Edmonton – A City with a Mall That Has Penguins and Pirate Ships

Edmonton may be known as Alberta’s capital and a gateway to the North, but it also holds a title few cities can claim: home to the largest mall in North America. And not just any mall. West Edmonton Mall is like someone said, “What if we made a mall... but also added a water park, roller coasters, a pirate ship, an ice rink, a shooting range, a sea lion show, a chapel, and a hotel shaped like a fantasy castle?”

The result? A place that’s part shopping spree, part fever dream, part indoor amusement park. It’s chaotic. It’s over-the-top. It’s kind of brilliant. And it’s pure Edmonton.

From Shops to Sharks

Let’s start with the basics. West Edmonton Mall has over 800 stores and services. That’s right—800. You’ll find high-end luxury boutiques next to candy shops, next to escape rooms, next to tattoo parlors. Want to buy a designer handbag and then shoot zombies in virtual reality five minutes later? You can.

But where it gets wonderfully weird is the attractions. There’s a full-sized indoor skating rink, an actual pirate ship floating on a lagoon (called the Deep Sea Adventure), a mini-golf course styled like a haunted mansion, and the Galaxyland amusement park, complete with one of the world’s tallest indoor roller coasters.

World Waterpark – Surf in the Snow

Oh, and then there’s World Waterpark—a 5-acre tropical paradise inside a building. With palm trees, giant wave pools, and waterslides named things like “Tsunami” and “Sky Screamer,” it’s the kind of place where you can wear board shorts while it’s -20°C outside.

This isn’t your average lazy river. World Waterpark can accommodate over 5,000 people at once, and the waves reach up to 2 meters. There’s even a zip line that goes across the whole park if you're brave enough.

Penguins, Sea Lions, and… Hotel Rooms in Roman Themes

Yes, penguins. West Edmonton Mall has a marine life section complete with sea lions that do flips and penguins that waddle past delighted kids. It’s like a mini-aquarium tucked between an H&M and a bowling alley.

And when you're done exploring, you don’t even need to leave. Just check in to the Fantasyland Hotel, located right inside the mall. Each room is themed—think Roman suite with pillars and fountains, or a space-themed pod with glowing panels. It’s wild. It’s kitschy. It’s kind of awesome.

The Most Canadian Thing? An Indoor Shooting Range and Hockey Rink

Because why not, right? Edmonton embraces the extremes. In addition to ice skating under a giant glass ceiling, the mall has an indoor shooting range and archery tag arena. There are also escape rooms, VR rides, bumper cars, and even a chapel if you want to get married after riding a log flume.

And let’s not forget the Ed’s Bowling lounge, the drive-in golf simulator, or the fact that you can go bungee-jumping inside the building. It’s not just a mall—it’s basically Canada’s version of Willy Wonka’s factory, if Wonka had a loyalty card and mall cops.

Tips for Visiting

🛍️ Come early. The place is huge. You won’t cover it all in one day. 🏨 Consider staying overnight in the Fantasyland Hotel for the full surreal experience. 🏄‍♂️ Bring a swimsuit—even in winter. World Waterpark is a must. 🧭 Grab a map at the entrance. Trust us, you’ll need it. 🍁 And yes, there’s maple syrup in the souvenir shops.

Final Thought

West Edmonton Mall isn’t just a mall. It’s a time capsule of 1980s ambition, a labyrinth of oddities, and a shrine to the “why not?” spirit of Canada. It’s chaotic. It’s colorful. It’s absolutely unforgettable.

If you ever wanted to shop, surf, skate, scream, and sleep in a space capsule—all in one day—Edmonton is ready for you.

Tags: