Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was where I once lived. It is the 4th largest City in Canada, (the population including the ’’satellite Towns’’ is close to a million people), and the Capital of the Province of Alberta.
Once upon a time before West Edmonton Mall was built unless you had Friends or Family living here you may not have heard of this City. Wayne Gretsky the famous Hockey Player, (came to Edmonton after the Mall was built), and he helped to make Edmonton the largest Tourist Attraction in the Province of Alberta.
The University of Alberta is the 2nd largest in Canada. The Departments are: ’’Arts, Agriculture, Business, Chemical and related Oil Industry Schools), Dentistry, Education, Engineering, French Education at the Faculté Saint-Jean, Forestry, Graduate Studies, Home Economics, Law, Medicine, Native Studies, Nursing, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Education, Recreation, Rehabilitation Medicine and Science.’’
THE ATTRACTIONS
: 1) West Edmonton Mall. I am not going to describe it to you as it is impossible to describe. I am going to send you there for free: https://westedmontonmall.com
2) Edmonton has 3 Pyramids! The are the Building of the Muttart Conservatory. Each Pyramid is a Garden with plants from around the World.
3) Fort Edmonton Park is a ’’living Museum’’. You can see the original Fort Edmonton, 3 Streets from the early 1900’s, (they are many old Shops here where you can buy Bread, an old Newspaper, Candy, Souvenirs or have a meal). Take a ride on the old Train, see ’’farmers’’ planting crops’’ or take in a Performance in the Tent.
4) The Provincial Museum has a permanent collection of Dinosaurs, First Nations Art, (from the Native Canadians that live in Alberta), a Bug Room where Children can learn about and play with bugs and many Traveling Exhibits, (at this time they are displaying ’’The Chinese Emperors’ Collection: Qing Dynasty and ’’Memories of the 60’s’’).
5) The Space Science Center is now called ’’the Odyssium’’. It is a real Planetarium, has an Imax Theater and is connected to the NASA Program for School Children to learn about Space Travel. 6) The Shaw Conference Center sits above the North Saskatchewan River. This is the home to Economic Development and Tourism. It has many Conference Rooms. 6) The Art Gallery, City Hall, The Shocter Theater are on a Square in the Center of the City.
7) The Legislature Building of the Province is a beautiful old domed Building with a beautiful Park surrounding it.
FOR SPORTS FANS:
1) There are over 50 Golf Courses in the Edmonton area. 2) The Edmonton Oilers, (NHL Hockey), play at the Skyreach Center. 3) The Edmonton Trappers are in the AAA Baseball League.
4) There id Horse Racing most of the year at the Northlands Park. This Park is one of the venues of Klondike Days and the largest indoor Rodeo in the World.
5) There are a few Public outdoor pools.
6) Along both sides of the River you will find many walking and bike paths as well as Parks for you to have a picnic or a bar-b-cue.
SHOPPING:
1) West Edmonton Mall has over 800 Stores and Services.
2) Downtown has almost 400 Stores and Cafes
3) White Avenue is now called Old Strathcona. It has been restored to look older when it was the main Street of the Town called Stratcona.
4) Little Italy is in an older neighborhood. There are a few nice Italian Shops and Cafes/
5) China Town has the same items for sale as most China Towns. There are a few good Cafes. Look for a Store called the Army and Navy. It has a lot of discounted items.
FESTIVALS:
Edmonton has at least one Festival a Month. My favorites are the Jazz and Folk Festivals, ta taste of Edmonton & the , (this follows the Calgary Stampede), Symphony in the Park and the Fringe.
Edmonton’s Fringe Festival is the second largest in the World, (the largest is in Scotland).
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATIONS:
There is every type of food available from fast foods, ethnic and fine dinning. Within the City you will find Hotels, Motels and Camping Parks.
TRANSPORTATION: Edmonton is the smallest City in the World to have a LRT, (part of it is underground), a nice bus system and Taxi’s are not hard to find. I hope you enjoyed a brief tour of the City I once called Home.
©LL