Visit Edmonton, Alberta

Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, the West Edmonton Mall is a gargantuan two-level complex with 800-plus stores, amusement park rides, themed attractions and more than 50 places to eat. Though diehard shoppers might think the mall is what put Edmonton on the map, the city also is—and more importantly—the capital of Alberta. To get a sense of what that means, visit the Alberta Legislature Building, seat of the provincial government, which was built on the original site of Fort Edmonton. Afterward see what the fort looked like at Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest living-history museum that's packed with fun things to do for kids.