With its location along the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton offers plenty of outdoor adventures year-round. Plus, it has some fantastic indoor attractions and events, from the largest mall in North America to professional hockey matches. Whether you’re a fan of winter activities or want to take advantage of warm summers, there’s no shortage of things to do every season in Edmonton.

Enjoy Winter Activities in Edmonton

Edmonton’s cold, snowy winters make for fantastic outdoor activities and create prime skiing conditions at Snow Valley or Rabbit Hill Snow Resort. You can also get out your cross-country skis and enjoy the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival, which offers recreational and competitive cross-country events.

For a slower pace, get out your winter boots or snow shoes and explore the trails of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. You can also lace up your ice skates and visit one of Edmonton's numerous outdoor skating rinks.

There are also plenty of winter festivals full of light and fun, even on dark winter nights:

• Shop at the Edmonton Christmas Market, which includes over 50 vendors and plenty of holiday activities.
• Drive through the Canadian Tire Magic of Lights LED light display.
• Party it up during the All Is Bright festival, a massive street party with outdoor concerts.

Explore Edmonton Parks

Edmonton also offers plenty of local parks to explore, enjoy a day outdoors, and learn about the area’s history. Several of these parks offer activities for every season:

• Fort Edmonton Park is an 1800s-era park with actors dressed in period costumes, horse-drawn carriages, historic vehicles, and more. Explore period buildings, take a wagon ride, and attend the indigenous storytelling series. Pay attention; you might leave the fort a little more knowledgeable about Edmonton’s different historical periods.
• Elk Island National Park is just 35 minutes east of Edmonton and is a popular attraction. The park is home to more than 250 bird species, bison, elk, and other wildlife. There is plenty to do, including camping, canoeing, stargazing, and wildlife watching. You can also give back by volunteering at the park.
• North Saskatchewan River Valley is a stretch of urban parkland full of outdoor adventures. There are trails that you can walk, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or even ride a Segway. You can also canoe the river at various points, and there are multiple areas to access the river valley throughout Edmonton.

Visit Edmonton Museums

When you’re ready to take a break from outdoor activities or if the weather isn’t to your liking, head indoors and enjoy Edmonton’s numerous museums:

• The Arts Gallery of Alberta houses more than 6,000 paintings and sculptures, including a rotating gallery installation.
• The Royal Alberta Museum in the Arts District features a children’s gallery and a Human History Hall containing contemporary Indigenous stories.
• The TELUS World of Science - Edmonton features themed galleries, the Zeidler Dome, IMAX theatre, and more.

Visit Popular Destinations Around Edmonton

Looking for more ideas? Check out these popular Edmonton destinations, many of which are ideal for the whole family:

• The Edmonton Valley Zoo is a conservation-focused zoo. You can check out more than 250 animals, enjoy special events like family day and animal talks, and rent out one of the onsite locations for your upcoming party or event.
• Learn all about plants at the Muttart Conservatory. The conservatory is one of the largest indoor botanical collections in the country, housing more than 700 species of plants in three biomes.
• Winspear Centre, home of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, has a busy calendar of events and performances. In addition to the talented in-house performers, the centre brings in an impressive lineup of guest artists each year.
• Rogers Place, home of the Edmonton Oilers, is the top destination for watching fantastic hockey games. During the off-season, plenty of other events are held here, including concerts, ice skating shows, and bull riding.

Shopping in Edmonton and More

Edmonton has numerous shopping venues, but the West Edmonton Mall is one of the most distinctive and massive attractions. The mall has more than 800 stores and services, plus more than 100 food outlets. Attractions like an indoor water park, Hasbro theme park, movie theater, casino, ice rink, minigolf course, and marine life educational exhibit make a trip to the mall more than a shopping excursion; it’s an experience.

If you’re worried about packing it all into one day, the mall features two hotels, so you can easily extend your stay to a weekend or longer.

Make Edmonton Your Home

From mountains to museums, canoeing to concerts, Edmonton has something to do for every season. It’s no wonder it’s both a popular tourist destination and a popular place to live.

You, too, can live amongst the beauty and excitement of Edmonton. Our sales team is excited to help you find your ideal home in this dream location. Explore our communities and connect with our sales team when you’re ready to learn more. We’ll be expecting you!