If you’ve got a green thumb, but also love urban adventures, then exploring Edmonton, Alberta is for you. From making a bouquet on a farm to eating plant-based food at a moth-inspired café, to finding multiple ecosystems in pyramids in the middle of the city, here’s your green thumb’s guide of things to do in Edmonton, Alberta.
If you want a hands-on experience creating a fresh bouquet of flowers, head to the farm with Blooms on 7 Flower Farm. Two sisters, Ashley and Breanna Sims, decided to cultivate a blossoming garden, growing flowers on a local, sustainable farm, only 20 minutes from downtown Alberta. The duo are changing floral culture, one flower at a time, proving you can source gorgeous bouquets locally, not outsourcing like many floral shops do. And, let’s set the record straight, “I am not a gardener, I am a farmer,” proudly attests Ashley Sims. “It isn’t just throwing seeds on the ground and hoping for the best. Though Mother Nature kicks my butt, we have a quarter of an acre and practice ‘real’ agriculture here.”
Not only are the flowers colorful and beautiful, there are alpacas to greet you and give you smiles, too. While Ashley has more of the green thumb, Breanna will put you to work on designing the perfect bouquet. “Floristry and design connect me to the here and now, and I love to do something with my hands. Flowers are meant to mean something – it’s one way to signify important moments with more meaning,” says Breanna Sims, pointing out that flowers are often given during key life moments like weddings and memorial services. However, if you’re a flower lover and want to enjoy an everyday moment, head to Blooms on 7 to create your very own bouquet on the farm, including picking your own flowers from over 250 varieties and designing them to your heart’s content.
Ever wondered what a moth-inspired café looks like? Put your curiosity to rest by visiting The Moth café. “We have yet to see the full strength that comes from positive thinking,” says the family-owned Moth café. “Oh, how we can save the animals, the world, and our collective sanity.” With a huge moth mural and green plants hanging from the ceiling, and seemingly everywhere you look, this café and plant-based eatery has become a staple in the healthy community.
Order one of their signature dishes, the Lemongrass Vermicelli, which comes with a rainbow medley of vegetables (always opt to add the spring rolls), and a Moth Chai to wash it all down.
A must-see for all plant-lovers is a visit to the pyramids at Muttart Conservatory. The four pyramids are biomes for different environments, housing a variety of plant species that thrive in separate climates, including: arid, temperate, and tropical. The fourth pyramid is seasonal, with featured plants on rotation. In total, there are nearly a thousand plants that you can see at Muttart Conservatory. For a cute date night, visit during adults-only nights on Wednesday evenings from 5-9pm.
Found in the heart of Edmonton’s Little Italy, and across the street from the pleasant Giovanni Caboto Park, is Zocalo. “Zocalo” is translated to mean ‘public square’ and this hybrid garden-boutique-café has served the neighborhood and community for twenty years; it is also the first zocalo in Edmonton. Spend the afternoon relaxing with a cup of coffee; choose a plant and some seeds to take home and discover funky trinkets for an upcoming birthday – Zocalo has it all.
While the flowers at Brew & Bloom aren’t real, the overflowing hand-strung bouquets will provide inspiration for the imagination at this secret garden cafe. As a social media hotspot, it’s easy to see why Brew & Bloom is frequently the backdrop for photographs. With pinks, creams, and whites decorating every corner of the café, plus decadent cotton candy drinks to boast, the food and drinks are as interactive and as playful as the environment. The award-winning, women-owned business is the first of its kind; enjoy a unique experience when you visit.
With easy access to the Trans-Canada Highway and only a short drive to Downtown Edmonton, Best Western Plus Sherwood Park Inn & Suites, is convenient for urban play. Indulge in a complimentary breakfast to start the day and enjoy a soak in the heated indoor saltwater pool in the afternoon. Spacious suites equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker ensure that you’re always ready to go, and pillow-top mattresses guarantee a good night’s rest.
From wildlife to city life, there’s plenty of room to roam in Canada. Find more Canadian travel inspiration at Travel Zone | Adventure Across Canada. Explore past the coastline to the turquoise waters of national parks and discover rich, urban centres when you stay with Best Western® Resorts & Hotels Canada.