The BEST Information for Visiting Fort Edmonton Park (for 2023)

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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff

Final up to date on February 25, 2023

Nestled in Edmonton’s river valley is Fort Edmonton Park, the place guests will step again in time to see what life was like in Edmonton all through its historical past. It’s been a cornerstone vacationer attraction in Alberta’s capital for a few years. Pete, when he was a baby, went there on many faculty journeys. And it’s nonetheless common for varsity outings, household day journeys, and even for adults. There are many issues to do and see within the park, particularly the newly added Indigenous Peoples Expertise, which is a must-do for any customer.

Fort Edmonton Park Steam Train

A Full Information to Visiting Fort Edmonton Park

Historical past of Fort Edmonton Park

What started as a Canada Centennial reconstruction undertaking in 1967 is now Canada’s largest residing historical past museum, full with recreated structure from 1885, 1905, and 1920 Edmonton, an Indigenous Peoples Expertise, and different sights together with a functioning streetcar, prepare, fort, and halfway.

The heritage park sprawls out over a formidable 64 hectares (158 acres) in Edmonton’s River Valley and continues to alter and add new options on a regular basis. Owned by the Metropolis of Edmonton, the Fort Edmonton Basis and the Rotary Membership of Edmonton have supplied persevering with help so as to maintain the vacationer attraction up and operating.

Fort Edmonton Train Station

Extraordinarily academic, interactive, and enjoyable, the park is unquestionably probably the greatest issues to do in Edmonton. Go to Fort Edmonton Park to be taught, sure, however to even have a blast.

Location and Parking for Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park is positioned in southwestern Edmonton, a couple of 15-minute drive from downtown Edmonton. Its official tackle is 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 4P3.

Parking at Fort Edmonton Park is free, however it’s restricted; we suggest getting there as early as doable to safe a parking spot, or to journey there by public transportation.

Hours of Operation

It’s essential to notice that Fort Edmonton Park is seasonal, and it isn’t open all yr spherical. The summer season season is when the park is absolutely open and is normally open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am to five pm (however closed on holidays).

Couple in Fort Edmonton
A pair in entrance of the Capitol Theatre – photograph supplied by Discover Edmonton credit score Roth & Ramberg

Throughout the winter, Fort Edmonton Park is normally open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm for the Indigenous Peoples Expertise Exhibit (the remainder of the park is at the moment closed). Paranormal excursions are sometimes provided and the Edmonton Christmas Market has sure hours to attend. Test the web site for the newest hours!

Costs of Admission for Fort Edmonton Park

Tickets to Fort Edmonton Park can be found on-line or on the gate. Admission contains entry to halfway rides and video games, the prepare, and the streetcar.

Park admission is as follows, with tax added on high of those charges:

  • Adults (18+): $26.20
  • Senior (65+): $20.90
  • Kids (2-17): $20.90
  • Kids (underneath 2): Free
  • Household: $95.00

There are additionally summer season passes that provide you with limitless entry to the park for all the season. For particular occasions and reveals all year long, charges will range.

Inside the Fort

Accessibility

Accessibility at Fort Edmonton Park is pretty good, with wheelchair-accessible bogs and paths all through the park. Wheelchairs may also be used on the prepare and carousel with help from the park workers. Sadly, wheelchairs aren’t permitted on the streetcars attributable to security considerations.

Issues to Do at Fort Edmonton Park

So far as residing historical past museums go, Fort Edmonton Park is unquestionably probably the greatest. Actually, it’s troublesome to suit every part in at some point! You’ll wish to maintain a copy of the park’s map helpful that can assist you navigate and plan your go to. We personally suggest beginning on the again, on the Indigenous Peoples Expertise, and dealing your approach by historical past till you get to the halfway for amusement video games and rides.

You’ll discover many recreated buildings, tons of details about the period you’re exploring, and even many workers members in costume able to information your journey by the previous.

Indigenous Peoples Expertise

With information from over 50 Indigenous Elders, historians, educators, and group members, the Indigenous Peoples Expertise highlights the range of the Indigenous peoples who’ve lived on this land for generations. Discover the tradition and historical past of the First Nations and Métis peoples from this space, together with music, artwork, tales, and extra.

Indigenous Peoples Experience

1846 Fort

Head to the 1846 buying and selling put up to be taught all about why it was established (we’ll provide you with a touch: beaver pelts), who lived there, and its affect on the Edmonton space. Highlights embody the York boat, the boys’s quarters, and the Rowand Home, which was as soon as one of many largest properties in western Canada.

1846 Fort

1885 Avenue

Think about your self in Edmonton in 1885… when it was nonetheless thought of a reasonably small city! Though there have been only some institutions (one in every of them the one brick constructing west of Winnipeg), it was clear that Edmonton was about to develop into an important place in Canada. Study all about it on the 1885 road, the place highlights embody the Ottewell Homestead, Jasper Home Resort, and a coated wagon.

1885 Street

1905 Avenue

It’s 1905, and instantly Edmonton is beginning to increase. Uncover what life was like within the early twentieth century in Alberta’s capital, together with the numerous highs and lows of the financial system. Highlights embody the Masonic Corridor, Rutherford Home, the penny arcade, and Reed’s Bazaar and Tea Room.

Fort Edmonton 1905 Street

1920 Avenue

Make your method to the 1920 road to expertise the fashionable world, together with automobiles and radio. Many essential adjustments had been occurring in Edmonton within the Nineteen Twenties, and right here’s your probability to be taught all about it. Highlights embody Resort Selkirk, the Blatchford Area Air Hangar, the Al-Rashid Mosque, and the 1920 Halfway and Exhibition (extra on that beneath).

Fort Edmonton Street Car and Theatre

Halfway and Exhibition

You’ll wish to save a number of time for the Halfway and Exhibition, as there’s a lot to do… particularly if in case you have children in tow! Check out the Nineteen Twenties-style Ferris wheel and video games, navigate the maze, replenish on carnival meals, go to the Cupboard of Curios, and a lot extra. It’s an amusement park inside the museum, and it’s one of many highlights of Fort Edmonton Park.

Fort Edmonton Exposition

Capitol Theatre

In all probability one of the crucial common spots for a selfie within the park is a recreation of the unique Capitol Theatre circa 1929. The facade is what the theatre appeared like when it was on Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton. You may also have a peek inside to see what the seating and display appeared like.

Capitol Theatre

Prepare and Streetcar

Included within the value of admission, a trip on the 1919 Baldwin Steam engine and prepare is a must-do whenever you’re visiting the park. The prepare additionally makes it quite a bit simpler to get across the museum grounds.

Street Car Fort Edmonton
A road automotive in Fort Edmonton – – photograph supplied by Discover Edmonton credit score Roth & Ramberg

Maintained by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, the streetcars from 1905 and 1920 are one other enjoyable method to get across the park. Please observe that, attributable to issues of safety, strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers aren’t permitted on the streetcars.

Wagon and Pony Rides

Take a ten-minute wagon trip across the park to think about what life was like earlier than Edmonton had motorized automobiles (beginning at McDougall Normal Retailer on 1885 road). Little ones may even love the horse rides on the Ottewell Homestead farmyard (discovered on 1885 road). You should buy tickets for each on-line, as they aren’t included normally admission.

Fort Edmonton Horse and Buggy

Guide an In a single day Keep

It’s not usually that you simply get to remain in a single day at historic websites, however Fort Edmonton Park does certainly provide the chance! Keep on the iconic Resort Selkirk and select from the Selkirk Suite, the Heritage Deluxe Room, or the Heritage Room, all embellished within the fashion of the Nineteen Twenties. However don’t fear, there’s nonetheless modern-day wifi, air-con, and a full-service restaurant and bar! An in a single day keep at Resort Selkirk is a superb addition to your time at Fort Edmonton Park.

Hotel Selkirk in Fort Edmonton Park
Resort Selkirk in Fort Edmonton Park – photograph by way of Fort Edmonton Park

Can you’re taking a tour of Fort Edmonton Park?

Sure, there are a couple of Fort Edmonton Park excursions to take. Maintain a watch out on the occasions calendar for extra. Followers of ghost tales will particularly love the Paranormal Excursions in autumn.

Who’re the interpreters at Fort Edmonton Park?

All all through Fort Edmonton Park you’ll see folks wearing conventional clothes from the time they’re depicting, whether or not that be the late 1800s, the early 1900s, or the Nineteen Twenties. These workers members aren’t simply there to look the half… they know the half, too! Ask them questions on their day and about what they’re doing, and so they’ll reply as in case you’re actually again in time. They’ll additionally be capable to inform you all concerning the buildings and sights that encompass you.

Fort Edmonton Actors

Please observe: the park asks that company don’t gown in costume or regalia throughout your go to to Fort Edmonton Park in case different company develop into confused!

Occasions at Fort Edmonton Park

Fortunately, there are fairly a couple of occasions at Fort Edmonton Park to maintain you busy all year long. The occasion calendar stays up to date so to determine what you’d love to do, together with Christmas markets, particular reveals, summer season gala’s, winter wagon rides, and their legendary DARK occasions at Halloween (together with horror-themed quiz nights, cocktail mixing, meals vans, DJs, haunted homes, and extra).

Event at Fort Edmonton
An occasion at Fort Edmonton Park – photograph supplied by Discover Edmonton credit score Jeff McDonald

There’s additionally the choice for reserving personal occasions on the park, together with weddings and company occasions. Actually, there are over 10 rental venues obtainable, so there’s at all times one thing that may match what you’re on the lookout for.

What must you convey to Fort Edmonton Park?

As with many different out of doors museums, it’s crucial to test the climate earlier than you head out so as to gown appropriately. Plan on spending lots of time outside, whether or not which means an umbrella, sunscreen, sun shades, heat layers, and so on. Most individuals spend all the day on the park, so convey every part you would possibly want (particularly in case you’ll be attending with a younger little one or two).

We additionally suggest sporting very comfy strolling footwear, as you’ll be exploring lots of the park on foot.

Fort Edmonton Street

Are you able to eat at Fort Edmonton Park?

Sure! There are many alternatives to buy meals all through the park, and there are additionally many picnic tables obtainable in case you’d wish to convey your individual lunch.

Fort Edmonton Midway Delights

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