Edmonton’s reputation for food – from cheerful cheap eats to delicious fine dining – is sky high. The Downtown and Oliver districts have got restaurants of all shapes and sizes, with the former particularly good for an elegant dinner and the latter for a quick and tasty jam-packed sandwich. The district of Westmount houses more than a couple of culinary treasures, of which RGE RD is at the pioneering forefront of fresh ‘farm-to-fork’ cuisine – any pork lovers will struggle to resist their sumptuous pig roasts. Keep a look out as well for the choice of traveling food trucks which revolutionizing fine dining in the city and are well worth chasing down.
What to see and do
An eclectic hub of both old and new ways to spend your days, Edmonton offers a lot to see and do. History buffs can plummet through time on a trip to the Royal Alberta Museum, where exhibitions probing deep into Aboriginal culture, the lives of the dinosaurs, and the very rocks of the Canadian landscape are sure to enthrall. To enjoy winter sports in the heart of the city, spend an afternoon carving up and down the professional standard artificial slopes – suitable for both beginners and experts alike – at Edmonton Ski Club. For serious cross-country skiing, the North Saskatchewan River Valley in winter is pretty special.
Where to stay
Regardless of what you want from your stay in Edmonton, you shouldn’t have any bother finding a spot that will cover all your needs. For a perch in the heart of the action, with loads of great food and shopping on your doorstep, a hotel downtown will fit the bill. You can choose from a choice of comfortable mid-range options, with some more indulgent affairs on offer if you’re keen to splash some cash in return for something grand and opulent. If you want to be close to West Edmonton’s majestic mall, you’ll find a clutch of warm and welcoming hotels on Stony Plain Road and 100 Avenue, complete with spa facilities and premium perks. For a lively atmosphere close to the university, South Central is perfect.
