Edmonton

Tourism tips for the city where we live and enjoy! If you’re traveling here from afar, here are some recommendations for things to do when not at the reception itself (or at one of the various other hospitality events that we might organize for our visitors).

Royal Alberta Museum

One of our favorite locations to visit, the museum chronicles Alberta's natural and cultural worlds. Kai always has a great time in the 650 square metres (7,000 sq ft) dedicated children's gallery and the bug room with live invertebrates and visible nursery. The feature gallery for June 2025 hasn’t been announced yet, (Wikipedia)

TELUS World of Science

A family visit multiple times a year, the science center features a wide offering of interactive exhibits for all ages. With an IMAX theater and Zeidler Dome complementing the hands on experience with a collecting of movie watching experience. The traveling exhibit for June 2025 has not been announced yet. (Wikipedia)

Fort Edmonton Park

A great outdoor option that includes both original and rebuilt historical structures representing the history of Edmonton. In addition to amusement rides and working railroad, the Indigenous Peoples Experience is highly recommeded.(Wikipedia)

North Saskatchewan
River Valley

Impossible to describe in a quick blurb, a collection of trails and parks along the river, through the woods, etc… etc… It winds through the center of Edmonton. (Wikipedia) It also hosts the Riverside Golf Course for anyone looking to hit the links while visiting Edmonton.

Legislative Assembly of Alberta

The provincial government is here, which offers tours, but the visitor’s centre is wonderful, the architecture is neat, there’s lots of public art and of the Borealis Gallery hosts some pretty neat free exhibitions. A well-known location to watch fireworks on Canada Day, Ali and Jon celebrated Canada Day on the grounds shortly after meeting in 2015. (Wikipedia)

University of Alberta Botanic Garden

An expansive and impressive outdoor botanic garden, this huge place includes a Japanese garden, the Aga Khan Pavilion, and many other expressions of horticultural excellence that can thrive in our outdoor environment. With over 4000 plant species represented, 240 acres, and 3 indoor showhouses, a visit here could take quite some time. (Wikipedia)

Elk Island National Park

After the bison of North America were nearly driven to extinction, a small herd lived in Elk Island National Park. Now the species has rebounded and this park offers one of the easiest ways of seeing some really great wildlife within an easy drive of Edmonton. There’s a nice interpretive centre, a playground, ample hiking and walking trails, EV charging, picnic tables and much more. We’ve gone snowshoeing here in winter. (Wikipedia)

Art Gallery of Alberta

Having recently celebrated 100 years, the Art Gallery of Alberta not only features an iconic building that emulates the river valley but it features great art exhibitions. The whole family ate cake to celebrate 100 years, and enjoyed the special gallery exhibits. (Wikipedia)

Jurassic Forest

Do you want to take a walk in a forest and have that walk interrupted by the occasional animatronic dinosaur? Do you have children who are entertained by this concept? Do you have a rental vehicle to get out of town? If so, this might be the right destination for you. This tourist attraction is located at a bit of a drive but is definitely family friendly and includes lots of dinosaur facts along with a playground and mini golf.

Does a mall deserve it’s own sub-category? In the case of the West Edmonton Mall, it does.

The water and amusement parks are big favorites for our family but there is definitely something for everyone, and that’s not even mentioning the over 800 shopping retailers. The mall also offers multiple options for hotels for out of town guests, including the ‘Fantasyland Hotel’ for those interested in staying in a room themed around a ‘Canadian Cabin’ or ‘Outer Space’

Calgary

Calgary Zoo

Receiving international recognition as one of the top zoos in the world for conservation research. This zoo is a great place to see a large variety of wildlife. (Wikipedia)

Heritage Park

As one of Canada's largest living history museums, it is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits span western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. (Wikipedia)

Across Alberta

Banff National Park

Easily some of the best natural wilderness Canada has to offer. Climb a mountain, walk on a glacier, or hike around prestine lakes, perfect for anyone wanting to stretch their legs. (Wikipedia)

Dinosaur Provincial Park

The park is well-known for being one of the richest dinosaur fossil locales in the world. Fifty-eight dinosaur species have been discovered at the park and more than 500 specimens have been removed and exhibited in museums around the globe. (Wikipedia)