Yellowknife Info

About Yellowknife
Flying Here
Driving Here
Where to Eat
Where to Drink
What to See
What to Buy

 

	About Yellowknife
	Yellowknife is a vibrant city of just under 20,000 people on the North shore of Great Slave Lake.  Government, mining and tourism are the cornerstones of the local economy.  Despite our remote location we are privileged with outstanding recreation facilities, gourmet restaurants, art & music festivals, and excellent airline connections to the rest of the country. Yellowknife has the distinction of being Canada’s sunniest capital city and when you arrive you will see why!  We receive 24 hours of daylight from mid-May to late July.  Downtown Yellowknife seems to bustle at all hours of the “night” as we enjoy the emergence from a long, dark winter.  You can do just about anything at midnight here – go golfing, fishing, canoeing, dancing – you’ll find that in the summer the one thing we don’t do that often at midnight is sleeping! Yellowknife remains active all winter long.  From Bush Pilot's Monument you will see people walking, kite skiing, cross country skiing, skidooing, driving, walking their dogs, flying planes, dogsledding, and more on the frozen surface of Great Slave Lake.  The clear nights make for amazing Aurora viewing and the sunny days, even when short, are made to be enjoyed in this big winter playground.  Indoors you can take in some great plays, musical performances, and art galleries.  Even if you only spend a short amount of time in Yellowknife you will learn we are very social folks and it's easy to end up with more invitations on your calendar than you can fit.
	Free Tourist Information
	Receive FREE NWT Tourist Information including The NWT Explorer’s Guide, road maps, and more by visiting NWT Tourism  or by calling 1-800-661-0788
	Flying Here
	Yellowknife is very well served by air from Edmonton and Calgary in the south and is the connecting point for everywhere else in the North.  There are up to 8 flights in each direction every day between Edmonton and Yellowknife (just an hour and a half flight) so you have no excuse not to visit! You can connect from the south on Canadian North, First Air, and Air Canada Jazz.  We recommend you fly with Canadian North - they have the best schedule, the best service, and they are a Northern Airline supporting Northerners. Our Northern Tour Packages include airfare from Edmonton or Calgary with Canadian North.  Take advantage of great airfares and come visit soon. Return to Top
	Driving Here
	For more information visit the NWT Tourism page on driving to Yellowknife by clicking here Yellowknife is a 1500 km drive from Edmonton.  The highway is now paved all the way to Yellowknife making the trip safer and much more enjoyable.  The journey is a comfortable 2-day trip through the farmlands of northern Alberta’s Peace Country, along the majestic Twin Gorge Park of Louise Falls and Lady Evelyn Falls near Hay River, and by ferry across the mighty MacKenzie River.  You are almost guaranteed to see an abundance of wildlife throughout your drive including herds of Wood Buffalo between Ft. Providence and Yellowknife.  Please Note: Most car rental companies in Alberta and other provinces specifically prohibit travel to the Northwest Territories with their vehicles.  If you are considering driving North with a rental vehicle please carefully examine the rental policy in advance. Suggested Driving Itinerary We recommend you allow two days in each direction if you plan to drive to Yellowknife. Day 1 Depart Edmonton towards Peace River (about 5 hours).  Take the time to find Su Casa Restaurant downtown for some of the best authentic Mexican food in the country!  Take time to stretch your legs and take in the lush scenery along the river.  (On the return drive south consider staying overnight here.)  Drive North to High Level (look out for moose along the way) and stay overnight at the Super 8 Motel.  It even has a pool, waterslide, and free breakfast.  Trust us – we’ve stayed in every place in town and the Super 8 is by far the best. Day 2 Depart High Level and head for the border!  The Alberta/NWT Border greets you less than 2 hours north on the highway.  Just south of the border is the tiny settlement of Indian Cabins.  We recommend you fuel up here in case you arrive in Enterprise after the gas station has closed.  Stop in at the 60th Parallel Visitors Centre for a picture by the Northwest Territories Border sign.  Continue to the Twin Gorge Park where you will see Lady Evelyn Falls and Louise Falls.  Stop and see these magnificent waterfalls on the Hay River and take advantage of the nice picnic area.  Enterprise is a small community just a bit further along the highway.  If you are interested in good butter tarts and an excellent selection of local native crafts stop in at Winnie’s Diner.  Make sure you leave here with a full tank of gas.  From here you can take a 40 km side trip into Hay River, the shipping hub of the North.  Here you can stroll along sand beaches on the south shore of Great Slave Lake.  Otherwise continue along to the MacKenzie River Ferry Crossing. The MacKenzie River ferry runs from 6 AM to Midnight daily.  Crossings are approximately every 30 minutes and the trip across takes about 5 minutes.  Make sure you take pictures – the MacKenzie River is one of the largest in the world.  The ferry is subject to service interruptions on occasion so it is important you have a full tank of fuel when you leave Enterprise - it is the last place before the ferry to gas up.   The ferry crossing is free.  If you are driving in the winter you will drive across the ice road.  There are several weeks in the spring (usually mid-April to mid-May) and several in the early winter (usually mid-December) when the river is impassable by either method.  Please visit the NWT Highways Website [embed link] for more information  Once you cross the river stop in at Ft. Providence.  This is the last place on the highway to get fuel (300 km from here to Yellowknife).  Be on the lookout for buffalo – be careful they won’t always move out of the way for your vehicle and can be very aggressive!  100 km from Yellowknife you will drive past the small community of Edzo on the highway.  If it’s a sunny day in the summer stop in at Sah Naji Kwi Wilderness Spa and get packed in pure marine glacial clay then bake yourself in the sun before rinsing and cooling off in Great Slave Lake.  Just past Edzo is the access road to Behchoko (formerly known as Rae) which is 10 km off the road.  Behchoko is a Tli Cho (Dogrib) aboriginal community of about 1800 people.  You can get fuel here but there are no other tourist services in the community. You’re on the home stretch and within an hour you will suddenly notice the city of Yellowknife appear.  After hundreds of kilometres of wilderness it may seem almost surreal.  Welcome to our city! Return to Top
	Where to Eat
	If you’re looking for the perfect location for casual to fine dining in Yellowknife, consider our recommendations. Heritage Café Located in the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.  Open for lunch daily with a selection of sandwiches, pasta dishes, and homemade soup. The Office This is one of Yellowknife’s older restaurants and consistently provides very good food, drinks, and service.  It provides a cozy atmosphere and is a favourite amongst long-time Yellowknifers.  Good steaks & the best Caesars in town. A Taste of Saigon Yes, we have 2 Vietnamese restaurants in town.  Saigon isn’t as quick and cheap as The Noodle House but has more variety on the menu.  Try any of their stir fry plates on crispy noodles. Summer Café The Abe Miller Centre runs programs for persons with disabilities.  One of their most successful projects is the Summer Café.  Clients at the centre prepare, cook, and serve.  Come and see how ability works and enjoy one of the best lunch spots in town. Pan Asia The best Chinese food in Yellowknife.  Start with an order of spring rolls (hands down the best in town) then dine on ginger beef, lemon chicken, fried rice, and a vegetable dish.  They also make really good curried Singapore noodles.  Downtown Yellowknife. Bullock’s Bistro Rated as the best fish & chips in Canada by Reader’s Digest and aficionados everywhere.  Fresh fish from Great Slave Lake and a funky atmosphere, this is a definite must see during your stay in Yellowknife.  Located in Old Town in the original Weaver & Devore building.  Limited seating, reservations are recommended but never guaranteed!  Don’t be offended by their take it or leave it attitude and don’t come here if you are in a rush.  All of the fish is fantastic but if you’re having a hard time deciding you won’t be disappointed with the pan fried whitefish with fries and salad. The Wildcat Café A popular summer restaurant located in a vintage log cabin structure.  The restaurant first opened in 1937 and is one of Yellowknife’s best tourist attractions.  A replica of this historic building is located in the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec.  This is where prospectors, pilots, and politicians, and princes have dined.  Be part of history and pull up a bench.  In Old Town across from the original Wardair float base. Old Town Landing The Landing offers fine dining in Old Town and great views of Back Bay.  One of the best selections of Northern fare.  L’Heritage & Le Frolic L’Heritage offers fine French cuisine from gold-medal winning chef Pierre. We highly recommend the pickerel.  Wine list award from The Wine Spectator.  Downstairs is Le Frolic, a great little pub that with a gourmet menu.  Downtown Yellowknife. www.lefrolic.com Vietnamese Noodle House is especially popular at lunch time for their vermicelli noodle bowls.  It’s not fancy but it’s FAST, delicious, and cheap.  Order by number - we recommend #77 but all of the noodle bowls are great.  A number of vegetarian dishes are also on the menu.  Tasty Vietnamese subs are available for take-out.  Downtown Yellowknife on Franklin Ave.  Return to Top
	Where to Drink
	The Black Knight Yellowknife’s largest and most traditional pub.  A fun hangout and good pub fare, popular with the office crowd.  Often has live music on the weekends.  Downtown Yellowknife 1 block from the Explorer hotel.  Le Frolic Our most upscale pub & bistro with a menu to brag about.  Downtown Yellowknife. The Gold Range The Gold Range is almost synonymous with Yellowknife.  A long-standing establishment, it’s not quite the rough-and-tumble hangout it once was but it still maintains its gritty character.  You should go to say you’ve been there.  Often has live music, usually a country band. The White Fox Caters mostly to the under-30 crowd with dance music but feel free to show them you’ve still got it!  On Franklin Avenue at the top of Old Town Hill. Sam’s Monkey Tree With its large outdoor patio this bar is a popular place to hang out after the game and you will often see softball teams celebrating with a couple of pitchers of beer.  Located across from the hospital. Return to Top
	What to See
	Northern Frontier Visitors Centre Start your visit to Yellowknife at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre.  Get the latest information on what's going on in Yellowknife plus maps, brochures, and informative displays. Bush Pilot's Monument The highest point of land in Old Town provides great views of the activity on Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay. Wildcat Cafe Established in 1937 the Wildcat Cafe is one of our most famous landmarks.  It's open during the summer and always serves up good food and is a good place to meet others as you often have to share your table with strangers - who will soon become your new acquaintances. Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Locals refer to this as "the museum" even though technically it is not a museum but it's easier than saying The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.  Displays of Northern life both past and present.  Have lunch at the Heritage Cafe, one of Yellowknife's best kept secrets and best dessert locations. Legislative Assembly One of Canada's most unique houses of government.  Take in the beautiful architecture and culture this building offers.  Check out the over 25 original pieces of artwork in the caucus room including 9 original AY Jacksons (of the famous Group of Seven).  Free tours are offered throughout the year. Walk of Flags Stroll between the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and City Hall along the Walk of Flags.  This boardwalk promenade features the flags of every town, hamlet, and municipality in the NWT. Northern Lights From August through April look skyward on any clear night for the most amazing light show on Earth.  Try and get outside the city so the light pollution does not interfere with your view. Great Slave Lake The 5th largest lake in North America can only be appreciated if you actually get on it.  Summer or winter you will find fun activities to do whether it be kite skiing, fishing, snowshoeing, or going for an afternoon run on the Dettah ice road (about 12 km round-trip). Old Town Colourful shacks, float planes, and the renowned "Ragged Ass Road" are all parts of this quirky part of town.  Take one of our guided walking tours, boat tours, or explore on your own. Houseboats Okay, so we're a bit biased on this one, but the houseboat community is a very unique neighbourhood and worth a view.  Please be respectful and don't poke your noses in people's windows, these are their homes. The Snow King Every winter the king builds a new castle of ice and snow on Yellowknife Bay.  Construction begins in November and the castle is completed by March 1.  Admission by donation. Return to Top
	What to Buy
	We are often asked about good souvenirs to take home that are unique to the North.  When you are shopping please support Northern Artists and purchase artwork and craftwork made.  Please do not purchase cheap plastic bastardizations of Northern culture manufactured elsewhere.  It does nothing to support our local talent and is an affront to the genuine nature of the North. Original Art There is an amazing selection of local paintings and photographs available at galleries downtown.  Make sure you stroll through Birchwood Galleries in the YK Centre for the best selection of local paintings.  Northern Images has more paintings and carvings from across the North.  If you can't afford an original piece consider taking home a small print, art card, or postcard.  There is something for every budget.  A photograph of the Northern Lights will certainly stir conversations from visitors to your home. Painting, photography Recycled Glassware A cooperative of local artisans make unique glassware from recycled bottles and jars.  Their studio is in Old Town but is also sold in some of the galleries downtown.  Ecologically friendly and aesthetically pleasing! Music From country to rap, Inuit throat singers to folk, the wide range of Northern talent is sure to amaze you. Carvings Stone and ivory carvings from the high Arctic are available from a number of galleries in town as well as local carvers.  Please do not undermine the hard work of Northern artists by purchasing cheap replicas made in southern factories. Arctic Diamonds An Arctic Diamond is a very special treasure for yourself or someone else who is precious to you.  You can get flawless rocks in the $20,000 range... or you can opt for a small chip embedded into a piece of jewelry.  Visit local artist Francois Thibeault at Originals by T-Bo for some award winning designs of diamonds, gold, and silver. Fur Did you know that wolverine fur is prized by aboriginals to put around the hood of your jacket because frost does not form on it?  Beaver, muskrat, rabbit, and fox are some of the other local furs trapped in the area.  These natural fibres make beautiful hats, mitts, jackets, and knitted scarves.  If you can find something woven from qiviut - the soft under-fur of muskox that is collected from the ground after it sheds from their bodies - it is as soft as cashmere and even more expensive! Don't buy fake fur - the chemicals used to make it are toxic, it will take thousands of years to break down after you throw it away, and it does nothing to support local communities and traditional ways of life.   Return to Top