Skip to content

Original Content

This article is a re-write of Michael's original content. To view original content, please visit the following:

Tourism2025

Tariffs or not: be a tourist in our hometown

Posted by Michael Janz on April 9, 2025

With all of the uncertainty and bullying coming from the United States, more and more folks are talking about “staycations”, not only staying in Alberta but right here in our own city. This is a timely opportunity for us to revisit our pre-pandemic haunts and rekindle our romance with the city!

With 250,000 new residents moving to Edmonton in the last 5 years, what are your favourite local tourist destinations that you would want to share with someone visiting Edmonton?

Local tourism image

Whether you are riding the High Level Street Car, attending the Fringe, catching a play or visiting a festival, you are helping create jobs and support the local economy. An enormous number of artists, filmmakers, and arts professionals live right here in Ward papastew.

We welcome, share and promote special experiences for any budget. Do you have little visitors with extra energy to burn? Maybe check out Edmonton Playgrounds on Instagram and while they play, enjoy something from a cafe from your Edmonton Coffee Pass. My family recently participated in the Edmonton Arts Council Art Bus promotion and experienced new galleries as well as reconnecting with the AGA!

This week is Tourism Week 2025 and an opportunity to promote the incredible attractions our city has to offer. Explore Edmonton even invites you to a special webinar where they will be sharing highlights from their 2024 Annual Report. April 22, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Register now:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x1bG-VLaRCa-3RkJzZ_9zQ#/registration

Learn more about how we received the Best in Travel recognition from Lonely Planet! Lonely Planet’s panel of destination and travel experts curated 30 must-see places across countries, cities and regions. We're beyond grateful to be recognized for our one-of-a-kind experiences, year-round adventures, and dedication to sustainable travel.

Through municipal investment in Explore Edmonton, we attract additional funds, support the local visitor economy, creating jobs and supporting our neighbours.

Here’s what Explore Edmonton shared to kick off Tourism Week 2025:

  • Tourism is a major economic driver in our city. It supports Edmonton’s economic growth, provides new opportunities for diversification and, in the spirit of reconciliation, offers pathways for Indigenous Peoples to share their heritage, stories and wisdom with Albertans and the world.
  • Lonely Planet: Edmonton was named one of the top 10 Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2025 cities. Fringe Festival, Old Strathcona, Royal Alberta Museum, and more local spots were all mentioned in the article: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/guide-to-edmonton
  • Edmonton is home to the second largest urban Indigenous population in Canada. There are over 87 Indigenous tourism experiences in the Edmonton region and so many talented and creative Indigenous peoples and communities who are willing to share their culture with us and with the world as we walk together towards reconciliation.
  • Supporting Tourism = Supporting Local: With over 90% of businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supporting tourism means supporting local businesses, local jobs, and local people.

Edmonton has it all:

  • A stunning River Valley packed with green spaces and endless outdoor adventures
  • A food scene that’s nationally recognized—three local restaurants, Bernadette’s, Little Wolf, and Bar Henry, made Air Canada’s Best Restaurants list in 2024
  • A one-of-a-kind Arts District where major cultural gems like the Art Gallery of Alberta, Winspear, Citadel, and the Royal Alberta Museum are all within an eight-block radius.

As the weather warms up and the days get longer, I am so grateful to live in this beautiful city with such a vibrant arts and festival scene. I encourage you to be a tourist in your own city, you never know what you might discover next.