1. NEON SIGN MUSEUM: Located outdoors and, thus, free of charge, this first-of-its-kind museum in Canada is home to 20 functional historic signs that tell the story of Edmonton’s “neon” past. It’s always “open” and is located on the east wall of the TELUS building and the south wall of the Mercer Warehouse building on 104 Street and 104 Avenue.
2. YEG SCOOT TOUR: Edmonton is one of the few cities in Canada that allow scooters to be operated throughout the city, and they are really fun to ride! But besides renting them by the minute, you can also join a tour with YEG Scoot tours and get a guided scooter tour around the city and the river valley. They offer a number of different tours, including a Wanderlust Picnic tour, and make it easier to explore the city, especially if it’s your first time on a scooter.
3. UKRAINIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE VILLAGE: Located 25 minutes east of Edmonton, this open-air museum houses refurbished buildings from east-central Alberta that tell the tale of early Ukrainian settlement in Alberta from 1892 to 1930. These early settlers made a significant impact on Alberta’s identity and the museum, which opened in the 70s, showcases the stories of survival and perseverance through more than 35 restored historic buildings and costumed interpreters. The delicious Ukrainian food available at the concession is worth the drive alone.
4. ALBERTA RAILWAY MUSEUM: Located in Northern Edmonton, the Alberta Railway Museum features a selection of still-operating and static locomotives and rolling stock. Founded in 1976 to preserve the province’s rich railway heritage, the museum features more than 75 engines and railcars, a number of original railway buildings, and many related artifacts. One of the highlights of visiting is having the chance to ride on one of the trains during the summer months.
5. HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE STREETCAR: The High Level Bridge Streetcar is an important component of the city’s heritage. Streetcars were first introduced to Edmonton in 1908, and the city became famous for its unique streetcar ride over the North Saskatchewan River, one of the highest river crossings by a streetcar in the world. The streetcar’s rich and colourful history can be explored in the small streetcar museum in the Streetcar Barn at Strathcona, which features old photographs and pictures, uniforms, tickets, and several streetcar models. Visitors can enjoy a ride on the fully restored 1912 Edmonton Streetcar #33 across the High Level Bridge and take in the beautiful views.
6. RIVER VALLEY ADVENTURE CO.: River Valley Adventure Co. offers a range of guided tours throughout Edmonton, and they also provide sports equipment for visitors’ use on self-guided tours. The company offers a Segway tours through Edmonton’s urban parkland and a variety of sporting equipment such as badminton and volleyball sets, footballs, and croquet and bocce sets to enjoy with your family, as well as a range of fishing equipment to use on the river. Relax at the Urban Green Café over freshly brewed coffee and sustainable snacks after your outdoor adventure.
7. RUTHERFORD HOUSE PROVINCIAL HISTORIC SITE: Once the home of Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first Premier of Alberta, Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site has been beautifully restored to its former glory and is now open for the public to explore and enjoy. The exquisite home, which was built in the Edwardian era, is fully furnished with unique antiques and vintage décor. Costumed interpreters lead visitors on guided tours through its hallowed halls to experience what life was like in the early 1900s. Named after the white lilacs planted in the estate’s magnificent garden, The Lilac Tree Museum gift shop has a selection of gifts, memorabilia, and home décor items to browse and purchase and is open during the same hours as the museum.
8. SOUTHWEST EDMONTON FARMERS’ MARKET: The Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market is a famous farmer’s market that supports local farmers, artisans, and producers and provides fresh, locally grown, and sustainable produce to residents and visitors of Edmonton. The market is home to an incredible spectrum of vendors selling their wares, from artisans and craftspeople to local farmer’s selling fresh fruit and vegetables. You can also find charcuterie and cheeses, buskers, food trucks, and bakers boasting warm bread and freshly baked pastries. Visitors can enjoy nutrition tours around the market, learning all about the healthiest foods to choose, and a special Sprouts Kid’s Club is designed to introduce children to healthy foods and empower and encourage them to make healthy eating choices and decisions when it comes to food.
9. OLD STRATHCONA ANTIQUE MALL: The Old Strathcona Antique Mall is the place to go to find both old and new treasures. Featuring over 300 booths and over 130 antique dealers selling the finest antiques and collectibles, the market has been running for 16 years, and it continues to be one of the city’s most popular attractions. The market has an old-fashioned café where you can relax over some home-baked goodies, local ice cream, and freshly brewed coffee.
10. ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK: Spanning 75 square miles (194 square kilometres), Elk Island is the largest fully enclosed park in Canada. It is home to a variety of diverse ecosystems and habitats, including native grasslands, northern prairies, boreal forests, and aspen park lands. The park is a wildlife haven, and it is the best place to see the world’s largest and smallest mammals – the wood bison and the tiny pygmy shrew. Visitors to the park can enjoy an array of activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, camping, kayaking/canoeing, and golfing in the summer, while the winter provides snow thick enough for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.