While In: Edmonton - Devonian Gardens

I already mentioned the inner-city Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton, but if you're still up for a relaxing garden experience, you can head just outside of the city (you'll need a car for this trip) to the Devonian Botanic Gardens. 

Located south and west (about a 15 minute drive, depending on traffic) of the city's limits in Parkland County, transit doesn't visit this garden, owned and operated by the University of Alberta, but it's well worth a visit if you have a vehicle and the time to spend.

The serene Kurimoto Japanese Garden

The garden was established in 1959, and is a visitor attraction, a research site, and offers year-round educational programming for adults and children. There are regular special events that rotate and occur during the summer, so take a look at their calendar of events if you're interested in adding a little something extra to your visit.

The feature gardens include the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, filled with streams, delicate bridges, and a relaxing, zen-like atmosphere, the Temperate and Arid Showhouses, a Tropical Showhouse featuring exotic butterflies, a heritage garden, and trial beds. Additionally there is the highly educational Native Peoples Garden, and collections of roses, peonies, lilacs, lilies, and herbs. You can even sample some of the herbs right out of the ground if you're so inclined in specially marked garden areas. There's also the alpine garden, which is the best representation of the natural area right beside you, though I found this garden a bit underwhelming since it was my first stop.  My top choice would be the Tropical Showhouse followed by the Japanese Garden if your time is limited.

Butterfly in the Tropical Showhouse

The garden is open for visitors from May 1st until Canadian Thanksgiving (in October).  The garden has a small gift shop, and the "Birch Patio", a small, outdoor option for a quick bite to eat.


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Visit: Devonian Botanic Gardens Web page

While In: Edmonton - Muttart Conservatory

If you're traveling to Edmonton by yourself or with family, you might want to check out the beautiful Muttart Conservatory, nestled in the lovely Edmonton river valley.  Comprised of four glass interconnected pyramids, the conservatory hosts three different climate displays, plus one rotating showcase gallery. This is a great chance to pull out your camera and take some photographs, especially on rain days.

Looking from inside one pyramid to another on a stormy day

Bordered on two sides by the North Saskatchewan River, there is also an ample outdoor green space surrounding the Conservatory, which I found perfect for relaxing in the sunshine (once it came out!) but you might find it nice for a picnic too.  If you visit during nice weather, you'll likely also see at least one wedding party or high school prom-goers coming to the area for photographs.

Inside, you'll find the Tropical zone, Temperate zone, and Arid zones represented by the plants, flowers (and in the tropical zone, fish) from areas around the world.  Metalheads might be interested in Putrella (Pew-trella) - the "Giant Corpse Flower" or "Titum Arum", nature's tallest flowering plant, but you'll also see other, less brutally-named plants.

Hydrangea in the Muttart Conservatory

The Conservatory has a small gift shop as well, however I found it lacking in one important thing; batteries.  I ended up not getting nearly as many photos as I would have liked because early on in the tropical zone, my batteries died... and my extras were on the charger back in my hotel!


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Visit: The Muttart Conservatory Web Pages

Want more ideas for what to see and do in Edmonton? Click the "Edmonton" label and check out my recommendations!

While in: Edmonton - Getting around

If you're heading to Edmonton for a show (or any other reason!) there are lots of things to do in the city. Click the "Edmonton" label on this blog to see some of the things you might want to do in the area!

Getting around

Of course if you're driving there, just pull out your map (and by map, I mean the map application on your smartphone...) and put the pedal to the metal.  Keep in mind, that anytime the weather is nice, you'll likely face road construction at least once on your journey.  Also, in the spring, watch out for potholes in the road.

If you fly into Edmonton's international airport, you won't actually arrive in Edmonton - you'll arrive just outside of Edmonton.  Catch the Edmonton transit shuttle (which has free wifi so you can start planning your trip while you ride) and soon you'll be at a light-rail train station where you can either take the train or connect with any other Edmonton Transit bus.

Once you're in the city, transit is fairly easy to use; unlike larger cities there are no multiple zones, so you'll just pay one price for your ride. Get a 'transfer' if you want to connect to another bus within a set time limit from the driver.  You'll pay for your ride as you get on the bus. If you're taking the train, you'll pay using a machine (so have Canadian change handy - there usually are a few bill changers, but not always, and there are rarely shops to ask for change on site).  Keep the ticket it prints out as your 'transfer'. Again, you'll pay before you ride.

Visit: Edmonton Transit System website



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