Who says once you have children, you can’t take in the arts? Festival City, aka Edmonton, has so many great cultural spaces and places for families. Whether you like sampling a rainbow of macaron flavours, a creating art in a major gallery or staying in an arty, design-focused hotel Edmonton has you covered. Check out these five ways to have an artful weekend in one of Canada’s finest culture capitals.

Stay at an arty, design-minded hotel

Opened in 2013, the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel is one of YEG’s sparkliest hotels – literally! The theme at the hotel is ‘Curiously Arctic’ and is meant to celebrate’s Edmonton’s status as gateway to the north. With over 45 different finishes and textures to the Renaissance’s interior – from glittery vinyl bar chairs to the asymmetrical, ice-like mirrors that reflect on hotel room walls – your stay is both tactile and visual. Meanwhile, the kiddos will love the basement-level pool and runway facing rooms. They can watch planes land and take off through the floor to ceiling soundproof windows.

The Renaissance Edmonton International Airport Hotel

The Renaissance Edmonton International Airport Hotel

Check out the AGA

The Art Gallery of Alberta has approximately six to eight exhibits at any given time. The kids will especially love the Children’s Gallery — an interactive, hands-on space where children and their grown-ups can explore their creativity. Exhibitions and themes change from year-to-year.

Sculpture Culture at Borden Park 

Located in Northeast Edmonton Borden Park is a sprawling urban greenspace. In addition to a fun destination for families and fun-seekers, you’ll find an open air art gallery. Nestled among the trees and walkways are 11 artworks waiting to be discovered by park users. If your tribe is hungry prior to a Borden park visit stop by Zocalo Cafe or the Italian Centre Market in nearby McCauley for picnic supplies.

Attend a Festival 

Edmonton has a festival (or two) happening almost every single weekend of the year. The summer time especially is chock-a-block with music, performance and arts extravaganzas. Family friendly fests include: Edmonton Heritage Festival and the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival.

Nibble the Rainbow

Edmonton’s eateries are garnering some awesome attention these days. Many offer grab’n’go options for families on the run. Little Brick Cafe, located in the River Valley, offers delicious sandwiches along with handmade gourmet drinks. Plus, they have some of the best outdoor seating in the summer. Duchess Bake Shop is the perfect place to treat your family to world-class French-inspired desserts.

Where do you go for an artful time in Edmonton? Share your favourite family friendly art spots in the comments section below.