I grew up taking trips with my girlfriends to West Edmonton Mall – we would be so pumped to stay at a hotel, shop in the mall, and do whatever else Junior High girls do. Once we had our own cars, taking a road trip to Edmonton was always a treat! During my University days, my now-hubby, then-boyfriend, moved there and I spent 4 years driving back and forth, probably every second weekend. Next up, I lived there for 3 years full-time, where I had the pleasure of running my music studio and having the amazing support of all the wonderful Edmontonians that welcomed me with open arms. Since moving from there, I’ve still spent a large amount of time heading to Etown on the QE2, visiting my friends, working, and hitting up my favourite spots!

Hope you enjoy some of my favourite things to do in Etown!!

Activities

• Do an Olive Oil tasting at Oliv (in St. Albert)
• Walk in the Ravines (Mackenzie and MacKinnon)
• Other great walks: William Hawrelak Park, Terwillegar Park, Laurier Park, Fort Edmonton Footbridge
• Go play at The Rec Room
• See a concert or hockey game at Rogers Place
• Visit the Alberta Legislature Building, especially when they have their Christmas lights up
• Take the Trolly on the High Level Bridge (great for kids, and seasonally run)
• Explore the Muttart Conservatory
• So many theatres to see shows at, including Walterdale Theatre and Grant McEwan
• Catch some laughs at The Comic Strip
• Take kids (or just yourself) to Galaxyland or Mini Golf or the Water Park in West Edmonton Mall
• Test your speed (or my lack of) at Speeders Indoor Prokarts
• In the Fall, go to Edmonton’s Corn Maze (in Spruce Grove)
• Walk Candy Cane Lane in the Winter, with a warm seasonal beverage
• Get tickets to explore the Ice Castle (seasonal)
• Enjoy High Tea at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald
• Get some friends together and do a workshop with Cory Christopher!
• Take a workout class – there are so many Spin or Barre studios to choose from
• Support the local boutiques: YoMama Maternity and Four, to name only a couple
• Relax at Bliss Yogaspa

Other activities that I didn’t get a chance to do, but were recommended and/or researched:

• Go to A Taste of Edmonton (I love this in Calgary)
• See a show at the Citadel Theatre
• Shop at the Italian Centre or the Bountiful Farmers’ Market
• Attend the Festival of the Trees

Now to the Food…

Cafes

• Cafe Blackbird – my favourite chai tea latte in all of Edmonton
• Credo – nice downtown coffee shop
• Duchess Bake Shop – go there!
• Transcend Coffee – if you know your coffee, this place is right for you
• Remedy Cafe – has a good chai tea latte
• Dauphine Bakery and Bistro – super cute environment! (I believe this has been relocated)

Breakfast

• Sugarbowl – love when they have a breakfast bowl on special!
• De Dutch – sweet or savoury…take your pick
• Under the High Wheel – brunch every day
• Cafe Linnea – super cute, all about locally-sourced, and has options for high tea on select days

Lunch

• Little Brick – the sweetest little house, turned coffee shop/restaurant that’s great for breakfast, lunch, or booking out for a private event
• KB & Co. – love this plant-based cafe for all their salads, bowls, and juice/smoothies
• Tres Carnales – good for lunch or dinner; fast Mexican food (always get the guac)
• Chopped Leaf – great for healthy fast food
• Freshii – another healthy fast food option
• careit – oh my…their pulled pork!!
• Cafe Mosaics – vegetarian and vegan menu
• Hart’s – an all around menu (but then again, there’s always Cactus Club, JOEY, or Famoso)

Dinner

• Rge Rd – awesome tasting menu with vino!
• Vivo – I highly recommend you share the Fettuccine and the Filetto
• Corso 32 – modern Italian
• Uccelino – Italian dishes that are best shared – get the server to surprise you, because you can’t go wrong with any dish
• Bar Bricco – Italian starters and cocktails!
• Three Boars Eatery – interesting seasonal Canadian sharing menu
• MKT – great for sharing, and a cool vibe (also a good spot if you like your beer)
• Melting Pot – for fondue!
• Parlour – great pizza, and get the cauliflower
• Japonais – my favourite sushi spot in Edmonton
• Sicilian Pasta Kitchen – good Italian
• Allegro – and more Italian!

Other Restaurants that I didn’t get a chance to try, but were recommended and/or researched:

• Bean Around the World – I’ve heard you go here for the environment
• Normand’s – all day breakfast
• Red Ox Inn – seasonal bistro
• Madison’s Grill – upscale Canadian dining
• Violino – Italian spot
• Chartier – go for the rustic environment and French restaurant
• Have Mercy – eat some Southern grub
• The Three Amigos – tacos, tacos, tacos
• Farrow – sandwich shop
• Town Square Brewing Co. – craft beer and craft pizza!

Enjoy Etown, my little home away from home!