Here's a crash course in Edmonton 101 that I think is apt for tourists, especially urban minded ones...
Places
- West Edmonton Mall: I'm putting it here first to get it out of the way. People on here like to discount WEM, and while I do agree with the premise that you should see other, more interesting places, if you've never been to Edmonton and have an extra day to spare (after doing stuff I mention after this), you shouldn't skimp out on West Edmonton Mall. Loads of shops, a giant waterpark, world's largest indoor rollercoaster, skating rink, etc. You could go just for the new Simons store (especially Westerners who don't happen to be able to hop down the 401 to Montreal like Torontonians can).
- Old Strathcona: centred along Whyte (82nd) Ave, this is Edmonton's must see neighbourhood. There's an eclectic indoor farmers market just north of Whyte, held every Saturday year round. Whyte Ave itself has lots of neat shops, restaurants, bars, and of course, live theatre. Chicken Scratch for knick-knacks, Blackbyrd for local music (and other stuff), and Old Strathcona Antique Mall for a trip down memory lane. Tutti Frutti, Famoso, Chianti, Dadeo's, Route 99, or straight from the market. Commercial Hotel has some great music. Try to catch some live theatre if you're into that sort of thing. If you go north on 105th St, until its terminus at Saskatchewan Drive, you can get some great skyline views.
- Downtown: lots to do here. Churchill Square is abuzz with activity in the spring and summer. Radiating it is Edmonton's City Hall, the Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA), Citadel Theatre, Winspear, and Edmonton's main public library. The AGA routinely has great exhibits, Citadel has had some amazing theatre, and the Winspear's acoustics are fantastic. You can stroll 104th St for some neat Edwardian-era industrial architecture, along with trendy cafes, restaurants, and little shops. Great little strip, mostly between Jasper and 103 Ave. The Alberta Legislature is also a great building to marvel at, in the SW corner of Downtown. Beaver Hills Park is a neat little oasis, with mini waterfall, on 105th and Jasper. Edmonton's CN Tower is a great example of the modernist high-rise. Businesses to check out: Blue Plate Diner, Three Banana's, Sherlock Holmes, Audreys Books, Remedy Cafe.
- High Level Bridge: Connects Downtown to Garneau and Old Strathcona. Beautiful bridge with great views.
- Victoria Promenade: Edmonton has an expansive river valley, to remedy that, the Victoria Promenade offers sweeping views of it. Great place to chill out and soak in the views.
- 124th St area: Less busy compared to Old Strathcona, but still tons to do. The area around Jasper Ave and 124th is home to the Gallery Walk, which houses some fantastic local art in private galleries. Just off 124th, at 125th and 102nd, is High Street, which has lots of neat boutiques. Further up the street there are more interesting shops, as well as restaurants. I'd recommend Col. Mustards in particular. A few blocks east of 124th, on 102nd or 103rd Ave (doesn't matter which), is Paul Kane Park, which has a cool water feature in the summer. Nice place to relax in.
- Glenora: this neighbourhood has an array of residential stock. There are many gems from when the neighbourhood was first built in the 1910s and 1920s, particularly around Alexander Circle, but there's also a lot of great mid-century modern in here as well, from the 1930s to the 1970s. Many homes in this leafy neighbourhood have a strong Scottish and Germanic feel to them.
- The River Valley: as mentioned above, this is an expansive network of parks. A great place to take in from a distance and up close. It's amazing to feel right in nature, while the downtown skyscrapers loom above. An oft overlooked Edmonton gem.
- Ada Blvd in the Highlands: similar in appeal to Glenora. Beautiful old mansions. Nearby, you can head into the river valley and cross the 50th St Footbridge for some nice views of Downtown Edmonton.
- The Quarters: this is a neighbourhood in transition immediately east of Downtown. The strip along Jasper Ave from 97th to 96th St boasts some great Edwardian commercial stock, bookended by the flatiron Gibson Block on one end and the modest Goodridge Bldg on the other. On the south side of this block are some great river valley views. Below the Quarters is Louise McKinney Park, which is the most manicured of the river valley parks, which is a nice park to stroll through.
Festivals
Most of Edmonton's festivals are held right Downtown in Churchill Square. Al Fresco and the Pride Parade coincide on the same day, which is a great way to see Edmonton at its finest. Some festivals, while centred at Churchill, have other spots of interest throughout the downtown or the city.
- Cariwest Parade (August)
- Taste of Edmonton (July)
- The Works Art & Design Festival (June)
- Street Performers Festival (July)
- Gay Pride Parade (June)
- Al Fresco (June)
- Whyte Ave Art Walk (July)
- Edmonton Fringe Fest (August)
- Dragon Boat Races (August)
- Heritage Days (August)
- Deep Freeze (January)
- Ice on Whyte (January)
- Edmonton Folk Fest (August)
Miscellaneous
- High Level Bridge Streetcar: operates May-October. Goes across the very top of the High Level Bridge (as opposed to the lower section for vehicles and pedestrians), offering sweeping views of the river valley and Downtown. It ends right outside the Old Strathcona Farmers Market.
- City Market on 104th St: this is the ideal time to see 104th. The street is closed from Jasper to 103rd Ave and just gives the street a great atmosphere. It's held every Saturday from mid-May to early-October.
- Edmonton Queen: neat, affordable riverboat that gives an hour long tour along a stretch of Edmonton's river, the North Saskatchewan.
- Gallagher Park: a simple park, but with some of the best skyline views in the city. During the winter, the place is great for tobogganing down, due to the large hill that makes the park. Every August, the park is host to the Edmonton Folk Festival. Beneath the park is the tiny neighbourhood of Cloverdale, which has some neat residential architecture.
- Muttart Conservatory: if you have a green thumb, this is the place for you. The Muttart has a vivid array of plant species which comes in handy when snow is on the ground. Even if you aren't a botanist, you may still appreciate the pyramid design of the buildings.
- Ride the LRT.