A rainy day doesn’t have to equal boredom or staying at home. Whether you’re craving some physical activity or simply wish to soak up some culture, there’s plenty to do indoors at these incredible spots across Edmonton.
Edmonton is known as aviation’s “Gateway to the North,” so it’s no surprise that there is a museum dedicated to the city’s rich and exciting aviation history. There are more than 40 aircraft on display, plus 50 display cabinets. They offer guided tours and will even host birthday parties at the facility. The majority of the aircraft are housed inside, meaning the weather won’t put a damper on your day.
With one of the largest botanical collections in Canada, you’ll feel like you’re outside even when inside the conservatory’s glass pyramid biomes. The Muttart has three biomes with year-round collections, and a fourth biome with feature displays. The feature displays change about eight times a year, so there is always something new to discover. The conservatory often hosts live music, dance, crafts and fine art showcases, and is home to the impeccable Culina restaurant.
While there are a million things to do inside the mall on a rainy day, Galaxyland (formerly Fantasyland) is one of the most exciting. This indoor theme park boasts more than 24 rides and play areas. It also claims to be the world’s second-largest indoor amusement park and home of the world’s longest and tallest indoor rollercoaster, The Mindbender.
Playing paintball in any kind of weather? No longer just a fantasy, thanks to Edmonton’s first indoor paintball facility. They have two indoor playing fields here, so there’s plenty of room to live out your wildest paintball fantasies. Equipment is included, and the staff will take you through a safety briefing, so even if you’re a newbie, you can still have fun. Plus, it’s a great way to get some physical activity somewhere other than a gym, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Whether you’re an artist or not, you can paint ceramic pottery. It’s actually pretty simple, not to mention fun – you pick out what you want to paint, select the colours you want and slap on three coats of paint. Then, the staff will fire it up in the kiln for you and you can pick up your new masterpiece in a few days. There’s stencils available if you wish to paint designs, or you can go freehand.
This is an educational but fun way to spend an afternoon indoors, at any age. There’s an IMAX theatre and a variety of exhibits and events. Past feature exhibit topics have included pop culture icons, such as Harry Potter and Indiana Jones. Regular exhibits include The Body Fantastic, a 3D look at the human body, and Space Place, which gives viewers a glimpse of the dark side of the moon. Telus World of Science also regularly hosts adult nights, where booze and science collide for an awesome night of learning and drinking.
Turn a dull, dreary day into an opportunity to soak up some colour and life from the canvases lining this stunning art gallery. There’s always a multitude of exhibits from local, Canadian and international artists. The gallery focuses on contemporary and historical art, in addition to offering educational programs. With 85,000 square feet to explore, including Zinc, the gallery’s restaurant, you could easily spend the entire day here and never see the same thing twice.