Edmonton’s mall vibes are something else — this really is a one-mall town, and everyone knows which one. West Edmonton Mall doesn’t just eclipse the rest, it leaves every other mall in Canada in the dust. Pirate ship, roller coaster, waterpark, bronze whale, the whole deal. Call it West Ed, or just say "the mall" - everyone will know which mall you're talking about. WEM even inspired its own art show in 2023 (from which we have a map of WEM mall memories available here!). WEM is pretty much legend, and everyone will have a story about it.
Still, pour one out for all the other Edmonton malls. They're there for you when you just need socks and don't wanna face the pirate ship crowds. We’re ranking some of Edmonton’s other malls so you don’t have to, and pointing out the hidden gems too:
SOUTH EDMONTON COMMON
Yes, it's giant parking lot outdoors, so it's not quite a mall. Yes, you will inevitably wind up there because you're at IKEA anyways. Yes, it's frickin' busy all the time. Yes it's got probably every store you need. That's all. Last place, but it sure does the job. Quite close to the Bountiful Farmer's Market.
SOUTHGATE MALL
The shiniest other mall in the city. It's on the southside, just off Whitemud Drive. Southgate has got the fancier brands and feels like a labyrinth you can get lost in, which the mall walkers probably like! No word if the food court still has giant stock pots and frying pans as lighting, someone go check for us while you wait for your repair at the Apple store.
MILLWOODS TOWN CENTRE
Rumour has it some of the better Indian food in Millwoods is in this food court. And that's saying somethin' considering the Millwoods area is chock full of authentic South East Asian restaurants.
KINGSWAY MALL
In the 1970s, Kingsway Mall looked amazing. It's all renovated now, but has a super rad mural program featuring artwork from Nasarimba, AJ Louden and Jill Stanton among others. If you're anywhere near NAIT or Blatchford, this is where you're gonna grab your mall ginger beef and orange julius (with an unexpected side of mural art).
HUB MALL
Actually, don't come here to buy socks, but do come to the University of Alberta campus to check out this indoor pedestrian street of a mall, measuring almost the length of three football fields. It's architecturally notable with student residences above, and retail bays along the indoor walkway. HUB's indie retail heyday started coming to an end by the mid-2000s, but there's still lots of food and a bookstore in there. RIP Java Jive and those checkered cups.
WEST EDMONTON MALL
This is a completely rigged ranking situation, ok? WEM is tops, so go people watch, get a bubble tea, wander around, soak up those mall vibes. At the very least it's a good winter cabin-fever mall walking escape. Cool art includes the Aurora hanging glass installation in the impressive Simons department store, but really who's to say the 5.3 million square foot West Edmonton Mall and everything in it (life-size Santa Maria pirate ship replica, anyone?) isn't art in itself. Certainly not us!
