Fall Fundamentals

Just because the temperatures drop—and the snow drops in too early?—doesn’t mean the festivities stop. To prove it, here’s a list of Edmonton’s best fall attractions to keep you enjoying the city’s great outdoors.

1) Ride the rails | Fall hours: Through October 8
Enjoy a beautiful view of the river valley, and get a glimpse into Edmonton’s history on the High Level Bridge Streetcar. The Streetcar service first opened in 1913, but was abandoned as the popularity of automobiles rose. Today, the ERRS boasts the largest fleet of heritage electric streetcars in Western Canada. Find out more about the history here.

2) Walk the artwalk | Sept 22 & 23
Lace up your shoes for the Fall Gallery Walk in the 124 Street Gallery District. Each of the eight galleries within the two-block tour hosts a special exhibit, offers refreshments, and provides information about the artwork. You may even have a chance to meet some artists! Missed the walk? The galleries are open year-round for tours at your leisure.

3) Travel back to the past
Although Fork Edmonton Park is closed for general admission in the fall, the park holds various events through the autumn months. Experience the history and traditions of Indigenous Peoples on Treaty 6 territory on a Métis Voyageur Canoe Experience, attend the annual Halloween festival, or catch an old flick at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday evenings. Each month has its own theme. September’s? “Back to School,” of course!

4) Find your festival fever
Head downtown to visit the 6th annual Up + Downtown Music Festival (Oct 5–7) at one of 11 venues hosting world-class music and art. On your way there, watch a one-minute silent short film on one of Edmonton Transit’s LRT platform screens during Edmonton’s Gotta Minute Film Festival (Sept 24–30). If you enjoy that, check out the Edmonton International Film Festival (Sept 27–Oct 6), an Oscar-qualifying film fest with over 150 submissions from more than 50 countries. (Looking for more festival choices? We’ve got a tantalizing list here.)

5) Make a sweet memory | 97 St. between 153 Ave. & 137 Ave
Capture the beautiful sugar maples that flourish in autumn with a family photo session along north 97 Street. The sugar maples—also known as acer saccharum—were planted by the Canadian Armed Forces when Griesbach was a Canadian Forces Base. The gorgeous trees are native to eastern Canada, from Nova Scotia through to Southeastern Manitoba, and rarely grow in Western Canada, making them a rare Edmonton sight.

6) Rock the boat
Discover more about Edmonton’s iconic riverboat in the September/
October 2018 issue of WHERE Edmonton.

7) Catch the Esks Express
Grab a toque, and head to Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium for some hometown spirit at a local football game with the Edmonton Esks. Want to find a great family deal? Check out more here.

8) Take a sunset paddle
There’s no better time than autumn to marvel at an enchanting sunset on an evening canoe tour. Haskin Canoe offers sunset paddles by canoe and kayak at Elk Island National Park, or, if you feel like staying in your own backyard, try a paddle tour through the river valley from Laurier to Capilano Park

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CONTEST ALERT

WHERE Edmonton is giving away a framed Oilers photo from West Edmonton Coin & Stamp! This photo features Edmonton Oilers player Connor McDavid after his first NHL goal.