Wetaskiwin

Wetaskiwin is a small city of about 12,700 people (2016) in the Central Corridor region of Alberta. It is home to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum and its outstanding collection of cars, airplanes, tractors, and industrial machines.

Understand

Municipal water tower in Wetaskiwin

Wetaskiwin is 70 km (43 mi) south of Edmonton, the city name comes from the Cree word wītaskiwinihk, meaning "the hills where peace was made". Wetaskiwin was the site of a battle between the Cree and the Blackfoot. In 1890, when the Calgary and Edmonton Railway was built, it became a whistle-stop, and was known as Siding 16. It was named in 1892 after the battle. Shortly after the area was surveyed, a group of Scandinavian immigrants settled at the townsite.

Get in

By car

Wetaskiwin is 70 km (43 mi) south of Edmonton via Highway 2 and Highway 2A (south of Leduc); Highway 2 is approximately 19 km (12 mi) west of the city.

By air

• 1 Edmonton international Airport (YEG ^IATA). 45 km (28 mi) north of Wetaskiwin, near Leduc.  
• 2 Wetaskiwin Regional Airport, 6301 47 Avenue, ☏ +1 780-352-5858. Private aircraft only; no commercial service.  

See

The Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin.

• 1 Reynolds-Alberta Museum, 6426 40 Avenue (Hwy 13 west), ☏ +1 780-312-2065. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. This museum is all about celebrating machines. Experience hands-on activities from climbing into a pink Buick convertible or a gigantic Oil Pull tractor, to cuddling up in the indoor Drive-In or watching restoration shop experts at work. Family $35 (2 adults and youths up to a maximum of 8); adults $13; seniors $11; youth (age 7-17) $9; children under 7 free. (updated Oct 2018)
• 2 Wetaskiwin and District Heritage Museum, 5007 50 Avenue, ☏ +1 780-352-0227. Located in the heart of Wetaskiwin's historic downtown, the museum offers three-floors of exhibits relating to everything from First Nations' history, Wetaskiwin's early businesses, an authentic tipi, and have a glimpse of life on a Hutterite colony. (updated Oct 2018)
• 3 Alberta Central Railway Museum (5 km east on Hwy 613; 9 km south on Range Road 234), ☏ +1-780-352-2257. Take a train ride. Experience the pleasure of travel of a by-gone era. See its rail yard and exhibits, tells you the story of the work of railroaders, the story of train travel in Canada, the impact of Canadian Pacific Railway on settlement, and the importance of railway to Western Canada into the age when steam was retired. (updated Oct 2018)
• 4 Wetaskiwin Peace Cairn, 4910 55A Street. The Peace Cairn was erected to commemorate 60 years of peace between the Blackfoot (Niitsitapi) and Cree (Nehiyawak) nations. This historic peace pact took place in a group of hills just north of present day Wetaskiwin. These hills are known as the Hills of Peace and the name Wetaskiwin is a derivative of the Cree word Wîtaskiwinihk, meaning "the hills where peace was made." (updated Oct 2018)

Do

• 1 Edmonton International Raceway, 244047A Township Road 464. Edmonton Int'l Raceway is Western Canada's only NASCAR-sanctioned Race Track. Stock car racing every Saturday night mid-May to early October every year. EIR is home to the only 10-lap stock car test drive experience, or try your own car on their paved oval race track. (updated Oct 2018)
• 2 Manluk Centre, 4514 50 Avenue, ☏ +1 780-361-4443. The Manluk Centre is the City of Wetaskiwin's fitness destination providing aquatic and dry land fitness opportunities. Gym, fitness classes, water slides, BoardRider, steam room, hot tub, tot play area and 25-m competition pool. General admission provides access to the entire facility for the full day. (updated Oct 2018)
• Walking Tour. Walking tour of Wetaskiwin's historic downtown. (updated Oct 2018)
• Gwynne Valley Ski Area (14 km east of Wetaskiwin on Hwy 13 near Gwynne.), ☏ +1 780-352-3515. (updated Oct 2018)

Buy

• Automile (along 56 Street (Hwy 2A)). It is renowned for the advertising jingle "Cars cost less in Wetaskiwin". (updated Oct 2018)
• Downtown. Visit downtown where you will find shops located in turn of the century buildings. Featuring gift shops, specialty clothing, home furnishings, sportswear, and novelty shops located within a three block area. (updated Oct 2018)
• 1 Wetaskiwin Mall, 3725 56 Street (Hwy 2A). Home to 25 retailers, including Dollarama, Sport Chek, Pet Valu and Giant Tiger. (updated Oct 2018)

Eat

• 1 Huckleberry's Cafe, #103 3840 56 St, ☏ +1 780-352-3111. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM, holidays noon-8PM. A full-service steak and prime rib restaurant. Everything on the menu is free of preservatives and chemical flavour-enhancers. Mains $14-31, prime rib and steaks $25-45. (updated Jan 2019)
• 2 Runway Cafe, 5505 50 Ave, ☏ +1 780-352-2286. M-F 6AM-2PM, Su 8AM-2PM. Breakfasts $7-13, lunches $9-13. (updated Jan 2019)
• 3 Seoul Restaurant, 4912 50 St, ☏ +1 780-368-3568. Su 11:30AM-8PM, Tu-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Sushi and Korean food. (updated Jan 2019)

Sleep

• 1 Best Western Wayside Inn, 4103 56th Street, ☏ +1 780-312-7300, toll-free: +1-800-780-7234. On-site restaurant and pub. Microwave, regards, coffee maker in room. From $135. (updated Jan 2019)
• 2 Super 8 Wetaskiwin, 3820 56th Street, toll-free: +1-800-454-3213. Indoor pool and waterslide, free WiFi, refrigerator, free continental breakfast. Accessible rooms are available. From $112. (updated Jan 2019)
• 3 Travelodge by Wyndham, 4814 56 St, ☏ +1 780-352-2222. Free high-speed wireless internet, mini fridge, microwave in room. On-site restaurant, coffee bar & bistro. From $90. (updated Jan 2019)

Go next

Routes through Wetaskiwin

Edmonton ← Leduc ←	N  S	→ Ponoka → Red Deer
ENDS at S N ← Pigeon Lake ← Jct N S ←	W  E	→ Camrose → Saskatoon