48 Hours in Edmonton – What to do on a Weekend Staycation

This year is likely to be the year of the staycation for many Edmonton-based families. Luckily for us there’s lots to explore in Edmonton, providing you with many different opportunities to try something new – in your own city.

This post has been brought you by a collaboration between International Hotel Group®(IHG) and Raising Edmonton.

If you’re going to plan a staycation, try and choose a centrally located hotel in Edmonton. Staying central means lots to explore, from the River Valley to the City Market. And staying central means being able to walk, bike or use transit, too. For my family’s staycation we were located centrally and we were not only able to walk to our favourite place for brunch, but take a walk through the River Valley – plus, on-site parking meant we could leave the car and get outside.

What to do with the Kids During a Weekend Staycation in Edmonton

Hit up the High Level Streetcar | Hit up the streetcar for a fun ride back in time, and a convenient way to make your way over to the Strathcona Farmer’s Market. It’s a fun way to spend a Saturday, especially if the weather is less than ideal during spring and summer. The family can ride for only $20 – and it’s one of those things that not many Edmonton families have done.

Eat, Eat, Eat | Duchess Bake Shop on 124 Street, the Burger’s Priest on Jasper Avenue, a family-style dinner at Rostizado or pancakes at the Blue Plate Diner – there are many places you can eat with the kids downtown. One of the best parts of being on ‘staycation’ is not having to cook, so you might as well experience some of the best food Edmonton has to offer. Want to stay on budget? Holiday Inn Express properties have free breakfast included in the stay – your kids are going to love the machine that makes pancakes in one-minute-flat. Ours loved waking up in the morning to visit the ‘pancake machine’ and the selection of breakfast pastries and food, with all the juice they could drink.  When you’re four and seven, and on vacation – unlimited juice is one of those exciting things.

Shop the Market | Famous popsicles, delicious lemonade and the chance to browse vendors you may not have otherwise discovered, if you’re sticking to downtown you can discover the City Market on 104 Street. Stop by after breakfast for some delicious treats, shopping and entertainment for the kids.

Explore the River Valley | Pick a trail, any trail. You can choose from some of the ones that we’ve featured in the past or get a little art in on your walk on the Kinnaird Ravine Trail. Want to explore on the water? Edmonton Canoe is a great way to do just that, with canoe trips down the North Saskatchewan river as short or as long as you would like them to be.

Hit up a Festival | Winter or summer, there is likely some sort of festival happening in Edmonton, filled with kid-friendly activities to get you out there and experiencing something new. Check out this awesome local festival guide for inspiration. INSERT URL

Jump Through the Fountains | Cool off at the Legislature grounds, in the fountains or pool. It’s the perfect way to escape a hot day, and you can pick up a picnic from one of the many kid-friendly places to eat downtown, and bring it with you.

Relax | Weekend staycations are a great chance to get away, without getting too far. If your family is anything like ours, one of the highlights of the trip is the hotel pool. We visit the hotel pool every morning as soon as the kids wake up, and in the evening before bed. Not only does it make bedtime easier, but it’s a great chance to work on those swimming skills. We used the pool at least six times during our staycation, and our oldest brought along a friend – just another benefit of the staycation.

With spacious rooms for families, easily requested rooms in close proximity to the pool and the fact that you can walk nearly everywhere on your staycation experience, the Holiday Inn Express downtown is an inexpensive way to explore the city – and cross a few things off of your staycation bucket list.

Pro tip: don’t forget to pack a fun pool float!

Are you looking for hotel inspiration for your next staycation? Browse IHG, where you can find hotels all across the city – and close to the things you want to explore.