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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u/Firm_Acanthaceae7435 9d ago

Calgarians favorite argument for their city is that you can drive an hour west to somewhere cool. "The best part about Calgary is 100km away!"

Don't let it get to you.

1

u/simby7 9d ago

So visit a crappier version of Calgary that is 400 km away from the mountains?

1

u/Firm_Acanthaceae7435 9d ago

If you like being stuck in traffic, yeah.

1

u/space_monkey_belay 9d ago

Calgary also has a much more utilized river with actual white water kayaking courses. And imported boulders you can just go climb on without paying a membership.

1

u/howredundant 9d ago

I agree, Calgary is basically Temu Edmonton, but closer to the mountains

2

u/Firm_Acanthaceae7435 9d ago

Yeah, closer to the mountains, smells of elderberries, and still not the capital.