Edmonton [url=http://www.edmonton.ca]]is the capital city of [[Alberta[/url]], [wiki=445d337b5cd5de476f99333df6b0c2a7]Canada[/wiki]. Its [wiki=a29b427a7103893c45ff88e241fa33f8]metro area[/wiki] is home to 1.23 million people and is the northernmost city in North America of at least one million people. Edmonton is famous for its beautiful river valley park system, the North Saskatchewan River Valley, which offers over 100 kilometers of recreational trails, wildlife viewing, and city views. The river valley also contains many parks, including Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest historical park. If the great outdoors is not your target, the city also offers West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping mall in North America. On top of that, Edmonton has a vibrant theater community, a busy cycle of annual festivals, national sports teams active year-round, and wonderful winter recreational opportunities.
The area around Edmonton, which sits in the geographic centre of the province, was home to native populations for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In 1795, Edmonton House was constructed and work on Fort Edmonton began. The original site was near Fort Saskatchewan, but was relocated near the present day Legislature in 1830.
The town developed around the fur trade, and in the early days there was little to distinguish it from other such settlements in the area. The first hotel and hospital were built in the 1870s. The latter part of the century saw an influx of wealthy families, and in 1892 the Town of Edmonton was officially founded.
Early developments were centered around the Quarters area. In 1905, Edmonton was declared the capital of the province of [wiki=d7a5be172f77453b4400144c8b66df1a]Alberta[/wiki], and a year later was designated a city. The 1907-1914 period saw the city experience an unprecedented boom, with the population rising from around 6,000 to 78,000. During this period, the University of Alberta was founded
In 1947 oil was discovered just outside of Edmonton in Leduc county, which spurred a second period of growth, leading to urban sprawl and the development of US-style malls. The Royal Alberta Museum opened in 1967.
The utilitarian office buildings and condos that dominate that downtown landscape today were mostly constructed in the 1970s.
Today, Edmonton is the hub for energy development & petrochemicals for Alberta. As well, it has become a centre of excellence in research through the University of Alberta and the high technology industries located in the region like the National Institute for Nanotechnology.
If you want to spend time outdoors, the summer months offer the most opportunities for recreation and entertainment. In the summer, Edmonton offers great outdoor festivals, street entertainment, open-air concerts, and many other world-class entertainment opportunities. Winter is equally exciting, with snow sports for the outdoorsy, extensive indoors shopping in the many malls, and live sports, theater, and music throughout the city.
Edmonton's climate is "northern continental", with a wide range of weather over all four distinct seasons. Edmonton receives 2,300 hours of sunshine per year, making it one of Canada's sunniest cities. Rainfall is low to moderate, and entire weeks can pass without clouds or precipitation through the late spring and summer.
Bright green foliage appears in May, signaling spring. Even as the city shakes off its winter chill, cold snaps and the occasional snowfall can still occur. The region's golf courses are generally open by this time.
Summer days generally bring temperatures up to 21-25°C (70-77°F) in June, July, and August, though temperatures will often rise over 30°C (85°F) for a few days. Thunderstorms sweep in from time to time during the summer months, usually in the evening. Humidity is relatively low, so warm days are more comfortable than they are in humid climates. At the height of summer, Edmonton enjoys more than 17 hours of daylight, with twilight extending past 11PM in June and July.
Fall starts in mid September, bringing bright yellow and orange foliage to Edmonton's treed neighborhoods and river valley parks. This season ushers in cooler temperatures ranging between 10-20°C during the day.
Winters are long, but not as harsh as those further east on the Canadian Prairies. Periods of mild temperatures with daytime highs over 0°C (32°F) can occur. Such mild weather makes outdoor winter sports extremely popular with the locals. Stop by a local outdoor ice rink to catch the fever of children and adults alike taking part in community hockey. Colder days in Edmonton are kept reasonably comfortable by the low humidity index, but it's wise to have some lip balm and hand cream with you, as the skin and lips can get cracked and chapped quickly in this dry environment.
Winter walking and driving are not often affected. Cold snaps with temperatures down to and beyond -30°C (-22F) can occur during the winter, although it's unusual for these frigid spells to last more than 1 or 2 days. Extremely cold temperatures are usually accompanied by the crisp blue skies and bright sunshine of a prairie high-pressure zone. Even regular winter temperatures can feel very cold if there is a noticeable wind: if you are visiting between December and March, be prepared.
Every year, the Downtown Business Association publishes Guide to Downtown - a free, pocket-sized resource for everything happening downtown all year round. Download it online, email info@edmontondowntown.com for a copy, or pick it up in person at the DBA office or either of Edmonton Tourism's two visitor information centres.
* Located on the main floor of the historic World Trade Centre building.
* Excellent for recreational vehicle (RV) owners and visitors coming in to Edmonton from the south. Not convenient for unless driving.
Most major airlines service Edmonton. General travel times to Edmonton are 45 minutes from [wiki=1e4eb05040e68d9312eb6ed016eaa4d8]Calgary[/wiki], 1 1/2 hours from [wiki=38278119f2c41ca7aedcbc55eabf73cd]Vancouver[/wiki], 4 1/2 hours from [wiki=0004b45d97463070fbfd2c26207c427d]Montreal[/wiki], and 4 hours from [wiki=948ce72be6c871b84f6d0dab24f209ed]Toronto[/wiki]. Edmonton's main airport is western Canada's hub to the Northwest Territories.
* Edmonton International Airport , [url=http://www.edmontonairports.com].]Edmonton International is located 10 km south of Edmonton in Leduc County. Edmonton International Airport is the fastest growing large airport in Canada-with new parkades, services, terminals, planes, hotels, and shops popping up. It has two terminals, with a central hall that is the security point for all domestic and international traffic (excluding travel to the US, which uses the South Terminal). Public transit (route 747) begins April 29, 2012. The bus will run every 30 minutes from the airport to Century Park LRT station. Fares will cost $5 one-way, no change will be given and there is nowhere to purchase a ticket. [url=http://www.flyeia.com/ground-transportation/eia-express-route-747.aspx[/url].]An airport shuttle travels between the airport and downtown at an affordable cost ($15 one way; $25 return). Taxi service is also available, but can be costly (around $60 to or from downtown as of 2006). The drive between Edmonton International airport and downtown takes about half an hour. Allow extra time during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Car rental companies are located in the parkade directly across for the terminal for easy pick-up and returns.
:*WestJet, [url=http://www.westjet.com[/url].] Canada's main discount airline services most western cities out of Edmonton, as well as most major Canadian centers.
:*Air Canada, [url=http://www.aircanada.ca[/url].] The national carrier uses Edmonton International as a gateway to the Canadian North.
To Europe, Edmonton has daily service to [[Amsterdam[/url]] on KLM and [wiki=83405408826823713d290a7a46aa65df]Reykjavik[/wiki] on Icelandair. To the United States, Edmonton has scheduled departures to 11 United States airports:
[wiki=4c54c163f43d0ac8512df032b3b07bff]Seattle[/wiki],
[wiki=f4334fdfa1c728eae375fe781e2e2d9d]San Francisco[/wiki],
[wiki=d0aa2dffa0da83f1f34681308d04db5d]Los Angeles[/wiki],
[wiki=43c3b56a6adc8b45670d4fd171374496]Palm Springs[/wiki],
[wiki=867f48e883bdb50ac9013fd5de93515a]Maui[/wiki],
[wiki=d4d2ea493b6a2460e9b9f00712e0a234]Orlando[/wiki],
[wiki=5047bc596a4bab2dc7f7c120bb22dec5]Phoenix[/wiki],
[wiki=05c27bf00932572de28bf65a0539ba97]Las Vegas[/wiki],
[wiki=67100af8b08e073c3ba7f4de2707584b]Denver[/wiki],
[wiki=09ea9b5e69df9e1385463fde29bc41cf]Dallas[/wiki],
[wiki=a25b2dff7d13c650e6c7e6bfb3bba5a3]Houston[/wiki],
[wiki=87809c954948d8a20507bee3648281b3]New York[/wiki] via [wiki=3e4289bc4fc70a4c0d3c241ff02162c3]Newark Liberty International Airport[/wiki],
[wiki=c39584729495496984371f0ec2f38974]Minneapolis[/wiki], and
[wiki=9cfa1e69f507d007a516eb3e9f5074e2]Chicago[/wiki].
Edmonton International Airport has seasonal charter service to/from:
[wiki=f5e496a149928fe6d8d483a2d90b039c]Acapulco[/wiki],
[wiki=1459baec937f0e8d086c466cca4628b2]Bahias de Huatulco[/wiki],
[wiki=d4d57e489c6da8c57ecbdfc2bbe38eae]Cozumel[/wiki],
[wiki=132c0219ea3d7f9365b19e7f577c8f86]Holguin[/wiki],
[wiki=4b8b2bd51b89a3404c1fa1ae1c59dce7]La Romana[/wiki],
[wiki=05c27bf00932572de28bf65a0539ba97]Las Vegas[/wiki],
[wiki=ad1fafec1de1402a12ac40d17b72a2e2]Laughlin[/wiki],
[wiki=642cab67fc263bb61ae4ccbd577c8aa4]Liberia[/wiki],
[wiki=df35f2a88070e64d8aacc444a9815a45]Manzanillo[/wiki],
[wiki=2d5533901246a77a16da08db674f76d6]Mazatlan[/wiki],
[wiki=344cbad41fb2dadbebf0e13713ef0c69]Montego Bay[/wiki],
[wiki=3a8681d9c876cc1400c5ad5746b4a07e]Puerto Vallarta[/wiki],
[wiki=2fe4b2cd6cca63f2e97f79bd38a7a6d6]Varadero[/wiki],
[wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc]Cancun[/wiki],
[wiki=6a8c1afd2d6e0e059127851db90c464b]Punta Cana[/wiki],
[wiki=4325b050a08cd1f122004d49e9d5ccee]Puerto Plata[/wiki],
[wiki=6bdcb565c7270bdc0e55dd7d41919ca2]Samana[/wiki], and
[wiki=19c96ca4cfcb99deb874f7b05fa8ac87]San Jose del Cabo[/wiki].
Edmonton is in Central Alberta east of the Canadian Rockies, with a deep river valley extending from the southwest to the northeast. Known as Gateway to the North, Edmonton is the largest city on the Yellowhead branch (Alberta Highway 16) of the Trans-Canada Highway system. Edmonton is 3 hours north of [wiki=1e4eb05040e68d9312eb6ed016eaa4d8]Calgary[/wiki] on the divided Queen Elizabeth II Highway (formerly Highway 2) and 3.5 hours east of [wiki=dc0cc254de9d367b611cba6ea88f629d]Jasper[/wiki] on Highway 16.
From Vancouver, Edmonton is best accessed using Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada) east to Hope, then Highway 5 (the Coquihalla) from Hope to the Highway 16 eastbound junction. The average travel time in summer is 12 to 13 hours. Travelers from [wiki=0ddbc71f4c682edce4434b0583afd68e]Saskatoon[/wiki] will find Edmonton about 5 hours away using the Yellowhead Highway, which is divided for the entire route between the two cities.
From British Columbia, average travel time during winter (November to March) can be much longer. International travelers are advised that while this major trucking route is well-maintained, severe winter storms can arise suddenly, particularly on the major inclines between Hope and Kamloops in British Columbia. Nevertheless, travelers cognizant of road conditions will find winter trips to Edmonton generally safe. The QE II is likewise a generally reliable winter road, though it is occasionally closed at points if winter storms create dangerous road conditions; fortunately there are many towns and cities located along the route from Calgary to Edmonton where one can shelter if necessary.
Greyhound buses [url=http://www.greyhound.ca/]]service Edmonton from all major Canadian cities. There is also a premium service between Edmonton and Calgary, Red Deer, and Fort McMurray with Red Arrow Motorcoach [url=http://www.redarrow.pwt.ca/home/index.php[/url],]which feature spacious seating (only three seats to a row) and workstation seats with electrical connections for business travelers and their computers.
Executive Express, [http://www.executiveexpresscanada.ca[/url] (info@executiveexpresscanada.ca) runs a daily scheduled service from Calgary to Edmonton departing Calgary in the morning and returning to Calgary in the Afternoon. Seats sell for $129.00 one way and compartments of four seats for $299.00. The vehicle is configured in such a way as to allow groups of commuters or even single individuals who require privacy to work or hold meetings while on the road. Wireless internet amoung other ammenities is included. Travel time is just under 3 hours. Morning departures right now are from the Foothills Hospital, Hotel Alma ( U of C), and the Westin Hotel. Edmonton arrivals are at the U of A, Matrix Hotel and Westin Hotel.
VIA Rail, 12360-121 Street, [url=http://www.viarail.ca/]]provides passenger train services for Edmonton, and is linked to several major cities along the Canadian National Railroad: west to [[Vancouver[/url]] and east to [wiki=0ddbc71f4c682edce4434b0583afd68e]Saskatoon[/wiki], [wiki=9f52f29ade262903f15dc9455eb2ddac]Winnipeg[/wiki], [wiki=948ce72be6c871b84f6d0dab24f209ed]Toronto[/wiki], Montréal, and onwards. The VIA train station is located a short distance from downtown, near the northwest corner of City Centre Airport. The station has free wifi - ask a staff member for the passkey.
[wiki=559ac9b14ed593d82acecc68dec9c5ed]VIA Rail[/wiki] prices are higher than train prices generally in Europe (or even short distances by Amtrak in the States). Their passenger trains arrive through Edmonton numerous times during week. Passengers experience leisurely travel through some of the most amazing scenery in the world. Though somewhat more expensive than bus travel, service on a VIA Rail train even in the lowest class is superior to any bus. You can get up and walk around the carriages, dine conveniently, and you will find plenty of legroom in the comfortable seats. If you can afford the extra cost, it is generally worthwhile to take the train rather than the bus.
Areas of Edmonton built before 1950 (and even a few post-1950) place roadways on a grid, with streets N/S and avenues E/W. Some older neighbourhoods like Boyle Street have a diagonal grid pattern, with streets NW/SE and avenues SW/NE. During the 1950s and 1960s, roads became less grid-like, but they are still easily navigable (although less easy to follow than the earlier counterparts). Almost all new neighborhood developments such as Windermere in the southside and the Village at Greisbach in the northwest are designed with more curves, cul-de-sacs and named streets. If visiting these newer areas, a current city map is highly recommended.
The most prominent cab companies are:
* Astro Taxi, 780-467-2222 , [http://astrotaxi.ca/].
* Barrel Taxi, 780-489-7777, [http://www.edmtaxi.com/].
* Capital Taxi, 780-423-2425, [http://capitaltaxiedmonton.com/]
* Co-op Taxi, 780-425-2525, [http://www.co-optaxi.com/].
* Flat Rate Cabs, 780-469-4222, [http://www.sherwoodparkcabs.ca/].
* Prestige Cab / Checker Cab, 780-484-8888, [url=http://www.edmtaxi.com/].]
* Yellow Cab, 780-462-3456, [http://www.edmtaxi.com/[/url].
All Edmonton taxi companies offer 24/7 service. From the last weekend in November to New Year's Eve on weekends, Operation Red Nose offers cab rides for drivers who have been partying and prefer not to drive themselves (780-421-4444).
Edmonton has a safe, efficient and inexpensive public transportation system: the Edmonton Transit System [url=http://www.takeets.com/].]Hundreds of different bus routes cover the city, traveling nearly anywhere you need to go.
During peak hours, buses run as frequently as every 15 minutes. Outside of peak, the frequency drops to every 30 minutes and on some routes to industrial areas or far-flung suburbs as infrequent as one service per hour. Many major bus routes will operate as early as 5AM to as late as 1AM, but there are a number which stop running at 8PM-9PM or only run only during peak hours (6AM-9AM and 3PM-6PM). Some bus routes simply do not run on Sundays. For more information or to plan your bus trip, you can call Transit Information at 780-496-1611 or check out the Trip Planner [url=http://coewebapps.edmonton.ca/external/transit3/TripPlannerAdvanced.aspx[/url],]or Google Maps. For where routes go and their names which is essential, go to [http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/ets/route-schedules-and-maps.aspx[/url].
Edmonton's transit system is not unified with those of the nearby communities, so if you wish to visit the suburbs be prepared for more transfers and increased fares.
Edmonton was the first North American city with a population of under 1 million to have developed a Light Rail Transit (LRT) [url=http://www.edmontonslrt.com/]]system. (Metro Edmonton population is now over 1 million.) It is a part of the Edmonton Transit System (ETS), which also manages the buses. The track stretches from Clareview Station in the northeast section of the city to the Century Park Station (formerly known as Heritage), going past the University of Alberta main and South Campuses.
During peak hours on weekdays, LRT trains run every 6 minutes. Outside of that and on Saturdays, frequency is every 7 to 12 minutes, depending on the time of day. Sundays and holidays, trains run every 15 minutes throughout the day. Trains operate from about 5:26AM to 1:26AM. On Sundays and holidays, the LRT stops running past 12:26AM.
Fares are $3.20 with children under 6 riding free. Day passes can be bought for $8.25 regardless of age group. A pack of 10 tickets can be purchased for $22.00 (adults). Tickets can be purchased at the ETS online store, automated fare vending machines located at all LRT stations, or at the ETS Customer Information Centre located on the pedway level of Churchill Station. Note that Mac's convenience stores in Edmonton no longer sell adult bus tickets. [http://www.takeets.com[/url]
Edmonton has excellent cycling routes which allow for all-year cycling, though winter cycling can be challenging for those unaccustomed to Edmonton weather. These marked routes, combined with a lack of freeways to traverse and relatively low traffic compared to other major cities, low snow or rainfall, and a fairly flat terrain, make Edmonton an easy city to travel by bicycle. The City of Edmonton provides free maps [http://www.edmonton.ca/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_288_222_0_43/http%3B/CMSServer/COEWeb/roads+and+traffic/cycling+in+the+city/where+to+ride/] of the bike routes.
Edmonton streets are mostly numbered, although there are some named streets: usually major roadways and roads in the newer residential areas. Avenues in Edmonton run east-west, while streets run north-south. The downtown core of the city is centered near 101 St and Jasper Ave (which corresponds to 101 Ave), with streets increasing in number to the west, and avenues increasing to the north.
Addresses follow a regular system throughout Edmonton, with even-numbered address numbers are on the north side of avenues and west side of streets. The first two or three digits of a building or house number identify the street it lies just west of, or the avenue it lies north of. For example, 10219 101 Street NW would be located on the east side of 101 Street NW, just north of 102 Avenue NW.
The vast majority of the city lies in the NW quadrant with the center-point near the southeast corner of the city proper. It is common to omit the "NW" from street addresses in the NW quadrant. The grid's official "zeros" are called Meridian Street (at 0 Street) and Quadrant Avenue (at 0 Avenue), but they are not yet important streets for travel. Meridian & Quadrant do not even intersect at this time. Development on the southern edge of the city (especially around Ellerslie Rd SW) is leading to more common usage of the SW quadrant, and there is a small amount of residential development in the NE quadrant. The SE quadrant is virtually unused, mostly due to the area being occupied by Strathcona County.
One of Edmonton’s greatest attractions, the North Saskatchewan River Valley park system provides a natural corridor for all-season recreation and relaxation. The river valley is the longest expanse of urban parkland in North America at 7,400 hectares - 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park - with golf courses, 22 major parks and over 160 kilometres of maintained multi-use trails for walking, cross-country skiing, cycling, and more. Several attractions are located along the river valley including Fort Edmonton Park, the Valley Zoo, and the Muttart Conservatory.
One of the most popular parks is Hawrelak Park, located just off Groat Road near the University of Alberta. It encircles a large pond, summer home to a variety of ducks and geese. It's the site of several Edmonton festivals, including Shakespeare in the Park and Symphony Under the Sky. In winter it is a popular venue for outdoor ice skating and cross-country skiing.
A young city, Edmonton's historic structures are still relatively new. The City of Edmonton's Municipal Historic Resources are buildings or structures that have been designated by Bylaw as buildings or structures which are legally protected from demolition and from inappropriate changes and alterations.[url=http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/planning_development/historic-resources.aspx].]
Built from 1907 to 1912, the province's foremost historic structure - the Alberta Legislature - is set amidst beautiful gardens and water displays. Inside and out, the Legislature offers a rich experience in exploring Alberta’s past and present as the focal point of the province’s democratic process. Alberta’s premier architectural attraction overlooks Edmonton’s river valley and is steps away from the heart of downtown Edmonton. Free tours of the building are offered year-round. [http://www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor/index.html[/url]
Opening January 31, 2010, the new Art Gallery of Alberta is an 85,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility and a premiere presentation venue. Designed by Randall Stout Architects, Inc. of Los Angeles, the building will itself be a work of art. Located in the heart of Edmonton's Arts District on Sir Winston Churchill Square, the gallery will secure Edmonton's reputation as a world class city and centre for visual art. [http://www.youraga.ca].
For further reading about Edmonton's architecture from 1940-1969, Capital Modern is a book available from the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Edmonton has a vibrant performing arts community with notable accomplishments in live theatre and live music. The [wiki=6712c3ebe2fc69bdbd11ef14cb04b02e]central area[/wiki] contains the Winspear or Francis Winspear Centre for Music, a new concert hall with stellar acoustics, and the Citadel Theatre, which has hosted major live theatre performances for over forty years.
[wiki=4161b8d4ef1e87f2bbb16e848bf3c637]South Central area[/wiki] is home to the theatre district with a number of venues, and the Jubilee Auditorium, a large concert hall. The west end has two dinner theatres, Jubilation's and Mayfield.
Edmonton's river valley and Mill Creek area have an extensive network of trails, good for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing. At many points in the extensive ravines and forested areas in the river valley, you can't even tell you're in a city. Maps are published by the City of Edmonton [url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/cycling_walking/cycling-walking-maps.aspx][url=http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/sport_recreation/crosscountry-skiing.aspx]]and]are available at City Hall, Edmonton Tourism's Visitor Information Centres, and many bicycle and ski shops.
The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society (EBC), a non-profit bicycle co-op [url=http://edmontonbikes.ca/[/url[/url],]operates a staffed drop-in DIY workshop where rental bicycles are available. During the summer months, at River Valley Adventures [url=http://www.rivervalleyadventure.com/our-services/bike-rentals[/url]]rents bicycles and operates Segway tours. Fun group rides occur during the summer, mostly organized by the Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club (EBTC) [http://www.bikeclub.ca[/url] and EBC. Most commercial bike shops organize training rides for those road cyclists who are interested in higher intensity workouts. Larger commercial bike shops include United Cycle, Western Cycle, and Revolution Cycle. Smaller ones include Velocity Cycle, Redbike, Hardcore Mountain Bikes, PedalHead Bikes, and Transition BMX.
Edmonton has small downhill ski hills in or near the city, including Edmonton Ski, Sunridge Ski Area, and Snow Valley. Natural and artificial snow cover their slopes from early winter to early spring, offering city skiers an easy way to learn, amuse families, and tone up for the big Rocky Mountain ski opportunities in Jasper and Banff.
Albertans are keen golfers, based on the province's sunny summers, large number of developed courses, and relatively low prices. Within city limits, the City of Edmonton operates three public courses, including Canada's oldest municipal golf course: Victoria ([wiki=6712c3ebe2fc69bdbd11ef14cb04b02e]central[/wiki]), Riverside ([wiki=afcc4b1b097dbedba28cffd9422b2516]South[/wiki]) both of which are located close to downtown (though difficult to access without a vehicle), and the par-three Rundle Park ([wiki=323c3c195abdfe442d3e732415631cdc]Edmonton/North[/wiki]).
There are over 70 golf courses located in the Edmonton region.
Edmonton is home to a number of professional and amateur sport teams. The Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League are the most recognized team and have won numerous Stanley Cups. They play at the 16,839 seat Rexall Place which was built in 1979. Minor league hockey is also part of the Edmonton sports scene with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League.
Edmonton is also home to the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. The Eskimos have won 13 Grey Cups and play at the 60,000 seat Commonwealth Stadium. For basketball, the recently formed Edmonton Energy of the International Basketball League play at Grant MacEwan Gymnasium against smaller American cities and other Canadian cities.
Edmonton has a professional soccer team, FC Edmonton which plays in the North Americal Soccer League (NASL) at the Clarke Stadium. The club may qualify to play home games in Edmonton around May of every year against the Canadian teams in Major League Soccer such as the Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact and Toronto FC.
The University of Alberta Golden Bears (men's teams) and the University of Alberta Pandas (women's teams) participate in a number of sports including hockey, soccer, football (men), rugby, and track and field. Other local entries include the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Edmonton Capitals of the Golden League of Baseball, who play at TELUS Field.
Edmonton, hailed as "Canada's Festival City" [http://www.edmonton.com/for-visitors/festival-city.aspx], is home to over 30 annual festivals and special events throughout the year.
Attracting over 500,000 visitors each year, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the largest in North America, second largest in the world, offering some 1,000 performances, primarily in venues in Old Strathcona. The Works Art & Design Festival features new works of painting, drawing, sculpture, and much more. The Whyte Ave Artwalk lets viewers stroll the avenue looking at local art. There is also the Canoe Fest which tells stories about morals and history. For music, Symphony Under the Sky is a nice way to listen to some fine music in the great outdoors. One of the world’s leading Folk festivals, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival is a four-day outdoor music extravaganza that attracts more than 80,000 music lovers. Situated in Gallagher Park in Edmonton's scenic river valley, the festival offers an eclectic mix of music for all tastes.
For culture, Edmonton rolls out the red carpet. Heritage Days puts the spotlight on the food, dance, and local goods from over 60 cultural backgrounds. Edmonton Cariwest is a Caribbean festival that takes over downtown with colourful dances. Gay Pride is a large festival that closes Jasper Ave for people to be proud of gay rights.
In food, Edmonton has some festivals to keep you salivating. One of the most popular is A Taste of Edmonton. Purchase tickets and sample culinary delights from 40 of Edmonton’s leading restaurants at Sir Winston Churchill Square.
The Edmonton area has seven large casinos: Casino Yellowhead, Casino Edmonton, Bacarrat Casino, Palace Casino, St Albert Casino, Celebration's Casino, and Marriot Enoch Resort & Casino.
The three local microbreweries are Alley Kat, Ambers's Brewing, and Yellowhead Brewery.
There are many pubs, clubs, lounges, and bars clustered on Jasper Avenue (downtown) and Whyte Avenue (Old Strathcona). Some of the most popular in Old Strathcona include Hudsons, Lucky 13, Filthy McNasty's, The Rack, Funky Buddha, and O'Byrne's.
For those looking for a more indie experience should journey to Black Dog Pub and Empress Ale House who provide visitors with a less mainstream outing.
Downtown you will find a range of places to serve your drinking desires. Contemporary resto-lounges, such as Suede, The Hat, Sherlock Holmes, Red Star Pub, and The Pint.
A variety of dance clubs can be located in the downtown area and these include: Vinyl Retro Dance Lounge (Retro Classics/Top 40) [Closed as of September 2012], Oil City Roadhouse (Country) [Closed as of September 2012], Treasury Vodka Bar (Top 40/Electronic), and Warehouse (Top 40).
Edmonton also has a prominent LGBT community and offers several establishments that cater to this particular group; Buddy's Nightclub, Flash, and Junction. In addition, on the last Thursday of every month Empress Ale House hosts a special 'Beers for Queers' night.
Further afield Edmonton also offers night-time spots in less centralized locations. The Ranch Roadhouse is a country music nightclub located in South Edmonton at 6107 104 Street and has long been a favourite of country music enthusiasts.
West Edmonton Mall, located in West Edmonton, provides visitors with a number of bars including Empire Ballroom a large Vegas-style club, Whisky Jack's Urban Saloon yet another country music club, and Hudsons, the west end location of the Edmonton pub chain.
There are two main areas for good coffee. The Coffee Block refers to a block of independent coffee shops between 103 St. and 104 St. on Jasper Avenue. Although there are only 3 cafés, they are all very good.
Three Bananas Cafe is another perfect stop; it's on the way to the Churchill LRT station at Churchill Square (102 Avenue between 99 and 100 Street).
Another area is Whyte Avenue which has more spread out coffee shops but pretty much each one is very good. Luzzara Coffee Bar is an Italian style espresso bar (100th St & Whyte Ave)
Java Jive is a local institution, having been around for more than thirty years and locally owned. There are three shops on the University of Alberta campus, and a warehouse on 77th Ave and 99th St.
Transcend in Argyll is a very classy coffee shop that not only makes coffee, will sell you the beans (if you want to take home). Mandolin Books and Coffee Company on 112 Avenue is another fantastic find. Other than that, just do some exploring, you might just find something that is just for you.
Most of the budget hotels in the city are concentrated in and around the [wiki=8133f241b023bb0b81c679e371c7c9a7]south[/wiki] (e.g. Derrick Hotel) end of the city or in the deep [wiki=98589ec63d11469935c62f40a5d68661]east central[/wiki] area. There is also a lot in the nearby suburbs, see [wiki=a29b427a7103893c45ff88e241fa33f8]Edmonton's area[/wiki].
There are also hostels located downtown, by Jekyll & Hyde's Pub, and just off of Whyte Avenue.
Closer to the [wiki=6712c3ebe2fc69bdbd11ef14cb04b02e]core[/wiki], Holiday Inn Express Downtown and the Comfort Inn & Suites are good options. These two offer great views along with easy access to the benefits of downtown. In [wiki=323c3c195abdfe442d3e732415631cdc]the north end[/wiki], the Prospector's Gaming Room and North Inn and Suites are some great examples of some modern and simple good priced hotels at that part of the city. In the [wiki=cd9336ec52d7a3e39269da4541469b21]West End[/wiki], with the closeness of West Edmonton Mall, there are a ton of hotels to choose from, most of which are on 100 Ave.
South of the river, in [wiki=4161b8d4ef1e87f2bbb16e848bf3c637]Old Strathcona-University[/wiki] the Campus Suites is a great option for nice service and its proximity to the University. Days Inn Edmonton South is a recent addition to Old Strathcona, just a few blocks off Whyte Avenue. Also on Gateway Boulevard there are a lot of hotels, such as Greenwood Inn & Suites, Ramada South, Ramada Edmonton, Mayfield Inn, Travelodge South, Econo Lodge, Sawridge Inn Edmonton South and Cedar Park Inn. In the east, there is a lovely Four Points hotel with easy access to the city.
Edmonton has a good variety of high end hotels in different locations in the city. Some of the most popular locations are:
* This region has the highest number of high end hotels in the city. One can choose from hotels with river valley views including Crowne Plaza - Chateau Lacombe and the Courtyard Marriott and ones that have good views of the city such as the Sutton Place Hotel and the Westin Edmonton. There are also beautiful boutique hotels like Matrix Hotel and the Union Bank Inn. Either way, all of these posh empires have good access to downtown, friendly service, nice architecture, and luxury suites. For the extravagant traveller, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is a classic, château-like building built in 1912 and is the most expensive in the city, overlooking the river valley in elegant style.
* The area is full of higher-class hotels due to the proximity of West Edmonton Mall. One can choose from Fantasyland Hotel that's right in the mall or further out ones like Hampton Inn & Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn.
Edmonton is patrolled by the Edmonton Police Service. In addition to the Police Headquarters/Downtown Division located east of City Hall, the EPS is separated into five operational Divisions (the name in brackets denotes the neighbourhood in which the Division station is located):
*Downtown Division (Boyle Street)
*North Division (Miller)
*West Division (Glenwood)
*Southwest (Papachase Industrial)
*Southeast (Tawa)
Edmonton has a small number of internet cafés, most being [wiki=6712c3ebe2fc69bdbd11ef14cb04b02e]downtown[/wiki] or in [wiki=4161b8d4ef1e87f2bbb16e848bf3c637]Old Strathcona-University[/wiki].
Navigation in Edmonton is made easier by city's street grid and relative lack of traffic compared to most other major North American cities. Visitors should note that additional hazards are presented by winter driving in the city, especially during and after the first few snowfalls of the winter. Ice can be a problem, especially on bridges. Ice on roadways can be almost invisible, which is where the commonly used - and dreaded - term "black ice" comes from. Stay tuned to local radio stations, several of which have regular road reports, and be prepared to find alternate routes should weather conditions or accidents shut down some routes.
Large selection of travel maps, county maps, world maps, globes, guide books and related products.
Edmonton Journal [url=http://www.edmontonjournal.com/]]A traditional journalistic newspaper tied to facts and less opinionated
*Edmonton Sun [url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/[/url]]A more tabloid style newspaper focused on news reporting but also more opinionated and tilted in views.
*Vue Weekly [url=http://www.vueweekly.com[/url]]A free, artsy and more controversial newspaper talking about events surrounding the city.
*Metro Edmonton [http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton[/url] Free daily newspaper given out at most Light Rail Transit stations and in paper boxes across the city.
If you are on the north end, central, or in east central, the Royal Alexandra Hospital is the best. For the west, Misericordia is probably the best due to proximity. In the south side of the river, you may choose from Grey Nun's or University. Some people in central might go to University as well.
* Centrally located with very good, young doctors. Best for people in South Central or Central. Most comprehensive, doctors will often recommend patients to this location since "they can handle anything there". World renowned facility!
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* The most modern looking and fancy of the city's hospitals.
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* Not a hospital but a major medical center which is located right next to the Royal Alex and provides diagnostic and other private services.