on location: Canada O vanessa day EFFERVESCENT EDMONTON This Canadian city is not to be underestimated estled in central Alberta province, Edmonton sits It all began in 1795, when the city was settled by fur traders serenely along the North Saskatchewan River, ex- of the Hudson Bay Company. After building a fort on the north Nuding a sense of calm to outsiders. Inside, however, bank of the river, the traders expanded their quarters over the unbeknownst to many, is a bustling atmosphere fueled by year- years and thrived as more and more people came to Edmonton, round festivals, world-class restaurants, award-winning theater, especially with the introduction of the Canadian Pacific Rail- educational attractions and thrilling sporting events. It is a new way in the late 1800s. Soon it was named the capital of Alberta world to be explored, with unexpected surprises around every and has grown into the second largest city in the province. turn. A deep-rooted culture, northern spirit and lively enter- One of the best reminders of early Edmonton is Fort tainment make Edmonton a prime location for any group trip. Edmonton Park, the largest living history attraction in North courtesyPhotos of Edmonton.com Diversions in the city range from Edmonton Eskimo football games to power shopping at West Edmonton Mall, which has an aquarium and waterpark. LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2012 59 Obtain Canada visitor guides and itineraries and contact group- on location: Canada O friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info America, encompassing 158 acres. Tour groups can hop a tra- ditional locomotive to the first site and walk through Edmon- ton’s history—from trading post, to frontier town, to Alberta’s new capital, to modern 1920s town. If groups are looking to venture back even further in time, they can check out the days of dinosaurs at Jurassic Forest, a prehistoric preserve 15 minutes outside the city. Or they can head over to the oldest building in Alberta, Father Lacombe Chapel. There are also numerous museums where tour groups can discover more about Edmonton’s past. Known as the Festival City, Edmonton boasts a wide array of celebrations all year long, from music and poetry to food and sports. And with more than 30 annual festivals, groups are sure to catch at least one, no matter what time of year they visit. In mid-spring tour groups can join in the revelry of the Kiwanis Music Festival, three weeks of non-stop tunes from aspiring EDMONTON musicians and students given an opportunity to perform in front of thousands, or catch a poet’s reading at various locations during the Edmonton Poetry Festival. The summer months offer even more celebrations. The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is the ultimate experience for Bard enthusiasts as well as those less familiar with the British playwright. This year it runs from June 26 to July 22. All performances are held at Hawrelak Park at the Heritage Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue with fixed seating and ample grass space for groups who wish to bring a blanket and have a picnic while enjoying the drama of Hamlet or the humor of Love’s Labor’s Lost. Enjoy the Old Strathcona District’s shops, restaurants and music clubs or frolic in the world’s largest wave pool at West Edmonton Mall. EDMONTON 60 June 2012 LeisureGroupTravel.com ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See the article about Old Montreal. Log on to http//leisuregrouptravel.com?p=25369. For groups of foodies, A Taste of Edmonton, held in Two Rooms Cafe. Sample a tasty gelato at Block 1912 or a Winston Churchill Square, brings together some of Edmon- decadent cheesecake from Artisan Dessert. The choices are ton’s best restaurants, creating a smorgasbord of foods to endless. sample. It runs from July 19 to July 28. Edmonton, needless to say, abounds with an infinite variety Apart from festivals, the city hosts dozens of thrilling of delightful surprises. It’s best to put aside the assumptions sports events and even has a burgeoning football following and be ready for the unexpected. thanks to the CFL Edmonton Eskimos. The team plays at For information on Edmonton contact Edmonton Economic Commonwealth Stadium, and the season runs from summer Development Corp., 800-463-4667; edmonton.com. LGT into the fall. In late July, the city plays host to the IZOD IndyCar® Series at City Centre Airport for the Edmonton Indy (July 20-22). The event offers an exciting motor sports expe- rience as drivers speed around the 2.3-mile, 13-turn course. Groups can even check out the paddock and Global Edmonton Pit Walk Alley to see drivers up close before and after the race. Most Americans believe the largest mall is that well-known attraction in Min- nesota, but, in fact, West Edmonton Mall holds the title of biggest mall in North America. Yet another unexpected feature of the city. Alberta’s No. 1 tourist attraction is 5.3 million square feet, with more than 800 stores and services, including two hotels and more than 100 places to dine. The mall is also home to the world’s largest indoor water park, the world’s biggest in- door amusement park, an NHL-size ice arena, a sea lion show and a number of movie theaters. Edmonton serves up a wide array of quality dining options. Old Strathcona is Edmonton’s historical district, but it is any- thing but old-fashioned. The neighborhood boasts a plethora of eclectic bars, restau- rants, boutiques and entertainment venues, making it one of the premier spots to spend an evening, or an entire day. Most of the action is found on Whyte Avenue, where there are more than 100 restaurants within a 30-block stretch, with cuisine ranging from classic French and Italian to spicy Cajun and Jamaican. Grab a stylish dinner at Packrat Louie, or snag a delicious Greek entree at Yiannis. For a casual breakfast, opt for a patio seat at LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2012 61.