Weekend in Edmonton’s New ICE District: What To See, Do & Eat
Today we’re taking a trip to the Canadian city of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta. With brand-new luxury hotel, and the largest urban park in Canada… Edmonton is on the come-up!
STAY
We’ll be spending most of our visit in the brand-new Ice District downtown, a $2.5 billion dollar mixed-use sports and entertainment district that’s also home to the JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District, a modern luxury hotel - only the third of its kind in Canada.
Each of the over 300 rooms and suites at the JW are beautifully designed with a number of different layouts to suit your needs. The hotel complex also has some incredible amenities that we’ll be exploring during our stay.
It’s not our first time at a JW Marriott - and although each location shares common elements, no two hotels are the same. The JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District brings you luxury design and service that’s still approachable and celebrates the city.
The lobby at the JW isn’t just a place to wait - grab a snack or drink and socialize at the bar, seamlessly integrated into the space. Ask for the Duchess - a fresh cocktail that’s the perfect welcome after a flight.
Just across from the bar, you’ll find Kindred Food + Drink - brought to you by Oliver & Bonacini. Here you’ll find a menu of light and bright salads and grain bowls and heartier Canadian comfort food. You’ve got to try the massive chicken pot pie, followed by an equally impressive carrot cake.
PLAY
Just steps away from the hotel is the Royal Alberta Museum, currently the largest museum in Western Canada. This new building houses galleries and exhibitions dedicated to human and natural history, and stories unique to Alberta. You’ll also find special traveling exhibitions, an interactive children’s gallery, and… a bug room.
Tonight we’re attending a hockey game at Rogers Place, a multi-use indoor arena that’s also home to the Edmonton Oilers. We’ve got access to an exclusive Moment tonight, starting with a tour behind the scenes.
We’re watching the game from the VIP luxury suite - with incredible food, and an incredible view. You don’t have to be a die-hard hockey fan to appreciate all of this.
A couple blocks away from the arena is the Neon Sign Museum, a collection of restored historic neon signs. No admission is required, but it is obviously best experienced at night.
RELAX
The fifth floor of the JW Marriott is dedicated to health and wellness. You’ll find the Spa by JW, offering a comprehensive selection of treatments and massage therapy in a serene and tranquil environment. Guests of the hotel also have access to the sauna and pools to recharge.
There’s also Archetype Fitness, where you have access to state of the art equipment, expert trainers, group classes offering yoga, spin, and more, and even a Somadome, for an immersive and guided meditation experience.
Travel can cause a lot of mental and physical stress, so it’s great to have access to these kinds of facilities.
EXPLORE
Of course, Edmonton has so much to offer outside of the ICE District.
Get brunch at Cafe Linnea, serving up a menu that’s inspired by local farmers and seasonal ingredients.
Pop into Strathcona Spirits, the smallest distillery in North America and the first distillery ever in Edmonton. Utilizing locally farmed and foraged ingredients to create an assortment of award-winning spirits, Strathcona is a great Edmonton success story.
There’s 124th Street, where you’ll find an array of galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Make a stop into Duchess Bake Shop, serving every type of pastry and baked good you can imagine. It’s a local favourite, and it’s not hard to see why.
And for a taste of nature in the city, there’s the River Valley, the largest urban park in Canada, with more than 160 km of maintained pathways and 20 major parks. And if you get tired of walking, there’s a unique way to explore it.
DINE
We’re wrapping up our weekend back at the JW Marriott starting with drinks at Alchemy - a somewhat secret bar with a heated patio overlooking Edmonton’s ICE District. For dinner, we’re heading downstairs to Braven - a mecca for dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood, and a extensive wine-list with over 500 labels. This is nothing like your average hotel restaurant and is sure to become a destination in its own right.
So that was just a taste of some of the things to do in and around Edmonton’s new ICE District. If you’ve got any recommendations, let us know! See you next time… à la prochaine!
Looking for more adventure in Alberta? Calgary is just a few hours away!
