One of the highlights of living near Edmonton is the West Edmonton Mall. Inside the giant mall is the World Waterpark, a tropical paradise boasting the world’s largest indoor wave pool and more than a dozen waterslides and play features. This summer, World Waterpark is a great place to take kids and enjoy the day– even if it’s raining outside. Meanwhile, there are now upgraded private rental spaces for guests, including the Palm Cove Cabanas and Beachfront Patios. Find out more info at the World Waterpark website:  http://www.wem.ca/play/attractions-at-wem/world-waterpark

The City of Edmonton has invested money into the Edmonton Valley Zoo, so it has been changing for the better during the past few years. If you haven’t been there in a long time or you’ve never been before, this summer’s a good time for a visit. Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, the Edmonton Valley Zoo is a special place meant to inspire people to learn more about animals and nature. See an elephant, camel, zebra, tiger and other mammals on display, as well as monkeys, seals and more. For more information about the zoo, visit their site: http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_events/edmonton-valley-zoo.aspx

Great cities have science centres, and Edmonton is no exception. The Telus World of Science Edmonton features exhibits appealing to adults and kids alike. You can meet RoboThespian, a life-sized, interactive robot there, as well as build and program a Lego model in the robotics lab to perform a number of challenges. “The Body Fantastic” is the centre’s most popular gallery. It’s designed to show visitors large 3D models of how our bodies work. Kids especially gravitate toward “The Gallery of the Gross,” with its hands-on exhibits. “Space Place” allows guests to learn and play with various scenarios involving meteors, the Lunar Lander and building a mission to Mars. Find out more about The Telus World of Science Edmonton here: http://telusworldofscienceedmonton.com/