Best Areas to Stay in Edmonton, Canada

Downtown Edmonton is a bustling area located on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River.

Bisected by Jasper Avenue, this massive district is home to Edmonton’s main financial, shopping, entertainment, cultural and administrative areas.

Jasper Avenue, Edmonton’s main street offers a stark contrast between being home to Edmonton’s oldest buildings and tallest skyscrapers. Jasper Av. and its surrounding streets make up the main commercial, residential and entertainment districts in the city.

Centred around Churchill Square, Edmonton’s main meeting point and backdrop to its main festivals, the Arts District is home to some of the city’s cultural institutions. Some sights in this area include the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, the Citadel Theatre and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

The Art Gallery of Alberta, an avant-garde building opened in 2010, features an expansive art collection, with a special focus on local and western Canadian works.

Not far, the Royal Alberta Museum offers geological, natural and ethnological exhibitions.

The hip Ice District, located in Downtown Edmonton’s north end is a mixed-use and entertainment district. This buzzing area is home to a sports arena, a casino, office towers, retailers and shopping centres.

Occupying the southwestern portion of Downtown Edmonton, Government Centre is home to the Alberta Legislature Building and several parks, fountains and gardens.

Meanwhile, in the nearby Warehouse District, you get the opportunity to have a look at the city’s industrial past. Most of the warehouses in this area have been repurposed into residential complexes, cafés, restaurants, designer boutiques and hotels.

As it couldn’t be otherwise, Downtown is the best-connected area in Edmonton. The city’s Light Rail system offers several stops along 110th St NW, Jasper Avenue and 99th St NW.

West Edmonton Mall, sometimes abbreviated WEM, is a massive shopping centre located in the Summerlea neighbourhood, about 11 km away from Churchill Square.

With a gross area of about 490,000 square metres, this gigantic complex was the largest indoor shopping centre in the world until 2004 and still holds the title of the largest shopping centre in North America.

It is home to over 800 shops and 100 restaurants, as well as nine tourist attractions and two in-house hotels. WEM is the second-most visited mall in Canada and the most visited tourist site in Alberta.

West Edmonton Mall and the districts around it are by far the best area to stay in Edmonton for families and shopping. Other than its hundreds of shops and dining options, this shopping centre offers kid-friendly attractions such as the Galaxyland theme park; World Waterpark, the second-largest indoor waterpark; the Ice Palace ice rink, Adventure Golf and a replica of the Santa María historic vessel.

There are also several themed areas within the mall. Some of them include New-Orleans-style Bourbon Street, French-inspired Europa Boulevard and Asian-themed Chinatown.

However, WEM is not just about the kids! Adult attractions within the complex include the Wild West Shooting Centre, Jubilations Dinner Theatre, Starlight Casino and a nightclub.

The WEM area is covered by several bus lines and the journey from Downtown Edmonton to the West Edmonton Mall Transit Centre takes about 30 minutes.

Strathcona is an area located directly south of Downtown Edmonton, on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River.

This historic district used to be an independent city from its foundation in the 1870s until the early 20th century.

Today, Strathcona still preserves an old village charm in its historic centre, particularly around Whyte Avenue. The Old Strathcona Provincial Historic Area occupies five city blocks spanning from 80 Avenue north to 85 Avenue, and from 102 Street west to 106 street.

This buzzing district is considered one of Edmonton’s hipster areas. Its commercial thoroughfares are packed with alternative retailers and indie shops specializing in everything from vintage clothing to records and books.

Strathcona’s busy nightlife and youthful atmosphere are in large part fueled by its proximity to the University of Alberta. This area is home to theatres, lovely cafés, cheap international eateries, alternative bars and a few nightclubs.

The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market is a great place to pick fresh fruit, artisanal products or local crafts.

The University Area, located west of Strathcona, is home to the University of Alberta’s north campus. With almost 40,000 enrolled students, UAlberta is one of the leading research institutions in the country.

East of Strathcona lies Cloverdale, home to the Muttart Conservatory, a botanical garden with a futuristic design home to tropical and arid biomes.

South Central Edmonton is connected to the rest of the city via the urban bus network. Additionally, the University area hosts a couple of light rail stops.

Southeast Edmonton is an expansive district encompassing several residential, business and industrial districts, as well as a few rural areas.

On its northern edge lies Ritchie, one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Edmonton. This mainly residential area offers access to the hip Strathcona nightlife and Southeast Edmonton’s green spaces.

Mill Creek Ravine Park, part of the River Valley parks and trail system offers a natural escape within the city, hiking and biking trails and old wooden bridges.

As you move further out, Southeast Edmonton features a succession of suburban neighbourhoods, green wooded parks and commercial developments.

South Edmonton Common, located at the southern edge of the city, is a sprawling open-air shopping complex with restaurants, bars, and big-name retailers.

Its massive size and suburban atmosphere mean that transportation in Southeast Edmonton is dominated by the car.

That said, many bus routes have stops along the area’s thoroughfares and travel time to central Edmonton shouldn’t take longer than 45 minutes.

Southeast and Southwest Edmonton are located near the city’s international airport.

Northwest Edmonton comprises the area between the city of St. Albert and the North Central neighbourhoods of the city.

Considered the most diverse area in Edmonton, this sprawling district is made up of a collection of once-independent settlements that were amalgamated into the city.

Home to a mix of quiet residential areas and business districts, Northwest Edmonton is a great area to stay for those seeking a quiet and peaceful atmosphere within reach of the more exciting downtown neighbourhoods.

The Pembina neighbourhood, located at the heart of the district, is a commercial and dining development offering a wide selection of popular fashion retailers, supermarkets, budget and mid-range eateries and a few bars.

Griesbach Hill is a green park offering nice views of the city and a toboggan in the winter.

To move around Northwest Edmonton and to other neighbourhoods, you are probably better travelling by car. That said, the area is well-connected via buses and Edmonton VIA Rail station is also nearby.

Northeast Edmonton is an expansive area known for its many lush parks, green spaces and residential developments.

Rundle Park, located on the North Saskatchewan River is one of Edmonton’s nicest parks. It includes several lakes and fountains, multi-use trails, picnic spaces and a popular golf course.

In a city known for its shopping centres, Northeast Edmonton has Manning Town Centre, a large outdoor shopping complex with fashion retailers, home improvement stores, restaurants and a cinema. Likewise, this sprawling area is home to other shopping plazas such as SmartCentres and the Londonderry Mall.

Lake District, located at Edmonton’s North End, is an upmarket residential area known for its beautiful homes.

To move around the area, Northeast Edmonton is connected via the city’s efficient bus network.