Welcome to Old Strathcona + Whyte Ave
Did you know that Edmonton has been named a top destination to visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025? Old Strathcona and the Edmonton International Fringe Festival highlighted as key attractions in the city. We are the heart of Edmonton’s arts, entertainment, and shopping district, featuring funky boutiques, diverse dining options, and activities for everyone. Our district is a vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and family-friendly destination! Whether you’re exploring murals, grabbing a coffee, meeting friends for dinner, catching a show at one of the many festivals and theatres, or finding gems at independently owned shops, Old Strathcona offers something for everyone.
We partnered with Explore Edmonton to create an Old Strathcona + Whyte Ave: 24 Hour Itinerary – your ultimate guide to experiencing Edmonton’s bustling bohemian arts and culture district. Whether you’re a longtime local, new to the city, or a traveller planning your visit, this itinerary will help you make the most of your time in Old Strathcona. Check it out!
Art Around Every Corner
Grab your camera and explore the vibrant graffiti and mural art in Old Strathcona! With our Mural Map, you can easily find and visit 60+ stunning murals across the district. From The Rhythm of the Night to Backstories to the colourful walls of Rado Alley, there’s no shortage of eye catching spots. Whether you’re snapping portraits, selfies, or family photos, these murals make the perfect backdrop for capturing memories of your visit. Simply bookmark the map on your phone and start exploring! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @oldstrathcona so we can see your amazing shots!
Shop
A visit to Old Strathcona isn’t complete without a little shopping! Home to some of Edmonton’s most eclectic indie shops, our district offers a shopping experience you won’t find anywhere else. With 500+ stores, boutiques, and services, there’s something for everyone. Check out our business directory to plan your next shopping day!
Visiting on the weekend? Arrive in style aboard the Edmonton Streetcar, running Friday-Monday from May long weekend to September long weekend.
And if you’re here on a Saturday, don’t miss the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market! As Edmonton’s only year-round market, it supports 130+ local makers, bakers, growers, and producers. Stop by from 8 AM to 3 PM before or after your streetcar ride.
Visiting with a four-legged friend? Our neighbourhood is home to several dog-friendly hotels, businesses and patios, offering plenty of shade and hydration for your pup. You can even get in a little exercise at the dog park, SouthBARK! We know pets are part of the family (we have four office dogs here at OSBA!), so we created a Pet-Friendly Business Map to help you plan your Old Strathcona adventure with your furry friend by your side!
Patio Paradise
Did you know there are over 100 places to eat in Old Strathcona? Whether you’re grabbing breakfast with family, dinner with friends on a patio, or cooling down with an ice cream treat, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Planning a patio hang? Use our Patio Map to explore 60+ patio spots, each with it’s own unique vibe! Plus, we have a growing number pet-friendly patios – just look out for the paw icon on the map!
Take a Tour
Local tour operators make planning your day easy, so you can kick back and enjoy your experience in good company. By taking a tour, you’ll experience Old Strathcona like a local and make the most of your visit. Explore everything from breweries and food to the spooky (and not-so-spooky) history of some of the district’s oldest buildings.
Whether you’re looking to walk, bike, or scoot – there’s a tour for you! Be sure check these websites and reach out to tour operators directly for details, availability, general information and booking:
Come for a Festival, Stay for a Show
Old Strathcona has a bustling arts and entertainment scene that is home to over a dozen festivals, taking place year-round. From crowd pleasers like the Edmonton International Fringe Festival to cultural celebrations like Cocktails and Jerk to winter-y extravaganzas like Winter Whyte Light Up, Old Strathcona the place to be!
With a variety of theatres, theatre groups, and music venues, you can enjoy everything from stand up comedy & improv to live music performances to plays and musical productions year-round. Find a show to inspire your next visit:
Getting Here
Our vibrant and eclectic district is located in the heart of Edmonton, just blocks from the beautiful river valley and south of Downtown. With two hotels – the Metterra Hotel on Whyte and the Varscona Hotel on Whyte – you can stay right in the heart of Old Strathcona, with hundreds of local businesses right outside your door. If your accommodations are outside of Old Strathcona, don’t worry! Centrally located, you can walk or roll, catch transit or drive to our district with ease.
Walk, Bike, Scoot & Transit
Old Strathcona is Edmonton’s most walkable main street district. It’s just blocks from the river valley, and tucked in among four residential communities; walking to Whyte Ave is a breeze. Whether you walk over from a neighbouring community like Ritchie or Garneau, or from a bit further like Bonnie Doon, Allendale or McKernan, you’ll enjoy walking through mature neighbourhoods with beautiful trees and picturesque streets.
Looking to roll into Old Strathcona? No problem! You’ll find bike racks throughout the neighbourhood, with additional space to lock up your ride at the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market and Roots on Whyte building when you’re visiting those busy locations. There is a beautiful network of bike lanes that flow through Old Strathcona from East to West on 83rd Ave, and North to South on 106 Street, and share paths in surrounding areas like along Saskatchewan Drive. Plan your bike adventure to Old Strathcona with the City of Edmonton’s Interactive Bike Map.
In the summer months, you’ll notice shared e-scooters and e-bikes throughout the district. There is a dedicated e-scooter parking corral in the parking lot north of the public washrooms on Gateway Boulevard (103 Street). You can park scooters on some sidewalks and public areas, but always ensure your scooter is upright and not blocking the path of people using sidewalks. Learn more about using e-scooters to get around Old Strathcona here.
Edmonton’s Public Transit system offers a number of routes that will bring you in and around the Old Strathcona area. Check out routes 4, 8, 9, 701, 726 or – plan your full adventure with the ETS trip planner.
Parking
Did you know there are more than 3,000 parking spots in the Old Strathcona district? The City of Edmonton provides 500+ affordable metered parking options in and around the Old Strathcona neighbourhood. Plus, there’s a variety of private paid parking lots, parkades, underground parking, and on-street parking.
For even more options you can explore the 10+ Impark lots, Park Indigo or Zipstall or check the map below:
Explore
Did you know Edmonton is home to North America’s largest urban parkland!? We’re all about exploring the River Valley and Mill Creek Ravine trails connecting to Old Strathcona. You can bring your bike, grab an E-scooter or even rent an E-bike in the neighbourhood from Pedego for the day! To help round out your daily itinerary take a look at Linda Hoang’s guide to Explore Edmonton by Bike – and scroll to route #3 to see the best trails in our area and how to make a day of it!