Hello Alberta! I for one, am a huge fan of Canada. I love all of its nature and the beauty it has to offer as much as I love the culture and food. Today I am bringing guest blogger, Shanise, author of Canadians in Wanderland to share with you guys everything to do at West Edmonton Mall. She also shares her favorite places to stay, eat and play all of which are family-friendly!
Disclaimer: Latelywithmeganrenee is not making any guarantees or promises regarding the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information presented. This blog contains my opinions and doesn’t reflect the opinions of any organizations I might be affiliated with. I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
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West Edmonton Mall (WEM) is North America’s largest shopping mall. A perfect getaway for the whole family as you have plenty of options to stay, play, eat, and shop. Keep reading to experience the wonder of WEM.
As its name suggests, West Edmonton Mall is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Edmonton has an international airport for travelers worldwide who wish to visit this once eighth wonder of the world. There are an estimated 30.8 million visitors to this mall every year, and the mall itself sits on an equivalent of 48 city blocks. You definitely do not need to worry about getting in your steps here!
Stay
There are two central hotels that are closest to the mall. The West Edmonton Mall Inn is not attached to the mall but is still within a walking distance. It is priced fairly decent staying within the average price range for the area and it also includes breakfast!
If you’re staying with kids, I highly recommend The Fantasyland Hotel. This is directly connected with the mall so, if you wanted to, you would never have to go outside for your stay (although Edmonton is a great city with lots to do). This hotel is truly a fantasy land in every way! Expect to splurge and spend a little more here, but know that the experience is so worth it!
The biggest selling point of the hotel is the incredibly unique themed rooms! Making every childhood fantasy come true you’ll find pirate themes, space themes, princess, and many more. Staying here will also get you some You can also get you some discounts on the attractions in the mall.
Play at the world waterpark
Pretend like you are on the beach and escape to the World Waterpark. Here the temperature is always 31 degrees Celsius, and you never have to worry about unpredictable weather as the park is entirely indoors. The World Waterpark has the world’s largest indoor wave pool, has a combination of 17 different waterslides for all ages, a designated children’s area, concessions, and an indoor surfing simulator. Rent a cabana for the day and enjoy the free soda machines located throughout the park. The waterpark also hosts the infamous Soundwave concert, usually hosting big names like Steve Aoki. Party in a wave pool, anyone?
Tip: The waterpark can be slightly on the pricier side as ticket prices are for all day. If you are looking for a cheaper option, try searching up on the West Edmonton Mall website for the twilight hours. You get three hours of play for a fraction of the price.
Galaxyland Amusement Park
Galaxyland holds records for the world’s largest indoor amusement park and largest indoor triple loop rollercoaster. There is a combination of rides for all age levels, including giant swings, rollercoasters, and even a classic carousel. Play some arcade games, be drawn by a caricature artist, or climb a rock wall. Thankfully, there are many ticket options for you to purchase. Whether you just want to do one ride or have a few hours of play. Each ride has its own amount of ticket requirements. You can enjoy Galaxyland year-round, and they even have birthday party options.
Tip: Before the pandemic, you could freely walk through the park without purchasing any tickets. As of January 2021, you need to purchase tickets before going into the park, even if you are not riding. I predict this will change as restrictions lighten to allow you to walk through the park again freely.
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Marine Life
If you are looking for a quick getaway to an aquarium then Marine life is for you! Marine Life is a cluster of attractions, including the Sea Life Caverns and The Sea Lion’s Rock.
The Sea Life Caverns include many different types of animals, including penguins and turtles. It is almost like you have left the mall and have been transported somewhere else once you have descended into the tunnels. The Sea Lion’s Rock is a live sea lion show that is on twice a day at 2 and 4 pm. You can choose ticket options that include both attractions, or you can choose just one. If you go to the sea lion show, make sure to sit up nice and close to the front (be prepared to be splashed) and learn about sea lions. You can even get pictures with them after the show, and you might even get a wet kiss!
Tip: Wanting to watch the show without paying for a ticket? Go up to the second floor and watch from the balcony.
More fun at the mall...
Phew, that is a lot to see and do. Did you know there is more? Also, enjoy the indoor skating rink, bowling alley, mini-golf, watch a movie at the Scotiabank movie theater/IMAX, see the indoor pirate ship, and paint some pottery! They occasionally have different activities going on throughout the mall as well. We have seen an arm-wrestling competition, a fashion show, and a petting zoo.
Eat
Feeling famished after all those activities? Luckily, there is a wide range of food options to suit your needs. There are two separate food courts for a quick on the go bite or hit up Bourbon Street for a sit-down meal at one of their restaurants/bars.
If you are looking for a dinner and a show, Bourbon street also has a comedy club with rotating artists. Rick Bronson’s is a guaranteed fun night! Make sure you get a babysitter for the kids and book ahead of time!
Shop
Even with all the attractions and restaurants, you still want to leave at least a day for shopping!
At this mall, you’ll find hundreds of shops for anything you could be looking for (I even bought my wedding dress at WEM). Choose from high-end shops, boutiques, chain stores, and everything in between. It is hard not to leave here without feeling your wallet being a little lighter.
Meet the Author
Hi everyone! My name is Shanise, author of Canadians in Wanderland. I am from the prairie province of Saskatchewan in Canada but am currently living in Aberdeen, Scotland! I lived in Edmonton for four years before moving abroad, so I can help give you a local perspective.
I decided to start travel blogging to help me remember my travels and to inspire and help other people along the way! In my free time, you will find me crocheting, reading, or hiking. I taught myself how to crochet by watching YouTube videos (although I cannot read a pattern for the life of me).
If you want to follow along more with my adventures, you can find me on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook! Thank you so much for the support.
contact me
Megan Ormando
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