The city of champions: Your guide to the ultimate 48 hours in Edmonton
Edmonton is known as the city of champions. With so many things to do, narrowing down an itinerary for a quick weekend trip can be a challenge â but weâre here to help you out.
From the best food, coffee places to stay, and some things to do, weâve rounded up some of our go-to highlights in Alberta’s capital city right here.
Where To Sleep
Fairmont Hotel MacDonald
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Perched above the North Saskatchewan River in downtown Edmonton, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald delivers timeless luxury and charm. The property boasts 198 classically designed guest rooms, including specialty suites, a health club and fitness centre, massage therapy, and an array of dining options that are sure to satisfy any palate.
Fantasyland Hotel
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Let your imagination soar with the Fantasyland Hotelâs theme rooms. Located right inside West Edmonton Mall, this hotel offers a number of creatively decorated accommodations, with themes including space, Hollywood, modern igloo, western, truck, Victorian coach, and many more. Plus, if youâre in Edmonton to shop, thereâs no better spot for easy access to not only the city’s largest mall but the largest in North America, too.
JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
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Located where a ton of Edmonton’s action is, the JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District hotel gives you prime access to Rogers Place and the ICE District. The arena is dazzling, and you are so close to it all. Coming for an NHL game or a concert? This hotel is perfect for you.
Where To Eat
Meat
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It’s certainly one of the best spots in Edmonton to get barbecue and Meat is a delight across the board. Located in Old Strathcona, Meat serves up juicy, delicious dishes that border on legendary for their flavour. The Beef Brisket is mouth-watering, as are the BBQ Pork Ribs. Going with the one-pound brisket and full-rack ribs is a safe bet â youâre going to want leftovers.
Community Taps + Pizza
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The menu at Community Taps + Pizza is stacked with appetizers, New York AND Detroit style pizza, and just LOOK at those mozza sticks. We think they are the best in Edmonton, thereâs no debate here. Boy oh boy are they stringy and cheesy! If you donât like pizza, or you want to order even more for the table, there are also pasta, salads, and handhelds like the chopped cheeseburger and meatball sub. It’s tucked just off of Whyte Ave, so if you are out drinking certainly pop by.
DaDeO
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A classic â50s diner vibe mixed in with New Orleans & Southern favourites, a poâboy from DaDeOâs is a must. With 15 different ones to choose from, itâs hard to narrow down a favourite, so why not just try them all?! It’s certainly a bucket list restaurant to visit while in Edmonton.
Marlo
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One of Edmonton’s newest spots for Mexican tacos is one you won’t want to sleep on during your visit. The menu is delightfully simple, and with handmade tortillas and incredibly interesting toppings, this already feels like one of the best spots for tacos in the city.
Jack’s Burger Shack
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Jack’s Burger Shack currently has nearly a dozen burgers to choose from on its menu and they all come in monstrous sizes. If you have the room, the poutine and shakes are definitely something to write home about too. The hangover burger here actually comes between not one, but two grilled cheese sandwiches.
Duchess Bake Shop
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When you see a lineup snaking down 124 Street, you know you must be near Duchess Bake Shop. The shop has a legendary reputation for its pastries, especially its macarons. If you have a sweet tooth during your visit to Edmonton, we highly suggest you hit Duchess up.
Where To Drink
Campio Brewing Co.
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Established in 2018, Campio Brewing Co. appeals to all palates. From the premium Lager to their more fruity and hoppy selection, you are bound to find a choice that suits you well. Plus if you get hungry â the deep-dish pizzas will floor you. It’s in the downtown core and is a great spot to be if you’re in town for an Oilers game.
El Cortez
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The El Cortez features beautifully crafted Mexican cuisine and that doesnât stop at the margarita menu. The âmargarita marketâ here has so many mouth-watering options, like the Hawaii 780, blood orange and mango, and the guava jalapeño. We think that the tequila selection here is the best in Edmonton, too.
Sea Change Brewing Co
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Established in 2017, highlights at Sea Change Brewing Co. include Prairie Fairy, Death Wave, and its classic Blonde Ale. The down-to-earth atmosphere will make you come for the beer and stay for the vibes.
Baijiu
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This darkly lit Asian-inspired cocktail bar feels less like Edmonton and more like an elevated street food spot in another country or a big city pop-up. The trendy bar is decorated with hanging lights, tropical wallpapers, and plant life that make you feel like your short drive to downtown Edmonton was really somewhere far away. It’s a complete trip!
Spotlight Cabaret
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Offering a birdâs-eye view around Whyte Avenue, Spotlight Cabaretâs rooftop patio is a great place to party all day and all night or enjoy the great outdoors over brunch. Keep an eye out for shows and events at Spotlight, too, and take one in. You’ll be delighted!
Craft Beer Market Edmonton
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Soak up the sunshine on this welcoming patio at Craft Beer Market in the downtown core, with fresh renovations bringing high tables and comfy seating. Fetch yourself a pint and enjoy the comfort-driven pub grub they dish up at this joint. It’s one of the hottest places to be when it comes to downtown nightlife.
Where To Get Caffeinated
Stopgap Coffee
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Built to please, Stopgap Coffee has classic coffee styles, as well as delicious-sounding flavours like black honey and brown butter, which have also made their way to the shelves at some point. Discovering the different kinds of coffee is the exciting part about walking through the front door. These roasts are used to make beautifully poured, steamed, and brewed specialty coffees the classic way, from lattes to London Fogs to the more adventurous milk teas.
Deville Coffee
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Fresh and creative sandwiches are served out of Deville Coffee, with breakfast items, lunch meals, and pastries baked daily by the team here. The sandwiches are all made with brioche toast, fresh veggies, and house aioli. The coffee here is well known for being high quality, using only direct-trade coffee beans.
Cat Cafe on Whyte
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A nice cup of coffee, you are thinking about your day, and you are nice and warm, cuddling a kitty. That can be your reality if you visit Cat Cafe on Whyte. Launching in 2017, it was the first cat cafe in the city. With vibrant colours and a flurry of friendly kitties to mingle with while you enjoy your coffee, itâs a cozy and cute way to sip your coffee.
Little Brick Cafe
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Nestled in the Riverdale neighbourhood, The Little Brick Cafe sets up shop in a historic home that is well over a century old. The cafe is full of texture, personality and is bursting with welcoming vibes. Little Brickâs coffee is what has landed itself to be a top dog in Edmontonâs coffee scene, with a rotating selection of coffee beans from roasters from across the west coast. The feature drinks are also a delight, like the snickerdoodle latte or peppermint mocha.
Other Stuff To Check Out
Galaxyland
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An entire amusement park, inside a mall? Yea, West Edmonton Mall has it all with Galaxyland. It’s naturally the largest indoor amusement park in North America and boasts more than 27 exhilarating rides and play areas for all ages. If you are a fan of rollercoasters, this is the place to be!
The Alberta Legislature Grounds
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Gorgeous classic architecture? Check. Loads of natural beauty? Check. The Alberta Legislature is a grand spot to enjoy your short time in Edmonton, whether you visit in the summer or in the winter.
Fort Edmonton Park
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It’s a peak Edmonton thing to do, and if you are visiting town while it’s open, you must go and check out Fort Edmonton Park. The park is nestled on 64 acres of forested parkland along the river valley, and there are plenty of fun things to check out and do. There’s a 1920s-style Ferris wheel, games, an old cinema, and carnival food. The Indigenous Peoples Experience is also a highlight of the park.
Royal Alberta Museum
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Marvel at the Royal Alberta Museumâs vast collections, from its archaeology, Indigenous studies, and work-life industry sections to Earth and Life Sciences that will wow you about Earthâs past-and present-day species. Itâs one of the most intriguing things to do while in Edmonton.
Muttart Conservatory
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Be amazed at the stunning Muttart Conservatory, with each glass pyramid showcasing a different environment for plants from around the globe. Itâs a relaxing, insightful, and beautiful experience and a lovely place to visit no matter the time of year.
Edmonton Neon Sign Museum
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Out admiring the beauty that is around the ICE District and Rogers Place Arena? The Neon Sign Museum is right around the corner and is a staple of Edmonton’s downtown scene. It was the first of its kind in Canada and features 20 neon signs that tell a story about Edmontonâs neon past.
Walterdale Hill
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Boasting what many consider one of the best views in Edmonton, a setup on Walterdale Hill offers a backdrop featuring the Walterdale Bridge, the North Saskatchewan River, and the downtown skyline. Whatâs not to love about that? Itâs totally one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in Edmonton you need on your feed, and one to show off to family and friends after your trip.
With files from Daily Hive’s Hogan Short and Elle McLeanÂ
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