I think Edmonton, Alberta is one of the most underrated cities in Canada, and it should definitely be on your travel bucket list! As the capital of Alberta, Edmonton is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city in the Canadian prairie. It’s also one of the gateways to Jasper National Park, which is only a few hours away! Below we share what to do in Edmonton, Canada. Our 1 day itinerary for Alberta’s capital city will take you to all the best spots for food and adventure in this beautiful urban hub. 

This itinerary is appropriate for all ages and travel styles. Edmonton is a great family-friendly destination, and it’s a great place for foodies. It’s also the perfect addition to a trip to Jasper National Park, since Edmonton is the closest major airport to Jasper. Looking for more Canada travel inspiration? Click here for more Canada travel itineraries and guides from Gwyn and Ami!

What to do in Edmonton, Canada: 1 day itinerary

Below you will find a full one day itinerary of what to do in Edmonton, Canada. We share everything you need to know about where to stay, and how to get to Edmonton. We also break down what to do during 24 hours Edmonton, Canada by sharing the ultimate one day itinerary for Alberta’s capital city. 

This content was created in partnership with Destination Canada, Travel Alberta, and Explore Edmonton. All opinions and perspectives are our own.

What you need to know about visiting Edmonton, Alberta

How to get to Edmonton

Visitors from the western United States can drive (Edmonton is about 10.5 hours from Spokane, where we live) or fly. Those flying will likely have connections in Seattle and/or Vancouver. The Edmonton airport code is YEG.

Travel tip: Edmonton is a great airport option for people who want to visit Jasper National Park, as it is the closest airport to the park.

Where to stay in Edmonton

During our time in Edmonton we wanted to stay in the heart of downtown to keep us close to the attractions we wanted to see! We opted to stay at the JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District, which is walking distance to many of the activities I highlight below. The customer service here is exceptional, and the rooms overlook the major arena for ice hockey in the city. 

Guests have access to a cozy seating area, pool, sauna, exercise room, and parking garage. Facilities are wheelchair accessible. One of my favorite things about the hotel was their custom infused ice blends, which I’ve never had before (pictured below)! The hotel makes flavored ice cubes infused with things like citrus, berries, cinnamon, and ginger. Guests can order from the complimentary ice menu in their room. It’s little touches like that that make hotel stays feel unique and special!

1 day itinerary for Edmonton, Canada

Below you will find the perfect 24 hour itinerary for a day in Edmonton, Canada! The itinerary includes lots of delicious food and activities that are perfect for couples, families, and solo travelers. I hope you enjoy this Edmonton itinerary as much as we did!

Breakfast at Obj3cts

Start your day off near the hotel with breakfast at Obj3cts. Obj3cts is a relatively new coffee and pastry spot in downtown Edmonton. The space is super cute and, while their coffee is good (their specialty drinks aren’t too sweet!), their pastries truly stand out! We enjoyed a savory scone, a cinnamon roll, and a delicious lemon poppyseed cookie with white chocolate. 

Travel tip: this coffee shop is a short walk form the hotel we recommend!

Explore the shops along the 4th street promenade

After breakfast take a stroll along the 4th street promenade, which runs along 104th street. This is a fun and quirky neighborhood in the heart of downtown Edmonton. You’ll encounter murals and art, unique boutiques, and lots of food establishments. We especially enjoyed stopping in at Wee Book Inn, which has used books and some sweet resident cats!

Stroll through Louise McKinney Riverfront Park

After shopping, head a few blocks over to the river to explore the beautiful Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. In summer this area is lush and green, and in winter you can admire the frozen river! We especially enjoyed seeing the Chinese Garden and the 100 Street Funicular.

Pictured below is the funicular, Chinese garden, and the Tawatinâ LRT Bridge.

Visit the Muttart Conservatory

From the park head across the Tawatinâ LRT Bridge to the Muttart Conservatory. This botanical garden is a great activity for all ages, especially on a chilly or rainy day! Uniquely, the Muttart Conservatory’s collections are housed in huge glass pyramids! They have several different ecological zones represented in their plant communities.

Enjoy lunch at Jerusalem Schwarma

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, head to lunch at Jerusalem Schwarma! They serve huge and delicious portions of middle eastern food, and have lots of meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. I especially enjoyed the complementary baklava and fresh mint tea! This was truly one of the best lunches I’ve had in a long time.

Travel tip: There are several Jerusalem Schwarma locations in the city, but I recommend visiting one of the locations to the south to minimize travel to your next destination.

Spend an afternoon at the Indigenous People’s Experience 

After lunch, spend your afternoon at the Indigenous People’s Experience in Fort Edmonton Park. This beautiful and moving exhibit was formed after deep conversations with over 50 indigenous elders and community members, and tells some of the stories of the Indigenous people who have called this area home for time immemorial. This is a great way to learn about indigenous perspectives, and the exhibits are “touch friendly,” making this great for all ages. We were incredibly moved by the stories we heard here, and this would be one of my top recommendations for visitors to Edmonton, Canada.

Special thanks to Evert Poor and Kimberly Fulton for leading our tour of this unique, moving, and incredible space.  

Happy hour at Spilt or Bar Henry

Next it’s time for happy hour! We have two location recommendations, described below.

Non-alcoholic cocktails, beer, and wine at Spilt Zero Proof

If you don’t drink, or are feeling like trying out the N/A life, head to Spilt Zero Proof, Alberta’s only zero-proof cocktail bar! Although I drink alcohol, I did NOT miss the buzz at this location. The drinks here are incredible and innovative, and a great mix of sweet and savory/bitter cocktail options. A highlight was their drink with dill pickle juice and zero proof gin – it was truly a sweet and savory masterpiece! The space is super cute and inviting, and everyone (of all ages!) is welcome here.

Happy Hour at Bar Henry 

If a stiff drink is more your style, then I recommend Bar Henry in downtown Edmonton. Located just around the corner from the hotel we recommend, Bar Henry serves elegant and alcohol forward drinks in a cute and cozy space.

Dinner at RGE Road or Bernadette’s 

After happy hour, head to dinner! We have two location recommendations, described below.

A focus on local meats at RGE Road

One option for dinner is RGE Road. RGE Road features delicious prairie cuisine that represents Alberta at its finest. Their food relies on local ingredients sourced from Western Canada. While they specialize in meat (which they process in their in-house butchery), they also have excellent vegetarian options and delicious cocktails. Their menu is seasonal, and changes to reflect what is available locally. 

Indigenous flavors at Bernadette’s

Our second recommendation is Bernadette’s. Located in a cozy and colorful space with a beautiful handpainted mural by bb.iskwew, Bernadette’s stands out for its fresh take on Indigenous cuisine. The cocktails are innovative, and the dishes really shine. One of my favorite parts of the meal was the chocolate cake we had for dessert, which was accompanied by sweetgrass infused ice cream. They offer food for a wide range of palettes and dietary needs, and also have a fixed menu offering with drink pairings. I really enjoyed their natural wine selection. The orange Canadian wine that I got was delicious! 

Additional activities to consider if you have more time in Edmonton Canada

Elk Island National Park

Rolling hills, lakes, and free-roaming bison abound at the beautiful Elk Island National Park! This would make a great half or full day activity.

Rig Hand Distillery

Rig Hand is known for being the first craft distillery in Edmonton. A family owned business, they take great pride in their local sourcing, production, and distribution. Their drinks are delicious (I especially enjoyed their cream liquors), and they also have excellent food!

Travel tip: The distillery is located close to the airport, so it makes a great stop on your way in or out of Edmonton.

Salt Bowl and Cultural Tea Workshop with Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions

Looking to relax, educate, and ground yourself? Try a salt bowl workshop! Hosted at Rig Hand, Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions offer Salt Bowl and Cultural Tea Workshops that cleanse, rejuvenate, and ground you. We learned about the owner’s indigenous heritage and practices, and left feeling relaxed and refreshed.

I hope you found this guide for what to do in Edmonton, Canada helpful! Looking for more outdoorsy travel inspiration for Canada? Click here!