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So, today we will answer the main question. Edmonton or Calgary? Which of Alberta's two largest cities is worth visiting? Of course, Edmonton. I mean, I lived there for almost 6 years, so I'm very biased. I choose Edmonton, but I am not biased. I didn't live in Edmonton. I didn't live in Calgary, but I visited both cities. So today we will compare many different aspects. We'll talk about walkability, neighborhoods, river valleys, attractions, food, festivals, day trips, and more so you can decide what's best for you. Yes, that's right. And you know what? I expressed my subjective opinion, but the objective one may be different, so stay with us.
OK. So, let's start with walkability. I'll talk a little bit about Calgary, and I would say that this city is great for walking. It is very compact, and I noticed that most of the tourist attractions are concentrated in one area. For example, earlier we walked around Chinatown, Calgary Tower, Central Library, Devon Gardens, Bow River, and Princess Island Park. Yes, that's right. All of this is within walking distance, and all of this is nearby. Another plus of Calgary that I want to mention is the free travel zone. You can actually ride the train for free downtown, from the Downtown West/Kirby station to
City Hall/Bow Valley College. We have used this line and find it extremely convenient, so points in favor of Calgary. Honestly, Edmonton is the complete opposite. There are so many different areas here that are worth visiting. There's White Avenue, downtown, the ice district, the river valley, and they're not very well connected. This means that if you try to get around everything on foot, it will be a long day. Although, I admit, when I was a student I sometimes did, but for the average traveler, Edmonton is not as walkable as Calgary, and I agree with that Yes. So when we visited the city, I noticed that we used buses and trains more often. We could get everywhere we wanted, but not on foot, and the travel time is a bit longer.
Yes. Yes, that's all. So, next we will talk about the atmosphere of the city and its districts. The cool thing about Calgary is that it doesn't feel like a congested city. There is no busy downtown area filled with huge skyscrapers and people rushing somewhere. The city seems very peaceful, which is something I really appreciate. I also love that you can climb the Calgary Tower and see the Rocky Mountains in the distance- they seem to always be nearby. I also like that the city has green spaces: you can walk along the Bow River and through Princes Island Park. It's just wonderful that you are always close to nature. So, in my opinion, Calgary is a very comfortable city to live in and a family-friendly city. So I would say that Calgary has a
good atmosphere. As for Edmonton, which we've already talked about a little bit, it's very sprawling. There is the Ice District for sports and food, the West Edmonton Mall for shopping, and White Avenue for culture and entertainment. So yes, Edmonton is indeed very sprawling. It is not concentrated in one place. I will also say that Edmonton took some time to win me over. It takes time to understand the city and get a feel for the neighborhoods, but I actually liked it there. I don't want you to think I'm against Edmonton.
Listen, I'll tell you an honest story. About 5 minutes after arriving downtown, Audrey witnessed a fight on the street while we were eating Subway sandwiches before checking in. So the first impression was not the best. We were on Jasper Avenue, just arrived, and yes, people were just fighting in the street. Edmonton is a little more harsh and unpredictable. I admit it. It's a little rougher. However, in my opinion, it is more cultural, and that is why I love places like White Avenue. It has retained its charm over the years. I was able to come back here, and there are still the same great restaurants here, like Daddy-O. There are still vintage shops here where you can buy CDs, records, and
all sorts of trinkets from all over the world. So, I feel like Edmonton has really kept its charm, although it's definitely a little more gritty. Next, we'll talk about rivers and urban nature, because both cities, Calgary and Edmonton, have their own rivers, and that's a very good thing. Calgary has the Bow River, which runs right through the city center. A beautiful river with blue- milky turquoise water. So, it's a really great area for walking along the river, for cycling, Princess Island, which I mentioned earlier. In the summer you can do all kinds of activities. You can go kayaking, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding. So, I would say it's a very
lively place. Yes, I also noticed a lot of live entertainment. Artists performed there. There were many families. There were people who played sports. Just a very diverse experience and very positive. And then there's Edmonton. There's a river there too, the North Saskatchewan. It doesn't have that gorgeous turquoise color, but I'll tell you a secret, since I lived there, it's a great place to do sports. I did everything there. I ran, rode a bike, and roller skated. But one thing that sets it apart from Calgary is that it's not as developed.
Much like we talked about Edmonton, even the river valley is more stretched out. Yes, that's right. So, in Edmonton, the river doesn't flow right through the city center. That's why it feels somehow wilder. But it's still very cool. You can also go canoeing, kayaking, stand -up paddleboarding, or take a boat ride on the river. Whether it's just sightseeing tours or tours with piano battles. Yes, this is a reason to come back. We've never done anything like this. And there have been some improvements around the river. For example, the funicular didn't exist when I lived there. So it's nice to see the city center and the river valley developing.
Now we will talk about views and panoramas. So, where is the best view? When it comes to Calgary, of course everyone thinks of the Calgary Tower. This is perhaps the most iconic place with a panoramic view of the city center. There aren't many skyscrapers in the city. So it's a good option, and on a clear day you can see the Rocky Mountains. We went up there in the summer, when it can be a bit smoky due to forest fires. look forward to if the weather is favorable. Yes, exactly. And Edmonton can't compete in that regard. Edmonton doesn't have a tower, but one of the most interesting things to do during a visit to Edmonton, if you're visiting in the summer, is to take a tram ride across the elevated
bridge. The High Level Bridge offers an incredible view of the city, it's so vintage and epic that I still can't believe I dared to do it only after so many years. I never did this when I lived in Edmonton. It was only when I returned and visited as a tourist that I got there for the first time. I would also recommend a few great places to explore Edmonton- they are located south of the North Saskatchewan River. There are trails and some hills. So, if you climb up a little, you can see a very nice view of the city from afar. This will not be a bird's
eye view, but rather a magnificent panoramic view. Yes, that's a valid observation. So, let's talk about the museums and main attractions of both cities. Calgary has a lot to offer. We have military museums, the Hangar Aviation Museum, Heritage Park, Gasoline Alley Museum, Telus Science Centre, Calgary Zoo and The choice of attractions is large, many of them are located quite compactly, not far from the center, and those that are further away are easily accessible by public transport. I feel like the city has a lot to offer, but the same can be said about Edmonton. That's right. There are the Royal Alberta Museum, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the
Edmonton Park, the TELUS Science Centre, the Muttart Conservatory, the West Edmonton Mall and the Rogers Place Ice Arena. And also the High Level Bridge, which we already mentioned, plus the Neon Sign Museum. So, Edmonton also has a lot of attractions and things to do, so it's hard to choose a winner. I will say that Edmonton still pulls out the win. Okay, okay. I mean, the Royal Alberta Museum puts it ahead. This is truly impressive. You can see dinosaurs there, so yes, maybe Edmonton.
Edmonton pulls out a win, yes. And this is a well-deserved victory. That's it. Next, let's talk about gastronomy. Calgary is well known for several dishes. We have the ginger beef you love. Can you tell us about the ginger beef? Oh, beef with ginger-it's the best. It appeared in Calgary, and if you like sweet and sour flavors, then you will definitely like it. It's essentially deep- fried beef that gets really crispy, and the sauce makes it just incredible. So when you arrive, try to visit as many different establishments as possible to compare experiences. As for drinks, you should definitely try the
Caesar cocktail. We ordered it at a local restaurant and it was loaded with pickles, cheese, and sausage. Even bacon. Yes, remember that? That was, that was pretty impressive. And we drank it for brunch. That's the best part, right? So, me, I really love tomato juice. I know it's a somewhat controversial drink, but I liked the Caesar cocktail. Yes, if you've had a Bloody Mary, I'd say this is a better option, so try it when you're in Calgary. And there's a great selection of dim sum in Chinatown. Oh yes. We couldn't stop while we were there. So, Calgary has fantastic food. Edmonton is also known for its specialty foods.
Green onion patties, and I also want to say about Edmonton, that's where my taste buds evolved. I came from a small town on Vancouver Island, and when I found myself in Edmonton, I tried sushi for the first time. It was my first time trying Thai cuisine. It was my first time trying Indian food. I tried Korean and Japanese. It was just incredible. So, Edmonton has a phenomenal international cuisine scene. The last time we were downtown, we ate Czech food at the Prague Bistro. If you're traveling to Edmonton, prepare to be amazed by the delicious international food, as there are plenty of options. So next we'll talk about the Rockies and day trips you
can take from Calgary and Edmonton. So, Calgary is very close to the Rocky Mountains. You just need to drive west, and in about an hour and a half you will be in Banff National Park surrounded by epic peaks. Yes. So, the cool thing is that you can go from Calgary to the Rockies in one day. You can spend the whole day there and then return to the city. So the proximity makes it a great destination. Yes, and unfortunately, Edmonton does not offer that advantage. It will take you over 4 hours to get Banff National Park and 4 hours to get to Jasper Park. So, a day trip is hardly possible unless you want to spend over 8 hours there and back.
That would be absurd. This doesn't make sense. Don't do this. But there is an alternative in Edmonton. Just 35 minutes east is Elk Island Park. This is a national park. Here you can see bison, a variety of wildlife, enjoy hiking, or canoe on the lake. We planned to go there last time we were in Edmonton almost got together, but for some reason the bus was canceled. Yes, there is a shuttle from the city center to the park, but it just didn't work out. Like this. I remember that day I just went back and explored my university, it was nice to walk through the same places again, but I really wanted to get to that park.
Yes. And it would be a perfect day trip. In addition, there is also the Ukrainian Heritage Village, which we didn't have time to visit, but it is also a very easy day trip from Edmonton. Yes, and Calgary has a lot to offer too. You can go to Drumheller, and also to the "Cowboy Trail"-a road that we are very familiar with. That's how we get to Southern Alberta. Have a great trip, then. And then there's Kananaskis, there's Spray Creek. There is something to do there. There are many options for day trips nearby. Let 's be honest, Calgary wins hands down. The fact that you can get to Canada's most famous national park in less than an hour and a half is simply incredible.
So, let's talk about festivals next. Of course, in Calgary, the most famous of all is the Stampede, the Calgary Stampede. It takes place every July for 10 days, and it's all about rodeo, cowboy culture, country music, and food. We weren't there. Can you believe this? And this is despite the fact that our relatives live very close by. We should go. Maybe next year we'll finally do it. But I will say this: even though we have n't been to the Stampede, we have been attending local rodeos since we
moved to Alberta. Yes, Pincher Creek, baby. It cannot be said that we are bypassing cowboy culture. We get it in full. We just haven't been to the main event yet. So that will be next on our list of plans. Yes. As for Edmonton, the big event here is the Fringe. Yes, this is the Fringe Festival. It has been held for a very long time. This was a big part of the summers when I lived in Edmonton many years ago, and it continues to grow and get bigger. The only thing I will say about Edmonton is that it is a great city for entertainment. It's a very good sport here. You have the Oilers, which I represent here. And, by the way, they are much better than the Flames. So it's an Edmonton win.
No. I mean, the Flames don't have McDavid or Draisaitl. So Edmonton is way ahead of them in hockey. But they also have very good entertainment in terms of music. I saw some of the best performances of my life when I lived in Edmonton. Okay, but Calgary wins because the Stampede is world-famous, and it attracts visitors from all over the country and abroad. So, let's talk about accessibility next. Which city is more affordable, Edmonton or Calgary? I have noticed that hotels in Calgary can be very, very expensive, especially during certain events in the city or during the summer months. It's also worth considering that many people use Calgary as a base to visit the Rockies.
This is true. So hotels can charge higher prices due to high demand. Yes, I also noticed that our Airbnb in Calgary was more expensive during our recent visit. So, Edmonton wins in terms of accessibility. And I also remember that when we rode the LRT, the ticket in Edmonton was 25 cents cheaper. It's not exactly a big win, but it's certainly a small advantage. And last but not least: let's talk about airports and how to get there. Let's start with Calgary. Calgary has a fairly large international airport. It is very well connected to international destinations, American cities, southern resorts, as well as domestic flights. So it's a very convenient place to arrive and start your trip.
Yes, one of the great things about Calgary Airport is the large number of shuttles that can take you straight to the Rocky Mountains if you're planning to go there. I haven't flown out of Edmonton in a while, but again, it has a decent airport, although not as big as Calgary, and there are fewer international flights, but they are still there. So, Calgary has more traffic, more passenger traffic, and more transportation options. So, we give the win to Calgary. So the main question we need to answer is: which city is worth visiting on your first trip to Alberta? Calgary or Edmonton? I have to say Calgary, unfortunately. Oh my God. goals, we'll go to Edmonton to watch McDavid. So I would say if you have to choose one, it would be
great if you could visit both on your first trip to Alberta. But if I had to choose one, I would say Calgary, simply because of the convenience. The ease of arrival, the proximity to the Rocky Mountains, and the fact that many tourist attractions are within walking distance in the city center. It's a great introduction, I would say. Yes, exactly. But if you have time, allocate it to both, because they are very different cities. And if you manage to visit both, you will have a better understanding of the province of Alberta. And, of course, take time to visit the national parks. Go to Jasper National Park. And if you can combine all of this into one big trip through Alberta, Yes. do it.
Surprisingly. Even better. So, that's all for today. Let us know in the comments what you would choose: Calgary or Edmonton, and why? If you enjoyed this video, friends, stay tuned because we plan to film a lot more about Alberta, and we are very excited about it. See you soon. See you later.
