The Best Guided Tours in Edmonton for Adrenaline Junkies and Chill-Seekers
Sure, a self-guided tour works—if you’re in a tiny town with 4 mildly interesting spots all within shouting distance. But in Edmonton? Unless you’re keen on getting lost and calling it “exploration,” it’s better to stick with a guided tour.
You’ll see the city like a pro without the headache of figuring out every little detail yourself. The downside is you might get lost in the gazillion tour options to find the right one.
Fortunately, we know where to go and who to call. You’ll get the details and tips below!
Savory and Sweet Strathcona – Alberta Food Tours
– From albertafoodtours
Stops:
- Meat
- Sugared and Spiced
- Pact Coffee
- Made by Marcus Ice Cream
- Remedy Cafe on Whyte
Contact Details: +1 888-211-2206
Operating Hours: Tue to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
Price: $110 per person
Capacity: Up to 12 people
The Savory and Sweet Strathcona tour had us ditching our diets faster than a kid in a candy store (candy stores edmonton) handing out free sweets. You can’t blame us though; the tour involved Alberta beef sandwiches, cookies, and ice cream.
Alberta-made brews and doughnuts were also flowing, fueling the food-slash-history tour. But the pièce de résistance was the in-house meat tasting; that Texas-style BBQ brought the heat with deep smokiness and a dry rub oozing with kicky spices.
| Tip: Think your colleagues need a boost? Book their corporate packages! |
Edmonton Craft Beer Tour – Edmonton Brewery Tours
– From: edmontonbrewerytours
Possible Stops (2–3 max, subject to availability):
- Analog Brewing
- Endeavor Brewing (North pickups)
- Town Square (South pickups)
- Omen Brewing
- Sea Change
- Situation Brewing
- Alley Kat
- Odd Company
- Two Sergeants
Contact Details: +1 778-320-3409
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 1 10 am to 5 pm
Price: $99 per person
Capacity: 10 people and more
The Edmonton Craft Beer Tour is a 3 to 3.5-hour bender designed for those who take their brews seriously. In this excursion, you’ll sip on unique blends in premium tap rooms while a certified “beer geek” spills the beans on the city’s brewing scene and secrets.
A behind-the-scenes tour is also on the menu, letting you snoop around Edmonton’s beermakers and their processes. Plus, there’s a shuttle service, so you can go all out without worrying about crawling home.
| Tip: Book ASAP, or you’ll miss a spot. They’re one of the hottest tour providers in town. |
Pedal Pub – Private Tours
– From loveatfirstlike
Address: Whyte Avenue
Contact Details: +1 825-963-4966
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 10 pm
Price: $599 per bike (seats 8 to 15 people)
A cardio-meets-cocktail experience is what Pedal Pub’s private tour brings to the table. For 2 hours, you’ll cruise between 2 to 3 of Edmonton’s best spots, with pubs, breweries, and nightclubs as the patrons’ usual picks.
The party bike also moves at a leisurely pace, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sights and Edmonton’s atmosphere while downing your favorite poison. And with a designated driver to keep you from crashing, you’re free to go all out and get hammered.
| Tip: For those who want to do the tour their way, go for the customizable options. |
Bison Backstage Tour
– From travelalberta
Address: Elk Island National Park, 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan
Contact Details: +1 780-922-5790
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 6 pm
Prices: $7.75 to $14.75 per person
Capacity: Max of 30 people
The bison has always fascinated us, so getting the Bison Backstage Tour was a no-brainer for our team. This adventure took us to Elk Island, where our team spotted herds of these majestic and massive animals.
We also absorbed a wealth of bison facts, including their care routines, rich history, and their role as prairie landscapers. The only tiny hiccup? Walking was a bit of a workout due to the uneven terrain, and we had to hoof it for about a kilometer.
| Tip: Send an email to [email protected] to book your spot. |
Edmonton Beginner Segway Adventure – River Valley Adventure Co.
– From rivervalleyadventureyeg
Address: Edmonton River Valley
Contact Details: 780-995-7347
Price: $59.99 per person
With the Edmonton Beginner Segway Adventure, you’ll roll through the city’s highlights on a Segway—basically, a two-wheeled, self-balancing scooter that will make you feel like you’re gliding in the air.
The 60-minute tour kicks off with a quick Segway crash course before you zoom through Edmonton River Valley, Canada’s largest urban park. A few sites you’ll visit include the North Saskatchewan River and some seriously Instagram-worthy, tree-shaded trails.
| Tip: Check their shop. Beyond the tours, River Valley Adventure Co. sells some great bikes. |
Edmonton Canoe – Saturday Full Trip
– From edmontoncanoe
Departure Location: Devon Voyageur Park
Contact Details: +1 780-470-5352
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 1 pm to 5 pm
Prices:
- Canoe with 2 adults – $140
- Canoe with 1 adult and 1 child – $120
- Canoe with 1 adult and 2 children – $145
- Canoe with 2 adults and 1 child – $165
- Canoe with 3 adults – $165
- Kayak with 1 adult – $120
Paddling through North Saskatchewan on Edmonton Canoe’s Saturday Full Trip was a dream come true for our nature lovers. Birds, greenery, and wetlands brimmed on our trip, and we also had a laid-back lunch on one of the river’s chaos-free shores.
It wasn’t just a nature fest though; downtown Edmonton also showed its best features, with parks and the city skyline (skyline edmonton) as prime examples. And since the tour ran for about 6 hours, we didn’t have to row like the wind to see the city’s gems.
| Tip: Make sure to bring light shoes (or sandals), extra shoes, a wool sweater, and a wind/rain jacket and pants. |
Alberta Legislature Building Tour
– From legassemblyofab
Address: 10800 97 Ave NW
Contact Details: +1 780-427-7362
Operating Hours: Mon, Wed to Sun – 10 am to 4 pm
Price: Free
Capacity: Up to 20 people
A peek behind the curtain of city governance is just a 45-minute Alberta Legislature Building Tour away.
On this tour, guides break down everything from parliamentary traditions and historical figures to the roles of officials like the Lieutenant Governor and Premier Speaker. They’ll also dive into the art and architecture that makes the building more intriguing.
| Tip: The tour hours change depending on the season. Make sure to call or check their website to get the updated schedule. |
Black Gold River Tours – Hidden Treasures
– From skmatvichuk
Address: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, 13221 Buena Vista Rd NW
Contact Details: 1-780-987-0410
Price: $369 per boat (seats 1 to 6 people)
Hidden Treasures tops the charts as Black Gold’s bestselling tour, and it’s no wonder why. It’s the perfect blend of relaxation and discovery, allowing you to kick back while uncovering the North Saskatchewan River’s secrets.
Essentially, travelers will set sail on a jet, making stops on tranquil islands for some relaxation and potential swimming—provided the weather plays ball. The guide will also head to treasure hotspots where shiny items often get washed away.
| Tip: They operate seven days a week, but it’s best to choose a day with good weather. If conditions on the river are poor, the tour might get canceled. |
City Hall Public Tour
– From markmrsgn
Address: 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Contact Details: +1 780-442-5311
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 10 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
Price: Free
Capacity: Up to 5 people
The City Hall Public Tour is hands-down the most interactive way to keep your finger on the pulse of Edmonton’s happenings.
Sure, it’s just an hour, and securing a spot can be a real head-scratcher, but you’ll get the scoop on the city’s art, architecture, biggest events of the year, and history. And if you’re fortunate, you might even see the City Council doing its thing!
| Tip: Not in the mood to go outside? You can tour the City Hall virtually. |
Edmonton Regional Helicopters – Edmonton City/River Tour + River Landing
Address: Airside Flight Services- Departure Lounge, 3759 60 Ave E, Edmonton International Airport
Contact Details: +1 780-890-7788
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 10 pm
Price: $772 per flight (seats 3 passengers)
In terms of envy-inducing views, the Edmonton City/River Tour + River Landing is hard to top, quite literally. Yeah, it’s a splurge, but for 40 minutes, you’ll be treated to unmatched vistas of the North Saskatchewan River and the city.
What sets this experience apart, however, is the pilot’s touch-and-go action, hovering over the water for that extra dose of adrenaline. You can also fly during the sunset, but you must land 30 minutes after the golden hour due to some pesky restrictions.
| Tip: Always check the website for sales. These discounts can range from 10 to 15 bucks. |
Food Bike Tour – Edmonton Food Bike Tour
– From feedmemelanie
September Stops (Details for October and beyond are not yet available)
- Frida Urban Taqueria
- Epic Market
- Bread & Butter
Contact Details: +1 780-250-2453
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Price: $122 per person
If someone dares to claim that exercising and indulging in food are mutually exclusive, take them on the Edmonton Food Bike Tour. For 4 hours, you’ll cycle through the city, enjoying chef-curated meals at 3 local restaurants and a behind-the-scenes experience.
The ride usually averages 30 minutes between stops, and there are no hardcore climbs or rough terrain. As for the selections, they vary monthly, with the September 2024 trio being Frida Urban Taqueria, Epic Market, and Bread & Butter.
| Tip: If you don’t have a bike, consider renting. It typically costs 25 bucks, including the helmet. |
3Quest Scavenger Hunt
– From 3questchallenge
Starting Point: Outside the Edmonton City Hall
Contact Details: 843-212-6458
Price: $25 to $28 per person
3Quest Scavenger Hunt turns your Edmonton outing into a treasure-hunting escapade. Armed with their app, you’ll tackle three challenges scattered throughout the city, all while searching for hidden goodies in just about 2 hours.
This scavenger hunt also doubles as a friendly competition, which means you’ll be racing against friends or fam for leaderboard bragging rights while navigating a fun 3-kilometer course. No need to panic about getting lost too; a remote guide will be your virtual lifeline!
| Tip: Bring the kiddos. 3Quest’s games are designed to be family-friendly! |
Talking Rock Tours – Edmonton River Valley Askiy-Geo Discovery Tour
– From indigenous.tourism
Starting Point: Moss Lake Trail
Contact Details: (780) 298-7992
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
Prices: $139 to $199 per person
The Edmonton River Valley Askiy-Geo Discovery Tour is your ticket to some of the province’s most mind-boggling geological features. Glaciation, meltwater depressions, and rolling sandy hills are the undeniable head-turners.
Wildlife abounds in the deepwood forests too, specifically elk, plains buffalo, waterfowl, and beavers. Just one little catch: meals aren’t provided, so if you want to avoid a hangry meltdown, bring some bites before you brave the wilderness.
| Tip: Prepare for the rough terrain by wearing a sturdy pair of shoes that you won’t mind getting dirty. |