Saved by the attractions!

No matter how many friends and relatives ‘drop in’ on you this summer, these Edmonton Attractions will keep ‘em busy, entertained…and amazed at what a great host you are!

Ride Fort Edmonton’s steam train into Edmonton’s history. Ride a 1920s carousel. Snack on fresh-baked bread or dine at the Selkirk Hotel. Take a stagecoach ride. Watch farmers and blacksmiths. Ask a million questions of costumed interpreters! (www.edmonton.ca/fort; 780 496-8787)

Come see the Valley Zoo’s baby Goeldi monkey! Get real close to a tiger. Say hi! to elephants and the blue-tongued skin. See Sunday sea lion feedings and elephant demonstrations. Meet the keeper daily, 1:30 p.m. (www.edmonton.ca/valleyzoo; 780 496-8787)

This summer, West Edmonton Mall unveils a Galaxyland roller coaster that goes up and down (a lot!) while spinning in circles!! Take a bumper boat ride or rocket down a waterslide, one of 25 World Waterpark attractions. (www.westedmontonmall.com; 780 444-5321)

The Muttart Conservatory’s glass pyramids house 700 plant species plants in different climates. Horticultural artists produce seasonal displays that would make Mother Nature’s heart beat hard with joy! Check out horticulture short courses. (www.edmonton.ca/muttart; 780 496-8787)

Edmonton’s Cracker Cats Pro Baseball team plays at Telus Field, the perfect place to enjoy summer sunsets. Popcorn, pop and hot dogs take on a new meaning, and special highlights make for a great entertainment experience. (www.crackercats.ca; 780 423-2255)

The Telus World of Science is a journey into the amazing. Experience magnetism and ants, tornados and brains, the sticky and the slimy. Discover ‘how it works’ and ‘who dunnit’. Explore electricity, sound and optics. IMAX, too! (www.telusworldofscience.com; 780 451-3344)

Visit a whole other world at Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village’s amazing reconstruction of a turn-of-the-(last)-century settlement, complete with costumed interpreters who play real-life pioneers. See a working grain elevator and a blacksmith shop and imagine what living in a sod hut was like. Great traditional food! (www.cd.gov.ab.ca/uchv; 780 662-3640)

You’d be amazed at the surprises in a Legislature Building tour! There are very special things in this magnificent marble, oak and stone expression of early Alberta’s pride. The beautiful Legislature Grounds are also waiting to be explored. At the Alberta Legislature the doors are open for you to discover! (www.assembly.ab.ca; 780 427-7362)

You’ve never seen Alberta (or a drop of water!) the way you’ll see it at the Royal Alberta Museum’s stunning Wild Alberta gallery. Tour 500 generations of native history. Marvel at glittering minerals. Visit bugs. See a complete mammoth skeleton! (www.royalalbertamuseum.ca; 780.453.9100)