Once the world's largest shopping mall, this Edmonton landmark contains over 800 stores, an indoor amusement park, waterpark, skating rink, mini-golf, and submarine adventure. It's essentially a small city under one roof, attracting over 30 million visitors annually.
West Edmonton Mall at 8882 170th Street in Edmonton, Alberta, was for many years the largest shopping mall in the world by total floor area and remains among the largest in North America. The complex covers approximately 493,000 square metres and brings together more than 800 retail stores, an indoor amusement park, a full-scale indoor water park, an NHL-size ice rink, miniature golf, a hotel, multiple cinemas, and over 100 dining establishments. It functions less as a conventional shopping centre than as a self-contained entertainment city under a single roof.
The retail tenant mix spans the full spectrum of Canadian and international brands: anchor department stores are joined by mid-tier fashion retailers (H&M, Zara, Gap, Banana Republic), specialty chains, sports retailers, jewellers, electronics stores, and a significant number of independent boutiques. The mall's attractions are equally central to the visitor experience. Galaxyland, Canada's largest indoor amusement park, features roller coasters, drop towers, and family rides operating entirely indoors. World Waterpark, the indoor water park, holds one of the world's largest indoor wave pools alongside multiple waterslides and an outdoor patio section, operating year-round regardless of Edmonton's notoriously cold winters.
Food options reflect the mall's enormous scale: a large food court anchors the central area, supplemented by sit-down restaurants, casual chains, and kiosks distributed across all levels. Dining ranges from fast food to themed restaurants, with over 100 food establishments in total. The on-site Fantasyland Hotel offers themed rooms designed around various concepts—rooms designed as Hollywood sets, igloo suites, and polynesisan cabins—and is popular for multi-day visits.
Shopping at West Edmonton Mall carries a meaningful financial advantage for visitors from other Canadian provinces: Alberta has no provincial sales tax, meaning shoppers pay only the federal GST of 5% on most purchases, rather than the combined HST of 13–15% charged in provinces like Ontario or Nova Scotia. Card payment is universal across all retail stores. Admission to the mall itself is free; attractions like Galaxyland and World Waterpark charge separate entry fees, with combination passes available.
| Hours | Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM |
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Highlights
- Over 800 retail stores spanning national anchors, international brands, and independent boutiques under one roof
- Galaxyland indoor amusement park with roller coasters and thrill rides operating year-round
- World Waterpark with one of the world's largest indoor wave pools and multiple waterslide attractions
- NHL-size ice rink available for public skating sessions and ice shows
- Alberta's zero provincial sales tax means shoppers pay only 5% GST—a significant saving versus most other Canadian provinces
Tips for visiting
- Allocate a full day if planning to combine retail shopping with both Galaxyland and World Waterpark
- Alberta has no provincial sales tax; visitors from Ontario or British Columbia effectively save 8–10% compared to purchasing the same goods at home
- The mall is served by Edmonton Transit LRT at the West Edmonton Mall station, making it accessible without a car from downtown Edmonton
- Galaxyland and World Waterpark combination passes offer better value than single-attraction tickets; purchase at guest services near the main entrances
- Weekday mornings offer the most relaxed shopping experience; weekend afternoons and school holidays are the busiest periods throughout the complex
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for West Edmonton Mall?
Entry to the mall's retail areas is free. Galaxyland, World Waterpark, and the ice rink have separate admission fees. Combination passes are available at guest services near the main entrances.
How long does a visit to West Edmonton Mall typically take?
A pure retail visit takes 2–4 hours. Adding Galaxyland or World Waterpark extends the visit to a full day. Visitors staying at the on-site Fantasyland Hotel often spend multiple days exploring the complex.
Does Alberta charge provincial sales tax on purchases?
No. Alberta is one of the few Canadian provinces with no provincial sales tax, meaning shoppers pay only the federal GST of 5% on most purchases, rather than the combined HST of 13–15% charged in most other provinces.
Is the mall accessible by public transit?
Yes. Edmonton's LRT system serves the mall directly at the West Edmonton Mall station, connecting to downtown Edmonton and other parts of the city. Multiple bus routes also serve the surrounding area.
Is there a hotel inside the mall?
Yes. The Fantasyland Hotel is located within the mall complex and offers themed room designs ranging from Hollywood suites to cabin-style rooms. Several additional hotels are located in the surrounding area.