Whyte Avenue
Whyte Avenue
4
About
Whyte Avenue (also known as 82 Avenue) is an arterial road in south-central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It became the main street of the City of Strathcona as it formed, and now runs through Old Strathcona. It was named in 1891 after Sir William Whyte, who was superintendent of the CPR's western division from 1886 to 1897 and was knighted by King George V in 1911. Old Strathcona is Edmonton's main arts and entertainment district, and is also a shopping hub for local residents and students at the nearby University of Alberta. Whyte Avenue, now a heritage area, is at the heart of this district, housing many shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
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Neighbourhood: Strathcona
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
1,252 reviews
Excellent
559
Very good
482
Average
155
Poor
40
Terrible
16
JLNARC
Swift Current, Canada74 contributions
Mar 2022
Highly disappointing! I thought Whyte Ave should be something special, it is not. It looks like a place that once was special but now just tired and rundown. When asking what there was to do on a Sunday afternoon( besides watch all the homeless people) the only suggestion was the Cat Cafe. Not into cats, so that was it. Nice murals and some well taken care of restaurants/businesses other than that a huge disappointment.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura T
Edmonton, Canada42 contributions
May 2021
I work on Whyte Avenue and walk the neighborhood everyday at noon. Wonderful shops and restaurants. If you're an evening person, many bars and coffee shops as well. When festivals are in full swing, the fringe is just a block away. Such fun and great food.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ck1555
Calgary, Canada67 contributions
Apr 2022
Very sketchy area. We wouldn't even park around there. We actually thought we were in wrong area (having never been there before). Quickly left to get back to hotel. If this is a MUST SEE wow...
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jullian
edmonton, alberta4 contributions
Whyte Avenue may be one of the best areas of Edmonton. That does not say much for the city as a whole. The shopping is mediocre. There is nothing high end. The night life is mediocre. None of the bars have any class.
If you are in or driving though the area on a weeknight you see how deserted it is, expecially comared to Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and even Calgary.
By all means visit if you happen to be in Edmonton but don't expect much.
If you are in or driving though the area on a weeknight you see how deserted it is, expecially comared to Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and even Calgary.
By all means visit if you happen to be in Edmonton but don't expect much.
Written May 16, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J H
Edmonton, Canada83 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
The best word I can think of to describe Whyte Ave is 'underwhelming'. What's touted as one of the most unique and vibrant communities in Edmonton is barely two blocks long, and can be fully explored within an hour. I suppose it was partially my own fault for expecting something spectacular, maybe something along the lines of Toronto's Queen Street. It's nothing even close. If you're looking for something fun to do in Edmonton, it's best to avoid Whyte Ave.
Written January 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sinead S
Dublin, Ireland1 contribution
Oct 2014 • Couples
Stayed on Whyte Ave for 3 nights and I cannot begin to explain how awful it is. It is run down, dirty, grungy and unsafe. Walking down the street is a nightmare - people begging and asking for money the whole time. Night time is the worst, full of drunks shouting and screaming and no police in sight. We were got the bus back from Rexall Place about 11pm and I feared for my safety, drunk people running through red lights, a middle aged man so drunk he was falling all over the place.....really terrible stuff. Nothing exciting or vibrant about this street it is run down and in bad need of redevelopment and law and order.
Written October 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne S
Vancouver, Canada9 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
There are a lot of nice stores on Whyte Avenue well worth visiting, but I am really tired of the nastiness left on the streets after people have partied all night. No need for graphic descriptions, but it is disgusting to walk down the streets the next day after the bars have closed. I wish the vendors would hose down their sidewalks once in awhile.
Written November 10, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rotorwayhelicopter
Calgary, Canada327 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
If you want to smell nothing but smoke and car fumes go to Whyte Ave. Also, the homeless population loves to hang out on this street. And they don't mind bothering you in various ways to get your attention.
There are some nice shops but many are in a run-down state. Can you not take pride in your store front? It's called soap and water....
There are some nice shops but many are in a run-down state. Can you not take pride in your store front? It's called soap and water....
Written July 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrWayne
Blackfalds, Canada211 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
Whyte Ave is an OK spot when the sun is shining. Some interesting shops, the usual chain coffee joints, unoriginal and uninsipred restaurants. Not a bad place to spend an afternoon, but I've seen it done better in almost every major city I've been to. For Edmonton, which has little to no cosmopolitan appeal, it's really the only show in town if that's what you're looking for.
At night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays it turns into a gong show. Aggressive beggers, drunken white trash and frat boys roaming in packs looking for fights. Sidewalks full of intoxicated bar stars throwing their cigarettes everywhere, and acting like the cast of Jersey Shore. It's a disgrace. But hey if that's what you're into, this is the place to be.
At night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays it turns into a gong show. Aggressive beggers, drunken white trash and frat boys roaming in packs looking for fights. Sidewalks full of intoxicated bar stars throwing their cigarettes everywhere, and acting like the cast of Jersey Shore. It's a disgrace. But hey if that's what you're into, this is the place to be.
Written May 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilti
Toronto, Canada11 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
I imagine it is nice place to visit in the summer, or when the Oilers win or maybe all decked out at Christmas? But I've not been around for any of those happenings. I've been to Whyte Ave several times and every time I go I find it a little underwhelming. There are a few trendy stores and quirky stores and a few cafes, but the Avenue is very short. There are a couple of good pubs and restaurants. I think it's fair to say that every other city I have ever been to in North America has a longer strip of storefronts to meander through as a pedestrian. That's my impression, anyway.
If I was planning a trip to Edmonton and the weather wasn't supposed to be nice, the Oilers were not winning and it wasn't Christmas I would still probably go to Whyte Ave. Just to say that I'd been there. But if you've been to many other cities in North America, don't expect too much.
If I was planning a trip to Edmonton and the weather wasn't supposed to be nice, the Oilers were not winning and it wasn't Christmas I would still probably go to Whyte Ave. Just to say that I'd been there. But if you've been to many other cities in North America, don't expect too much.
Written October 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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