Understand
[edit]Edmonton's south side began with Edmonton/South Central, but the district explained right now began essentially with the suburban revolution of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. For Edmonton suburbia started in 1947.
The south district developed an array of mature 1950s 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 1970s and 1980s with many new neighbourhoods being created south of the newly built Whitemud Drive expressway. In the 1980s, Southgate Mall, still ritzy today, 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 newer suburban communities have been beginning to pop up in the area known as Windermere.
The area is home to South Campus of the University of Alberta. About two times the area of the main North Campus, it's home to experimental farms and a large sporting complex. The LRT makes stops at South Campus, Southgate and Century Park.
Mill Woods
[edit]Mill Woods had its origins in the 1970s as a brand new residential area, covering much of Southeast Edmonton. Today, the area is very multicultural, with a notable Indian subcontinent flavour. The area is single-family homes around a couple of commercial centres, with continued growth along the east side, and the car is king. The LRT (Valley Line) was completed in 2023.
Mill Woods is usually taken to mean south of Whitemud Drive, north of Anthony Henday Drive, east of 91 Street NW and west of 34 Street NW. The area is broken up into about 20 sub-neighbourhoods.
Get in
[edit]
Edmonton South is usually one of the first places a traveller hits upon coming to Edmonton. The Edmonton International Airport is 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 by 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.
Get around
[edit]The automobile stands supreme in the endless sprawl. Transit options exist but may be somewhat less than crystal clear to the visitor--using an app may be the simplest.
Cycling may be possible for the bold; the six-lane Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard are best avoided. Up-to-date cycling maps showing routes are available at the city's website.
See
[edit]- 1 Century Park (Century Park LRT station). For architecture or planning people, this would be a neat place to check out to see the construction of an urban village. The central tower is to be completed in 2019, followed by low-rise apartments, workspaces, retail and public spaces. It takes up an old mall site.
- 2 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
[edit]
- 3 Fort Edmonton Park, 7000 143rd St (take Fox Dr at Whitemud Dr then turn left on first chance and follow 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. A new "Indigenous Peoples Experience" opened in 2021.
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 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
[edit]- 1 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 (+1 780-442-5311 - call at 6PM sharp two or three days in advance to reserve a tee time).
- 2 Pure Casino Edmonton, 7055 Argyll Road NW, ☏ +1 780 465-5377. All kinds of slots, blackjacks, poker, etc., filled with music and drinks.
- 3 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
[edit]- 1 Southgate Centre, 5015 111 St (111 St between Whitemud Dr and 51 Ave), ☏ +1-780-435-3721. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM-7PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Southgate Centre is a fairly prominent and popular mall anchored by Hudson's Bay and Crate & Barrel. Accessible by the Southgate LRT station.
- 2 South Edmonton Common (From Gateway Blvd, exit 19 Ave or 23 Ave east.). What might be described as the biggest strip mall in Canada. Made of big box stores and almost every smaller chain, be prepared to drive between stores. With many outlets and factory stores, highlights include IKEA, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and a cinema.
- Calgary Trail / Gateway Boulevard (Between Calgary Tr and Gateway Blvd; north of 31 Ave, south of Whitemud Dr). Suburban shopping with numerous power centres, including South Park Centre, South Trail Plaza, and Southpoint Shopping Centre. Prominent retailers include Toys R Us, Chapters, Canadian Tire, HomeSense, and Walmart, as well as numerous chain restaurants.
- 3 Currents of Windermere (Windermere Blvd, near Anthony Henday Dr (Hwy 216) and Terwillegar Dr). Large open air retail centre (power centre) with suburban chopping and chain restaurants.
- 4 Mill Woods Town Centre, 2331 66 St, ☏ +1-780-461-2400. Small shopping mall in southeastern Edmonton (Mill Woods).
Eat
[edit]- Transcend in Argyll is a very classy coffee shop that not only makes coffee, will sell you the beans (if you want to take home).
Budget
[edit]- 1 Golomein Noodle House, 2976 Ellwood Drive SW, ☏ +1 780-819-9781. Open only around dinner and lunch--check in advance. This family-run kitchen is a little bite of Brunei street food. They also sell frozen microwaveable noodle packs at the store and at farmer's markets around the city. $15 mains.
- 2 High Voltage, 10387 63 Ave NW, ☏ +1 780-437-3202. 10:30AM-7PM most days. A south Edmonton icon: fantastic donairs and sandwiches, with a 'quirky' owner. $10 for a donair and drink.
- Humptys, 4503 Gateway Boulevard NW, ☏ +1 780 430-9313.
- 3 Noodle Feast (The Taste of Northern China), 3440 99 St, ☏ +1 780-439-8088. W-Su noon-8:30PM. Hand-pulled fresh noodles in huge portions, Northern Chinese style. Authentic right down the style of service--make sure you flag down the wait staff if you need something! $15 average mains.
- 4 Pizza Castle: Flavours of Punjab, 4418 36 Ave NW, ☏ +1 780-399-0999. Daily noon-11PM. Tasty Punjabi-style pizzas like Shahi Paneer and Chicken Masala are worth the trip. More traditional pizza, and more traditional Punjabi fare are also on offer and freshly made. Many vegetarian options. ~$15 for large pizza or main dish.
- 5 Saratoga Family Restaurant, ☏ +1 780-437-0071. 7AM-3PM daily. Over 50 years old, this former truck stop serves well-above-average diner fare with a smile. Mains $15.
- 6 Spinelli's Bar Italia - in the Italian Centre Shop, 5028 104A St NW, ☏ +1 780-989-4869. 9AM-9PM daily. Fresh authentic Italian pizza and paninis in a casual setting, with fresh pastries and gelato. A full espresso bar too, naturally. around $15 for a pizza that will feed two.
Mid-range
[edit]- 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.
- 7 Huma, 9880 63 Ave, ☏ +1 780-433-9229. Su Tu-Th 11AM-9PM most days, open F Sa 11AM-10PM. Tasty Mexican street food that tastes home-cooked with similarly cozy atmosphere. $20 mains.
- 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.
- 8 Sunterra Market (Lendrum Centre), 5728 111 St, ☏ +1 780-434-2610. 9AM-8PM. This upscale supermarket has a wide selection of ready-to-go foods and has a dining area. The emphasis is on local and fresh, and results are always delicious. $15 avg main with beverage.
- 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. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 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.
- 9 Yummy Chicken, 6111 28 Ave NW, ☏ +1 780-250-9866. M-Sa 11AM-9:30PM, Su 1-9PM. Korean-style fried chicken done many ways and traditional Korean dishes. Corn cheese is a classic side, with or without the potent soju. Mains $18 and up.
- 10 The Captain's Boil, 2051 98 St NW, ☏ +1 780-485-8756. Noon-9PM daily. Despite the somewhat less that appetizing name, this chain's Edmonton outpost offers tasty seafood with a twist. After choosing which seafood and sauce, your courses are delivered in a series of bags. You'll get messy, but that's half the experience. $30+.
Splurge
[edit]- Beijing Beijing, 3803 Calgary Trail NW, ☏ +1 780-430-7720.
- Mikado.
- 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.
- 11 Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse (Ellerslie), 9626 Ellerslie Rd SW, ☏ +1 780-249-2000. Tu-Su 3PM-8PM, closed Mondays. Part of a local chain, vegetarians should skip this one! Offering Brazilian rodízio service, pay the flat rate (everyone at the table must agree on the same package) and get as much sizzling meat off a skewer and delicious sides as you desire. $40+ without liquor.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Alley Kat Brewing, 9929 60 Ave, ☏ +1 780-436-8922. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. One of the province's oldest microbreweries. Tours ($15, need pre-booking), tastings, and off-sales available.
- 2 The Provincial, 4211 106 St (in Whitemud Crossing strip mall. From Whitemud Drive, exit 106 St south), ☏ +1 780-760-1937. Daily 3PM-2AM, earlier opening F-Su. As the name suggests, the emphasis is on local ingredients and brews at this gastropub. Interesting items on the food and drink menus. Large screen for hockey games.
- 3 Town Square Brewing, 2919 Ellwood Dr SW (From Gateway Blvd, exit Ellerslie Rd east), ☏ +1 780-244-0212. Tu 4-9PM, W noon-9PM, Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8PM. Microbrewery serving up fresh house made pizza and tasty sandwiches. $10 sampling flights.
- 4 Union Hall, 6240 99 St, ☏ +1 780-702-2582. Live music venue with a unique two-story set up.
- 5 Billy Budd's (9839 63 Ave NW), ☏ +1 780-438-1148. Su-Th 10AM-1AM, F-Sa 10AM-3AM. A mainstay watering hole for decades, this laid-back sports bar offers surprisingly good pub fare.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Derrick Motel, 3925 Gateway Blvd NW, ☏ +1 780-438-6060. Simple little hotel with good access to Whitemud Dr.
- 2 Econo Lodge, 4009 Gateway Blvd NW, ☏ +1 780-438-7979, toll-free: +1-800-424-6423. Vintage interiors and walkable to nearby shops/restaurants of Southpark, Gateway, and South Edmonton Common.
- 3 Super 8 by Wyndham Edmonton South, 3610 Gateway Blvd NW, ☏ +1 780-433-8688, toll-free: +1-866-468-8839, fax: +1 780 433-8823, info@super8edmontonsouth.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 4 Travelodge by Wyndham Edmonton South, 10320 45 Ave (45 Ave between Gateway Blvd & Calgary Tr), ☏ +1 780-436-9770, toll-free: +1-800-578-7878, fax: +1 780 436-3529.
Mid-range
[edit]- 5 Best Western Cedar Park Inn, 5116 Gateway Blvd, ☏ +1 780 434-7411, toll-free: +1 800 780-7234. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. This hotel is in a funky design and has balconies.
- 6 Best Western Plus South Edmonton Inn & Suites, 1204 101 St SW (Gateway Blvd & Ellerslie Rd), ☏ +1-780-801-3580, toll-free: +1-800-780-7234. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon.
- 7 Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton Gateway, 10010 12 Ave SW (Gateway Blvd & Ellerslie Rd), ☏ +1 780-801-4000, toll-free: +1-888-890-3222, fax: +1 780-801-4009.
- 8 Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South, 7230 Argyll Road, ☏ +1 780-465-7931, toll-free: +1-888-236-2427. Indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness centre, good service and nice rooms.
- 9 Hampton Inn by Hilton Edmonton/South, 10020 12 Ave SW (Gateway Blvd & Ellerslie Rd), ☏ +1-780-801-2600, fax: +1-780-801-2601. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 10 Holiday Inn Conference Centre - Edmonton South, 4485 Gateway Blvd NW, ☏ +1-780-431-1100, toll-free: +1-877-660-8550. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 11 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Edmonton South, 2440 Calgary Tr NW, ☏ +1-780-440-5000, toll-free: +1-877-660-8550. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 12 Radisson Hotel & Convention Center Edmonton, 4520 76 Ave, ☏ +1-780-468-5400, rhi_edcc@radisson.com.
- 13 Ramada by Wyndham Edmonton South, 5359 Calgary Trail, ☏ +1 780-434-3431, toll-free: +1-1-800-854-9517, fax: +1 780-437-3714, info@ramadaedmontonsouth.com. Prices are pretty good with high quality.
- 14 The Sawridge Inn Edmonton South, 4235 Gateway Boulevard, ☏ +1-780-438-1222, toll-free: +1-888-729-7343. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Close to the South Edmonton Common shopping area, and 20 minutes away from Edmonton Intl airport, the Sawridge Inn offers 136 cozy rooms and suites centred around a large indoor atrium, where the restaurant and lounge are located. Conference & meeting facilities are available. Complimentary wireless internet and hotel shuttle. Checkout their weekend specials. From $129 to $159.
Splurge
[edit]- 15 Delta Hotels Edmonton South Conference Centre, 4404 Gateway Blvd, ☏ +1 780-434-6415, toll-free: +1-888-890-3222, fax: +1 780 436-9247. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
- 16 Radisson Hotel Edmonton South, 4440 Gateway Blvd, ☏ +1-780-437-6010, toll-free: +1-800-333-3333, fax: +1-780-431-5802, rhi_esal@radisson.com.
- 17 Sandman Signature Edmonton South Hotel, 10111 Ellerslie Rd SW, ☏ +1-780-430-7263, toll-free: +1-800-726-3626, reservations@sandman.ca.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through South Edmonton |
| Central Edmonton ← South Central Edmonton ← | N  S |
→ END |
| Peace River ← West End ← | N  S |
→ Leduc → Calgary |
ENDS at  ← |
W  E |
→ Sherwood Park → Wainwright |
| St. Albert ← West End ← | W  E |
→ Sherwood Park → North Edmonton |