Edmonton looks different from a bird's eye view, but the ball stays grounded on the real streets. This quick round of 9 holes uses actual city attractions, like the Royal Alberta Museum, as the targets. Skip knows these blocks better than any map. The walk covers 5.8 km and uses 2 portals to skip across the city.
You will first notice the massive scale of Commonwealth Stadium, an open-air venue located in the McCauley neighbourhood of Edmonton. It is an all-seater stadium with a seating capacity of 56,302, making it the largest stadium in Canada. While it had its inception in 1978, it remains a central hub for major events in the city. The stadium is primarily used as the home field of the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League, but it is a multi-purpose space. You can find it hosting soccer, rugby union, athletics, and concerts throughout the year. I've seen plenty of crowds flock here, and the energy is always high when the stands are full. It is a sight to behold when the lights are on and the crowd is roaring.
You might expect a standard gallery, but the Ukrainian Canadian Archive and Museum of Alberta is a museum with a much broader vision. Founded in 1972, it is working toward a facility that houses collection storage areas alongside educational, meeting, and special programming areas. To make this happen, the museum bought the old Lodge Hotel and the Brighton Block located at 9670 Jasper Avenue. I've noticed that these acquisitions set the stage for a comprehensive hub featuring exhibition galleries, an archive, and a library resource area. Whether you are interested in the history of the community or the architecture of the buildings themselves, it is a site that shows how a cultural institution grows within the city of Edmonton.
Look closely at the sturdy walls of the Prince of Wales Armouries. This building is a drill hall that holds a place in the city's history. Because of its significance, it is recognized as both a provincial historic resource and a municipal historic resource. Whether you are interested in local heritage or just passing through the neighborhood, it is a notable stop in Edmonton. I have seen a few crumbs dropped near the entrance, so it is a popular spot for more than just history buffs. It is the kind of place where you can really feel the weight of the past just by standing in its shadow. Take a moment to look around at the surrounding area before you move on to the next part of your journey through the city.
Seven domes define the skyline of the Saint Josephat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. This cathedral is located in the McCauley neighbourhood of Edmonton, Alberta, where it occupies 18 city lots. Built in the Byzantine Revival architecture style, the inception of the building was in 1946. It is recognized as both a municipal historic resource and a provincial historic resource. For those visiting the area, the cathedral is a prominent example of its specific architectural tradition and serves as a significant landmark within the McCauley community. The site remains an important center for the faith in the region, maintaining its architectural integrity and its role as a place of worship for the local community and visitors alike.
You might think this is just another city exhibit, but the Royal Alberta Museum is actually a massive center for human and natural history. It is the largest museum in western Canada, offering a huge amount of room to explore. The facility totals 38,900 square metres, with more than 7,600 square metres dedicated specifically to exhibition space. Located in Downtown Edmonton, the museum is easy to spot if you are heading north from City Hall. It is a great place to get your bearings in the city and learn about the region. I've seen plenty of tourists get lost in the galleries, but that is half the fun of a place this size.
You can't miss the Art Gallery of Alberta when you visit Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton. The museum is an art museum that first began in 1924. While Donald G. Bittorf and B. James Wensley originally designed the building, the look you see today is thanks to architect Randall Stout. He redeveloped the site, and during that process, some portions of the original structure were demolished or built over. The final result is a museum that occupies 8,000 square metres of space. It is a great spot to take a break from the city streets and see some local creativity. I've seen a few other pigeons try to nest in those curves, but it's much better for looking at the art.
All Saints Anglican Cathedral is an Anglican or Episcopal cathedral located in Edmonton. This Canadian cathedral is a site of significance for the local community and visitors alike. It serves as the episcopal seat of the Bishop of Edmonton, acting as the primary administrative and spiritual center for the region. The cathedral serves the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, an organization that covers the area of central Alberta. When you visit, you can see how the cathedral functions as the heart of this diocese, providing a space for worship and leadership within the province. The building stands as a focal point for the Anglican faith in the city, maintaining its role as the seat of the bishop while welcoming all who enter its doors in Edmonton.
Tucked into the city of Edmonton, Alberta, you will find the McKay Avenue School. This site is a former school that has been preserved as a historic site. It is officially recognized as a municipal historic resource as well as a provincial historic resource. If you step inside this school building, you can visit the Edmonton Public School Board's archives and museum. I've noticed that these kinds of old classrooms always have a very specific smell, even when they've been turned into museums. It is a great spot to see how the local education system has evolved over time while standing in a building that was once full of students.
First Presbyterian Church is a church building located in the downtown core of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The congregation had its inception in 1912 and continued its presence in the city for many decades, eventually celebrating its 125th anniversary in November 2006. When you look at the structure, you can pick out the Gothic Revival architecture in Canada used for the building's style. This specific architectural approach gives the building its distinct appearance within the downtown landscape. Because of its historical importance to both the city and the province, the church is officially designated as a municipal historic resource and a provincial historic resource. These designations ensure that the site is recognized for its lasting value to the heritage of Alberta.
You can't miss the bold design of the Citadel Theatre sitting right in the downtown core of Edmonton on Churchill Square. It is a performing arts center and stands as the third largest regional theatre in Canada. If you look closely at the structure, you are seeing the work of architect Barton Myers. This nonprofit organization has been a part of the city since its inception in 1965. I usually see people gathering around the square before a show, which makes it a great spot to watch the local crowd. Whether you are here for the architecture or a play, it is a central piece of the downtown experience. It is one of those places that defines the skyline of the square for everyone visiting the area.