Fort Edmonton Park
Categories: Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Active Life Parks Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Parks [Edit]
7000 143 StEdmonton, AB T5J 2R7
(780) 496-8787
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 4 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for Fort Edmonton Park
11 reviews in English
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Review from Kimberly M.
Edmonton, AB
2/21/2012
Fort Edmonton Park is my by far my favourite place in Edmonton. Last summer our trip back in time on the train was fabulous. The train conductor pointed out great little tid bits about the train (Brad Pitt sat in a certain compartment to film Jesse James) and got us excited about was new at the park. There weren't too many people roaming the park to interact with, but I also went later in the day. The new movie theatre had just opened and the Edmonton film has a pleasant surprise ending!
I would recommend bringing a picnic for a cute date in the sun and definitely your camera because there is a lot to wander around and see. I would also check their website often because they have several events like murder mystery parties which are always a blast. I wish Fort Edmonton was open all year around! -
Review from Kelley R.
8/24/2011
Been up in the area for work and have been trying to find some neat things to see on my day off. Last Sunday I headed out to Fort Edmonton to learn some more about the history of the area. I have always enjoyed going to places like this and see some authentic buildings.
I jumped on the train when I entered so I could start in the right century and move forward, really the best way to do this for the first time. I enjoyed the train and thought it is a nice touch to the park. The train is very well kept up. I think it would be interesting if the men working on the train gave some history of the train and area while we are riding around.
I thought it was really interesting that they have it as a "living" experience with horses, chickens, goats and of course the people who "live" there. Its also slightly awkward! But it makes its little more interesting because if you have questions about the specific house/era they can answer them for you.
By the time I walked to the 1920's I wasn't that interested anymore although. It kind of got boring and too spread out. I wouldn't probably visit again but it was a good experience to just check out if your in the area and need something to do. -
Review from Brittany K.
Edmonton, AB
1/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I suggest you read the following review in an old-timey accent, but if you don't, that's OK too.
Walking down Main street and its side roads gives one a total blast from the past. Perfect for a Saturday out or a school field trip. (Want to learn to churn butter? Oh, they will teach you!) The buildings and the fort are based on Edmonton's own history, which makes For Edmonton Park a unique local gem. Don't forget to hop on the train for the scenic view around the park!
I love the airplane hangar for special events (I have volunteered at many a tradeshow there!) and Fort Ed hosts a mental Halloween celebration. Creepy stories, haunted houses, and ghosts wandering around the town. It is the coolest, most all-encompassing Halloweeny atmosphere you will find in the city! Just wear good shoes - you might get chased by a surprise monster or zombie or two...Listed in: Four-Stars, Edmonton Landmarks
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Review from Robin S.
Edmonton, AB
9/6/2010 6 photos
Edmonton has no shortage of tourist attractions, but its best has to be Fort Edmonton Park.
Staffed by costumed interpreters who really get into their roles, Fort Edmonton brings local history to life through a series of replica and original buildings spanning four time periods in the city's past: the 1846 Hudson's Bay fur-trading fort, 1885 Street, 1905 Street, and 1920 Street.
A steam locomotive, built in 1919, picks visitors up at the main gate and shuttles them over to the replica fort on the other side of the grounds. Here, you'll gain an understanding of what life was actually like for the hundred-some people who actually lived inside. There's a replica trading post, stocked with different pelts and provisions that would have gone through in the mid-1800's (I'm proud to say that the brothers of my red bandana were some of them). Inside Rowand House, chat with John Rowand, head of the fur trade in Western Canada.
Just outside the fort is a Native American camp - if you're lucky, the ladies will be whipping up a batch of bannock over the campfire.
1895 Street is next; here, the Ottewell Homestead gives its turkeys and chickens the run of the land. An early tavern, a livery shop, a milliner, and a church line the road.
Around the corner on 1905 Street, life quickly changes into that of a growing urban area. A replica of Edmonton's old tent city - where people were housed until their homes could be built - stands across from some fine examples of early local homes. These include the first house of Alberta's first premier, and Firkin House, rumoured to be haunted.
Up the street at 1920, Hotel Selkirk houses guests for the night, as well as serves up a mean lunch and dinner. If you're simply thirsty, try the hotel bar.
Besides the Selkirk, there are a few options for food and drink: light lunch at 1895 Street's Jasper House; fast food at 1905 Street's Masonic Hall; or snacks and treats at Bill's Confectionary on 1920 Street.
The sights at Fort Edmonton Park are almost endless and you'd be hard-pressed to thoroughly see them all in one day. When you're tired of tramping up and down stairs and browsing through history, pick up a few tickets and end your day at the 1920s midway, complete with carousel, ferris wheel and games.Listed in: Top Edmonton Attractions
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Review from Patricia M.
Edmonton, AB
9/18/2010
If you were raised in Edmonton you most likely had a field trip to Fort Edmonton Park while attending school. For that reason this place brings back nostalgia every time I visit. Fort Edmonton Park is one of my favorite tourist attractions in Edmonton.
Fort Edmonton Park is split into four time periods:
1846 - This is where you can view and walk through the old fort! The Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post called Edmonton House in 1795. The sole purpose of the post was to trade European goods to the local Cree, Blackfoot and other Aboriginal people in exchange for the valuable beaver pelts.
1885 - A small settlement has already been established and Edmontonians began building and expanding into a small town.
1905 - The rail way is expanded and immigrants begin to transform Edmonton's homey, placid skyline into a jumbled scrum of brick office blocks, homes large and small, solid churches, schools and factories.
1920 - Edmonton enters the modern world with cars on the road and a municipal airport.
My favorite part of Fort Edmonton Park is the Ukrainian bookstore (I love all the Russian nesting dolls), the little restaurant with home style fries, and the old fort itself. -
Review from Nicole B.
Edmonton, AB
3/24/2010
This living history museum is really something special. It is an experience every single time you go.
My grandma goes every Sunday in the Spring and Summer and never gets tired of it.
It's really fun to see Canadian history tangibly. You can read as many books as you want, but nothing compares to seeing it first hand, touching it, and talking about it.
The actors that work at Fort Edmonton are a lot of fun too. It's not just an educational place, it's a place of fun and entertainment too!
I would definitely recommend a visit to Fort Edmonton to anyone visiting Edmonton or for any Edmontonians who haven't been there before. -
Review from Garnett S.
Edmonton, AB
9/6/2010
A steam locomotive, old time carnival rides that don't meet code, actors and actresses in period costume, re-creation of four time periods... what more do you want?
This is as good as it gets in Edmonton. -
Review from Isabella M.
Edmonton, AB
10/29/2010
I love Fort Edmonton. I go about three times a year and it never gets old. It's open Spring to Fall and always fun. Weekends are better because there are more interpreters and, therefore, more open buildings to wander around in.
Bests: taking the steam locomotive and turn-of-the-century trolley, 1920's carnival, trading post at the fort, old-timey school & fire hall, and candy shoppe!
Price of a movie and so much more fun! -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
1/27/2010
Fort Edmonton Park is Canada's largest living history museum.
They have actors playing out everyday life in certain points of Edmonton's history. They have 3 different time periods set up. They keep everything authentic from their transportation to their stores to their homes. You can go inside most of them and look around and even shop at others.
Its a cool experience but I don't know how they keep this place going. I wouldn't want to check it out more than once. -
Review from Aaron M.
9/7/2009
Wow. This place is a "living history" museum or something... they have quite a high budget operation here, with live actors playing roles of everyday historical characters in three little "towns" each of which captures a specific era in Edmonton history. I could go into the details about each of these, but I don't have the attention span right now. Basically, authentic stores, houses, trading posts, teepees, cafes (some of which you can even eat in!), amusements, clothing, signage, transportation, technology including what seems like a genuine steam locomotive passenger train. Even with a short attention span I enjoyed this tremendously. Suffice to say that your $13 ticket must be heavily subsidized by someone - it's truly impressive.
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Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
11/9/2008 1 photo
I've been to Fort Edmonton Park on a couple of occasions. I went to a wedding in one of the old chapels here. It was pouring rain and we had to walk across streets of gravel and mud to get to the church for the parking lot. Inside the chapel was not particularly well ventilated, so it was stuffy and hot, but extremely picturesque for the ceremony. I thought the place a little cheesy to be married in, but it wasn't my wedding! We had the banquet in a log cabin a few minutes' walk away. It was dimly lit and made a nice setting for the reception. The other place I've been at the Park is one of the old period houses that are rented out for parties and gatherings. It was a nice, quaint space, and we were supposed to have a horse-and-carriage ride in the snow, but it was minus 15 and the guy said it was too cold for the horses (which I have a hard time believing considering Edmonton winters and what I've read about horses forging across prairie's during snowstorms. They're pretty hardy animals. I think he just didn't feel like going himself). We were all disappointed. At any rate, this is a fun place to wander around for a couple of hours if you have out-of-town guests to entertain.
