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?

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31

u/shimswfi 9d ago

if people are coming from a big city they probably won’t have interest in the museums and the mall lol. let’s be honest, 99.9% tourists are coming to AB for the mountains and Edmonton is at least 5 hours drive away from Banff lol.

15

u/RcNorth 9d ago

If you’re in Edmonton I’d recommend Jasper over Banff.

Too many tourists in Banff.

You’ll see more wildlife on the way to Jasper. The dark sky observatory.

16

u/tamalinh 9d ago

Calgary and Banff are for tourists, Edmonton and jasper are for the rest of us.

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u/Distinct_Cry_3779 9d ago

Not that the rest of what you said isn’t accurate, but ever since Calgary put their ring road into place and you can bypass going into the city, Edmonton to Banff is only about 4 hours now. It blew my mind the first time I did the drive and realized Banff was as close as Jasper.

14

u/weyoun09 Mill Woods 9d ago

Bypassing Calgary on my way to Banff is one of my favorite ways to travel!

4

u/ABirdOfParadise 9d ago

To us it's only 4 hours but to tourists its holy shit it's 4 hours, you could drive through 3 counties, or train through a couple more in that time in Europe.

2

u/Distinct_Cry_3779 9d ago

Lol, you’re not wrong.

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u/AuthorityFiguring 9d ago

That may be true.But I have no interest in going to Banff. It is far too crowded at all times of year. I love Jasper, especially in the fall when it is less busy.

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u/weyoun09 Mill Woods 9d ago

I do think there are some more quiet areas in Banff. I'm not going to talk about where on the Internet though. Jasper is great to.

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u/Odd_Department_421 9d ago

Edmonton is more than just a museum, and a mall.

You’re forgetting all the festivals that happen year round, the art gallery, the sports teams, the river valley, concerts (at all venues not just Roger’s Place), etc.

17

u/leggymiku 9d ago

None of those things are unique to Edmonton. Every city over 1 million people offers festivals, sports teams, an art gallery, nice parks, and concerts.

OP is asking why tourists skip Edmonton and its precisely because there is nothing unique to see here. If you have limited days for a vacation and want to see as many unique things in Alberta as possible, Calgary is simply the better option.

9

u/shimswfi 9d ago

and people can find everything you mentioned in any big cities

11

u/cdcformatc pariah 9d ago

why would anyone go to Edmonton for a concert or for an art gallery? and the river valley? tourists don't care about any of that. 

1

u/simby7 9d ago

Ya, especially our art gallery. It’s trash. The annual attendance numbers prove it.

6

u/LLR1960 9d ago

Thing is, if you're only in Edmonton a few days, you'll only see one festival not the many that happen throughout the year. The Art Gallery? Have you been lately? IMO, mediocre at best. Sports teams are amazing, but you're not watching the Oilers in the summer. The river valley is wonderful. But the rest is pretty middle of the road.

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u/GalacticTrooper 9d ago

The festivals are great for people who live here, not sure if any of them are big enough for tourists. Calgary has Stampede and thats a tourist worthy ‘festival’.

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u/Odd_Department_421 8d ago

Folk Fest and Fringe 100% bring in tourists.