Edmonton Attractions

Though my partner and I did not meet in Edmonton, he spent many years of his adult life living there. In fact, he is the one who taught me to appreciate Edmonton as I do today.

I used to go to Edmonton to visit West Edmonton Mall. Though I still make at least one trip to the mall - and like to stay at the Fantasyland Hotel for one night - I've learned about other attractions the city had to offer, first hand. My partner and I took my girls to see Valley Zoo. He also introduced us to both the Rundle and Hermitage Park.

Furthermore, though he was unable to make it to the Muttart Conservatory with us, he highly recommended we visit the attraction, mentioning how he used to enjoy the wonderful displays of plant life.

During those trips when he was able to accompany us to Edmonton, he would drive us around the city - telling us about how much things had changed and developed from the time he had first moved there. He showed us some of the areas in which he used to go biking with one of his best friends. In fact, he shared so much with me that there was no way I could retain it all.

Furthermore, some of his closest friends live in Edmonton - and the kids and I had the opportunity to meet them. It was nice to put names to faces and see the homes in which these friends lived. It helps when trying to imagine scenarios my partner shares with me - stories from the past. With a face, voice and physical setting, I can more easily imagine what he is telling me.

Guaranteed, Edmonton will always be special to me because of the way it was introduced to me - by a man who was, and is, thoroughly in awe of the city. However, I've learned to appreciate it more each time I visit. There is always something new to discover and the picture it paints as parks wind themselves around the river valley is a breath-taking aspect, in and of itself.

Edmonton at dawn from Muttart Conservatory






Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Alberta






Via Rail Snow Train Between Edmonton & Jasper

We enjoy our space when traveling - just as we enjoy our personal space at home. Though it feels wonderful to visit family and friends, it's nice to have our own place to go back to - to unwind and relax at the end of the day.

Though we enjoy staying at the Fantasyland Hotel, it's only reasonable to expect that most families would not stay there for a week - especially with so much to see and do outside of West Edmonton Mall.

That being said, we've stayed in a few hotels in Edmonton and they are, generally, in the Best Western family of hotels. One of my most recent stays was at the south end of the city - about 17 kilometers from the airport, heading towards Edmonton. This hotel is spacious, has laundry facilities and a pool with both a water slide and hot tub.

There are several restaurants which will deliver food to your hotel room. There is also a continental breakfast area for guests to enjoy before starting their day.

If you enjoy a fitness facility and high speed Internet privileges, you'll find that at Best Western South Edmonton Inn and Suites as well.

In relation to the major attractions we've enjoyed in Edmonton, Best Western South Edmonton Inn and Suites is:

~ 10 kilometers from the Valley Zoo ~
~ 14 kilometers from the Muttart Conservatory ~
~ 19 kilometers from West Edmonton Mall ~
~ approximately 15 - 20 kilometers from both Rundle and Hermitage Parks ~

The photo shown here is of a room located within this hotel. Our room was laid out differently with two queen beds and a sitting area; it was able to accommodate six people. Admittedly, my two younger children, my youngest niece, nephew and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We swam, laughed, ate, laughed some more and, finally, had no choice but to collapse.

The next day we were off to West Edmonton Mall to meet up with the rest of the group. Where were they the night before? They were enjoying a Kid Rock and Bon Jovi concert. They had fun and so did we; in the end, that's all that matters.