EdmontonTraveller.info

Edmonton City Guide

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:51:07 +0000

Edmonton is Alberta’s capital City and second largest city, behind Calgary, it’s neighbour to the south. Incorporated as a city in 1904 with a population of 8,350, Edmonton became the capital of Alberta a year later on September 1, 1905.

At 684 square kilometres (264 sq mi), the City of Edmonton covers an area larger than Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto or Montreal. The total population of the greater Edmonton area is just over 1 million people.

Edmonton is located near the geographical centre of the province, at an elevation of 668 metres (2,192 ft). The terrain in and around Edmonton is generally flat, to gently rolling, with ravines and deep river valleys, such as the North Saskatchewan River valley. The Canadian Rockies also lie close to Edmonton, roughly 220 kilometres to the southwest which is only a few hours’ drive away.

Edmonton’s river valley constitutes the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America, and Edmonton has the highest per capita area of parkland of any Canadian city.

There are several key hotspots for nightlife in the city of Edmonton. The most popular is the Whyte Avenue (82nd Avenue) strip, concentrated between 109 Street and 99 Street. Downtown, Edmonton’s Jasper avenue features numerous good places to go out, with the largest concentration being in the 116 street to 105 street area.

Edmonton plays host to several large festivals each year, hence its local nickname as “The Festival City”.

Gemoro Goldsmith

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:11:36 +0000

Gemoro Goldsmith specializes in jewelry for the discriminating shopper. They carry an extensive collection of timepieces, rings, chains and more from the industry’s leading jewelry manufacturers including Rolex and Cartier.

Mounted Police Outpost

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:10:47 +0000

Located in West Edmonton Mall, this unique, rare specialty shop carries official, licensed Royal Canadian Mounted Police collectibles, gifts and souvenirs. Items include clothing, stuffed animals, books, collectible figurines, maple syrup products and a wide variety of Canadian teas.

Needlecraft Gallery & Frames Inc.

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:09:15 +0000

This retail store carries a large selection of charts, fabrics, floss, tapestry wools, beads and embellishments for cross-stitch, needlepoint, needlepoint canvas, petit point and other needle handicrafts. Also offers professional custom framing for all types of art work, specializing in needle art.

Decade to Decade

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:08:24 +0000

A unique consignment store to buy and sell fine furnishings. Merchandise for consignment is carefully chosen for an interesting and exciting collection at all times. Over 3,000 sq. ft. of antiques, home furnishings and accessories on one level. Appointments are available to view furnishings clients wish to consign, at no charge within city limits.

West Edmonton Mall

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:07:38 +0000

You won’t find many shopping malls mentioned in this guide, but the West Edmonton Mall is something else. In fact, locals even call it the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Although it contains 800 stores and services, including 100 eateries, it looks and sounds more like a theme park than a mall.

In a space equal to 48 city blocks, it houses the world’s largest indoor amusement park, including a titanic roller coaster, bungee-jumping platform, and enclosed wave-lake, complete with a beach and enough artificial waves to surf on. It has walk-through aviaries, a huge ice-skating palace, 19 movie theaters, bumper boats and a lagoon with performing sea lions. Roll your eyes all you want, but do go. You have to see the West Edmonton Mall to believe it.

Metterra Hotel on Whyte

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:31:47 +0000

The lively Old Strathcona neighborhood, filled with students and artists, great nightlife, and dining, now also boasts the Metterra: a swank boutique hotel that’s contemporary and sleek, but with homey warmth. The lobby sets the tone with striking art, two-story rundlestone wall and waterfall, while the guest rooms are large, with contemporary and Indonesian art adding some funk. Some rooms offer fireplaces, others feature recliners. Rates include a continental breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese. Though not a typical business hotel, Metterra offers all the features and services sophisticated business and leisure travelers require.

Edmonton House Suite Hotel

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:31:05 +0000

This is a great alternative to pricier downtown hotels: The rooms are big and well decorated, and you don’t have to pay stiff parking fees. With a great location right above the North Saskatchewan River, the all-suite hotel has one of the best views in Edmonton. Each suite comes with a full kitchen and dining area, bedroom, separate sitting area with foldout couch, balcony, and two phones. Edmonton House is within easy walking distance of most downtown office areas and public transport.

Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:49:08 +0000

Centrally located downtown, the Crowne Plaza, a round 24-story tower sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking the North Saskatchewan River, possesses some of the city’s best views (best seen from La Ronde, the hotel’s revolving restaurant; see below). The nicely furnished standard rooms aren’t huge, though the wedge-shaped design means that they are broadest toward the windows, where you’ll spend time looking over the city.

The Crown Plaza’s Sleep Advantage program focuses on high-quality linens, pillows, plus interesting extras like relaxation CDs and aromatherapeutic lavender atomizers for the sheets. For just a C$30 (US$24) upgrade, Executive Suites offer twice the square footage of standard rooms, and a full living room with foldout bed — a sweet deal.

Sutton Place Hotel

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:48:10 +0000

Delicate crystal chandeliers, warm colors of Italian marble and granite, soft luxury Persian carpets, unique French Provincial styled furnishings and specially trained Sutton Hotel service professionals welcome you to luxury, elegance and the blissful comfort of The Sutton Place Hotel, Edmonton. Whether you travel on business or leisure, The Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton is the perfect location.

Connected to five major office towers and over 400 stores, businesses and services in the Edmonton City Centre Mall, every convenience of downtown Edmonton is at your fingertips. The 313 guestrooms and suites range in size from spacious traditional accommodations to the two storey luxurious Royal Suite. The utmost in comfort awaits you with silk patterned walls, deep olive carpets, plush chairs, delicate artwork, mahogany furnishings and executive work stations. All this, combined with the perfect blend of modern technology, will make your stay enjoyable.