DOWNTOWN
Edmonton’s downtown is a thriving arts, retail, business and government centre. Explore the vast variety of shops and restaurants. There are over 500 places to shop, 200 restaurants, including popular clubs and pubs, major hotels and a host of other attractions and services.
Getting around is made easy and comfortable in all weather with the extensive pedway system (above and below street level covered walkways) which connects major shopping centres as well as other key public buildings. More than 25 “Park in the Heart” (look for the ) lots offer easy and reasonably priced parking. The Light Rail Transit System and Edmonton Transit have many routes serving downtown and all points of the city.
Among Edmonton’s landmarks are City Hall, featuring an eight-storey glass pyramid; the majestic blue Manulife Place, Edmonton’s tallest structure at 36 storeys; the award-winning Canada Place with its copper-coloured facade housing Canadian government ofÞces; and the historic, elegant Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, built in 1915. Terraced on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River is the Shaw Conference Centre, which hosts delegates from across Canada and around the world. Set on the banks of the river, and surrounded by 57 acres of parkland, is the Alberta Legislature, which was completed in 1912 on the site of the original Fort Edmonton.
Downtown plays host to The Works Visual Arts Festival, Edmonton
International Street Performers Festival, and Jazz City concerts, Edmonton’s Klondike Days, Comedy Arts Festival and many other major city events. Sir Winston Churchill Square, in the heart of the Arts District, is the focal point for many of these festivals and activities.
ARTS DISTRICT
The eye-catching Citadel Theatre is in the heart of Edmonton's downtown Arts District. |
Within steps of your downtown accommodation, in a four-block area surrounding Sir Winston Churchill Square, some of Edmonton’s most compelling concerts, theatre and visual arts can be discovered. Key landmark cultural institutions, both old and new, are located here, including The Edmonton Art Gallery, Alberta’s longest running cultural institution and largest art museum. The gallery, located northeast of the square, exhibits some of the best contemporary and historical art from around the world. It also features The Gallery Shop with imaginative and artistic gifts, and the Art Rental and Sales Gallery. The Citadel Theatre, set on the southeast corner of the square, is Edmonton’s Þrst and largest theatre company and presents a season of dynamic theatre. From classics to world premieres by the world’s great playwrights, the Citadel is known for big productions with some of the world’s best actors and directors.
The Francis Winspear Centre, home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, is located east of the square. This stunning concert hall features a shoebox-shaped performance chamber reminiscent of 19th Century concert halls. Officially opened in September 1997, the Winspear Centre has since shown its tremendous acoustical abilities with concerts from symphonic to pop.
North of the square is Edmonton’s City Hall, a distinctive building which opened in 1992. City Hall displays some outstanding work by Edmonton visual artists and continually entertains with community and civic events.
Also located within Winston Churchill Square is the Stanley A. Milner Public Library, one of the country’s busiest libraries.
Tickets for most major sporting and cultural events in the city are available from Ticketmaster (780-451-8000), and Tix on the Square (east of Sir Winston Churchill Square). The latter offers discounts on some same-day performance tickets.
CHINATOWN
Chinatown is divided into two areas. The “new” Chinatown runs eastward along 102 Avenue to 95 Street and south to Jasper Avenue (the Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Centre is located here). Original Chinatown extends north on 97 Street from 105 to 107A Avenue. Here you’ll Þnd the Pacific Rim Mall, restaurants and unique little shops - some with sidewalk stalls brimming with fresh produce.
The impressive Chinatown Gate at 102 Avenue and 97 Street was built as a symbol of friendship between Edmonton and its sister city of Harbin, China. Don’t forget to roll the ball in the lion’s mouth for good luck!
AVENUE OF NATIONS
To the northwest of downtown is the area known as the Avenue of Nations, extending along 107 Avenue from 95 Street to 116 Street.
This neighbourhood features a diverse and dynamic spectrum of shops, services and restaurants representing the cultures of China, Vietnam, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Japan and Latin America. Highlights include the Lunar New Year Festival, an annual celebration in the oriental tradition.
OLD STRATHCONA
Historic buildings combine with youthful exuberance to make Old Strathcona one of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods. Buildings in this area date back to 1891, the year the Þrst Edmonton-to-Calgary railroad arrived.
Today, the restored buildings along and around Whyte Avenue (82 Avenue) house an array of attractions, shops and restaurants. Close to the University of Alberta, this district caters to a young crowd with fashion-forward shops, new and used bookstores, and craft and gift shops displaying the works of local and international artists and artisans.
Sip an espresso in one of the outdoor cafés, browse through the selection of delicacies and crafts at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, or enjoy local talent in the many live theatres and music venues. Old Strathcona is a community that loves to play and takes pride in inviting everyone to participate. The Silly Summer Parade on July 1, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Fringe Theatre Festival in August are among the many entertaining events held here.
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
The Timms Centre for the Arts is at the University of Alberta. |
Alberta’s first premier, A.C. Rutherford, was instrumental in establishing the University of Alberta in 1908. Today the U of A has a student, faculty and staff population of over 40,000 people and has established an international reputation in fields such as diabetes and viral research, plant biotechnology, chemistry, nanotechnology and English literature.
There are over 90 buildings on the beautiful 93-year-old, 88-hectare campus. Among the landmarks are the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, officially opened in 1957 as a gift from the Province of Alberta to commemorate Alberta’s 50th anniversary. The fan-shaped facility is home of Alberta Ballet and Edmonton Opera as well as professional theatre companies. The nearby Universiade Pavilion (locally known as the Butterdome due to its distinctive yellow colour) was built as a sports venue for the 1983 World University Games.
The $650 million Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre has some of the most technically advanced medical and research facilities in the world. The Timms Centre for the Arts, opened in 1995, is home to the Studio Theatre Company of graduating Department of Drama students.
Another landmark is the Housing Union Building, or HUB Mall. Built in 1972, its unique design, incorporating housing and retail space, received worldwide attention. It continues to be a popular gathering place for students, staff and visitors.
Rutherford House, the restored home of Alberta’s first premier, is open for tours.
RIVER VALLEY
Footbridges and walkways provide easy access to the scenic river valley. |
You don’t have to leave the city or even travel out of downtown to get back to nature. One of Edmonton’s greatest attractions is the North Saskatchewan River valley. Winding through the centre of the city, this lush park system provides a natural corridor for all-season recreation and relaxation.
This is the longest expanse of urban parkland in North America, with over 7,400 hectares of breathtaking sites, golf courses, nature trails, attractions, and 97 kilometres of multi-use trails for cycling, jogging or a leisurely stroll. Wide pathways ensure easy and uninhibited access to all users.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a walk through this beautiful natural area. In winter, enjoy cross-country or downhill skiing, snowshoeing or tobogganing. On a hot summer day, the river valley is the perfect site for a hike, bike, run or picnic.
Other wonderful ways to tour the river valley include jet boating or canoeing on the North Saskatchewan River. Friendly staff are on hand and will be pleased to provide you with suggestions for your excursion into Edmonton’s ribbon of green. Call (780) 496-7275.
KINGSWAY
Constructed in 1914 and steeped in history, Kingsway is unique because it was originally intended to be the city’s main thoroughfare. Kingsway runs from southeast to northwest, between 101 Street and 118 Avenue.
It was named Kingsway in honour of the visit by King George VI to Edmonton in 1939, when 60,000 people jammed the sidewalks to watch the Royal cavalcade roll past.
Kingsway is home to Edmonton’s largest hospital (Royal Alexandra) and second-largest shopping mall (Kingsway Garden Mall), as well as the City Centre Airport, the VIA Rail Station and the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre. Commonwealth Stadium, Skyreach Centre, Odyssium, and the Alberta Aviation Hall of Fame are all just minutes away.
124 STREET / HIGH STREET / WEST END
Major attractions west of the city centre include the Provincial Museum of Alberta, Odyssium (formerly the Edmonton Space & Science Centre) and world famous West Edmonton Mall.
The Provincial Museum of Alberta (12845-102 Avenue) houses major collections of aboriginal artifacts and dazzling minerals that showcase the natural wonders of Alberta. The Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture is one of North America’s most expansive exhibitions on First Nations people, spanning 11,000 years and 500 generations. Old Glenora, the area surrounding the Provincial Museum, is one of the city’s oldest, most sought-after residential areas. Elegant early-1900s brick mansions and huge two-storeys line Wellington, Tweedsmuir and St. George’s Crescents and Connaught Drive. These gracious homes, many with river valley views, sell from $300,000 to over $1 million.
Edmonton’s historic 124 Street Area encompasses 10 blocks from 110 Avenue south to Jasper Avenue and the High Street Mall development, a block west at 102 Avenue and 125 Street. This area, formerly known as Edward Street, was once the city’s preeminent shopping destination. Today, many of the buildings have been restored and the area is now home to the largest concentration of art galleries in the city. The area galleries have formed the Gallery Walk Association and present special events to introduce their exhibitions. On a cultural note, area venues host events for both the Jazz City International Music Festival and Pick of the Fringe.
Located on 170 Street and known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” West Edmonton Mall is the world’s largest indoor shopping and entertainment complex (see pages 30-31). Take a ride on a real submarine, bungee jump in the World Waterpark, shop in the more than 800 stores and services, dine at one of the more than 110 eating establishments, or take in the thrills and excitement of the world’s largest indoor amusement park. No matter what your hobbies or interests, there’s something for everyone at West Edmonton Mall.
Odyssium, formerly the Edmonton Space & Science Centre (11211-142 Street), features four mind-boggling galleries of interactive displays and exhibits. Take a walk through the human body in the Body Fantastic, solve a crime on Mystery Avenue, gain a deeper understanding of Mother Nature in the Green’s House and explore the cosmos in Space Place. A new science demonstration stage, observatory, state-of-the-art computer lab, the largest planetarium dome in Canada, and Western Canada’s first IMAX Theatre are other must-see attractions here.
SOUTH EDMONTON COMMON
South Edmonton Common is a retail power centre currently being developed on n320 acres of land adjacent to Gateway Boulevard (Highway 2) and 23 Avenue.
At a projected 2.3 million square feet of commercial retail space, South Edmonton Common will be one of the largest centres of its kind in Canada when construction is completed in 2004. Currently SEC has 855,650 square feet of retail space, anchored by Superstore, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Cineplex Odeon Cinemas, all of which top 100,000 square feet.
