August in Edmonton: 3 Unique Itineraries for Every Type of Traveler

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August is Edmonton at its boldest — a city buzzing with open-air festivals, hidden trails, patio brunches, and unforgettable day trips. Whether you’re chasing culture, craving the outdoors, or exploring on a shoestring, you don’t just visit Edmonton — you live it.

We’ve built three ready-to-go weekend itineraries tailored to how you travel, each anchored by a standout member of Edmonton’s Best Hotels.

And the best part? With the EBH 1-2-3 Deal, you actually get paid to stay — up to $225 in free rewards just for booking direct.

That’s real cash, gas cards, or meal vouchers in your pocket — just for booking direct. Let’s dive in.

🎭 The Festival-Goer & Cultural Explorer

For the traveller who snacks on street food between performances and never misses a local market.

Stay: Campus Tower Suite Hotel – Southside
This stylish and centrally located hotel places you steps from the University of Alberta, Whyte Avenue, and transit to all of Edmonton’s biggest festivals. Plus, every suite includes a full kitchen — ideal for longer stays or a mid-festival recharge.

Friday
Kick off your weekend with dinner and drinks on Whyte Avenue — Dorinku Osaka for creative Japanese street food and cocktails, then wander over to The Buckingham for a high-energy local show.

Saturday
Start your day at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for fresh local eats, artisan goods, and live entertainment. Afterward, explore the lively streets of Old Strathcona, soaking up the artsy patios and unique shops.

In the evening, get ready for the Edmonton International Fringe Festival—running August 14–24. Choose from hundreds of performances across 40 venues, featuring theatre, comedy, music, and street acts.

Sunday
Shop local at the 124 Grand Market or take a peaceful morning stroll along the North Saskatchewan River. If time allows, swing by the Art Gallery of Alberta downtown for rotating exhibitions in a stunning modern space.

🌲 The Curious Adventurer

For the traveller who’s always asking, “What’s just outside the city?”

Stay: Staybridge Suites West Edmonton – Westend
This all-suite hotel offers extra space, a full kitchen, and a relaxing home base near major routes for easy day-tripping — plus, complimentary breakfast to fuel your mornings.

Friday
After check-in, explore the scenic trails at Laurier Park or Emily Murphy Park. End your evening at MEAT on Whyte Ave for laid-back dinner of brisket and bourbon.

Saturday
Choose your adventure:

Elk Island National Park (45 minutes east): Paddle Astotin Lake, hike bison trails, and soak in Alberta’s boreal wilderness.
University of Alberta Botanic Garden (30 minutes south): Wander themed gardens, then visit Devon or Stony Plain for local cafés and artist studios.
Wabamun Lake (about 45 minutes west): Rent paddleboards, lounge on the beach, and grab fish and chips at a lakeside pub.

Sunday
On your way out, stop at Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary for an easy, scenic boardwalk hike — a peaceful way to close out your weekend.

💸 The Budget-Conscious Urban Explorer

For the traveller who wants to experience the best of Edmonton without spending a fortune.

Stay: Travelodge by Wyndham Edmonton West – Westend
Affordable, convenient, and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, this hotel makes it easy to enjoy Edmonton without breaking the bank.

Friday
Start at West Edmonton Mall — not just for shopping, but for people-watching, indoor entertainment, and cheap eats at Europa Boulevard or BRBN St.

End your evening at High Level Diner with their famous pies and cozy atmosphere. Or, if you’re up for it, head to Remedy Cafe for chai and late-night board games.

Saturday
Begin with a free walk through the Neon Sign Museum downtown, then hop on an e-scooter or bike to explore the River Valley trails — one of North America’s largest urban park systems.

Visit Muttart Conservatory (free for kids under 2, affordable for others) and enjoy a picnic at Kinsmen Park.

In the evening, grab donairs or pizza at local favourites like Swiss Donair or Tony’s Pizza Palace, or catch a free outdoor concert or pop-up event.

Sunday
Take advantage of free museum admission hours at the Royal Alberta Museum or Art Gallery of Alberta (check online for current offers). Then stroll through the 104th Street Promenade or visit a local thrift shop before heading out.

Edmonton, Your Way

Whether you’re here for the festivals, the fresh air, or the hidden gems, Edmonton has something for every type of traveller. And with Edmonton’s Best Hotels, your stay comes with serious perks.

Book 1, 2, or 3 nights now and get paid up to $225 in free rewards:
https://edmontonsbesthotels.com/hoteldeals/

Bonus: How to Get Around

Downtown and festival areas are walkable, bike-friendly, and served by Edmonton’s LRT and bus network.
For adventures outside the city, renting a car or using rideshare is recommended.
Many hotels offer parking and easy access to main roads for day trips.

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Rockin Thunder Festival Bucks, 2025
Terms and Conditions

The Offer

The Rockin Thunder Festival Bucks offer is valid for hotel stays from Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13, 2025. Hotel bookings must be made through Edmonton’s Best Hotels booking platform at www.edmontonsbesthotels.com

The Festival Bucks offer will close on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. NO ROCKIN THUNDER FESTIVAL BUCKS OFFERS WILL BE PROVIDED AFTER THE JULY 7, 2025, CLOSE DATE.

If you book a hotel stay for July 10 to the 13^th, 2025, and choose a non-Festival Bucks reward, the value of the Festival Bucks is not transferable to the other rewards.

If you do not use all your Festival Bucks, no refund will be provided. In the event of a cancellation due to an act of God, no refund will be provided, and no exchange will be offered for other rewards through Edmonton’s Best Hotels program.

The Festival Bucks offer is:

Book a one-night hotel stay and receive $75 in Festival Bucks.

Book a two-night hotel stay and receive $175 in Festival Bucks.

Book a three-night hotel stay and receive $250 in Festival Bucks.

HOW DO I RECEIVE MY FESTIVAL BUCKS: PROCESS:

STEP ONE: You must check into your hotel first.

STEP TWO: You will receive your Festival Bucks Voucher at the front desk of your hotel upon check-in.

STEP THREE: Redeem your Festival Bucks voucher at Rockin Thunder’s Will Call Booth, which is located at the festival site. You will need to provide your letter to them. They will cross-reference your letter with the registration list that we provide to them. NO FESTIVAL BUCKS WILL BE SENT ONLINE, BY POSTAL SERVICE OR BY COURIER.

Festival Bucks can be used for concessions and merchandise on-site only (no online sales) at the Rockin Thunder Festival on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, 2025. Festival bucks are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Terms and Conditions of the Offer

Guests must be at least 18 years of age at the time of redemption.

Reservations must be made through Edmonton’s Best Hotels’ booking site (www.edmontonsbesthotels.com). Reservations made directly with hotelsare not eligible for Rockin Thunder Festival Bucks.

Multiple reservations are not eligible for Festival Bucks.

Multiple reservations for the same person for the same night(s) from July 10-13, 2025, are considered double bookings, and only one of those bookings will be eligible for Festival Bucks. (For example, if a guest books two nights during the July 10-13, 2025, period and then makes another two-night booking during that same period at the same hotel or another hotel, EBH considers this a double booking and will honour only one of those bookings.)

Cancelling and date changes to reservations.

If a guest wants to cancel, they must contact Edmonton’s Best Hotels directly. Do not cancel the hotel directly. To cancel, please contact info@edmh.ca. We will cancel your booking and send you a cancellation number for your records.

If a guest wants to change the dates of their reservation, they must cancel their reservation with Edmonton’s Best Hotels first, then re-book. Edmonton’s Best Hotels does not make changes to reservations.

Cancellation rules vary by each member hotel. Consult the hotel you are interested in staying at to inquire about their cancellation policies.

Terms and Conditions

The “1,2, 3 Pick Your Rewards”, Terms and Conditions and Blackout Dates

Rewards Program campaign dates

Reward package available to book from January 5, 2022 for stays to December 31, 2025 for rewards except for possible blackout dates. At present there are no blackout dates scheduled.

Rewards are subject to while supplies last. Substitutions of equivalent kind, value may be made as necessary. Rewards are non-transferable, no cash value, no cash back.

Rewards are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, have no cash value, no cash back.
Rewards cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.
Reward deal is net non-commissionable.

Blackout dates

At present there are no blackout dates scheduled.

In the event blackout dates are scheduled, any guest who makes a booking for a hotel stay during the blackout period prior to the blackout period being named will receive the rewards they are booked for.

Rewards Program offerings

Book one night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of three $50 rewards excluding blackout dates:

$50 Gas Card or
$50 Prepaid Mastercard, or
$50 Ultimate Dining Card

Book two night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of five reward packages excluding blackout dates:

$150 prepaid MasterCard, or
$75 Gas card and $75 MasterCard, or
$75 Gas card and $75 Ultimate Dining Card, or

Book three night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of four reward packages excluding blackout dates:

Three Night Reward 1: $225 Prepaid Mastercard
Three Night Reward 3: $75 Ultimate Dining Card + $75 Prepaid Mastercard + $75 Gas Card

One choice of reward per stay.

Guest must be 18 years of age or older at time of redemption.

Virtual Prepaid Mastercard offer three convenient ways to shop. You can use it for online purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted, add it to your mobile wallet for contactless in-store payments, or request a physical card after activation for traditional in-store purchases.

Rewards distribution

Rewards will be emailed directly to guests within 48 hours of Edmonton’s Best Hotels confirming their check-in. Rewards are not provided by the hotel’s front desk. All rewards are sent electronically.

Reservations

Guest must reserve a minimum of 24 hours prior to arrival.

Rewards are NOT available for reservations made less than 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Reservations made directly with hotels and not through Edmonton’s Best Hotels are not eligible for rewards. No exceptions. Rewards are only provided to guests who book through Edmonton’s Best Hotels online booking platform. Booking reservation confirmations will have Edmonton’s Best Hotels branding on them. Rewards not provided for hotel reservations during specified blackout dates.

Reservations cannot be extended by hotels for additional rewards.

Guests may add a night to an existing one-night deal reservation and receive additional rewards if the request is made a minimum of 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Booking terms and conditions

Rewards provided for more than one night, must be for consecutive nights under one registration under one name at one property. In addition, no more than up to three consecutive nights will be honoured. If a guest checks in for three days and then checks out and re-checks in for the next day, this is considered a consecutive night booking even if the second booking is made at different hotel.

There must be a minimum of three days between bookings.

Multiple reservations for the same person for the same night(s) is considered a double booking and only one of those bookings will be eligible for rewards. For example, if a guest books two nights on x and y date and then makes another two-night booking for the same dates at the same hotel or another hotel, EBH considers this a double booking and will honour rewards for only one of those bookings.

Is there a limit on the number of bookings I make on different dates? Edmonton Best Hotels welcomes repeat business. Some of our guests visit Edmonton every month. Please note as stated earlier there must be a minimum of three days between bookings. Please also note stated blackout dates.

Cancelling and date changes to reservations

If a guest wants to cancel or change the dates of their booking.

What if I want to cancel my booking? Edmonton Best Hotels must cancel your booking (not the hotel). If you want to cancel, contact info@edmh.ca and let us know. We will cancel your booking and send you a cancellation number for your records. Please do not cancel directly with the hotel.

What if I want to change the dates of my booking? You must contact Edmonton Best Hotels at info@edmh.ca and let us know you want to make a date change. Your original booking must be cancelled first. You will receive a cancellation number for your records. Then, you must rebook for your new dates. The hotel nor Edmonton’s Best Hotels cannot make date changes to the original booking. Please note this does not guarantee you will receive the same hotel rate when you rebook for different dates.

Any questions, please contact Edmonton Best Hotels at info@edmh.ca