Remotely located in the middle of Alberta, Edmonton is one of Canada’s most northerly major cities and offers fine shopping and myriad attractions. Edmonton also boasts a scenic locale on the North Saskatchewan River and is well within reach of some of Canada’s most impressive scenery, including the ski town of Jasper.

Edmonton is a modern, affluent city, as seen in the many glass buildings of downtown, and the big attraction is the West Edmonton Mall, a huge shopping mall full of stores and attractions.

When Edmonton gets snowed under for many months during the harsh Alberta winters, the West Edmonton Mall provides all the fun you could need under one roof. The mall is great for kids as it includes a number of amusement parks, including the Sea Life Caverns, Deep Sea Adventure, Galaxyland, and World Waterpark.

Other interesting landmarks apart from the West Edmonton Mall include: the grand Alberta Legislature Building; the Odyssium, a fun science centre complete with interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre; the brilliant Art Gallery of Alberta; the Royal Alberta Museum; and the Valley Zoo.

Often referred to as the ‘Vegas of the North’, Edmonton is vibrant and a welcome relief from the wide open nothingness of provincial Alberta. There are several trendy districts here, including the historic Old Strathcona area with its hip nightlife, and the University District. Downtown Edmonton is the true heart of the city, however, with its many hotels, shops, restaurants, and bars.

Those into sports will find lots of walking and cycling in the River Valley and in the city’s many parks, while golf is also popular. There is also much to see not far from downtown for those with cars, including the amazing skiing destination of Jasper National Park and the nearby hiking mecca of Elk Island National Park (50 kilometres to the east).

Accommodation options in Edmonton are very good and range from budget, mid-range places just outside the city centre, right up to five-star luxury in the thick of it. Downtown Edmonton has the pick of the hotels, close to all the sights, shops and restaurants, including some choices near the West Edmonton Mall, Old Strathcona, as well as Edmonton International Airport.

Hotels in Edmonton are cheaper in the off-peak winter season although it is always worth booking online in advance as soon as you have decided on your travel dates. Booking Edmonton hotels online will save you money and hassle.

Due to its remoteness, the most convenient way to get to Edmonton is to fly and the city has an international airport as well as a commuter airport. If you are coming from overseas, you will generally be routed through the likes of Toronto, Vancouver or a major US airport. Transfer options to the city are very good and the drive from the airport is straightforward if you hire a car.

Being located mid-continent, Edmonton weather varies greatly from hot summers to cold winters with loads of snow. The best time to visit is naturally during the summer months of June and July, when highs in the 30s °C are the norm. Rainfall and humidity are fairly minimal and it stays light until 22.00 or 23.00 in July.

One of the most popular times to visit Edmonton is during September when summer temperatures cool and tourist numbers also drop off. The spring is similar to the autumn, while winters are luckily not as severe as the likes of Toronto. If you are coming from western or southern Europe—let alone the tropics—however, you will likely feel the cold here in the winter.