St. Albert, or Saint Albert, is a city of about 66,000 people (2016) in the Edmonton Capital Region. It was settled as a Métis community, and is known for its rich arts scene and Indigenous heritage.
Understand
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St. Albert is Alberta’s oldest non-fortified community with roots going back to 1861. At this time, Father Lacombe convinced Bishop Taché that a mission be established on the Sturgeon River to serve the Aboriginals and the Metis of the district. The first building to be erected was a modest log chapel. Two years later, St. Albert became the site of the settlement’s first school with three Grey Nuns as its teachers.
In 1864, the Youville Asylum was opened and served as convent and a school. The asylum later functioned as an orphanage and as the first hospital in Central Alberta.
By 1870, St. Albert had become the largest settlement west of St. Boniface, Manitoba. It boasted a population of 1,000 including Metis and white settlers. Between 1870 and 1900, the area surrounding St. Albert attracted an increasing number of settlers, primarily French-Canadians. As a result, the community prospered and in 1904 was incorporated as a town.
By mid-century, St. Albert had begun to lose much of its rural appearance. Perron Street was home to a butcher shop, restaurants, hardware and general stores. In 1977, St. Albert became Alberta’s eleventh city.
Today, St. Albert continues to grow and prosper, offering its residents a high quality of life with abundant recreational opportunities and cultural and arts programs.
Get in
[edit]Edmonton is easily reached by air, train, or bus. St. Albert Transit offers bus service from Edmonton to St. Albert.
Get around
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Public transit
[edit]St. Albert Public Transit (STAT) offers local routes within the neighbourhoods of St. Albert, and regular commutes into the city of Edmonton. To travel within St. Albert will cost you $2.75, while an adult fare into Edmonton will cost $5.50 ($4.50 for youth and seniors). Ticket packs and monthly passes are also available. The main bus hubs are Village Landing and St. Albert Centre.
In the evenings and on Sundays bus service is limited to the Dial-a-Bus. If you are going into Edmonton you must either catch the commuter bus from the bus hub (Village or St. Albert Centre) or call a dial-a-bus to pick you up at your nearest stop in order to connect with the commuter bus. Dial-a-Bus requires you to call about an hour before the departure of the commuter bus, so be sure to plan ahead since the commuter buses in the evenings only leave once an hour. If you are coming back into St. Albert from Edmonton in the evenings then, once your back at Village Station, you hop on to the Dial-a-Bus at and tell the driver where you need to go and they will take you as close as they can to your destination. Further information, including dial-a-bus numbers, can be found online.
Taxi
[edit]There are several options for taxi service within St. Albert and into Edmonton:
- St. Albert Taxi (+1 780-459-5050),
- Lime Taxi (+1 780-418-1111),
- Blueflame Cabs (+1 780-459-9393),
- Brinki's Airport Service (+1 780-918-3798)
It is sometimes difficult to find an Edmonton taxi to go into St. Albert on evenings and weekends, but if you ask enough drivers someone will usually do it for the right price.
See
[edit]- St. Albert Place, 5 St.Anne Street. In downtown St. Albert along the Sturgeon River, St. Albert Place is the home of the St. Albert Public Library, Arden Theatre, Musee Heritage Museum, art studio, as well as serving as an office space for government work. The design of the building (by Douglas Cardinal) is hard to miss and is a visual icon of St. Albert.
- Father Lacombe's Chapel, Mission Hill. Provincial historic site built in 1861.
- Little White School House, ☏ +1 780-459-4404. 1950s school house.
- 1 Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park (Big Lake Natural Area), Big Lake. 1421-hectare park at Big Lake. More than 220 species of birds have been sighted within the park, as well as deer, moose, and coyotes. Platform overlooking Big Lake. Wetlands Boardwalk. Pedway planned for construction that will connect the park to the Enjoy Centre.
- St. Albert Botanic Park, 265 Sturgeon Road. 18 acres. Largest rose garden in Alberta.
- A.C.T. Celebration Garden, North side of River across from St. Albert Place. Flowers, benches and a fountain.
Do
[edit]- The Arden Theatre, 5 St.Anne Street. Diverse musical performances, and drama productions by local high schools. Tickets for shows can usually be bought at the Ticketmaster booth in the theatre lobby.
- Musee Heritage Museum, 5 St.Anne Street. In the St. Albert Place building, the Musee Heritage Museum offers an educational experience centred on the history of St. Albert.
- St. Albert Farmer's Market, Summer: St.Anne and St.Thomas Street. Moves indoors in Winter. Saturday only 10AM-3PM. Largest outdoor market in Western Canada. Many local food and craft vendors, music and concession.
- International Children's Festival, St. Albert Place, 5 St. Anne Street. A popular summer festival for kids with many free activities, performances on an outdoor stage, as well as live productions in the Arden Theatre. Some activities are free, productions require ticket..
- Rainmaker Rodeo, Riel Drive. Takes place in May. Rainmaker Rodeo is a weekend event in May where you can watch rodeo events, attend evening concerts, and have fun at the midway. Family friendly activities available, and no-minors events. Rain or shine! Adults and students $10. Children $5. Children 6 and under free.
- Rock'n August International Car Show. August.
- Profiles Public Art Gallery, Perron Street.
- The Michif Cultural and Resource Institute, Corner of Mission and Madonna, ☏ +1 780-651-8176. Museum of Metis history.
- Grain Elevator Park and Train Station, ☏ +1 780-459-4404.
- Lacome Lake Park (Man- Made Lake). Stocked for fishing in the summer. Skating in the winter. Also a popular dog park. Free.
- Gold Dust Casino, Campbell Business Park, ☏ +1 780-460-8092. Slot machines, VLTs, poker room and table games. Classic Car Tuesdays in the summer.
- The Enjoy Centre, 101 Riel Drive. Connected to Lois Hole Provincial Park. Bakery, organic grocery store, deli, greenhouse, spa retreat, kitchen supply store, furniture store, cafe, restaurant.
- BMX Track, Riel Park.
- Fountain Park Recreation Centre. Pool and racquet ball facilities.
- Fowler Running Track, Beside Fowler School.
- St. Albert Bowling Centre.
- Servus Credit Union Place. Multi-purpose leisure centre.
- Woodlands Water Play Park. Outdoor water park, playground, volleyball nets, and skateboarding park.
- Riverlot 56. Popular in the winter for cross-country skiing. Lots of trails for hiking in the summer.
- Grandin Theatres, 101-22 Sir Winston Churchill Ave. St. Albert's only movie theatre. Adult weekday $8.00, children and youth: $4.50. $5.00 on Tuesdays.
Buy
[edit]- Downtown St. Albert, Perron Street. As well as hosting the Saturday Farmer's Market, downtown St. Albert also contains local clothing stores, art galleries, restaurants and coffee shops. Visit Art Beat Gallery: great selection of fine artworks in a variety of media by top artists.
Clothing: Meese. Art: Profiles Art Gallery. - St. Albert Centre, 375 St. Albert Road. M-F 10AM-9PM; Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM; Su noon-5PM. Over 60 stores and services including The Bay, Sport Chek, and Winners. A main bus station is located in the mall parking lot. Mostly brand names and chain stores. Local stores include: St. Albert Kitchen (Chinese fast food in the food court), St. Albert Shoe Re-Nu, St. Albert Health Foods, and St. Albert Dental Centre.
- Grandin Mall, 22 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue. Although this mall is constantly in the planning stages of being torn down or completely re-vamped, it continues to house some quality local stores for the time being. Shava Bookstore offers a large collection of quality used books for incredibly cheap prices, all profits going to the local hospital. Daisy Dollhouse sells locally made wooden dollhouses. A popular hangout for seniors still exists here at the Bingo Hall, as well as a popular youth hangout at Grandin Theatres.
- Hole's Greenhouses and Gardens, Bellerose Dr. and Boudreau..
Eat
[edit]- Luisa's Ristorante, 104-8 Perron Street. Local and delicious Italian dishes in downtown St. Albert.
- 1 Riverbank Bistro, 8 Mission Avenue. The fancier side of local St. Albert cuisine, situated in an old Victorian-style house.
- Amore Pizzariea Plus, 1C Rayborn Cres, ☏ +1 780-460-9555.
- Capital Pizza and Steak House, 17B St.Anne Street, ☏ +1 780-458-3899.
- Grandma Pizza, 2D Sir Winston Churchill Ave, ☏ +1 780-458-8838.
- Jade Village Restaurant, 480 140 St. Albert Trail, ☏ +1 780-459-8899. Chinese food.
- Jimmy's Restaurant, 20 St.Anne Street, ☏ +1 780-458-1888. Burgers, sandwiches, fries. American classics.
- St. Albert Pizza and Grill, #232 10 McKenney Ave, ☏ +1 780-459-6644.
- The Cajun House, 7 St.Anne Street. Southern/Soul and Cajun/Creole.
- Grandin Bakery, 11 Bellerose Drive.
- Mootastic, 50 St.Thomas St.. Ice Cream and gelato.
- Pho Anh Sang, 10 McKenney Ave. Vietnamese
- Pho Hoa, 190 Boudreau Rd. Vietnamese
- Saigon Cuisine, 2503 Tudor Glen. Vietnamese
- Socrates, 208 St. Albert Road. Popular for breakfast. Family restaurant.
- Soup and Sandwich Shack, 205 Chatelain Dr.. Delicious sandwiches!
- St. Albert Kitchen, Food Court in St. Albert Centre. Fast food Chinese buffet.
- Prairie Bistro, 101 Riel Drive. In the Enjoy Centre, overlooking Lois Hole Provincial Park.
Drink
[edit]- LB's Pub, 110, 23 Akins Drive, ☏ +1 780-460-9100, lindabeier@hotmail.com. Tu-Sa 2PM-3AM. 25 cent Wing Wednesday; open stage on Tuesdays & Thursdays, live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
- The Beer Hunter Bar and Grill, 386, St. Albert Trail, ☏ +1 780-418-7867, fax: +1 780-418-7860. Sporting related events throughout the year.
- Crown and Tower Pub, 11, Bellerose Drive, ☏ +1 780-419-6754.
- Apex Casino, 24, Boudreau Road, ☏ +1 780-460-8092, Info@apexcasino.ca. Gambling; live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
- La Crema Cafe, 4 44, St.Thomas Street. Cafe and espresso bar.
Sleep
[edit]- The St. Albert Inn, 156 St. Albert Road, ☏ +1 780-459-5551, toll-free: +1-800-450-8612, reserve@stab-inn-suites.ca. 148-room hotel with pool, waterslide, fitness centre, guest laundry, pet rooms, family rooms, special needs suites, restaurant, sports bar, free parking, complimentary WiFi. From $140.
- Sleep-Inn Motel, 208 St. Albert Road, ☏ +1 780-459-5311, toll-free: +1-800-459-6602. Each room is equipped with: Air conditioning, Refrigerator, Microwave, Coffee maker with complimentary coffee, Free high-speed wireless Internet. Available: large family rooms, smoking & non-smoking rooms, king-size bed, kitchenettes. From $79 a night (plus tax).
- Horizon Motel, 440 St. Albert Road, ☏ +1 780-459-2965. 19 double rooms, 9 single rooms, 3 kitchenette rooms, and 10 smoking rooms. Western & Chinese restaurant next door. From $69.
- Best Western Inn, 460 St. Albert Trail, ☏ +1 780-470-3800, toll-free: +1 800-780-7234. From $145.
- City View Bed and Breakfast, 59 Langholm Drive, ☏ +1 780-459-9535. Quiet, modern, air-conditioned home. Phone, microwave, TV, beverage bar, fridge, gas fireplace, H S Internet, etc. Continental breakfast and warm hospitality. Service in French or English.
Suite has spacious bedroom with Queen sized bed, and 2 sofa beds. $100.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through St. Albert |
| Peace River ← Morinville ← | N  S |
→ Edmonton → Calgary |
| END ← Onoway ← | W  E |
→ Fort Saskatchewan → END |
| South Edmonton ← West End ← | W  E |
→ North Edmonton → Sherwood Park |