Tony

Can anybody here tell me what Edmonton is like? I have heard mixed impressions that vary (admittingly not a lot of good ones - it sounds like a rough plcae to me) and wonder if it is worth checking out when we are in Calgary this September. I am not interested in the mall but love cities in general that are vibrant, not the stripmall and fast food culture that has destroyed too many character places in North America. Thanks!

Bob Brown

I have visited Edmonton once for three days, but I cannot give you a clear cut answer. I did not find it to be a rough place. I am sure like any city there are sections that the police do not keep under as much control as they would like. We were there when a street festival was going on with performances, actors, food, and the like being presented. I remember that some of the musicians were good; others not so great. I remember hearing a string quartet that lacked a good first violinist. We found some interesting shops. The mall impressed me as BIG but we saw no top quality stores there. <BR>I think the most impressive place we visited is the Ukranian Village near the suburb of Androssen. We were there when many people of Ukranian descent were coming in to participate in a musical festival. I was not familiar with some of the instruments and found their musicianship and the sound of their instruments to be totally fascinating. I also enjoyed some of the food. There was too much of it to sample everything, so I ate only a relative few of the items that looked good. <BR>A friend of mine is on the faculty at U of A, but she is out of touch right now so I cannot ask her her views. <BR>She is going back there next year for her second year, so it cannot be too bad or else she would leave. <BR> <BR>

traveller

I am going to Edmonton for a conference tomorrow - my first visit in many years. I will post anything informative (that I find out) when I get back.

Brian Kilgore

Edmonton has a good museum and a good art gallery. City is built along a beautiful valley. Provincial capital, lots of public servants, place is a city of restrained good taste compared to somewhat more garish, oil-industry Calgary. <BR> <BR>I happily moved from Calgary to Edmonton to gain more city sophistication, but that was twenty years ago. <BR> <BR>Do not worry about the rough parts; you won't be in them, and besides, they are not all that bad. <BR> <BR>BAK

Stephen

Edmonton is a great city in the summer--great festivals and warm summer evenings. As for the "rough spots" I wouldn't hesitate walking through them at night and you will probably be no where around them. Enjoy your visit.

gary

If you have lots of time to spare then spend a day or two in Edmonton but if you're on a tight schedule there is so much more within a few hours of Calgary and Calgary itself. <BR>In a nutshell Calgary is a Head Office Corporate city with all that implies while Edmonton is a Blue collar civil service town with all that implies. furthermore Calgary is cheek to jowl on the west with the rockies and on the east with the badlands while Edmonton is surrounded by prairie and oilwells. I agree with the other posters though that Edmonton is not 'rough' in the sence that we would interpret it.

Jim Rosenberg

Don't short-change the West Edmonton Mall. I don't even like shopping and enjoyed an entire day there -- hockey games, submarine rides, a huge indoor water park, live dolphin shows, a casino -- it's just a very active place. Another area we enjoyed in Edmonton was the university area, where we found a lot of fun & funky places to eat and hang out. Happy Trails!

robyn

I agree with Jim, <BR> <BR>I also agree with others that say it's a great place to be in the summer. I was there back in August during their Fringe Festival. Dozens of small plays were going on, while street entertainment was everywhere. Whyte Avenue (technically 98 Ave I believe) was just hopping - tons of unique cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs, shops. <BR> <BR>The River Valley around the university can be quite pretty - considering you're in the middle of the prairies. I believe Fort Edmonton is also nearby, which is a historical area. <BR> <BR>Rough isn't exactly how I'd describe Edmonton. It had a very laid, relaxing atmosphere when I was there! Take the city for what it is.