Edmonton Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Edmonton, Alberta - AB, Canada)

As with any large city, Edmonton has evolved and formed many distinct districts, neighborhoods and inner-city communities. Many of the most trendy districts in Edmonton lie along the scenic riverbanks, while downtown Edmonton is the true heart of city life, full of shops, restaurants, hotels and major corporate entities. Much of central Edmonton is well organized and adopts a structured grid of inter-connecting streets and avenues. Streets in Edmonton's downtown district run from north to south, with avenues running east to west.

The suburbs of Edmonton have recently began to form a number of notable communities and districts, such as Mill Woods, which currently has a population approaching 100,000 residents. Here are Edmonton's main districts, neighborhoods, communities and locations.

Downtown District

Downtown Edmonton has long been the heart of the city and was considerably redeveloped and restored in the 1990s. The city's lively downtown district contains many of Edmonton's main businesses and companies, concentrated around the Central Business District (CBD) area, together with around 15,000 residents. Comprising the Arts District, Commercial Core, Government Precinct, Jasper West, Mackay Avenue, Rice Howard Way and Warehouse District, downtown Edmonton lies on the northern bank of the North Saskatchewan River. Edmonton's downtown district is also close to Boyle Street, Central McDougall, Grandin, McCauley, Oliver, Queen Mary Park, Riverdale and Rossdale, which are often considered part of this region. Highlights in downtown Edmonton include the Legislative Building, Hotel MacDonald, City Hall, the Edmonton Public Library, the Edmonton Art Gallery and Churchill Square, a large parkland hosting many major seasonal events and concerts.

Old Strathcona Historic District

Old Strathcona is a particularly historic part of Edmonton and features a high concentration of late 19th-century buildings and houses. Located on the south side of the Saskatchewan River, next to 104th Street and Whyte Avenue, Edmonton's Old Strathcona district is full of antiques shops, specialty stores, cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars, attracting all ages. Old Strathcona was created in 1912, when Edmonton merged with nearby Strathcona Town and this area has retained much of its small-town charm and appeal. Known for its regular Saturday Farmers' Market and animated nightlife, a trip to Edmonton is not complete without a visit to Old Strathcona.

Chinatown District

With a particularly eye-catching Chinese gateway and many colorful pagoda-style roofs, Edmonton's Chinatown district is centered around 97th Street. Lined with authentic Chinese restaurants and many specialty Chinese shops and grocery stores, Chinatown lies to the east of downtown Edmonton.

University District

Standing along the western end of Whyte Avenue, the University of Alberta is highly regarded throughout Canada. With over 90 buildings and in excess of 30,000 students, the vast university complex covers almost 220 acres / 88 hectares. The University District features a mixture of architectural styles and river views, and other highlights include the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - which regularly features operas and ballet performances, Rutherford House - an important mansion built in 1911, once home to Alberta's first prime minister, Alexander Cameron Rutherford, numerous coffee shops and restaurants, and many lively nightspots.

West End District

Known by locals in Edmonton as West End, this district is enormous and features many residential areas, together with hotels, eateries and shops. The main attraction in this part of the city is without doubt the West Edmonton Mall, a simply vast shopping complex with associated indoor theme parks and fun activities for all the family.

Other Districts

Many other notable small communities, neighborhoods and inner-city districts exist in Edmonton and these include Boyle Street, Central McDougall, Glenora, McCauley, Queen Mary Park and Westmount, on the northern side of the North Saskatchewan River, and Edmonton's Bonnie Doon, Garneau, Strathern and Windsor Park, which lie on the southern river banks. Edmonton also contains many important suburban communities, with as MacEwan, Mill Woods, Rutherford and Terwillegar.