Top 4 Lookouts of Downtown Edmonton

We begin our tour by parking here in the parking lot of McNally High School. Don’t worry, though, we won’t be sending you back to your calculus class! Once you’ve found a spot to park, head west towards the river to get to Rowland Park Lookout! Offering an incredible view of downtown Edmonton from the east, the best time for pictures here is at dawn, just before Edmonton’s majestic sunrise! Looking down upon the North Saskatchewan River, we can see the stoic Dawson Bridge straddling it. The bridge connects Rowland Road to the forest beyond, and, eventually, to the massive city center sprouting up from the trees! Take a seat at one of the public benches here and breathe in the sweet northern air that brought millions to Edmonton! Despite the obvious beauty of this lookout, there’s still more incredible spots for us to get to. So, when you’re ready, head back to your car and we’ll head to our next view!

1b.) On the way to our next viewpoint we pass by the lovely Forest Heights Park. Dog-friendly and beautiful to boot, Forest Heights is actually one of the largest parks in the North Saskatchewan River valley parks system! Enjoy the beautiful scenery on this bend of the riverside as we make our way to the next stop!

As we head south down 84 Street NW towards our next viewpoint we pass by the riverside Forest Heights Park on our right, a great indicator of the natural views to come! A pair of humble public benches, similar to those at our last location, mark this picturesque Downtown View. Find a spot along the side of the road here, and stroll over here to take it all in! Offering possibly the most complete view of downtown, this is the perfect spot for those looking to take some incredible photos of the otherworldly glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory botanical gardens, and the recently completed 100 Street Funicular. Off in the distance, we have an unimpeded view of Edmonton’s majestic downtown skyline. The stately Fairmont Hotel Macdonald with its European-inspired architecture sits squarely at the front of an envelope of skyscrapers, a shining example of Edmonton’s old and new. Stay here for a bit, and we’ll follow the North Saskatchewan River as it wraps around downtown towards the south.

As we cruise along the Low Level Bridge, you might be confused why we’re crossing the North Saskatchewan again, but don’t worry, our next lookout will be more than worth it! For now, enjoy the sights of this critical Canadian river bend.

As we approach our next viewpoint, look for a spot along the road to park. You’ll see a paved bike path peeking out from behind the 95A Ave NW street sign, just follow that for a few feet and you’ll be right at Yurinatus Lookout! If you want an even better view of the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (or “The Mac” as it’s known locally), this is the perfect spot for you! In the foreground of the downtown skyline we see the James Macdonald bridge, and the Low Level Bridge behind it. If we look to the west we can see the popular Rossdale neighborhood and the Walterdale Bridge connecting these two sides of Edmonton. Savor this view and stay for as long as you like, because once we leave we’ll only have one more opportunity to enjoy Edmonton’s glorious skyline. Not to worry though, we saved one of the best ones for last!

Here along Saskatchewan Drive NW we come to one of our favorite photo-worthy views in all of Edmonton! Seemingly placed right on top of the River Valley before you, the famous arch of the Walterdale Bridge invites your eyes to the full scope of Edmonton in all its glory just beyond. Not only does this spot provide the best views of the Walterdale Bridge, this comfortably developed lookout point sits right on one of Edmonton’s most wonderful walking paths that traverses the hill we are atop now, and down to the bridge so you can get an even closer view! The trendy shops and pubs of White Avenue are also just to the south, so if you’re a little spent or overstimulated by the onslaught of natural beauty we’ve seen on this tour, head there to rest and recharge! For now, though, sit back and enjoy this last, immaculate view, and think about how you’re going to spend the rest of your day in this amazing city!