Things to Do in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Neighbourhood

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Think Alberta’s capital city is boring? Think again! Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood will keep you hoppin’ with delicious food and drinks, fun e-bikes, cool antiques and even a cat café.

Old Strathcona is a historic neighbourhood in Edmonton
Old Strathcona is home to great shops, restaurants and festivals
A visit to Edmonton isn’t complete without visiting Old Strathcona

The Old Strathcona neighbourhood in Edmonton was built during the late 1800s and early 1900s, making it one of the city’s most historic areas to explore. Modern additions have popped up throughout the years, but many of the buildings maintain their vintage facades. These days, it’s known for fantastic local shops to explore, restaurants and even festivals. Use this neighbourhood guide for ideas on exploring Edmonton’s Old Strathcona area this summer.

Dig into Edmonton’s unofficial dessert district

You (unofficially) heard it here first! Old Strathcona is home to all sorts of delicious desserts, many of which are perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Old Strathcona is the place to satisfy your sweet tooth, like bubble tea (Teapsy Lab and Gong Cha), specialty Asian desserts ( Bambu and  Sweethoney), ice cream ( Yelo’d and  Made by Marcus), and other goodies from independently-owned cafes and bakeries (La Bosco and  Flirt Cupcakes).

A hand holds an ice cream cone in front of a sign — Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood is full of tasty desserts.

Find photo opportunities at Instagrammable walls galore

Old Strathcona is home to the most murals in walking distance in all of Edmonton. Snap a photo with some of the city’s most Instagrammable walls and murals. Make a day (or two), or several weekends of it! And turn it into a game – can you visit them all? Plan your route using the Old Strathcona Business Association’s mural map.

Take unique selfies at one of Old Strathcona’s colourful murals. Travel Alberta

Take the back-alley route

There’s a lot of fun to be found in Old Strathcona’s back alleys. Grab cheesecake from  Sugared & Spiced, dine on a rooftop back-alley patio at  Boxer, pick up a savoury or sweet waffle from Waffle Bird or try some back-alley  Boocha. These storefronts are hidden from the main street, but they’re worth taking a detour to find.

A woman eats a cookie in a dessert shop — Find sweet treats hidden off the main street in Old Strathcona. Explore Edmonton

E-bike the Avenue

Old Strathcona is home to  Pedego, a popular e-bike store that offers rentals so you can whiz around the neighbourhood on wheels. These e-bikes are a fun, fast and convenient way to explore, with vibrant colour options that will catch everyone’s eye as you zoom by. Chef Table Living does e-bike food tours in the summer, which include some stops in Old Strathcona. You can ride the neighbourhood safely using one of the area’s many bike lanes and shared paths.

Shop til you drop

Spend your day shopping! Old Strathcona boasts a whole bunch of consignment and vintage clothing stores so what’s old can be new (to you) again. Visit Red Pony on 99 Street (east of the old railway tracks), or browse  Nu2You,  The Come Up and  Wrinkled. Find new, sustainably-made fashion pieces at  Workhall Studio or pop into  The Bamboo Ballroom - a must-visit, locally-owned boutique.

Two women carrying shopping bags look in a shop window as they walk down the street — Find new, sustainable fashion and funky vintage clothing in Old Strathcona.

Go treasure hunting

Find unique collectibles at the  Old Strathcona Antique Mall - Western Canada's largest antique mall featuring two floors and more than 100 sellers of antiques, collectibles and unique retro wares. Head into the basement of the  Junque Cellar for old furniture, board games, a Book Nook and other "funky junk." Or pop into the colourful  Rocket Fizz to find that nostalgic candy from your childhood. Rocket Fizz is home to thousands of unique candies, bottled soda, gag gifts, lunch boxes and more.

A couple looks at an antique teapot in a large indoor antique mall. — Find retro and vintage treasures at the Old Strathcona Antique Mall.

Chill with the cats

Alberta’s first and Edmonton’s only cat cafe is located in Old Strathcona. Sip specialty drinks, ACE coffee and munch on cat-themed baked goods in the company of cute cats at  Cat Cafe on Whyte. The cafe partners with SAFE Team Rescue to house homeless cats. All the cats who live and play at the cafe are adoptable. This is also a great spot for cat lovers to find cat merchandise.

Explore one of Edmonton’s longest-Running farmers’ markets

No visit to Old Strathcona is complete without a stroll in the legendary  Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. This is one of Edmonton’s longest-running markets and has operated year-round since 1983. There’s no better place to pick up fresh produce, local food and handmade crafts. You can usually find buskers just outside the market and there’s free parking across the street from the market on Saturdays.

A crowd of people walks by a farmers’ market at night — Pick up local produce and handmade crafts at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market.

Take the long way to Old Strathcona

Old Strathcona is a stop for Edmonton’s  High Level Street Car, which chugs along a former Canadian Pacific Railway track during the summer months. This historic street car has been restored to its original 1912 condition. Your ride will cross over the High Level Bridge from downtown and take you to the heart of the neighbourhood. It’s a unique way to get to and from the area.

A smiling couple rides the artfully restored vintage streetcar in Edmonton. — Take Edmonton’s historic High Level Street Car from downtown to Old Strathcona.