Under $100: Edmonton

Perhaps one of the lesser visited but no less enjoyable Canadian destinations, Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, located on the North Saskatchewan River and best known as Canada’s Festival City.

The cultural and educational hub hosts dozens of festivals throughout the year, some are more well known than others. The Works Art & Design Festival showcases Canadian and international art and design; The Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival highlights street performance art; Edmonton International Fringe Festival is the largest fringe theater festival in North America; and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival is widely popular. Visit during any of these events, usually held in the summer, to experience local culture without spending a lot of money.

For additional cultural experiences, head to Downtown Edmonton, home to the arts district and institutions like the Francis Winspear Centre for Music (home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) and the Citadel Theatre (one of the largest theater complexes in Canada with five halls). Visit the Royal Alberta Museum when it reopens this year following a major redevelopment project, and browse more than 10 million objects showcasing the culture of the aboriginal tribes in the region. The Art Gallery of Alberta is also worth a visit —founded in 1924, it’s the oldest cultural institution in Alberta and has more than 6,000 objects in its collection. Plus, admission is only $12.50.

Edmonton is a great shopping destination. While you may not be up for a large spree if you’re traveling on a budget, the West Edmonton Mall is worth a visit, as it’s the largest mall in North America.

Experience the city’s beautiful surroundings and save some money with a visit to Aspen parkland, which surrounds the city, or venture only 49 miles to the Canadian Rocky Mountains and surrounding national parks. The city also sits in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America; it has more than 70 golf courses and 170 miles of paths for walkers and cyclists.

Witness Edmonton’s rich ethnic and cultural variety in its food scene. One of the best places to grab a cheap bite in the city is Seoul Fried Chicken; for some great local comfort food, visit Rockin’ Robyn’s Diner. Café Linnea was recently named one of Canada’s Top 10 best new restaurants by Air Canada in its enRoute magazine, and Denizen Freehouse has great drinks and bar snacks for less than $10.

Getting around Edmonton won’t break the bank. The Edmonton Transit Service day pass is only $9.75, and cab fare isn’t overly expensive.