Edmonton for tourists - Page 2

Atlguy33 · #21 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 4:36 AM**

I really wanted to try out the street-car on this year's visit but I didn't get to. I DID get to take a (free) tour of the Legislature Building which was fascinating and I highly recommend it!

Xelebes · #22 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 7:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardhatdan

The LRT goes downtown to university, outside of that it connects the suburbs yes. The university area is pretty cool for a stroll and you can catch a quick bus to Whyte from there, the #6 I believe.

The #4 and the #106 actually.

Sorry, avid bus rider here.

noodlenoodle · #23 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 1:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlguy33

I really wanted to try out the street-car on this year's visit but I didn't get to. I DID get to take a (free) tour of the Legislature Building which was fascinating and I highly recommend it!

I walk past the Streetcar stops every single day on my way to/from work, and en route to the City Market every weekend, and yet I've never been on the Streetcar. I'm thinking I'll rectify that once the leaves turn in the valley...

Coldrsx · #24 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 2:16 PM**

^every single person in this city should be forced to do 1 return ride to truly understand the beauty of our valley and downtown vista.

ue · #25 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 2:57 PM**

^why? i've seen better vantage points and really all you need to do is cross the high lvl or ride the lrt across the menzies br for the same views for free (the high not the lrt...). i admit it's neat, just not that neat personally. and it feels way too touristy (but that's a matter of personal preference).

240glt · #26 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 3:15 PM**

I think the high level trolley is one of my favorite summer atttractions in the city.

feepa · #27 Posted **Sep 1, 2009, 4:38 PM**

The high level streetcar is awesome. I ride it usually at least twice a month during the summer months. More for a practical reason (to get to the old strathcona's farmers market on Saturdays). I wish it could be expanded further, and turned in to more of a regular service. I know I'd use it to get the whyte ave for late night adventures if it was available. I use it to get to the fringe.

Kinguni · #28 Posted **Sep 2, 2009, 4:22 AM**

We were staying on Whyte (the Varscona) so we didn't need transportation to get there. Absolutely loved the Old Strathcona district.

The streetcar is completely staffed by volunteers, so go for a ride and help support it. They were telling me they hope to get an actual Edmonton streetcar on the line next year.

Made me wish we had something like that here in Winnipeg, perhaps just running up and down Broadway.

Mikemike · #29 Posted **Sep 2, 2009, 5:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinguni

It's more of a tourist item. Old streetcars on an old rail line. Very worth doing in season and probably the highlight of my visit to Edmonton in July. Wish I had my video camera along for the ride.

The big issue is that it's a 100% volunteer operated line. I suspect that the open season is related directly to the season at Fort Edmonton Park.

It really is a better view than any other crossing. Being on top of the bridge, with a completely unobstructed view on both sides is a whole different experience than driving through or even walking/biking across.

Calgarian · #30 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 3:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0773|=\

^Our river valley trails are great for X-Country Skiing in the winter...

I stand corrected. Do you guys have a ski hill in the city? I swear I remember seeing something from the Whitemud last time I was there.

ue · #31 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 3:33 AM**

There's Edmonton Ski Club, Snow Valley (what you saw) and just outside the city is Rabbit Hill. Dunno if the Sunridge or whatever one still is running. I've never seen anybody there

!

pallo · #32 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 4:35 AM**

I have had a chance over the last couple of weeks to go through the booklets and brochures that the edmonton tourist board sent to my home
and i must say that the city really looks lovely.

One question arises though, if the city is so nice and the people are generally quite wealthy, why does Edmonton used to have the title of murder capital of Canada?

ue · #33 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 5:10 AM**

Just a negative connotation to Edmonton. Edmonton is actually pretty safe, especially if you compare American cities. Edmonton always gets a bad rap, is misinterpreted, or is forgotten. There aren't really even any bad areas of the city, some sketchy ones, but none you should 100% avoid. But that being said the crime rate of Edmonton per capita I believe is higher than other major cities like Calgary, Toronto, etc. It's on par with Winnipeg and Regina I think. It's high by Canadian standards, but there isn't much cities to compare with within this great nation, and Canada overall is pretty safe, so you have nothin ' to worry about

. Enjoy your stay.

Xelebes · #34 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 5:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pallo

One question arises though, if the city is so nice and the people are generally quite wealthy, why does Edmonton used to have the title of murder capital of Canada?

It's a problem of the prairie cities have, having a higher population of people who are A) involved in gangs that are based off of the reserves and the fallout from that and B) income disparities between the native and non-native population.

acadams · #35 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 6:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xelebes

The #4 and the #106 actually.

Sorry, avid bus rider here.

doesn't the 7 (former 6)?

Xelebes · #36 Posted **Sep 4, 2009, 5:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadams

doesn't the 7 (former 6)?

Not sure. Haven't taken the 7 recently.

acadams · #37 Posted **Sep 5, 2009, 12:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Not sure. Haven't taken the 7 recently.

took it today..certainly does do the popular stretch of whyte.

pallo · #38 Posted **Oct 12, 2009, 11:28 AM**

Is there any observation tower/deck in Edmonton?
I have read that there was one but it closed down "Vista 33"
Also can you help me to plan my day while i am there? I arrive on the 15th of
December around lunch time and i depart for Jasper on the 16th around 4pm

So far i was thinking:
- Visit old strathcona
- Visit Alberta legislature
- Go to the observation deck if you have one
- Walk somewhere where i can take pictures of edmonton skyline (where could i go?)
- Briefly walk around edmonton mall before i catch my bus to jasper

What do you think? any other suggestions?

bulliver · #39 Posted **Oct 12, 2009, 4:34 PM**

^ No, there is no public observation deck, however, you can have a meal at the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe: www.chateaulacombe.com

Also, unless you really like malls, stay away from WEM. It's really just tacky, unremarkable, and a complete rip-off at filling its only purpose...shopping...
again, unless you have a thing for malls, just skip it, it is out of the way, and rather disappointing.

For the downtown views, you can wander up to Saskatchewan Drive, a road right on the riverbank. It is only a few blocks north of Whyte Avenue and Old Stratchcona...High Level Bridge is also a decent spot for downtown pics....as is The Muttart site in cloverdale.

Coldrsx · #40 Posted **Oct 12, 2009, 8:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pallo

Is there any observation tower/deck in Edmonton?
I have read that there was one but it closed down "Vista 33"
Also can you help me to plan my day while i am there? I arrive on the 15th of
December around lunch time and i depart for Jasper on the 16th around 4pm

So far i was thinking:
- Visit old strathcona
- Visit Alberta legislature
- Go to the observation deck if you have one
- Walk somewhere where i can take pictures of edmonton skyline (where could i go?)
- Briefly walk around edmonton mall before i catch my bus to jasper

What do you think? any other suggestions?

YES YES YES

- Visit old strathcona
- Visit Alberta legislature
- Walk somewhere where i can take pictures of edmonton skyline (where could i go?)

walk in the river valley randomly or louise mckinney park to get a taste of the wonderful river valley