Great way to spend a rainy day, as you can still view nature while indoors (it was pouring rain…read morewhen we went!). The different plant varieties and climate environments (tropics, arid, etc) were wonderful to experience and shows this place is run by people who care about plants. The plants in each section were well taken care of, and the design with the pyramids separating the different ecosystems was pretty unique. There's also a koi pond here. It'll probably take about an hour or less to walk through all the plant exhibits. They also sell plants too in the gift shop area. They have a small cafe to rest, but the drink was okay.

I was stopping by in the area looking for a botanical garden. I saw three glass pyramids. It was…read morecozy place to be one with nature and at the same learn about biomes.

As someone who gets a lot of visitors from overseas, it's good to have a few places up your sleeve…read morefor touristy days! This is number one of my list. Aside from checking out the beautiful Legislature grounds this is indoors - so great for winter guests to the city. Inside they have a living wall and a water feature which make you feel super chilled as it's so tranquil as soon as you step in the door. There is a gallery space called the Borealis Gallery, it's exhibitions change often but currently it's a very though provoking collection on Canadian identity and cultural diversity. The Agora Interpretive Centre is an interactive and fun way (especially for kids) to learn the sorties of Edmonton's past and Albertan history too. The Pehonan Theatre is the main reason I go to the Leg visitor centre. There they show a short 4D movie on a 360-degree screen called 'Our People, Our Province'. I really love it and it's quite spectacular to watch something in 4D and feel so immersed in it. I don't want to ruin any surprises from this so just trust me and go watch it. It's free and I think it's on every 20 mins. While you wait for the next showing pop into the gift shop selling Alberta made gifts, art and more.

After 6 months of being told the 4D movie was amazing, I finally went to check out the Visitor's…read moreCentre with my sister-in-law and baby nephew on St. Patrick's Day. And yes, I was blown away! First, the good to know info: - They are open 362 days of the year and admission is ALWAYS FREE! - Clean public washrooms are available - Their living wall creates a toasty environment, even in the dead of winter (kind of like walking into the Citadel Theatre) - Candy is available in the gift shop :P The exhibit in rotation was a hooked rug exhibit...which sounds super homestead-ey. Actually, the departure from hooking rugs being a commonplace household activity to an art form (as industrialization took place and factory-produced rugs are now commonplace) is fascinating. From what is depicted on the rugs (ie. transitioning from welcome mats to decorative pieces), to the colours of wool used, to the interpretation of the rugs...hooked rugs rightfully earn their place in the art world. Who woulda thunk it?? The video (immersive and experiential) is fascinating and very thoughtfully composed to introduce tourists (or children) to Alberta's history. From Alberta's namesake to our Indigenous roots, the entire show is attention-grabbing and informative. As a free add-on to any visit to the Legislature, it is absolutely worth it! The one thing that would have brought my visit to the next level was the fact that there is no concession/cafe in the Centre. You're not allowed to bring food or drinks into the exhibits/theatre, of course. But it would have been wonderful to sit by the living wall with a book and a coffee in hand, especially with all of the invitingly huge windows.

Government house is a landmark in edmonton. It used to house the famous royal alberta musuem which…read moremoved to the downtown core. Now its used as offices and is a glorified dog park. I often come here because of the amazing trails. I often see other dog lovers here as well. Just below the pagoda there are some wicked trails on the river valley leading to the downtown core or the west end near the valley zoo. I have explored extensively and the trails can range from easy paved to steep trails in the river valley. Frequented by runners and cyclists these trails are busy and the most safest in the river valley. I have yet to see any homeless living in the woods which are common in downtown heading east on the river valley. There are breathtaking views any visitor to edmonton should see here. A short 5 min walk on a trail gets you some of the best views of edmontons west and downtown. Theres ample parking during the day and its easy to get a bite or drink afterwards due to the central location. You honestly just need 10 minutes here to see it all. But spend an hour hiking down to the river valley and the views are worth it!

This building was built in the 1980s and includes some great space for use by various groups. My…read moreKiwanis club rents the upstairs lounge once a year to host the Buy Nothing Day Free Market in November for example. A pottery group rents the hall upstairs for their events. Helen is the wonderful woman who takes care of the building and she is wonderful. If she's unavailable or has to step out she'll leave contact information for someone more local to the hall in case you need anything. Helen is good at making sure that snow is cleared from walkways etc. as best as can be as quickly as possible given a major snowstorm. The hall is a little bit difficult to access if you're unfamiliar with it, but it has ample free parking, is close to transit and major roadways and is within walking distance of many facilities in the Old Strathcona area. I'm really fond of some of the more recent upgrades to the upstairs lounge: the improved lighting makes it much more of a wonderful area to host events, for example.

This building reminds me of Boston. Big, old, red brick. Exactly how the Community League in…read moreStrathcona should be! I was here attending/helping at an under 40 mixer event in the big room upstairs. It's got wooden floors and mirrors across one wall, so I think it must be used for exercise classes and things of that nature, too. I'm sure there's much more to explore in this big ol' building since it's HUGE. Gotta give props to its sweet location, plenty of parking, and the playground nearby. The perfect family-friendly place for this neighbourhood.

The Crown Jewel of downtown Edmonton is the neighborhood known as Churchill Square. It's a bustling…read moresocial, cultural, and artistic hub of so many things and activities. There are statues and monuments everywhere, big soaring towers, "Lunchbox Joe" - a lifelike sculpture of a guy sitting on a bunch by Seward Johnson, a sculpture named "Catching Neutrinos" a striking 10 foot high granite cone inscribed with headlines of the last 100 years, and monuments to Canada's war dead, Sir Winston Churchill and the Ukranian genocide. I saw an amphitheater with room to seat 500, formal gardens, a skating rink, and light poles representing the northern lights. Throw in shopping, outdoor movies, fireworks, street performers, and a theater ticket booth and you have a pretty good idea of what the area has to offer. We were there on a Monday morning and it wasn't very crowded, but by lunch time the office buildings emptied out and we saw hundreds of people hanging out, eating their brown bag lunches or hitting the food trucks. What a fun time we had strolling around the Square and taking in all of its sights.

Located in the heart of downtown Edmonton which is easily accessible by bus or train, this is a…read morefavorite hangout for locals and tourists. Why not? It's a nice place to sit, play chess, table tennis, or basketball, stroll around the gardens, admire the different artworks all throughout the Square, or enjoy the pool at the nearby City Hall. All these activities are possible while taking advantage of the free Wifi provided by the city. Felling hungry and/or thirsty? You don't need to leave because there are several eateries in the Square to choose from: Three Bananas Cafe, L'Espresso Café, City Centre Food Court, and Kids in the Hall. Not feeling a sit down restaurant? Then see one of the food vendors selling hot dogs, donuts, waffles, smoothies, etc. With tables and chairs under huge red umbrellas, this is a nice place to enjoy a cup of coffee while reading a book or watching people having fun. The Square is also where all festivals and events are being held. While on the Square, please visit TIX on the Square Box Office & Store, a non-profit box office where they sell artwork made by local artists, and tickets to local music, theatre and dance events. I actually bought my souvenir item from here during my last visit.

We went here because we were invited to a dinner theater by our friends. It is a beautiful…read morebuilding. Hardwood, Stonework, and ornate carvings about...all things solid about traditions. Also, the Freemasons here gave tours and explained a little about their organization. If you have a chance to tour it, please do!

It was my first time in here today and it is a very interesting space. I have walked past so many…read moretimes and have always wondered exactly what a free mason is, I still don't know. Regardless of the unknown this space is awesome. Good bathrooms, an upstairs with balcony look downs, cool arched windows, and really beautiful thin wood floors. I feel like this would be a nice place to have a wedding or anniversary party as there is also a stage for bands and a kitchen area off the front.

As a father I use the large kids play area that is on the main floor and somewhat segregated from…read morethe main library. There are computers and iPad and other games and activities that cater to different age groups. The two family bathrooms in this area are good because the main bathrooms can have some unsavoury characters in there sometimes. The plaza outside of kids area windows has been under construction resurfacing the square for a long time. It's directly south of the library and hopefully it will be available soon. There is a Second Cup coffee shop in entrance way lobby which is a nice option but there are other cafes downtown that have better coffee and food offerings in my opinion. The interactive screen in front lobby is always a hit for my kids. And there is a smaller screen that is behind the large main display. The new LRT line goes directly in front of the library which should be good for access. There are often houseless people in the area and often in front of the library entrance or inside the library. If you're bringing children, be vigilant and always aware of your surroundings especially outside of the library. Both my children got library memberships before they turned one and the EPL gives a free children's book upon sign up. You can look through their selection and choose the book.

I have not been inside yet... I'm waiting, however, I had some overdue returns that I had tucked…read moreaway during their extended COVID closure that needed to be returned. I visited the 24 hour drop slot - and it hasn't moved. Sadly, the construction crews had blocked the accessible ramp - so there were only stairs to the ramp... although after hours, I'm not sure how many other folks would be visiting to return books. The photos look amazing, and all the amenities from "THE WALL" - an interactive GIANT touch screen, to the Makerspace, to Gamerspace, Outreach services to the PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN (Thunderbird House) is their first dedicated Indigenous space that is built for ceremony and gatherings. Coming soon are the EPL Kitchen, Muttart Theatre and Second Cup Coffee Co. (thank goodness). I can't wait to see it all myself, but for now, I'll look through the glass and dream about lounging indoors again.

"Spoiler Alert"!!! Love kids!!!…read moreRaised two children to a adulthood! The facility is not a "Day Care" or a "Play Ground"!! Parents sitting, on the phone, texting! Kids running, screaming........ for hours being ignored by parents! Staff.........????? Courteous, helpful and very pleasant!! I understand...... Parents, children does not give you the right to be disrespectful towards others!!! There are parenting courses, better yet, try grabbing a book and read to your children!!! Mine started school knowing how to read!!!! ,

Jasper Park ~ The…read morephotos say it all. Bright, spacious, nooks & crannies. Computer terminal & jig saw puzzles (ha!) The puzzle may be temporary ~ we've worked on two different puzzles in the past month. The teen area upstairs is cool. You can check out comics, manga and more !! Cozy up with your tea and a magazine while the sun kisses your nose ~ inside or on their second story enclosed patio. I highly anticipated the opening of this library. The first year after its opening, I felt the interior lacked warmth. Five years later this gem established loyal visitors, those visitors and the new, bring a pulse ~ a warmth. This is one of several Edmonton library's i highly recommend. The librarians are fun & informative ~ and patient with our never ending requests to bring in BOOKS ! Check them out !!