r/Edmonton • u/Zestyy-Gold • 9d ago

Question Why does everyone say “skip Edmonton” when visiting AB?

I’ve seen a lot online where tourists will ask for a Alberta itinerary, which I understand they are excited to see mountains…but people would add the extra “skip Edmonton” line even as if there’s nothing to embrace here. I have never been to Edmonton, but as the capital of Alberta, is there really nothing to see as a traveller? I read that there is an interesting food scene, cool museums (Reynolds, Telus World of Science, Royal Alberta Museum, etc), chill neighborhoods like Whyte Ave, and a big ass shopping mall? Do people say this just so the city wouldnt be clustered with tourists or is the city really that skippable? I don’t think anyone expects it to be a Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto…but I’m sure it still has it’s charm?

134 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

268 comments sorted by

View all comments

38

u/Aggravating-Car9897 9d ago

Honestly, there is a ton to love and see about Edmonton, people just hate on it because we aren't flashy and as close to the mountains as Calgary (4 hours to Jasper instead of an hour and a half to Banff).

Truth be told, if you do want to do the mountains, a city, and a place like Drumheller in a single trip, making Calgary your home base makes sense if you don't want to drive a ton.

But Edmonton has a really cool festival scene in the summer that really hits above its weight. We are home to the second largest Fringe theatre festival in the world. And everything you heard is accurate. We just also are a little quieter, so people usually want to visit more bustling cities.

I've heard many people say that Calgary is a good place to visit, Edmonton is a good place to live.

-16

u/Cyclist007 9d ago

Being the second largest fringe theatre festival in the world is not the win you think it is...

14

u/PlathDraper 9d ago

It's a big win to people who like independent theatre. I've been to the Ottawa fringe, Toronto fringe, Edinburgh fringe, the Calgary fringe, and Edmonton fringe and ALL actors love our fringe. It's where they make the most money becuase Edmonton audiences love and support fringe theatre.

Personally, I am more proud of the Edmonton fringe than I am the Edmonton Oilers. Just because something isn't your taste doesn't mean it's not valuable or something to brag about.

4

u/JordanPetterPans 9d ago

Help me out here, what am I missing?

-13

u/Cyclist007 9d ago

If you've got to choose between Edinburgh or Edmonton - are you really choosing Edmonton?

15

u/soren_1981 9d ago

My god you’re dumb. Literally no one is saying that. But if you perhaps can’t or don’t want to cross an ocean as a fringe theatre performer or viewer, Edmonton’s festival is pretty attractive.

6

u/ItsAdamDawg 9d ago

Jfc you’re a tool lool.