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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on February 25, 2023
Nestled in Edmonton’s river valley is Fort Edmonton Park, the place guests will step again in time to see what life was like in Edmonton all through its historical past. It’s been a cornerstone vacationer attraction in Alberta’s capital for a few years. Pete, when he was a toddler, went there on many college journeys. And it’s nonetheless standard for varsity outings, household day journeys, and even for adults. There are many issues to do and see within the park, particularly the newly added Indigenous Peoples Expertise, which is a must-do for any customer.
A Full Information to Visiting Fort Edmonton Park
Historical past of Fort Edmonton Park
What started as a Canada Centennial reconstruction undertaking in 1967 is now Canada’s largest residing historical past museum, full with recreated structure from 1885, 1905, and 1920 Edmonton, an Indigenous Peoples Expertise, and different sights together with a functioning streetcar, prepare, fort, and halfway.
The heritage park sprawls out over a formidable 64 hectares (158 acres) in Edmonton’s River Valley and continues to alter and add new options on a regular basis. Owned by the Metropolis of Edmonton, the Fort Edmonton Basis and the Rotary Membership of Edmonton have offered persevering with assist with a view to hold the vacationer attraction up and working.
Extraordinarily academic, interactive, and enjoyable, the park is unquestionably among the finest issues to do in Edmonton. Go to Fort Edmonton Park to be taught, sure, however to even have a blast.
Location and Parking for Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park is situated in southwestern Edmonton, a couple of 15-minute drive from downtown Edmonton. Its official tackle is 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 4P3.
Parking at Fort Edmonton Park is free, however it’s restricted; we suggest getting there as early as doable to safe a parking spot, or to journey there by public transportation.
Hours of Operation
It’s essential to notice that Fort Edmonton Park is seasonal, and it isn’t open all 12 months spherical. The summer season season is when the park is absolutely open and is often open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am to five pm (however closed on holidays).
Through the winter, Fort Edmonton Park is often open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm for the Indigenous Peoples Expertise Exhibit (the remainder of the park is at present closed). Paranormal excursions are sometimes provided and the Edmonton Christmas Market has sure hours to attend. Examine the web site for the newest hours!
Costs of Admission for Fort Edmonton Park
Tickets to Fort Edmonton Park can be found on-line or on the gate. Admission contains entry to halfway rides and video games, the prepare, and the streetcar.
Park admission is as follows, with tax added on high of those charges:
- Adults (18+): $26.20
- Senior (65+): $20.90
- Kids (2-17): $20.90
- Kids (underneath 2): Free
- Household: $95.00
There are additionally summer season passes that offer you limitless entry to the park for the whole season. For particular occasions and displays all year long, charges will differ.
Accessibility
Accessibility at Fort Edmonton Park is pretty good, with wheelchair-accessible loos and paths all through the park. Wheelchairs may also be used on the prepare and carousel with help from the park workers. Sadly, wheelchairs are usually not permitted on the streetcars resulting from security issues.
Issues to Do at Fort Edmonton Park
So far as residing historical past museums go, Fort Edmonton Park is unquestionably among the finest. In actual fact, it’s troublesome to suit every part in at some point! You’ll wish to hold a copy of the park’s map useful that can assist you navigate and plan your go to. We personally suggest beginning on the again, on the Indigenous Peoples Expertise, and dealing your means via historical past till you get to the halfway for amusement video games and rides.
You’ll discover many recreated buildings, tons of details about the period you’re exploring, and even many workers members in costume able to information your journey via the previous.
Indigenous Peoples Expertise
With data from over 50 Indigenous Elders, historians, educators, and group members, the Indigenous Peoples Expertise highlights the range of the Indigenous peoples who’ve lived on this land for generations. Discover the tradition and historical past of the First Nations and Métis peoples from this space, together with music, artwork, tales, and extra.
1846 Fort
Head to the 1846 buying and selling publish to be taught all about why it was established (we’ll offer you a touch: beaver pelts), who lived there, and its affect on the Edmonton space. Highlights embody the York boat, the lads’s quarters, and the Rowand Home, which was as soon as one of many largest houses in western Canada.
1885 Avenue
Think about your self in Edmonton in 1885… when it was nonetheless thought-about a reasonably small city! Though there have been just a few institutions (one in every of them the one brick constructing west of Winnipeg), it was clear that Edmonton was about to develop into a vital place in Canada. Be taught all about it on the 1885 avenue, the place highlights embody the Ottewell Homestead, Jasper Home Resort, and a lined wagon.
1905 Avenue
It’s 1905, and instantly Edmonton is beginning to growth. Uncover what life was like within the early twentieth century in Alberta’s capital, together with the numerous highs and lows of the economic system. Highlights embody the Masonic Corridor, Rutherford Home, the penny arcade, and Reed’s Bazaar and Tea Room.
1920 Avenue
Make your option to the 1920 avenue to expertise the trendy world, together with vehicles and radio. Many essential modifications have been occurring in Edmonton within the Twenties, and right here’s your probability to be taught all about it. Highlights embody Resort Selkirk, the Blatchford Subject Air Hangar, the Al-Rashid Mosque, and the 1920 Halfway and Exhibition (extra on that beneath).
Halfway and Exhibition
You’ll wish to save plenty of time for the Halfway and Exhibition, as there’s a lot to do… particularly when you’ve got children in tow! Check out the Twenties-style Ferris wheel and video games, navigate the maze, refill on carnival meals, go to the Cupboard of Curios, and a lot extra. It’s an amusement park throughout the museum, and it’s one of many highlights of Fort Edmonton Park.
Capitol Theatre
In all probability one of the vital standard spots for a selfie within the park is a recreation of the unique Capitol Theatre circa 1929. The facade is what the theatre appeared like when it was on Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton. You possibly can actually have a peek inside to see what the seating and display appeared like.
Prepare and Streetcar
Included within the value of admission, a trip on the 1919 Baldwin Steam engine and prepare is a must-do if you’re visiting the park. The prepare additionally makes it lots simpler to get across the museum grounds.
Maintained by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, the streetcars from 1905 and 1920 are one other enjoyable option to get across the park. Please notice that, resulting from questions of safety, strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers are usually not permitted on the streetcars.
Wagon and Pony Rides
Take a ten-minute wagon trip across the park to think about what life was like earlier than Edmonton had motorized automobiles (beginning at McDougall Normal Retailer on 1885 avenue). Little ones can even love the horse rides on the Ottewell Homestead farmyard (discovered on 1885 avenue). You should buy tickets for each on-line, as they aren’t included generally admission.
E-book an In a single day Keep
It’s not typically that you just get to remain in a single day at historic websites, however Fort Edmonton Park does certainly provide the chance! Keep on the iconic Resort Selkirk and select from the Selkirk Suite, the Heritage Deluxe Room, or the Heritage Room, all adorned within the fashion of the Twenties. However don’t fear, there’s nonetheless modern-day wifi, air con, and a full-service restaurant and bar! An in a single day keep at Resort Selkirk is a good addition to your time at Fort Edmonton Park.
Can you’re taking a tour of Fort Edmonton Park?
Sure, there are a number of Fort Edmonton Park excursions to take. Maintain a watch out on the occasions calendar for extra. Followers of ghost tales will particularly love the Paranormal Excursions in autumn.
Who’re the interpreters at Fort Edmonton Park?
All all through Fort Edmonton Park you’ll see individuals wearing conventional clothes from the time they’re depicting, whether or not that be the late 1800s, the early 1900s, or the Twenties. These workers members aren’t simply there to look the half… they know the half, too! Ask them questions on their day and about what they’re doing, they usually’ll reply as when you’re really again in time. They’ll additionally be capable to inform you all concerning the buildings and sights that encompass you.
Please notice: the park asks that company don’t gown in costume or regalia throughout your go to to Fort Edmonton Park in case different company develop into confused!
Occasions at Fort Edmonton Park
Fortunately, there are fairly a number of occasions at Fort Edmonton Park to maintain you busy all year long. The occasion calendar stays up to date so that you could determine what you’d love to do, together with Christmas markets, particular displays, summer season gala’s, winter wagon rides, and their legendary DARK occasions at Halloween (together with horror-themed quiz nights, cocktail mixing, meals vehicles, DJs, haunted homes, and extra).
There’s additionally the choice for reserving personal occasions on the park, together with weddings and company occasions. In actual fact, there are over 10 rental venues accessible, so there’s at all times one thing that may match what you’re on the lookout for.
What do you have to convey to Fort Edmonton Park?
As with many different out of doors museums, it’s crucial to test the climate earlier than you head out with a view to gown appropriately. Plan on spending plenty of time open air, whether or not meaning an umbrella, sunscreen, sun shades, heat layers, and many others. Most individuals spend the whole day on the park, so convey every part you would possibly want (particularly when you’ll be attending with a younger little one or two).
We additionally suggest carrying very snug strolling footwear, as you’ll be exploring plenty of the park on foot.
Are you able to eat at Fort Edmonton Park?
Sure! There are many alternatives to buy meals all through the park, and there are additionally many picnic tables accessible when you’d prefer to convey your personal lunch.
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