7 Best Sights in West Edmonton, Edmonton

The zoo has seen some renovations and new exhibits over the last decade and is a wonderful place to take the family. The new Nature’s Wild Backyard exhibit, built to participate in the international Red Panda Species Survival Plan, holds up to four breeding pairs of these endangered species and allows visitors to get up close to these adorable Himalayan carnivores. You can also meet Lucy, a 47-year-old Asian elephant that is the zoo’s longest resident, and more than 300 other animals.

This pedestrian bridge, also the city's first suspension bridge, crosses the North Saskatchewan River just below Fort Edmonton, connecting the city's extensive trail system on the river's north and south sides. It's a lovely walk and great for views of the river and the city.

Nestled on 64 hectares (158 acres) of wooded parkland in the River Valley, Fort Edmonton Park is an important destination for visitors who want to experience a late-19th-century life on the frontier. New since 2021 is a world-class multisensory exhibition of the history, culture, and perspectives of First Nations and Métis people in the Greater Edmonton region. There’s also midway, an old theater, and wagon and pony rides.

Galaxyland has more than 27 exhilarating rides and play areas for all ages, including four distinctive roller coasters, the Swing of the Century, and The Flying Galleon, the largest of its kind in North America. For the younger folk, there is a Galaxy Kids Playpark, a carousel, and many other mellower entertainments.

Marine Life is a great way to get up close and personal with some of the ocean’s more charismatic sea creatures. Enjoy an encounter with an African penguin while learning about its habits and then head underground to the Sea Live Caverns, where only a pane of glass separates you from more than 100 species, including sharks and sea turtles.

At more than 3½ million square feet, West Edmonton Mall is a neighborhood unto itself. As North America’s most comprehensive retail and entertainment complex, you could spend an entire week here and never get bored. Fantasyland Hotel is located on-site, so there's a place to stay while you spend two or more days exploring all this mall has to offer. There's North America's second biggest indoor water park (World Water Park), an enormous amusement park (Galaxyland), the Marine Life aquarium, a race kart track, more than 100 restaurants and pubs, and 800 retail shops. There’s also an IMAX theater, a bingo parlor, a bowling alley, a casino, two mini-golf courses, and Jubliations live dinner theater for those who are spending the night and want some classic evening entertainment.

The two-level, 48-block-long mall is oriented east-west with a main boulevard down the center, which takes about 20 minutes to walk. There’s a food court at each end, one near Galaxyland to the east and one near the Fantasyland Hotel, World Waterpark, and Marine Life to the west. BRBN St., which runs north from near the center of the first floor, is where you’ll find a collection of the finer dining establishments.

If it’s your first time, it’s worth visiting guest services to get a map and a quick orientation. The staff can also point you in the right direction if you’re looking for something in particular. There are two guest services locations, one near Galaxyland and the other near the Deep Sea Adventure Lake.

With 20 slides, including one called the Sky Screamer, where sliders approach 37 mph, this is the world’s largest indoor water park and about as fun a way to spend an afternoon there is. There’s also a wave pool and a zipline, and plenty of milder slides and pools and fountains for the tykes, too. Admission includes free use of life jackets and swim diapers.