Adventure | Edmonton Summer Event Listings

Pickleball

Pickleball continues to rise in popularity in the Edmonton area Ask most pickleball enthusiasts what drew them to the game, and most would likely say that the unusual moniker first …Read More

Fun in Alberta Waters

Fun for family, friends or even dipping solo, these parks within a couple hour’s drive from Edmonton will liven up your summer vibes with an out-of-city experience that is still …Read More

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Fun for family, friends or even dipping solo, these parks within a couple hour’s drive from Edmonton will liven up your summer vibes with an out-of-city experience that is still close enough for a day trip. From exhaustingly dynamic to chill and easy, you can find something here for all moods, energy levels and ages.

Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash

Fittingly, the first up on this list is the first-ever, open-water park in Alberta. Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash has a seemingly endless array of things to slide, climb and bounce on, including an oversized trampoline, launch pad, 90-degree sloped speed curve, 15-foot slide, 15-foot climbing wall, monkey bars, bridges and so much more. The paths themselves are floating; you can either choose to trek it or jump right in the lake as you go! Due to the large and dynamic range of the play zone, children under five are not currently permitted, and all patrons must be a minimum of 3’ 6” in height to participate.

5104 Lakeshore Dr., Sylvan Lake. 163 km south via Hwy. 2

sylvanlakeaquasplash.ca

McKay Ranch Abbey Outdoor Aquatic Centre

With a zero-depth entrance and a tiny tots area, the McKay Ranch Abbey Outdoor Aquatic Centre is truly family-friendly for all ages. Relax in the 26-person hot tub after swimming some laps in the four-lane junior Olympic-sized pool featuring a one-metre diving board, climbing the 10-foot rock wall or dropping down the three-story water slides. After that, you may want to cool off in the spray park or grab a bite to eat at the mobile meals and munchies concession. You’re also welcome to bring food from home or another restaurant if you eat it in the outdoor green area.

4500 Womacks Rd, Blackfalds. 146 km south via Hwy. 2

blackfalds.ca/m/abbey-centre/outdoor-aquatic-centre

Festival Park

Formerly named Rotary Park, Festival Park boasts the most varied kinds of activities available within its perimeter. From tubing to fishing, a splash park to an off-leash dog area, barbecue zone and concession, jumbo inflatable bouncy jumper, and even a playground, (the tallest play structure in Alberta, as a matter of fact!), Whitecourt’s self-proclaimed gem of the community combines bathing suit-friendly activities alongside furry friend friendly spaces. And the real kicker is, it’s all free! Please note, though there is an air filling station available, tube rentals are not available, so come prepared with your own if the river slides are what you have in mind.

51 St., Whitecourt, 180km north-west via Hwy. 43

whitecourt.ca/play/festivalpark

Discovery Canyon

Also free is Red Deer’s Discovery Canyon, though this site does offer tube rentals for 6 bucks. Featuring a natural river-fed bubbling water pool, a recreation centre and hiking trails through the surrounding woods, Riverbend Golf & Recreation Centre has created the perfect way for golf lovers to get a few rounds in while keeping their families happy, too! Of course, you’re welcome to forgo the mowed green and stick to the lazy river. The water in the tubing area reaches about 2.5 feet deep and there are no lifeguards on duty, so just be mindful of that when bringing smaller children.

3800 River Bend Dr., Red Deer, 161km south via Hwy. 2

rbgra.ca/discovery-canyon

Pembina Tubing

Last but not least, the Pembina River Tubing site is the shortest drive on the list. Starting just south of Entwistle, the gentle current will take its time bringing you through the river’s 62-meter Ice Age-created gorge, giving you plenty of opportunity to relax in nature as the Pembina winds. Due to this distance from the end point, shuttles are offered to take tubers back to their vehicles, though many parties prefer to park a vehicle at each location and carpool back. Parking costs $8 and—depending on rentals—shuttle ride fees vary between $18-27.

53217 Range Rd. 74A, Entwistle, 106km west via Hwy. 16

pembinarivertubing.com

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Staycations

Hanging around at home Enjoying some relaxing time off doesn’t always mean having to travel far distances and spending lots of cash. Choosing a staycation means sticking to local attractions …Read More

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Hanging around at home

Enjoying some relaxing time off doesn’t always mean having to travel far distances and spending lots of cash. Choosing a staycation means sticking to local attractions and events during day trips that generally don’t involve long travel times or accommodations.

Staycations have always been a choice for cost-conscious families, but became especially popular during the travel restrictions brought on by COVID-19. In these days of the rising cost of pretty much everything, staycations are a budget friendly way to explore one’s own geographic area. While not all staycations are cost free, they usually come with a much lower price tag than travelling abroad.

Here are five suggestions for staycations in and around Edmonton and area.

Festivals

Edmonton is often referred to as “Festival City” for a reason, given the multitude of celebrations going on throughout the summer. Some of them come with a price tag, like the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, where you can discover new music and enjoy rising and major stars not only in folk, but other genres like blues and gospel. If your budget is tighter, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival has no admission, while the Caribbean-flavoured CariWest festival features the city’s largest outdoor parade. The Works Art & Design Festival has free exhibits in Churchill Square and other locations, along with a music stage and food trucks. The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival features a mixed bag of plays to experience. The indoor shows are ticketed, but folks can also enjoy the outdoor shows admission-free.

Attractions

Edmonton has numerous attractions where individuals, couples, and families can make a day of it. Explore the city’s history at Fort Edmonton Park, and take a ride on an actual steam train (a 1919 Baldwin Locomotive). The Edmonton Valley Zoo has hundreds of animals in both outdoor and indoor viewing areas, and is open year-round.

Explore the botanical gardens within the glass pyramids at the Muttart Conservatory. All of these places have gift shops with souvenirs, and places to sit down and get refreshments. There are admission fees, as well as extra charges for some activities. Information about all of the City of Edmonton’s attractions is available at the City’s website (edmonton.ca), so you can plan your budget before you go.

Farmers’ Markets

Shop—and eat—local by touring farmers’ markets. St. Albert boasts the largest outdoor farmers’ market in Canada and is an adventure to explore. In Edmonton, the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market operates indoors year-round. Another year-round indoor choice is Bountiful Farmers’ Market on the southeast side of the city.

Edmonton also has a number of seasonal farmers’ markets such as Callingwood (open Sundays and Wednesdays), and the Downtown Farmers’ Market, which has returned to 104 Street. Vendors at farmers’ markets often have free samples, plus there are usually food trucks or in-house eateries to get something more substantial to eat. Enjoy the entertainment from buskers while you have your meal.

Edmonton’s River Valley

As Canada’s largest continuous urban parkland system, Edmonton’s River Valley runs through the city with 180 km of paths suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling. Along the way there are around 20 named parks with amenities such as picnic sites, washrooms, and playgrounds. You can literally go from one end of the city to the other via the trails leading to attractions like Fort Edmonton and the Chinese pagoda at Louise McKinney Park.

Load up your backpack with snacks, sunscreen, and plenty of water. The River Valley offers a low-to-no cost opportunity to get outside, exercise, and enjoy nature. Being on some of those trails can feel like you’re not even in the city at all.

Road Tripping

Many fun and interesting attractions are located within two hours of the greater Edmonton area. If you have access to a vehicle, you can check out famous roadside attractions like the big sausage in Mundare and continue east to the giant pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) in Vegreville. Elk Island Park is also a popular day trip destination where you can see plains bison in person.

No vehicle? No problem. For a $15 reservation (including park entrance fees) you can take the Parkbus on early Saturday mornings from the downtown MEC and Royal Alberta Museum and return later that afternoon.

[post_title] => Staycations [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => staycations [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-23 14:41:56 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-23 20:41:56 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=21514 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => Hanging around at home Enjoying some relaxing time off doesn’t always mean having to travel far distances and spending lots of cash. Choosing a staycation means sticking to local attractions … ) 1

River Valley Adventures

Trails on the city’s river banks can yield a few surprises. Every summer Edmonton’s River Valley becomes a slithering green ribbon of lush tree-surrounded trails along the North Saskatchewan River. …Read More

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Trails on the city’s river banks can yield a few surprises.

Every summer Edmonton’s River Valley becomes a slithering green ribbon of lush tree-surrounded trails along the North Saskatchewan River. Alberta’s capital city boasts 160 km of urban parkland, the largest stretch of its kind in North America. Well-maintained paths of dirt, gravel, pavement, wooden boardwalks, stairs, bridges and even a funicular sprawl throughout the city for cyclists, runners, nature enthusiasts and dog walkers alike to refresh mind and body.

While dozens of paths winding through the valley, here’s a look at three very popular trails.

Gold Bar Park to Rundle Park

Starting in the far east side of the city and following the river until the crossing at Ainsworth Dyer Memorial Bridge, this beautiful path is fairly level for a leisurely and scenic stroll along the bank, lush grasses and through wooded areas. The Rundle Park footbridge marks the trail’s end, enabling users to catch a view of the river, one of only a couple spots on the path where that’s possible. This 6.5-km round trip would take an hour or two to complete.

Hawrelak Park to Mackenzie Ravine

Flat and boasting wide footpaths, this popular year-round destination is a perfect place for some all-inclusive exercise before or after an outdoor lunch, as the entrance to the path is at Hawrelak Park’s Picnic Site 2. At four km long and taking up to an hour to complete, this trail stands out due to the fact it has large sections along it where dogs are allowed off leash.

Whitemud Creek Trail

A change in elevation of up to 449 feet may sound daunting, but this six-km path is considered an easy hike that is relatively flat with moments of incline and can be covered in 90 minutes. The ravine here is home to an old growth forest with some of the tallest trees in the city.

[post_title] => River Valley Adventures [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => river-valley-adventures [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-23 14:32:47 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-23 20:32:47 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=21511 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => Trails on the city’s river banks can yield a few surprises. Every summer Edmonton’s River Valley becomes a slithering green ribbon of lush tree-surrounded trails along the North Saskatchewan River. … ) 1

Soundwalks

Soundwalks can be anything from inspirational to therapeutic Scott Smallwood’s first soundwalk took place in Australia in 2003. “I had no idea what it was. It was at a conference, …Read More

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Soundwalks can be anything from inspirational to therapeutic

Scott Smallwood’s first soundwalk took place in Australia in 2003.

“I had no idea what it was. It was at a conference, and I just showed up where I was told to go.”
Scott Smallwood, musician, sound artist, and professor of music at the University of Alberta admits.

Under the guidance of Canadian soundwalk pioneer Hildegard Westerkamp, Smallwood and about 15 or 20 other people moved silently through the streets of Melbourne. There were only three rules: follow Westerkamp and keep together, and don't speak to each other or to anyone else. Most importantly, open your ears to the sounds that you normally block out in the process of your day.

“In the end, we all gathered around a big tree and we kind of related our experiences of listening to the city that way. So, it was just kind of intentional and that's really all a soundwalk is.”
Smallwood explains

That’s the simplest explanation of a term that carries so much meaning. Smallwood, who has led his own soundwalks on the streets of Edmonton, acknowledges that he’s been on one where the guide secretly populated the walk with musicians, and others where the walk is self-guided with signs along the way. If the barest explanation is that a soundwalk is a walk with intense focus on the environment, then anything goes.

Composer R. Murray Schafer and members of the World Soundscape Project are generally agreed to have first coined the term in Vancouver in the 1970s, but there are a lot of cooks in this kitchen. Probably the most notable is Pauline Oliveros, an American musical multi-hyphenate, academic, and proponent of what she called “deep listening.” For many people soundwalks are a way to release themselves from purpose and simply exist in the moment, seeing and hearing what they normally ignore as they go about their day. For others, there’s a connection to how we listen to everything, sounds and music included.

“It's a practice that Pauline used to teach people,” says Ian Crutchley, composer, educator, and artistic director of New Music Edmonton. “There are many people doing soundwalks who have no other real experience with contemporary music, and it's used as kind of a wellness thing. So, it’s really about the individual experience. It's really offering people the opportunity to basically stop doing everything else, except maybe walk and look, but mostly just to walk and let your ears find what they will.”

Multi-disciplinary artist Mika Haykowsky was first introduced to soundwalks during her undergrad studies at the U of A. Initially, she would take an audio recorder and capture sounds in the environment, which she would then layer to create soundscapes. Those sounds would then be brought into a physical space so people could listen through speakers or headphones.

In December of 2024 she was asked by New Music Edmonton to lead a soundwalk.

“I created a map and had people follow me in a single file, about five paces between us, and we just walked in silence for about 40 to maybe an hour,” she recounts. “We started in Riverdale and walked across the Tawatinâ Bridge.”

Haykowsky chose that route because of the train sounds above, followed by the sounds of the forest on the other side. Squirrels, birds, and other animals acted as sonic punctuation as they warned each other of human interlopers. The most important thing for Haykowsky was following the sun, because the soundwalk took place on Dec. 21, the solstice.

“It was kind of this almost ritualistic walk for me, kind of celebrating the really short days and the long nights. It was about what we can hear during those short days, and what we can appreciate around us.”

[post_title] => Soundwalks [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => soundwalks [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-23 14:28:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-23 20:28:06 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=21508 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => Soundwalks can be anything from inspirational to therapeutic Scott Smallwood’s first soundwalk took place in Australia in 2003. “I had no idea what it was. It was at a conference, … ) 1

RCMP Musical Ride – 2025 tour and info

One of Canada’s greatest traditions hits the road this summer One thing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police doesn’t mess with is tradition, which is why its signature Musical Ride has …Read More

Backyard Home Theatre

Regardless of your budget, backyard movies can be fun for the whole family As adults we may no longer be able to make blanket forts, but we can still create …Read More

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Regardless of your budget, backyard movies can be fun for the whole family

As adults we may no longer be able to make blanket forts, but we can still create our own drive-in movies.

Minus the cars, of course, and the commute. Constructing a little area in your backyard to screen movies on a gloriously warm summer night isn’t really all that hard. All you need are a few pieces of equipment, some chairs, and a bowl of popcorn. Simple, really ̶ or is it?
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Screening Area
Yes, you can use a sheet or the side of your house if you like, but that’s only if you want to see stucco on Ryan Reynolds’ face or watch as a particularly tense scene in “Minions: The Rise of Gru” flutter softly in the wind. No, we’re well into the 21st century and the outdoor screen is very much a thing.

Staples, Best Buy, and Amazon have a number in different formats and sizes running from around $200 into the thousands, but the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus ticks off all of the boxes if you can slam down $560. Slimming it down a little, the RCA 100-inch portable projector screen can be had at Walmart for a paltry $68. Rentals? Go to River City Events, who have your back with 25-foot inflatable screens for $350.

If you’re determined to go the sheet route, make sure it’s pulled very tight and has somewhere in the area of a 400-thread count. The thicker the better!
(rivercityevents.ca, amazon.ca, walmart.ca)
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Media Player
Can’t be stinting on this one, because the better quality player you have, the better quality the image will be. Again, you can find yourself lost in the range of prices out there, but let’s draw a line down the middle and suggest the VANKYO Leisure 1080P projector, which does a fine job of streaming from up to 21 feet away for just under $400 at Walmart.

You’ll need your phone, streaming stick or computer for streaming services to connect with via wi-fi, and probably better speakers, whereas the BenQ GS50 features a 2.1 channel Bluetooth speaker with extra bass. It already supports AirPlay and Chromecast casting for iOS, MacOS, Android, and PC devices, so no worries on many of the popular streaming apps. The cost? This beauty will set you back $848 if you grab it from Amazon, though it does cover the bases quite nicely.

Most likely you’ll be pulling the projector back or bringing it forward in order to get the correct screen size, so have a small table and an extension cord handy. A power strip should be kept on hand, and in case your home wi-fi isn’t powerful enough, consider investing in an extender. They can be found at Canadian Tire, Staples, Best Buy and other places, but it’s another item you don't want to cheap out on. The UltraXtend has been getting rave reviews, and while only available online at the moment it’s actually a decent price at $49.90 US.

(ivankyo,com, benq.com, ultraxtend.com)
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Seating
That really comes down to a number of factors, doesn’t it? Lawn chairs are a great idea if you can find where they’re stashed in the basement or garage, and blankets can be deployed as well. If you have a tarp, lay it down first so that you don’t get stains on them. Pillows are a great idea; the bigger the better, and if you have a blow-up mattress, then you’re really riding in luxury.

The Neighbors
Singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman once observed in a song to his wife that “there’s no need to let the neighbours run your life,” and while that’s true, it’s also a fact that you need to keep them informed. An outdoor movie night with the family or friends can be really irritating for folks next door, especially when there’s no forewarning. Let them know, and even consider inviting them. Maybe they’ll bring over a few bottles of wine or that potato salad that you've heard so much about.

Food
We’re going all out here in this article. No microwave popcorn or bags of popcorn twists for us high livers. Oh no, we’re bringing in a genuine popcorn machine from River City Rentals for $135. Then again, we could also choose the candy floss, sno-cone or the hot dog machine if we want to go all out. Infinite Event Services even offers margarita machines if you’re so inclined. If you figure you’ll be doing this on the regular and want to buy, Canadian Tire has a Betty Crocker Movie Nite Cinema-Style Kettle Popcorn Maker for $114.99.

(rivercityevents.ca, canadiantire.ca, infinteeventservices.com)

Other Factors
Royalties are part of a larger discussion when it comes to the arts, but if you’re screening a movie among a small group of family and friends you don’t need to worry about that. If you’re charging and packing people in you’ll need to revisit this.

What you do need to worry about are bugs, and while you’ll never fully rid your yard of wasps, mosquitoes and other biting nasties you can alleviate it with wasp traps, mosquito trappers and perhaps some Deep Words Off, because we do live in northern Alberta.

Finally, it might be tempting to wait until after the sky is completely dark to screen your movie, but keep in mind that Edmonton and other communities surrounding the city have a noise bylaw that means you can be shut down after 10 p.m. if someone really doesn’t want to hear Ryan Gosling singing his song from “Barbie” wafting through their window.

[post_title] => Backyard Home Theatre [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => backyard-home-theatre [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-05-21 15:28:38 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-05-21 21:28:38 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=19882 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => Regardless of your budget, backyard movies can be fun for the whole family As adults we may no longer be able to make blanket forts, but we can still create … ) 1

Edmonton From Above

Perspective is everything. Generally speaking, we only see Edmonton from a few vantage points. Street level gets you anonymous office towers or suburbs; Chateau Lacombe’s La Ronde restaurant and the …Read More

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Perspective is everything.

Generally speaking, we only see Edmonton from a few vantage points. Street level gets you anonymous office towers or suburbs; Chateau Lacombe’s La Ronde restaurant and the streetcar on the High Level Bridge allows for better views. We’ll throw in The End of the World in

Belgravia and the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park overlooking the Walterdale Bridge as an example of places in which we realize the city is prettier than we allow ourselves to think because we can see the layers.

If you have the opportunity to take a summer evening ride in one of those hot air balloons that the neighborhood dogs frantically bark at, you’ll see something even more stunning: a crystal blue river padded by green, and buildings dotted along the side with an expanse of smaller houses and apartments sprawling out.

That’s the view that pterodactyls enjoy as they ceaselessly scan the ground for prey below. It’s the city we’ve grown up in or chosen, and while it might not rank as one of the world’s great beauties, it has its moments, especially when the hidden parts you never knew are revealed from above.

Looking down on the river you see canoes and kayaks, motor boats and very occasionally the Edmonton Queen when it isn’t in dry dock. Walking trails criss-cross green spaces around the city, and if you're lucky you could glimpse big animals moving shyly along the corridor that is the river valley. As light fades in the sky, Commonwealth Stadium glows from a concert or Elks game. Trains move slowly alongside the Yellowhead.

There are so many more to discover. It’s all perspective, and you can take that literally or figuratively.

WANNA TAKE A RIDE?

For an opportunity to get a first-hand look at what Edmonton looks like from the air, here are a couple of choices to consider.

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Edmonton Regional Helicopters

erhelicopters.com

780-890-7788

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Horizon Flight School

horizonflightschool.ca

780-606-0161

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Sundance Balloons

sundanceballoons.com

780-990-0799

[post_title] => Edmonton From Above [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => edmonton-from-above [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-05-21 12:17:48 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-05-21 18:17:48 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=19876 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => Perspective is everything. Generally speaking, we only see Edmonton from a few vantage points. Street level gets you anonymous office towers or suburbs; Chateau Lacombe’s La Ronde restaurant and the … ) 1

‘Motoring’ around Edmonton

We’re nearly a decade past when “Back to the Future 2” incorrectly predicted hoverboards as a popular mode of transport, but luckily a few other vehicles have stepped into the …Read More

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We’re nearly a decade past when “Back to the Future 2” incorrectly predicted hoverboards as a popular mode of transport, but luckily a few other vehicles have stepped into the gap.

We’ve left out the word “happily” in that statement, if only because the number of e-scooters adorning trees and parts of the river valley indicate that not everyone is thrilled with the new 21st century rides. Still, they’re catching on, and cars are no longer the primary means of transportation for many. Take a second to tabulate the number of alternative choices out there beyond bicycles, motorcycles, and skateboards.

Better yet, let us do that for you, and give some suggestions on where to rent or buy.

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E-Scooters

The bane of many people’s existence is also a cheap and fun way to get around. For rental purposes, Edmonton currently has two operators, Lime and Bird, while St. Albert is welcoming back Bird for 2024. To unlock, you’ll pay in the range of a dollar, and then 30 to 35 cents per minute. If you’re interested in owning, St. Albert’s Boot ‘n’ Scooter has a selection that ranges from $1,099 up to just under $4,000. E-scooters are allowed on shared pathways, bike lanes and roads with a speed limit of 50 km an hour or lower, but forbidden on sidewalks.

( bird.co)

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Bicycles

If you want to kick it old school with a kickstand there are plenty of places to buy a bike. Bike Edmonton sells refurbished bikes for those on a budget, while Edmonton Bike Rentals rent for as low as $50 a day. Cranky’s Bike Shop in St. Albert has kids rides for as low as a couple of hundred dollars, while those with a couple of thousand in loose change can salivate at the fancy mountain bikes. Stay in the bike lane or road, but not on the sidewalk!

(crankys.ca, edmontonbikerentals.com)

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Motorcycles

Sometimes you just feel the need to feel the wind in your face, or alternately the thundering roar of a loud pipe in other people’s ears. If so, a motorcycle is exactly what you’re looking for, whether cruisers like Harley and Kawasaki, choppers, minis, and more. Harley-Davidson Edmonton can lighten your wallet by as much as $52,399 for a Street Glide. Rentals can be found for as low as $199 at Big Toy Shop in Edmonton. Riverside Moto Sports in St. Albert can partially scratch that itch with a selection that starts as low as $2,099. Not for novices, but you knew that, right?

(riversidemotosports.com, bigtoyshop.ca)

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Electric Bikes

Biking is healthy and fun, but sometimes you just don’t want to deal with those pesky inclines. A battery powered e-bike can take the strain off when you’re feeling like giving those gams a rest in the midst of a long commute or trip. Riverbank E-Bikes rent for $25 an hour or $100 a day, while in St. Albert, you can find a number of purchasing choices at Cranky’s for as low as $1,600 or so. As with other leg powered vehicles, stay off the sidewalks!

(riverbankebikes.com)

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Segways

Remember when Segways were everywhere? Or at least it seemed like the self-balancing two wheels were going to revolutionize personal transport. They’re still around; Best Buy and Walmart have models in the thousand and above range, but the company has opted to focus on other motor devices. They’re still popular in certain quarters, though; River Valley Adventure in Edmonton has 60- and 90-minute courses starting at $59.99 for those who wish to trek through the river valley like cyborg ducks all in a row.

(rivervalleyadventure.com)

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Mopeds and Scooters

The tiny distant cousins to motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are modest and cheaper modes of transport for getting around town. Scooters have larger motors than mopeds, while mopeds are far cooler if you’re trying to approximate the lifestyle of Who-obsessed English Mods circa the movie “Quadrophenia.” The terms are interchangeable in Canada, really, so if you’re looking to buy, there’s both to be found at Alberta Cycle, including a Justin Bieber model, for as low as $3,000 or so. Rental? Try Vespa YEG, that offers $100 for a half day and $150 for a full.

(albertacycle.com, vespayeg.com)

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Skateboards

Planning to learn how to crooked grind on the vert ramp this summer? If you can decipher that sentence then you’re already well on your way to becoming a skateboarder. There are plenty of shops in town to find what you need, whether for tricks or transportation, including Edmonton’s Local 124, which offers complete skateboards for as little as $89.99. Rentals? That’s a little harder, but House of Wheels does offer $10 rentals along with utility fees.

(local124.com, houseofwheels.ca)

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Electric Unicycle

The most recent wildcard in the personal transport device would be the electric unicycle. They still exist in a legal gray area, but that hasn’t stopped a large number of Edmonton and area residents from learning how to balance on that single wheel. Keep it to the bike lanes and likely the police won’t pester you, but otherwise it’s a coin toss. Cost? You can find them online for quite the range, $300 or so and up to the thousands, but it’s hard to find anywhere in the area that sells. Rentals are another proposition: YEG Wheel in Edmonton offers both necessary training and rentals, so hop on their website if you want to get in on the action.

(yegwheel.com)

[post_title] => ‘Motoring’ around Edmonton [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => motoring-around-edmonton [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-05-21 11:36:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-05-21 17:36:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=19871 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => We’re nearly a decade past when “Back to the Future 2” incorrectly predicted hoverboards as a popular mode of transport, but luckily a few other vehicles have stepped into the … ) 1

10 bask-friendly beaches

Alberta has some of the country’s most splendid aquatic attractions, such as the picturesque Lake Louise, bustling Sylvan Lake, and scores of relaxing beaches touching Lesser Slave Lake. Most of …Read More

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Alberta has some of the country’s most splendid aquatic attractions, such as the picturesque Lake Louise, bustling Sylvan Lake, and scores of relaxing beaches touching Lesser Slave Lake. Most of these, however, are so distant it’s best to plan for an entire weekend. But if you only have a day’s worth of downtime, you can find several appealing lakes and beaches within an hour’s drive from the city. Here’s a look at 10 of them. Unless otherwise indicated, all services are free.

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Half Moon Lake

30 km. southwest via Hwy 16 & Rge. Rd. 830

Besides taking a dip in this narrow body of water or lolling about on the pristine beaches, folks can also take advantage of standing paddleboats, volleyball courts and mini-golf. Pack a lunch and don’t forget the weenies as this area is fully equipped with picnic tables, firepits and washroom facilities. But be prepared to fork over $10 per adult and $5 per child, as those proceeds go to ensuring everything is clean and safe for public use.

South Cooking Lake

36 km. southeast via Hwy. 14

Run by the South Cooking Lake Community League, this Strathcona County attraction is best known for the white sands bordering the shorelines. If a good soak in the water or a sunbathing session isn’t your thing, you’ll find an assortment of other things to do in the area, such as pickleball, basketball, and a playground for the youngsters. More peckish families can make full use of the picnic area that includes firepits.

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Voyageur Park

42 km. southwest via Hwy. 2 & Hwy. 19

Using the short beaches along the North Saskatchewan River as a draw, this day park near Devon is suitable for shallow swimming and a multitude of hiking trails just off the shoreline. The park also features picnic facilities including firepit as well as a boat launch. A full day here will cost $10 for parking.

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Hubbles Lake

45 km. west via Hwy 16 & Rge. Rd. 13

Underwater springs are responsible for the crystal clarity of this Parkland County lake that boasts depts of up to 30 feet, although visitors might also Allan Beach with sand that’s equally clean. A local private resort responsible for its upkeep also offers horseshoe pits, firepits, and a general store for supplies. For day use, the resort charges $12 for adults and $6 for children, although tykes five and under get in free.

Hastings Lake
54 km. southeast via Hwy 16 & Rge. Rd. 830

This crystal-clear, spring-fed lake is geared more for swimming and boating than a sunbathing excursion given that the beach is a combination of rock and sand. The area doesn’t offer much in terms of picnic and play areas, but the surrounding area is ideal for hiking. Nature lovers in particular might revel at the opportunity to catch a glimpse of an occasional moose or whitetail deer foraging in the wild.

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Wizard Lake

56 km. south via Hwy 2

Your front-seat access to this lake near Calmar is Jubilee Park Campground, where local staff endeavour to keep the beach and waters in top shape. Their efforts are rewarded with an $8 parking charge for day use of the facilities. Within the gated area, visitors will find plenty of opportunities for swimming and sunning, while folks bring boats can make full use of the launch area for waterskiing, fishing for perch and pike, or simply putting around.

Astotin Lake

63 km. northeast via Hwy. 16

Elk Island National Park is renowned for the spectacle of buffalo wandering across the roads, but once they eventually let you pass through, be prepared for another eye-catching natural wonder of Astotin Lake’s unsullied beach. A superb spot for sunbathing, swimming or paddling around in the available watercraft, keep your eyes open for some of the lake’s aquatic wonders from beavers to pelicans. The park charges a family admission entrance fee of $17.50.

Wabamun Lake Beach

64 km. west via Hwy. 16

One of the most popular summer locales for swimming and suntanning, Wabumun also offers a slew of options for getting around on the lake. Choose from paddleboards and kayaks to windsurfing boards and even sailboats. In fact, it was at this very lake where Olympian Lawrence Lemieux learned to sail. Besides picnic facilities and a playground, the village of Wabumun also offers retail service for any supplies you might have forgotten for your day trip.

Alberta Beach

72 km. west via Hwy. 16 & Hwy. 43

If there’s one beach that has a strong cultural link to the capital region, it’s this spot on the southeastern tip of Lac Ste. Anne, where for decades, a legendary dance hall once hosted everything from orchestras to jazz combos and rock acts. Things are relatively quieter there these days, but it’s still a prime destination for swimmers, sunbathers, boaters and hikers who also take advantage of the picnic facilities and play areas on the shore.

Ma-Me-O Beach

93 km. southwest via Hwy. 216

Located on Pigeon Lake and a short distance from the village of the same name, this beach is revered for its white sand, enticing folks to splash around in the shallow, crystal-clear water. After drying off, visitors can dine in the well-equipped picnic area, let the kids loose in the playground, or get everyone together to hike on the plethora of trails near the beach.

[post_title] => 10 bask-friendly beaches [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => 10-bask-friendly-beaches [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-05-21 11:25:43 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-05-21 17:25:43 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.summercity.ca/?p=19861 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [_excerpt] => Alberta has some of the country’s most splendid aquatic attractions, such as the picturesque Lake Louise, bustling Sylvan Lake, and scores of relaxing beaches touching Lesser Slave Lake. Most of … ) 1

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