What To See and Where To Go in Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona is the heart of Edmonton’s arts, entertainment, and shopping district. It’s a vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and family-friendly destination, offering something for everyone! Whether you’re checking out murals, grabbing a coffee or meeting friends for dinner, catching a show at the many festivals and theatres, or finding gems at the many independently owned shops, Old Strathcona has plenty to choose from. Here are a few ideas to help you plan your next trip!
Art Around Every Corner
Grab your camera and check out some of the creative graffiti and mural art in Old Strathcona! Thanks to our Mural Map you can find and visit all 60+ murals across the district. We’ve mapped out tons of great spots from The Rhythm of the Night to Backstories to the multiple walls in Rado Alley – you’ll find 60+ walls that make perfect locations for portraits, family photos & other special occasions. Simply bookmark the map on your phone and get to exploring! Be sure to tag us @oldstrathcona so we can see all your great shots!
Shop
A visit to Old Strathcona isn’t complete without doing a little shopping. Old Strathcona is home to some of Edmonton’s most eclectic indie shops that you won’t find anywhere else. The district boasts more than 500 shops, stores and services. Check out our business directory to plan your next shopping day!
If you’re visiting on the weekend, be sure to roll up in style when the High Level Bridge street car is open for the season, running Friday-Monday. The new Whyte Avenue stop is fully operational!
Fresh produce, baked goods and other locally produced products can be found at Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, open Saturdays year-round from 8am-3pm. And if you’re visiting with a four-legged friend, the neighbourhood is also home to a number of dog friendly patios, with shade and plenty of hydration. You can even get in a little exercise at the dog park, SouthBARK!
Old Strathcona has something for every member of the family, including the pups! With 80+ businesses welcoming well-behaved leashed pets, you do not have to worry about leaving your pets at home.
Patio Paradise
Did you know there are 100+ places to eat in Old Strathcona? You can grab breakfast in the morning with the family, gather some friends for dinner on a patio, or cool down with an ice cream treat.
Plus, use our patio map, to choose from 60+ patio locations with all kinds of different vibes for the crew! We even have a growing number pet-friendly patios in the neighbourhood too, just look out for the paw icon on the map:
Take a Tour
For those who have a love for craft beer, stop in at one of the local breweries, enjoy a flight with friends, or walk away with a growler to take home for later. Local tour operators make planning your day easy, so you can kick back and enjoy your experience in good company. And we’re not just talking drinks either! Explore everything from breweries & 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 is probably 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 & 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
In the heart of Edmonton, south of the beautiful river valley, you’ll find the bustling and beloved district known as Old Strathcona. Centrally located, you can walk or roll, catch transit or drive over 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+ parking options in and around the Old Strathcona neighbourhood with active on-street EPark Zones. To make parking in these zones easier, you can download the app. But don’t worry – there is plenty more! The Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market lot is open to customers six days a week and free to market-goers on Saturdays, underground parking is available at the Roots on Whyte building, and covered parking is available at the Varscona Hotel.
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!