Alberta Railway Museum
24215 – 34 Street, Edmonton
(780) 472-6229
The Alberta Railway Museum takes visitors back in history through 100 years of Canadian railway history. The museum features 65 cars and locomotives from the three major railway companies (CP, CN and Northern Alberta Railways). Plan at least two hours.
Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, $2 for students and $1 for kids aged three to 12. The museum is open from May 19 to Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Edmonton’s Klondike Days
Northlands Park Edmonton
1-888-800-7275
Edmonton’s Klondike Days Exposition is ten days of fun for people of all
ages. Thrilling midway rides, international entertainment, chuckwagon races,
a colourful parade and great shopping. As the fourth largest Fair in Canada,
Klondike Days can trace it’s origins back to 1879 when Fort Edmonton was
expanding from a trading post to establishing itself as a gateway to the
North.
Today, over 750,000 people annually come to the Fair to experience the
thrills and entertainment along with some “back home” tradition.
Located a few minutes north of downtown Edmonton, and conveniently on the
LRT line (rail transit), getting to Edmonton’s Klondike Days is easy.
The Edmonton Riverboat
Rafters Landing at 9734 – 98 Ave, Edmonton
Reservations Office: (403) 424-2628
The Edmonton Riverboat, is a recreation of the paddlewheelers that used to steam the North Saskatchewan River. “The Riverboat” set sail in 1996 and offers a selection of cruises each day of the week (in the summertime).
The Edmonton Riverboat cruises can be selected to feature a lunch, brunch and dinner (or no meal at all). Seniors save 15 per cent, kids aged six to 12 save half and children under six ride free.
Fort Edmonton Park
South end of Quesnell Bridge and West of Whitemud Park, Edmonton
(780) 496-8775
Fort Edmonton Park is Canada’s largest historical park, and takes you back to the days of the fur trade in 1846. Explore tbe frontier town on 1885 Street, visit a turn-of-the-century city on 1905 Street, and see the roaring 20s along 1920 Street. Admission includes free rides on the steam train and street cars.
Open Victoria Day to Labor Day. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. From June 29 to Sept. 2, the park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Admission for adults is $6.50, $5 for seniors and youths aged 13 to 17 and $3.25 for children aged two to 12.
Klondike Jet Boat Tours
10565 – 163 St., Edmonton, T5P 3P2
(780) 486-0896
Take a history-filled tour of Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley in a specially-designed jet boat. Tours leave seven days a week, starting at 11 a.m. Custom tours are available too.
Muttart Conservatory
9626 – 96 A Street, Edmonton
(780) 496-8752
The Muttart Conservatory, whose three dramatic pyramids tower above Edmonton’s river valley, below downtown. Each pyramid houses plants from a different climate: temperate, arid and tropical. Visit the plants from a steaming jungle, a sun-baked desert and an ever-changing floral paradise. A perfect place for a mid-winter break!
River Valley
(780) 469-2989 Info Line
The lush, green river valley of the North Saskatchewan River winds through the centre of the city. Recreational paths through the heavily-treed valley provides Edmontonians bountiful recreational opportunities. The pathways draw thousands of people daily on their bicycles, in-line skates and on foot. They valley is also used for canoeing, gold panning, mountain biking, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating and cross country skiing.The winding river valley is the longest stretch of urban parkland in North America, with over 7,400 kilometres of paved multi-use paths for all to enjoy.
Rutherford House
11153 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton
(780) 427-3995
Rutherford House was the home of Alberta’s first premier, Alexander C. Rutherford. The home has been restored to its post-Edwardian elegance, compelte with costumed interpretors re-enact Alberta life from the early 1900s. Rutherford House offers guided and individual tours, with refreshments available in the tea room. Viewing time is recommended as an hour.
Admission for Rutherford House is $2 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and youths aged seven to 17 and children six and under get in free.Hours during the spring (March to May 14) are noon to 5 p.m. and during the summer (May 15 to Sept. 1), Rutherford House is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Fall/winter hours (Sept. 2 to May 14) are from noon to 5 p.m.
Telus World of Science (formerly the Odyssium)
11211 – 142 St. Edmonton
(780) 451-3344
Explore the world of robots in the TELUS Robotics Lab, featuring LEGO® MINDSTORMS(tm) – learn how to program a robot and be part of an important Mars rescues mission. Plus 5 permanent galleries: Space Place (learn about space exploration and how an astronaut lives in a shuttle), The Body Fantastic (includes the hugely popular Gallery of the Gross), Mystery Avenue (put on your detective hat and solve a crime), The Greens’ House (a living backyard with a greenhouse and live critters, see what’s up with the weather and explore alternative energy sources), and Discoveryland (for the real little ones). Discover the Ultimate Movie Experience in IMAX and feel as though you’re part of the action. See a planetarium star show or take part in Science Demonstrations. Plus an Observatory, Café, concession and Gift Shop.
Open daily 10am-9pm, Canada Day-Labour Day. Sun.-Thurs. 10am-5pm, Fri.-Sat. 10am-9pm, rest of year. Closed Dec. 25. Observatory open Fri.-Sun. (weather permitting) 1pm-5pm and 6:30pm-10pm, with additional hours during peak times. General Admission (Exhibit Galleries and planetarium) OR one IMAX film $10.95; over 64 and ages 13-17, $8.95; ages 3-12, $7.95; family rate (two adults and four children) $38.95. Combo 1 admission: General Admission and one IMAX film $15.95; over 64 and ages 13-17, $13.50; ages 3-12, $11.95; family rate $59.95. MC, VI.
Ukrainian Museum of Canada
9543 – 110 Avenue, Edmonton
(780) 424-7580
The museum features traditional Ukrainian cultural items including costumes, hand-painted easter eggs, dolls, tapestries and paintings. Admission to the museum is free although donations are welcome. Recommended viewing time is one hour.
The museum is open in the summer (May to August) Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Viewing from September to April is by appointment only.
Valley Zoo
Buena Vista Road and 134 Street, Edmonton
(780) 496-6912
This unique zoo combines the fun of nursery rhyme characters with the beauty and excitement of wild animals, with over 350 domestic, exotic and endangered species. The zoo also offers not jsut the usual interpretive displays, but daily demonstrations of elephant and sea lion training, plus rides. Other activities include demonstrations, hands-on activities, picnic sites and a lunch bar. Admission is $4.95 for adults, $3.50 for seniors and teens aged 13 to 17 and $2.50 for kids aged two to 12. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.