Guidebook for Yellowknife
Drinks & Nightlife
Award-winning local brews, from Kicksled Cream Ale to our favourites, Bug Repellant IPA and Sundog IPA. Walk over for dinner and stay for drinks at this Yellowknife favourite! I personally love the beet salad and the Shack Burger, but Wednesday pizza night is also hard to pass up. Excellent desserts - ask your server for the menu.
There may be a lineup during peak hours.
Growlers available, as well as great clothing and other swag.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
NWT Brewing Company / The Woodyard Brewhouse & Eatery
3905 Franklin AveAward-winning local brews, from Kicksled Cream Ale to our favourites, Bug Repellant IPA and Sundog IPA. Walk over for dinner and stay for drinks at this Yellowknife favourite! I personally love the beet salad and the Shack Burger, but Wednesday pizza night is also hard to pass up. Excellent desserts - ask your server for the menu.
There may be a lineup during peak hours.
Growlers available, as well as great clothing and other swag.
Yellowknife's classic Scottish pub, and a favourite for years. The food is always great (wings on Wednesdays if you have a craving!), and it has everything you want in a pub. Excellent Saturday brunch. Come see why the "BK" is one of Yellowknife's favourite establishments.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Black Knight Pub
4910 49 StYellowknife's classic Scottish pub, and a favourite for years. The food is always great (wings on Wednesdays if you have a craving!), and it has everything you want in a pub. Excellent Saturday brunch. Come see why the "BK" is one of Yellowknife's favourite establishments.
Come enjoy an afternoon or early- evening pint or drink on the sunny deck overlooking Back Bay, or in the welcoming log cabin interior. The restaurant closes early, as it is in a residential neighbourhood, but Sundog is one of the few places open every Sunday.
Sundog Trading Post
Come enjoy an afternoon or early- evening pint or drink on the sunny deck overlooking Back Bay, or in the welcoming log cabin interior. The restaurant closes early, as it is in a residential neighbourhood, but Sundog is one of the few places open every Sunday.
Sightseeing
The Snowking's Castle is the most unique and impressive part of Yellowknife in the winter! Come see the castle made entirely of snow, on the frozen ice of Yellowknife Bay.
www.snowking.ca/
Construction occurs in January and February. Tours of the construction process are new as of 2018! 2 pm on Th/Fri/Sat/Sun, by donation ($5 suggested), no reservation needed. Just walk over, or park in front of the castle on the frozen lake.
The Snowcastle is open for the month of MARCH. Hours and daily events are posted on the website (music, shows, art, crafts, film). Come enjoy the fantastic festival events! Or just come on in for photos, a hot chocolate, and slide down the ice slide!
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Snowking's Winter Festival
3815 Bretzlaff DrThe Snowking's Castle is the most unique and impressive part of Yellowknife in the winter! Come see the castle made entirely of snow, on the frozen ice of Yellowknife Bay.
www.snowking.ca/
Construction occurs in January and February. Tours of the construction process are new as of 2018! 2 pm on Th/Fri/Sat/Sun, by donation ($5 suggested), no reservation needed. Just walk over, or park in front of the castle on the frozen lake.
The Snowcastle is open for the month of MARCH. Hours and daily events are posted on the website (music, shows, art, crafts, film). Come enjoy the fantastic festival events! Or just come on in for photos, a hot chocolate, and slide down the ice slide!
Excellent dogsledding company with friendly guides.
Aurora tours available.
Summer tours/pike fishing available.
Enodah Wilderness Travel
Excellent dogsledding company with friendly guides.
Aurora tours available.
Summer tours/pike fishing available.
An established dogsledding company, also offering a variety of other tours and services, year-round.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beck's Kennels
124 Curry DrAn established dogsledding company, also offering a variety of other tours and services, year-round.
One of the first places to go when you arrive, the staircase to the top of Pilot's Monument brings you to a great view of all of Yellowknife. Old Town, Houseboat Bay, Back Bay and downtown Yellowknife - you can see it all from here. Classic photo-op... but keep your phone next to your body for warmth or it will quickly freeze! :)
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bush Pilot's Monument
3513 Ingraham DrOne of the first places to go when you arrive, the staircase to the top of Pilot's Monument brings you to a great view of all of Yellowknife. Old Town, Houseboat Bay, Back Bay and downtown Yellowknife - you can see it all from here. Classic photo-op... but keep your phone next to your body for warmth or it will quickly freeze! :)
Yes, you can drive on the ice! It is many feet thick and doesn't melt until mid to late May. Drive 6 km to the community of Dettah, stopping to see the dark blue ice beneath you, or drive at night to look for the Aurora.
Dettah Ice Road
School Draw AvenueYes, you can drive on the ice! It is many feet thick and doesn't melt until mid to late May. Drive 6 km to the community of Dettah, stopping to see the dark blue ice beneath you, or drive at night to look for the Aurora.
Aurora Village
4709 Franklin AveYellowknife Outdoor Adventures
3603 Franklin AveTrailBlazer Tours
North of 60 Aurora Adventures
Parks & Nature
This highway out of town takes you to various beautiful lakes, parks, and hiking trails. Also an excellent spot to take photos of the Aurora without any background city light.
Ingraham Trail
Ingraham TrailThis highway out of town takes you to various beautiful lakes, parks, and hiking trails. Also an excellent spot to take photos of the Aurora without any background city light.
A lovely 20-30 minute hike to a beautiful waterfall. Also popular in winter when the falls are frozen.
Located in Hidden Lake Territorial Park, 47 km down the Ingraham Trail road. Parking lot and outhouses available. Note: many staircases along the trail.
Cameron Falls Trail
A lovely 20-30 minute hike to a beautiful waterfall. Also popular in winter when the falls are frozen.
Located in Hidden Lake Territorial Park, 47 km down the Ingraham Trail road. Parking lot and outhouses available. Note: many staircases along the trail.
Nice walking trails just at the edge of the city, plus a great spot to view Aurora with less city light.
Tincan Hill Recreation Area
Nice walking trails just at the edge of the city, plus a great spot to view Aurora with less city light.
Fred Henne Territorial Park. Just outside Yellowknife, this is another nice spot to view the Aurora. In the summer there is a great swimming beach.
Fred Henne Territorial Park
Fred Henne Territorial Park. Just outside Yellowknife, this is another nice spot to view the Aurora. In the summer there is a great swimming beach.
Excellent Nature Trail (3km) on Canadian Shield granite. Shorter boardwalk trail is also excellent.
Prelude Lake Territorial Park
1 Prelude Lake MainExcellent Nature Trail (3km) on Canadian Shield granite. Shorter boardwalk trail is also excellent.
Essentials
A well-stocked grocery store just up the hill from Old Town. Everything you need within a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive.
Open 8am - 9pm, seven days per week. (Note: website says 8am-10pm, which is an error.)
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Glen's Your Independent Grocer
4802 Franklin AveA well-stocked grocery store just up the hill from Old Town. Everything you need within a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive.
Open 8am - 9pm, seven days per week. (Note: website says 8am-10pm, which is an error.)
This larger Independent is at the other end of town, with similar groceries to the downtown store but useful for the following:
-pharmacy
-household/home section
-Joe Fresh clothing section
Open 8am - 10pm seven days per week.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trevor's Your Independent Grocer
250 Old Airport RdThis larger Independent is at the other end of town, with similar groceries to the downtown store but useful for the following:
-pharmacy
-household/home section
-Joe Fresh clothing section
Open 8am - 10pm seven days per week.
One of only two liquor stores in town. Prices are minimally to moderately higher than in the south, due to transportation costs. The second liquor store is further away but has identical prices and hours (websites claiming open hours on Sunday are wrong!).
NOTE: CLOSED ON SUNDAYS.
Open 11am - 10pm Monday-Saturday.
Liquor Store
5108 5108 49 StOne of only two liquor stores in town. Prices are minimally to moderately higher than in the south, due to transportation costs. The second liquor store is further away but has identical prices and hours (websites claiming open hours on Sunday are wrong!).
NOTE: CLOSED ON SUNDAYS.
Open 11am - 10pm Monday-Saturday.
Co-op station
Excellent service. Note: Hours are limited on weekends; the larger pharmacies may be available. (Shoppers, Co-op, Walmart, Sutherland’s).
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
Excellent service. Note: Hours are limited on weekends; the larger pharmacies may be available. (Shoppers, Co-op, Walmart, Sutherland’s).
Shopping
A true General Store, with groceries and household items on the main floor, and an excellent selection of clothing, winter gear, and outfitting gear on the second floor. Excellent prices on brands like Canada Goose.
If you would like to buy authentic and warm winter gear, this is the spot.
Located in the heart of Old Town.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Weaver & Devore Trading
3601 Weaver DrA true General Store, with groceries and household items on the main floor, and an excellent selection of clothing, winter gear, and outfitting gear on the second floor. Excellent prices on brands like Canada Goose.
If you would like to buy authentic and warm winter gear, this is the spot.
Located in the heart of Old Town.
Touristy gallery in the heart of Old Town.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gallery of the Midnight Sun
5005 Bryson DrTouristy gallery in the heart of Old Town.
My favourite local gallery/shop. All local northern artists and products. Beautiful and unique items. Located in the heart of Old Town.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Down to Earth Gallery
5007 Bryson DrMy favourite local gallery/shop. All local northern artists and products. Beautiful and unique items. Located in the heart of Old Town.
Yellowknife's excellent outdoors/sporting store. Offers quality brands for clothing, gear, and seasonal sporting equipment.
Rentals also available for sporting gear. Winter: cross-country skis, snowshoes, and fat-tire bikes. Summer: canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Overlander Sports
4909 50 StYellowknife's excellent outdoors/sporting store. Offers quality brands for clothing, gear, and seasonal sporting equipment.
Rentals also available for sporting gear. Winter: cross-country skis, snowshoes, and fat-tire bikes. Summer: canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards.
Visual Effects
4905 48 StMainly a framing store, this shop also has a selection of excellent local art.
Yellowknife's local bookstore, with a wonderful selection including northern and specialty titles.
The Yellowknife Book Cellar
4914 49 StYellowknife's local bookstore, with a wonderful selection including northern and specialty titles.
Erasmus Apparel
4602 Franklin AvePopular local clothing store. Indigenous owned and designed.
Excellent mix of preloved consignment kids and maternity clothing, and an increasing inventory of lovely children’s brands.
Boreal Kids Co
Excellent mix of preloved consignment kids and maternity clothing, and an increasing inventory of lovely children’s brands.
Arts & Culture
Yellowknife's excellent Arts and Culture Centre. Highly recommended, if the shows are not already sold out!
http://www.naccnt.ca/
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
4701 52nd AveYellowknife's excellent Arts and Culture Centre. Highly recommended, if the shows are not already sold out!
http://www.naccnt.ca/
Yellowknife's wonderful museum - and free! Excellent exhibits for all ages. Highly recommended.
Also houses the Tourist Information Centre, and an excellent lunch cafe.
https://www.pwnhc.ca/
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
4750 48 StYellowknife's wonderful museum - and free! Excellent exhibits for all ages. Highly recommended.
Also houses the Tourist Information Centre, and an excellent lunch cafe.
https://www.pwnhc.ca/
Food scene
A one-stop shop for lunch or a snack, local artisan items, or an adventure tour, this must-visit hub is in the heart of Old Town looking out over Back Bay and the causeway. The menu is a favourite along locals, and includes paninis, the best soups in town, desserts, and home-made ice cream. Take home a pint (or two). Also fully licensed, so enjoy a pint of local craft beer or other beverages. One of the few places in town open every Sunday.
Sundog Trading Post
A one-stop shop for lunch or a snack, local artisan items, or an adventure tour, this must-visit hub is in the heart of Old Town looking out over Back Bay and the causeway. The menu is a favourite along locals, and includes paninis, the best soups in town, desserts, and home-made ice cream. Take home a pint (or two). Also fully licensed, so enjoy a pint of local craft beer or other beverages. One of the few places in town open every Sunday.
Renowned chef Niki creates unique dishes and products from local fish, using all parts of the fish. In the summer, the butchery is paired with a beautiful backyard venue called The Garden, with waterfront views, an eclectic cocktail menu, and board games on the tables. In the winter, the interior becomes Fin(e) Dining, an eclectic and wonderful culinary experience. (Several non-fish items are always available on the menu and are also always exquisite.)
Fishy People Inc
Renowned chef Niki creates unique dishes and products from local fish, using all parts of the fish. In the summer, the butchery is paired with a beautiful backyard venue called The Garden, with waterfront views, an eclectic cocktail menu, and board games on the tables. In the winter, the interior becomes Fin(e) Dining, an eclectic and wonderful culinary experience. (Several non-fish items are always available on the menu and are also always exquisite.)
A crowd-pleaser with a great menu, including excellent pizza. Family-friendly dining, bar/lounge, and take-out are all available.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Copperhouse
484 Range Lake RdA crowd-pleaser with a great menu, including excellent pizza. Family-friendly dining, bar/lounge, and take-out are all available.
A must for all visitors to Yellowknife, for both the delicious fish and the characters serving it. Make a reservation as the small shack fills up quickly. Note: the salad dressing and fish marinade are available by bottle at various local stores, for those who, like us locals, develop an addiction.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bullock's Bistro
3534 Weaver DrA must for all visitors to Yellowknife, for both the delicious fish and the characters serving it. Make a reservation as the small shack fills up quickly. Note: the salad dressing and fish marinade are available by bottle at various local stores, for those who, like us locals, develop an addiction.
Open seasonally for summers, this historic building has a great deck for a sunset dinner and pint.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Wildcat Cafe
3507 Wiley RdOpen seasonally for summers, this historic building has a great deck for a sunset dinner and pint.
Wonderful family-run restaurant with Indo-African dishes packed with flavour. Dine in or take-out.
Safari Foods Family
Wonderful family-run restaurant with Indo-African dishes packed with flavour. Dine in or take-out.
A well-known Yellowknife gem. Better Ethiopian food than you’ll find in many large Canadian cities. Highly recommend the platters (vegan or meat), for a taste of many dishes. Enough for sharing.
Available for takeout.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zehabesha Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant
5030 50 StreetA well-known Yellowknife gem. Better Ethiopian food than you’ll find in many large Canadian cities. Highly recommend the platters (vegan or meat), for a taste of many dishes. Enough for sharing.
Available for takeout.
A Taste of Saigon
4913 50 StVietnamese Noodle House
4609 Franklin AveSushi Cafe
5309 Franklin AveSushi North Inc
4910 Franklin AveWell-known gem for coffee, snacks and lunch.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Birchwood Coffee Kǫ̀
5021 49 StWell-known gem for coffee, snacks and lunch.
Bluebell Eatery
Excellent Middle Eastern food.