The Best Instagrammable Places in Edmonton My Followers Love
People on the internet love to joke that Edmonton is a boring city, and I always take that personally. Sure, it’s not as massive and bustling as Toronto, but this city has its beautiful gems. As a long-time Edmonton local, I’ve taken pictures of many of them.
An impressively looking bridge, an isolated spot with a gorgeous view, and even our very own pyramids? Do those not sound amazing? Oh, and before I forget, Edmonton also has a slew of restaurants that look like movie sets or fantasy lands!
Currently, here are my favourite photographic places in Edmonton. I’ve posted them a lot on my Instagram, and I always get a lot of likes!
Walterdale Bridge
From: walterdalebridgeeveryday
Address: 105 St NW
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Normally, I don’t care much about bridges, but that is not the case for Walterdale Bridge—though admittedly, my interest is due to my enthusiasm for history. After all, this bridge is over 100 years old!
This bridge is the first of its kind in Edmonton, with two arches spanning the river and the entire thing being supported by thrust blocks on both river banks. In other words, it has no in-river piers like most bridges.
Because of all this, the bridge is impressive to me, and it also helps that it looks really good in photos, especially in the morning when sunlight illuminates it.
| Pro Tip: If you’re the adventurous type, you might want to go paddleboarding along the North Saskatchewan River to get a closer look at the bridge. |
The Alberta Legislature Building
From: legassemblyofab
Address: 10800 97 Ave NW
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday—10 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +17804277362
It’s hard not to notice the Alberta Legislature Building when you’re exploring downtown Edmonton. This building, where politicians come to gather and do what it is that they do, is fashioned after École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, so its architecture has Greek, Roman, and Egyptian influences.
The result is a breathtaking and formidable sight. The building exudes power and permanence, so even if you don’t know what kind of building it is, you just know it’s something important.
Its beauty translates even better on camera. When you angle the lens just right, you can totally capture the immense aura this building has!
| Pro Tip: You can actually tour the building for free! These free public tours are usually held from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 3 pm. |
Muttart Conservatory
From: muttartconservatory
Address: 9626 96a St NW
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday—10 am to 9 pm
- Friday to Tuesday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +17804968755
There’s no need to go to Egypt to see the pyramids because we have pyramids at home! Kidding aside, the Muttart Conservatory is a stunning sight; it’s a cluster of three glass pyramids, so during the day, it looks like it’s shimmering.
The interior is even better. The pyramids are actually botanical gardens, hosting over 700 different kinds of plant species! There are also beautiful works of art and ethereal music playing, so you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon the fae realm.
| Pro Tip: If you’re hungry, there’s the Cafe Bloom Restaurant on the pyramid grounds. I recommend trying their butter chicken. It’s incredibly rich and indulgent! |
Talus Dome
From: whyallowsleep
Address: Along Fort Edmonton Park Rd NW
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +17804966112
“Unique” truly is the best word to describe Talus Dome because I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
It’s a sculpture made with nearly 1,000 316L stainless steel spheres of different sizes!
I actually discovered it on a whim. I was just going on a hike near Quesnell Bridge, and I came across this dome. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me (it looked like a monster from Doctor Who); it’s truly an impressive structure!
| Pro Tip:Try to take a picture close to the sculpture. You’ll see many reflections of yourself, and I think that’s such a sick shot! |
Manchester Square
From: manchester_yeg
Address: 10712 120 St NW
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +17807058676
No, we’re not in England, but strolling along Manchester Square definitely tricks us into thinking that we are. This area features townhouses you normally would find in London, and there are shops and small bakeries found in the mix as well.
Oh, and if you go into the alleyways, you might discover hidden artistic murals that will take your breath away!
It’s really a place that compels you to snap a lot of photos and share them on Instagram. Fortunately, there is free Wi-Fi here, so you can post on social media without any problem.
| Pro Tip: Manchester Square often hosts events. Check their event page to see if there’s an event you’d like to attend. |
Neon Sign Museum
From: curiocityedmonton
Address: 104 Street NW
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +17804965281
It makes me sad that neon signs have gotten out of style now because I think they’re so pretty. Fortunately, Edmonton has the Neon Sign Museum, so I can still appreciate neon signs and all their glowing glory.
This isn’t your typical museum where you have to go inside a building. Instead, the “museum” in question is the east wall of the TELUS building and the south wall of the Mercer Warehouse. On these walls, you can find the neon signs that the local government restored.
Walking along the street here makes me feel like I’m in a Wong Kar-wai movie set in Hong Kong in the 90s. The vibe here is moody, so it’s the perfect opportunity to play around with the shadow and brightness settings on your camera phone.
| Pro Tip: Evening is the best time to visit this museum. The neon signs look the best when it’s relatively dark outside. |
Keillor Point
From: exploreedmonton
Address: 7433 Saskatchewan Dr NW
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +17804425311
If we’re talking about the most Instagrammable hidden gem in Edmonton, then Keillor Point has to take the crown. Seriously, this place is so well-hidden that many locals haven’t heard about it. I actually only knew about this from a friend who loves to hike!
Keillor Point is tucked away at the top of the riverbank on Saskatchewan Drive, so you get a bird’s eye view of the river. That scenery is beautiful on its own, but you know what’s even better? The scenery at sunset! It’s golden streaks everywhere!
This place is also quiet, since it’s in a remote location. If you have an overactive imagination, you can pretend to be in a post-apocalyptic movie!
| Pro Tip:Bring an umbrella and a portable chair if possible. There’s no shade or actual benches here. |
Wolf Willow Stairs
From: exploreedmonton
Address: Wolf Park, 161 Wolf Willow Cres
Speaking of underrated gems in Edmonton that even residents aren’t aware of, Wolf Willow Stairs are another contender.
These stairs are popular among hikers because they provide a bit of a challenge, since they’re at a relatively steep angle. For the non-hikers like me, that’s bad news, but the view makes all the heaving and panting worth it, in my opinion.
Just like Keillor Point, these stairs overlook the river, and you also get a clear view of the sky. It’s such a serene sight, the kind that painters in the 1800s loved to recreate on the canvas. Fortunately, we have phones now to capture the scenery.
| Pro Tip:The best time to visit these stairs is from February to October. It might be too treacherous to trek through during the winter. |
The Moth Café
From: themothcafe
Address: 9449 Jasper Ave
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday—11 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +17802449702
Are we in a restaurant or some botanical wonderland? That’s the question I asked myself when I first stepped inside The Moth Café. The pretty plants hanging from wooden pots above me had me scrambling for my phone to take photos.
Aside from being so beautiful, this restaurant has delicious and Instagrammable food. My personal favourite is the Moth Spaghetti, which has a tangy and nutty tomato sauce and umami-rich and earthy meatballs. It’s also served with an avocado toast, which seems like an odd pairing, but it works pretty well.
| Pro Tip:Give a friend or family a gift card from this restaurant so that they can also enjoy its beauty and great food. |
Baijiu
From: baijiu_yeg
Address: 10359 104 Street NW
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—5 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—5 pm to 1 am
Cozy and romantic—that’s exactly the vibe you’ll get from Baijiu. The combination of campfires and fairy lights strung above invokes the memory of summer camps or an intimate date with only the stars in the sky. It’s no wonder this place is such a hit among locals!
Since this is a bar, their drinks are the highlight. I recommend trying any of the Baijiu originals; my current favourite is the Strawberry Yum Yum, which has the sweet and tart notes of strawberries and the fragrant aroma of jasmine.
| Pro Tip:If you want to host an event here, send a request to [email protected]. Please take note that their capacity is only up to 20 guests. |
Fu’s Repair Shop
From: fus_repair_shop
Address: 10524 Jasper Ave, Homestead
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Sunday—5 pm to 11 pm
- Thursday—5 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—5 pm to 1 am
Contrary to its name, Fu’s Repair Shop isn’t actually a repair shop; it’s a Chinese-themed restaurant. The delicate lanterns above emit a dim, moody glow, and the murals of dragons on the walls exude power and tradition. The whole place is quite the vibe!
As for the food, it’s amazing. I highly recommend the spicy lamb dan dan mein. The wheat noodles have a nice springy texture to them, and the lamb skewer tastes a combination of smoky, nutty, and savoury. It also has candied peanuts and pomegranate to add a sweet contrast to the dish.
| Pro Tip:If you want to book a private event, send your request to [email protected]. |
Boxer
From: boxeryeg
Address: 10315 83 Ave NW
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—4 pm to 10 pm
- Thursday—4 pm to 11 pm
- Friday—4 pm to 1 am
- Saturday—12 pm to 1 am
- Sunday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17807604567
I love Boxer’s vibe and its interior design, and its most Instagrammable quality is the food. The dishes here are so artfully presented, like the dishes served by contestants in MasterChef!
I’m currently obsessed with the steak frites. The steak is massive, at 10z, and it’s wonderfully tender and juicy. The herb butter and the peppercorn sauce also add a zing of buttery and peppery flavours that I love.
| Pro Tip:Give someone you love a gift card from this restaurant so that they can enjoy the food as well. |
Alchemy Bar
From: alchemy.bar
Address: 10344 102 St NW, JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday—5 pm to 12 am
- Friday—4 pm to 12 am
- Saturday—2 pm to 1 am
- Sunday—2 pm to 11 pm
Alchemy Bar is a sight for sore eyes. It has furniture with intricate designs, drinks in bright colours that capture your attention, and a cozy patio area that feels romantic at night, thanks to the campfire and fairy lights.
Be sure to try any of their signature cocktails. I’m currently obsessed with the Scarlet Ember, which is tart and fruity, followed by a strong punch from the vermouth.
For the food, I recommend the crispy chicken bao. It comes with three fat pieces, each bursting with savoury chicken filling. Dip that into the gochujang sauce, and enjoy a burst of spiciness!
| Pro Tip:You can host a private event here. |
Brew + Bloom
From: brewandbloom
Address: 10550 115 St NW
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday—10 am to 9 pm
- Friday—10 am to 10 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17807070827
I love to joke with my friends that Brew + Bloom isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a photoshoot destination as well. I mean, with all the pretty flowers, it’s hard to resist the urge to take multiple selfies! I love coming here during brunch because the flowers look more vibrant during the day.
For the food, I can’t recommend their chicken and croffles (a croissant that’s waffle-grilled) enough. This dish marries sweet and savoury flavours perfectly. Also, it’s served with edible flowers!
| Pro Tip: Host a petal-perfect private event with your loved ones here. |