do when we just have one vehicle, is to drop our car off at the end point and Uber to your start point.
Hot Tip: keep your 5 star Uber rating by doing it this order vs. calling it on your way back, potentially drenched and muddy.
If you have never paddled before, we recommend going with someone who is experienced and can help guide you on when it is safest to do so. The river has been A LOT busier since covid and the patrols love to give tickets out, if you don’t have the correct gear. Check the river safety, the weather, and the city guidelines before you make your way onto the water.
Our favourite route is: Kinsmen (Hopping on under the Walterdale Bridge) to Dawson Park. When you’re finished up your paddle you can head down the block into the riverside community “Riverdale” and grab a bite to eat at Dog Patch Bistro Pub or Little Brick.
5: Go back in time and ride the High Level Bridge Street Car
This is the most Edmonton thing you can do, we’re certain.
The High Level Bridge Street Car line travels from their Whyte Ave Terminus, stopping at Old Strathcona, 107 St, Garneau, Government Centre & their Jasper Plaza Terminus before turning back for a round trip.
Not only do you get a bit of an interactive tour of central Edmonton, but the views from the high level are incredible.
We LOVE to pop into the Strathcona Farmers Market on a Saturday and grab some picnic goodies, then catch the Street Car for a ride and enjoy our snacks by the fountains on the gorgeous Legislature Grounds or at the top of the Royal Glenora Stairs which is a hot spot for Edmonton runners if you (like us) like to watch folks get sweaty while you enjoy your lunch.
You can explore downtown for a bit and hop back on the street car back or just carry on with your day.
Hot Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for special events including cocktail/beer popups and live music on the Street Car.
6: Wander through the 104 street Market and enjoy some summer bounty
Edmonton just happens to be the city with the most farmers markets in Alberta. Who knew? With 13 public markets across the city, you have lots of options for procuring your bounty of local goods, BUT the 104 street outdoor market is a god damn vibe and our personal fave.
For up to 22 Saturdays between May-October you can stroll down the pedestrian only (YES, it is completely closed to traffic during market hours) 104 street Market between Jasper Avenue and 102 Street. With vendors lining the streets, buskers making tunes to make the shoulders shimmy, and restaurants on either side letting their patios become part of the Al Fresco scene, you will bask in the sense of community and vibrancy this summer market brings to Edmonton. Try some samples, buy some goodies, enjoy the sunshine, and support some small, local businesses at the same time.
7: Window Shop on Whyte Avenue
Whyte Ave is a must do stop on your venture to Edmonton. This heritage street of Old Strathcona is home to shops, restaurants, markets, and some of the most historic buildings in YEG. This somewhat boho, quirky ave, often named, the “Heart of Edmonton”, has a scene that is anything but predictable. Perfect for those who love people watching, most definitely. Hit some of our favourite local shops like Gravity Pope and Bamboo Ballroom, hit some festivals or shows, or indulge in some of the best restaurants in Edmonton (We will make a list, don’t you worry), while you saunter down the strip and discover your own favourite gems.
8: Go on a brewery tour of Happy Beer Street
We recommend grabbing a city scooter or bike (and a helmet) and touring each of the brewery’s. Now named Happy Beer Street you can hit 8 and counting breweries all without leaving the hood. Grab a flight, a sleeve, or get real messy and have pints at all of them.
If you are still standing by the end of your bike and spike tour and want to go further down the rabbit hole you can check out Strathcona Spirits Distillery for tastings or *crossing fingers, the brand new Shiddy’s Distilling will open their doors for your stay.
9: Catch a ball game with an amazing Edmonton view
The Riverhawks is our ball team in Edmonton making the Re/Max Field their home. Take yourself to the ball game, buy some peanuts and cracker jacks (jk, peanuts are banned from sports events) and have fun cheering on our team and looking out over the river watching the sun set amongst fellow fans.
These games are fun for the whole family, friends, and solo fans alike. They have done such a good job at creating a full event and the price makes our wallets happy too.
10: Jump on and off the Oilers bandwagon in the Ice District.
Just kidding. We always love the Oilers. But this new district in Edmonton is showcasing the glamour that Edmonton is not known for and worth checking out whether it’s game day or not. With Edmonton entering the playoffs right away though, this will be the HOT SPOT for spring.
Not into sporting, that’s ok. The nightlife in the Ice District is where it is at. The newest fave being Bar Henry, another perfect addition to the Daniel Costa enterprise. The details, well hansdome AF and the food and drink is nothing short of perfection. Of course you have the JW lounge, Alchemy Speakeasy, Honi Toni Tiki Lounge, and many, many more places to indulge and show your local spirit.
