Outdoor attractions in Edmonton worth visiting
It might not always be warm here but that doesn’t stop us from getting out of the house. These are just some of the many entertaining outdoor spots in Edmonton that you can enjoy year round.
Legislative Assembly Office
10800 97 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0B7The home of our provincial government is right here in Edmonton, and its house is beautiful. The buildings are lovely to look at, and there’s a great fountain to splash around in during the summer months. I remember taking plenty of photos on the steps of these beautiful grounds and in front of these monumental buildings when I was a teenager. In winter, the trees on the grounds are lit up with lights and it is truly magical.
Churchill Square
PO Box 2359, Edmonton, AB T5J 0K1The square really is the heart of downtown. It’s always full of people, food trucks, vendors and noise. Exercise instructors lead lunchtime Zumba classes and other workout groups in the middle of the square. There’s always music playing and kids running around. Churchill Square truly is an attraction simply because it is alive – the people, the fountain, the movement and the laughter – these are the things that bring people out for an afternoon in the square.
John Janzen Nature Centre
7000 143 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2G8There are both indoor and outdoor elements to this centre, making it great for exploring year-round. The beekeeping exhibit is both indoors and out, and shows you where the sweet stuff originates. The pond allows you to see water fowl and frogs, up close and personal. It’s a nice way to explore nature in a controlled setting outdoors, especially if you are not the most intrepid outdoor adventurer to begin with – hey, some people don’t get outdoors much.
Devonian Botanic Garden
Hwy 60, Devon, AB T7V 1C5These beautiful gardens are just outside of Edmonton. The grounds include 80 acres of display gardens, 110 acres of ecological preserves and natural spaces. There’s a lovely butterfly house and greenhouses, plus the Kurimoto Japanese Garden. The Edmonton Opera hosts an event in the gardens every June and there are often “date night” events throughout the summer. December brings Luminaria, a night where the grounds are lit up for guests to wander around as carollers bring holiday joy to every corner of the gardens.
Fort Edmonton Park
7000 143rd Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7Take a step back in history but retain the right to use indoor plumbing! Fort Edmonton Park is educational but fun, with four historical periods showcased through different buildings and displays. Start in 1846 and work your way to 1929. Ride a steam train, catch an old timey film in the old-school cinema, make bread from scratch or pop into the saloon. There’s a midway with rides, but children seem most entertained when re-enacting battle scenes on the lawn.
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Rd, Edmonton, ABWhile it may not be as big as the Calgary Zoo, the Edmonton Valley Zoo is easily accessible and has plenty of animals to check out, including red pandas. Red! Who knew? Then there’s the zoo’s most famous resident, Lucy the Elephant. While there’s been a media circus surrounding Lucy, she seems happy here in Edmonton. If mammals aren’t your thing, there are also plenty ofamphibians, birds and reptiles, such as the dyeing poison dart frog and the Eurasian eagle owl.
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