Destination Edmonton: A Brief Visitor's Guide to the City Everyone Must See

"City of Champions," "Gateway to the North," "The Festival City" - the city of Edmonton has been called many things over the years, but the true story behind this bustling western Canadian metropolis has always been one of such rich, alluring history, breathtaking natural beauty, and hypnotic cultural energy that no name alone could ever do it justice.

Established in 1795 as a major trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company, the city has been a central fixture of agriculture, industry, commerce, education, and the arts ever since. Today's Edmonton boasts a diverse and vibrant mixture of cultural, historical, and cutting-edge modern entertainment attractions that are second to none.

Whether looking to expand your artistic palate at any of its more than 30 world-renowned yearly festivals, kick back Edmontonian-style among Whyte Avenue's countless shops, restaurants, historical pubs, and trendy nightclubs, soak up centuries of heritage in Canada's largest living history museum at Fort Edmonton Park, or simply take a stroll and do some unforgettable shopping amid the 800 stores of West Edmonton Mall, North America's largest mall and indoor theme park, Edmonton has something to sate every traveler's appetites for excitement and adventure, no matter how big or small.

Visitors with a taste for adventure will also love nearby Banff National Park, a world-class resort town and famous tourist destination sporting miles of sprawling, unspoiled wilderness - including hot springs and stunning mountain ranges that are ideal for hiking, skiing, and biking. A short but unforgettable ride up the mountain in one of the park's cozy glass gondolas should be high on every visitor's 'to-do' list, if only to catch a glimpse of the surreal and haunting beauty of the view from the summit. Few tourist destinations anywhere in the western hemisphere will match the serenity and natural splendor of even a casual hike through the endless miles of lush forests blanketing the area's mountain ranges, all of which are teeming with many species of rare and fascinating wildlife year-round, from endangered bald eagles and harlequin ducks to wolves, caribou, moose, and even the occasional grizzly bear. After a long day's sightseeing and adventures, nothing hits the spot like a pint or two and perhaps a juicy buffalo steak in any one of the quaint, European-style mountain town's many charming microbreweries, pubs, and upscale restaurants, or a steaming mug of maple tea by a roaring fire in the rustic lobby of one of its luxurious lodgings.

Back in the city center, countless artisanal shops, fringe art festivals, street performers, bohemian exhibitions, booming ethnic food markets, renaissance fairs, pub-crawls, and historical tours will keep even the most energetic sight-seers busy by day, and by night, the eclectic clubs, comedy improv, performance art, live outdoor music, and booming theater scenes offer a one-of-a-kind cultural melting pot guaranteed to capture the imaginations and satisfy the cultural cravings of even the most well-traveled out-of-towners.

The bottom line: it would be nearly impossible to neatly sum up all of the unique and captivating social, cultural, and artistic indulgences the city has to offer for people of all ages, backgrounds, and personal tastes. But whatever name you choose to remember it by, one thing is certain: Edmonton is one city you will never forget.