Summer Staycation Ideas In and Around Edmonton
Summer staycations have plenty of perks. You can have memorable adventures with minimal travel and full access to the conveniences of home. Best of all, by exploring your own city, you’re supporting local attractions, events and businesses.
If you’re staying close to home this summer, here are some family-friendly options in greater Edmonton. Click on the attraction’s name for more details.
Don’t be alarmed by the word ‘snow’ in its name – this local ski hill undergoes a full transformation in the summer. Challenge your accuracy at the new 18 hole mini golf course, unearth beautiful rocks at the Whitemud Creek Mining Company, or navigate a series of climbing challenges on the gigantic 50-foot-tall Aerial Park Tower.
Do you have a baseball fan or young slugger in the family? Find inspiration and entertainment at Re/Max Field, home of the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League. As proof of the team’s popularity, this year’s School Spirit Game presented by Qualico sold out right away. When you’re at the field, keep an eye out for the team’s friendly bird mascots, River and Kid!
River Valley
We’re fortunate to have the beautiful North Saskatchewan River running right through our city. The scenic River Valley area offers over 180 kilometres of maintained pathways, 20 parks, and these unique attractions:
- Muttart Conservatory – The Conservatory’s four pyramid-shaped botanical gardens are home to over 700 different plant species.
- Edmonton Valley Zoo – Get up close and personal with more than 350 different animals from around the world.
- Fort Edmonton Park – Offers an authentic look back at Edmonton’s history, including the brand-new Indigenous Peoples Experience.
This vast nature preserve (194 square kilometres in size) is about 50 minutes from downtown Edmonton and only 25 minutes from Sherwood Park communities like SummerWood. The protected land provides a refuge for bison, elk, and over 250 species of birds. It’s a great place to hike, stargaze, or set up camp (at the Astotin Lake Campground).
If you’re seeking a quirky, one-of-a-kind experience, it’s worth the two-hour drive to Torrington to discover the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum. This volunteer-run, not-for-profit museum opened in 1996 in an effort to attract tourists to the tiny town. Instead of charging an entry fee, visitors are simply asked to make a donation. After giggling at the 48 creative displays of taxidermied gophers, be sure to pose for a photo with the 12-foot-tall statue of Clem T. GoFur, just off Highway 27.
Dinosaur Experiences
If you have a child who is keen on dinosaurs, you’re in the right province! Dinosaur related experiences are a short drive away, including:
- World’s Largest Dinosaur – In the town of Drumheller, you can’t miss Tyra the Tyrannosaurus rex – mainly because she’s 86 feet tall! For a modest $5 admission fee (free for kids 5 and under), you can climb the 106 inner steps to the viewing platform in her mouth.
- Royal Tyrrell Museum – Located in Midland Provincial Park, just 6 kilometres northwest of Drumheller, this world-class museum has an array of stunning prehistoric exhibits.
- Jurassic Forest – Just 20 minutes from Edmonton’s north side, this kid-friendly theme park features animatronic dinosaurs, dino-themed mini golf and a Triceratops-shaped play structure.
No discussion of Edmonton’s big-ticket attractions would be complete without West Edmonton Mall. Sometimes we take for granted that we have a full-scale amusement park and shopping wonderland right in our backyard. Choose from a dizzying assortment of water slides, rides, mini golf courses, animal exhibits, and more. Shopaholics will enjoy browsing the 800 premium stores, plus limitless options for dining and snacking.
In addition to ongoing exhibits such as Arctic Journey and The Science Garage, the centre’s current exhibit, “Stardust: The Universe in You” explores the cosmic connections between our planet and the stars. Step into big-time entertainment with IMAX films about dolphins, fighter jets, butterflies, and more. Families will love the show options in the Zeidler Dome, including one featuring Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Elmo.
June is National Indigenous History Month, and Metis Crossing is an ideal place to connect with Indigenous culture and traditions. Located 90 minutes northwest in Smoky Lake, this 688-acre interpretive centre opened in 2022 as the first Métis cultural interpretive centre in Alberta. Visitors can explore independently or take a guided tour.
Home is where the heart is, and there’s plenty to love in Edmonton. For more information about summer attractions in the Edmonton area, visit the Explore Edmonton website.