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South Edmonton is a district in Edmonton, Alberta.

Understand

Edmonton's south side began with Edmonton/South Central, but the district explained right now began essentially with the suburban revolution of the 40s/50s/60s. For Edmonton suburbia started in 1947.

The south district developed an array of mature 50s style neighbourhoods like Ottewell and Holyrood. They rebelled against the traditional grid, but these neighbourhoods still have (some) mature charm.

Much growth of the area occurred in the 70s and 80s with lots of new neighbourhoods being created south of the then new Whitemud Drive. In the 80s, Southgate Mall, which today is a very high end mall, was built.

By the 1990s, the economy of the city slowed, but the area known as Terwillegar began to take form. WIth the completion of the Anthony Henday Drive on the south side, many even newer suburban communities have been beginning to pop up.

The area is home to South Campus, an extension of the University of Alberta, two times the size (in land mass) of the main campus. Recently a LRT station was completed there, and by next year (that is 2010) the LRT will go to Southgate and the new under construction urban village, Century Park.

Mill Woods

Mill Woods had its first developments in the 1970s as a major residential neighbourhood. It was designed by planners to have its arterials in the shape of a wildrose. Obviously a tad stupid, and is now just seen as suburban blight. In the 1990s, the area began to become prone to gangs and has since gotten a bad rep from the city. Unless you live there, it's wise not to call it "Mill Hoods" Today it has become "Little India" with several shopping areas catering exclusively to that demographic. Overall, the area does have fair transit connections and new neighbourhoods popping up outside the designated area.

The area constituting Mill Woods consists of: South of Whitemud Drive, North of Anthony Henday Drive, East of 91 Street NW and West of 34 Street NW.

Get in

Edmonton South is usually one of the first places a traveler hits upon coming to Edmonton. The Edmonton International Airport is just 14 km south of the southern edges of the city. You'd enter via Gateway Boulevard (and leave if returning - going back to the south, be it the Airport, Leduc, Red Deer, Calgary, the US, etc. using Calgary Trail) into a land of big box superstores.

From South central, to go south to the South part of this city, take 109th St, Calgary Trail, or 99th St. From Edmonton/Central just get to south central and take the same routes

From the west, you can access the south via Whitemud Drive or Anthony Henday, or going through other districts.

From the north, you can take Wayne Gretzky Drive directly to the Southeastern parts of the city, or enter via other districts.

The Edmonton LRT trains go as far south as Century Park.

Get around

See

  • Century Park. For architecture or planning people, this would be a neat place to check out. It is the construction of the urban village Century Park with the first tower done next year along with the LRT station. It takes up an old mall site. 
  • 1 John Janzen Nature Centre, Fox Dr and Whitemud Dr. Nice for children, this nature place offers a wonderful learning experience about nature, animals, plants, and to a lesser-extent geography. 

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park.
  • 2 Fort Edmonton Park, 7000 143rd Street (Take Fox Drive at Whitemud Drive then turn left on first chance and follow that road to Fort Edmonton), ☏ +1 780-496-8787. Canada's largest living historic park, and one of Edmonton's premier tourist attractions. Located in the middle of Edmonton, this reconstructed fort lies five kilometres upstream from its original location, representing it as it stood in 1846. The park represents four distinct time periods, exhibiting phases in Edmonton's development from an isolated fur trade post in the vast Northwest to a booming metropolitan centre after the First World War.

The park features over 75 structures, many of which are the originals. Costumed interpreters operate the site and live the way of the past. Visitors enjoy exploring each building and each room, and talking to the role-playing interpreters.

The price of admission includes free steam engine train and streetcar rides, and period rides such as wagon, stagecoach, pony and buggy are also available with a small charge.

Enjoy special events at this venue on occasion like Canada Day (July 1, Canada's independence celebrations) that compare to none across Canada.

The 2007 film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was partly filmed there. 

    • 1885 Street represents the settlement era from 1871 to 1891, with historic buildings and reconstructions of that period. These buildings are from around the greater Edmonton area. The North West Mounted Police outpost building is just that, an outpost, for the main post at that time was downstream at Fort Saskatchewan. A gun shed and jail have also been reconstructed.
    • 1905 Street receives its name from the year that Alberta became a province of the Dominion of Canada. Edmonton itself had became a city the year prior. The buildings are from that period, and include the reconstruction of the Masonic Hall, with the open museum on the second floor.
    • 1920 Street is the newest area, both in construction and time period, including the Hotel Selkirk, Blatchford Field Air Hangar, and the 1920s Midway.

Do

  • Riverside Golf Course, 8630 Rowland Rd (in the river valley), ☏ +1 780-496-4914. Pro Shop - Apr-Oct. Public: 6306 yards, par 71) This delightful club is the most attractive of the three city-owned courses. It is heavily treed, cool on hot summer days and beautiful in any weather. It takes good advantage of its placement in an elbow of the river by setting raised tee boxes and raised greens up on the high banks for several fairways. Riverside is very popular and booking a tee time requires fast fingers (or an auto-dial function on your phone) to book through the City's automated telephone booking system (780-496-8700 - call at 6PM sharp two or three days in advance to reserve a tee time). 
  • Casino Edmonton, 7055 Argyll Road NW, ☏ +1 780 465-5377. All kinds of slots, blackjacks, poker, etc. filled with music and drinks. 
  • Snow Valley Edmonton, Whitemud Park (exit at 122 St from the Whitemud Freeway, head south and turn at Whitemud Park sign), ☏ +1 780-434-3991. Though small, it is an excellent ski hill for beginners. $23-$29 for the day, seniors $12. 

Buy

  • Southgate. Southgate is a fairly prominent mall on 111 St. It has arguably the best Hudson's Bay Store in Canada. It is popular with the locals and is very modern, despite originally being built last century. It is currently undergoing an expansion which will bring big names stores, and LRT station, and a sufficient transit station to the mall in Mid-2009. 
  • Southpark Centre, In between Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard north of 23 Ave, south of G A Macdonald Ave. Pretty typical suburban shopping with a great selection for stuff to quickly grab n' go. Prominent retailers: Future Shop, Toys R US, Chapters, Zellers, Canadian Tire, HomeSense. 
  • South Edmonton Common, 23 Ave and Calg. Trail. The biggest open air retail centre in Canada is this place. Mostly nothing particularly interesting to tourists, but some of you may like hitting up Wal Mart or IKEA even on holidays. It is very massive and has basically a lot of suburban outlets "under one roof" (if you get it). It has the largest Walmart and Future Shop in Canada. 
  • Whitemud & Calg. Trail, Whitemud Drive and Calgary Trail. Some higher end retailers, as suburbs go along with a bunch of restaurant chains. 

Eat

  • 1 Daltons Restaurant, 4485 Gateway Blvd.;Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, ☏ +1 780-431-1100. Serves bison in a quietly elegant atmosphere. 

Budget

Midrange

  • Fatburger, 1755 102 St NW (Near Booster Juice), ☏ +1 780 469-8180. Very friendly staff who might just make you laugh. Expect to wait to get your food, but that's only because they make it right after you order-no pre-making. This delicious fast-food chain has no drive-thru and customers must come in. Food usually takes 15 minutes to make. Try the smoothie! It is a heart attack waiting to happen. 
  • Century Grill. This place was the first restaurant by the Century Hospitality Group of Edmonton. It offers typical Canadian good food that is both hearty and delicious! 
  • Lemongrass Café, 10417 51 Ave. This restaurant is newer than many of the others, with a clean, crisp interior design. It's friendly and the food is prepared with care and attention to detail. 
  • Whitespot, 3921 Calgary Trail NW, ☏ +1 780 432-9153. 
  • Zaika Indian Bistro, 2303 Ellwood Drive (Tucked in a strip mall just southeast of Henday Drive and Calgary Trail), ☏ +1 780 462-8722. Mon - Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-9PM. The mouthwatering buffet is a real prize, with naan, an array of meat curries including lamb and goat, several vegetarian dishes, a salad bar, and an assortment of desserts. Children welcome. The dark but attractively designed interior focusses your attention on your companions and the food. Buffet $19. 

Splurge

  • Aashiana Indian Restaurant Ltd, 1527 50 Street NW, ☏ +1 780 485-5844. Simple Indian food at modest prices. 
  • Fargo's, 5804 Terrace Road NW, ☏ +1 780 466-7754. Simple, clean interiors with friendly staff that are quite the helpful crowd. The food is typical to Canadian cuisine, but that doesn't mean it's mediocre food, this is high quality, fair priced food! 
  • Transcend, 9869 62 Avenue NW, ☏ +1 780 430-9198. This place will turn you into a coffee snob, it's that good! Don't worry, if you live far from Edmonton, you can take the beans home and brew them at home. Mild to high pricing. 

Drink

  • Cristall’s Wine Market, 5854 111th Street. 

Sleep

  • Derrick Motel, 3925 Gateway Boulevard NW. Simple little hotel with good access to Whitemud Dr. Cheap prices. 
  • Econo Lodge, 4009 Gateway Blvd. northwest, toll-free: +1-800-424-6423. Vintage interiors and walkable to nearby shops/restaurants of Southpark/Gateway/South Edmonton Common. 
  • Greenwood Suites, 4485 Gateway Boulevard NW, ☏ +1 780 431-1100. Check-in: Prices are pretty steep in this place. Generally good quality and fine suites with good access to all the town. 
  • Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 8807 85 Street NW, ☏ +1 780 440-5000. Comfortable beds and modern suites in get-out-and-go easily location, with Connor's Road footsteps away! 
  • The Sawridge Inn Edmontn South, 4235 Gateway Boulevard (At junction of Gateway Blvd & Whitemud Drive), toll-free: +1-888-729-7343. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12noon. The Sawridge Inn Edmonton South is your natural choice for accommodations in south Edmonton. Located close to the South Edmonton Common shopping area, and twenty minutes away from Edmonton Intl airport, the Sawridge Inn offers 136 cozy rooms and suites centered around a large indoor atrium, where the award winning restaurant and lounge are located. Conference & meeting facilities are available. Complimentary wireless internet and hotel shuttle. Checkout their weekend specials. From $129 to $159. 
  • Sheraton Four Points, 7230 Argyll Road, ☏ +1 780 465-7931. Indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center . . . what else could you need? Ok...good service and nice rooms. Happy? 
  • Super 8 Edmonton South, 3610 Gateway Blvd North, ☏ +1 780 433-8688, toll-free: +1-866-468-8839, fax: +1 780 433-8823, . 
  • Travelodge Edmonton South, 10320 45th Ave, ☏ +1 780 436-9770, fax: +1 780 436-3529, . 

Connect

This district travel guide to South is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.

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