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| Yellowknife's
Midnight Sun 1 |
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The twinkling daze of the
aurora borealis and endless midnight sun mystifies and draws visitors from around
the world to Yellowknife,
capital city of the Northwest
Territories (NWT). Located in the North Slave Region of the NWT, Yellowknife
is a young and vibrant city with a colourful past and prosperous future. The
name Yellowknife comes from an aboriginal tribe that used copper-bladed, yellow-coloured
knives. Fur traders referred to these people as the Yellowknives and the area
they frequented became known as Yellowknife. The Dogrib people eventually drove
out the Yellowknives but the name remained.
With its abundance of natural
resources, mining has been a major industry in Yellowknife, starting with the
discovery of gold in 1937 and the discovery of diamonds in 1991. In 1999, Yellowknife
adopted the title of Diamond Capital of North America, with its diamond mining
sites, sorting, cutting and polishing facilities and retail businesses fueling
the economy. Other economic sectors experiencing growth include the oil and
gas industries. Yellowknife's population of nearly 20,000 makes up almost half
of the entire population of the territory and this number is expected to reach
over 22,000 people in 2019.
The north has always intrigued
interest and Yellowknife is no exception. With countless recreational opportunities
and historic attractions, this city is a major tourist destination of Northern
Canada. Visitors will find all the modern conveniences of a big city
with remnants of a colourful past.
Yellowknife offers all types
of accommodations, from large hotels and motels to smaller bed and breakfasts.
The WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
provides information about various lodging choices when staying in Yellowknife
and can assist travellers by providing the following services:
-
Accommodation
Directory – Users will be able to view a large inventory of accommodations
found in Yellowknife including links to websites and information on amenities
and services provided.
-
Reservations
– Save time by using this secure online reservation system, allowing travellers
to check room availability and book their stay.
-
Maps
– This service allows travellers to pin-point accommodation locations in
relation to major attractions, restaurants, shops and services in the area.
ACCESS/TRANSPORTATION
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Downtown
Yellowknife 2 |
Air
One of the busiest airports in Northern Canada, the Yellowknife
Airport is a short drive from Yellowknife, found 5 km (3 mi) west of
the city on Highway 3. Two major airlines servicing the NWT are First
Air and Canadian
North. First Air offers direct flights into Yellowknife from Edmonton,
Alberta and
Whitehorse,
Yukon including
several regularly scheduled flights from Yellowknife to other communities found
in the NWT, Nunavut
and the Yukon. Canadian North offers passenger, charter and cargo services with
daily flights from Ottawa,
Ontario, Edmonton
and Calgary,
Alberta. Its network connects people to the northern communities including Yellowknife,
Norman Wells,
Inuvik, Hay
River, NWT and Iqaluit,
Rankin Inlet
and Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Other airlines offering flights into Yellowknife
include Air
Canada with daily non-stop trips from Edmonton and Calgary, and Northwestern
Air offering flights from Grande
Prairie and Edmonton.
Road
Driving into the NWT offers a scenic journey filled with wildlife and nature.
The main roadway into the NWT is the MacKenzie
Highway (Highway 1), a 1700 km (1056 mi) network connecting the territory
with Alberta. Other important highways include the Hay
River Highway (Highway 2) connecting the town of Hay River to Highway
1, the Yellowknife
Highway (Highway 3) connecting to Highway 1 and the Ingraham
Trail (Highway 4), extending east from Yellowknife and crossing through
parks, campgrounds, recreation areas and hiking trails.
While the Mackenzie Highway
connects northern Alberta to the southern NWT, two other routes are available
into the territories. Drivers can take the Alaska
Highway from Dawson Creek to Fort
Nelson, British Columbia
and turn north on the Liard
Highway to the NWT. If travelling from the Yukon, take the Dempster
Highway from Dawson
City to Inuvik, NWT.
Bus tours are another option
for travellers, offering sightseeing opportunities along major highways and
roads in the NWT. Scheduled bus service is available from Edmonton, Alberta.
|
Yellowknife to ... |
Distance |
Est.
Time* |
| Calgary,
AB |
1789
km (1110 mi) |
21
hr 24 min |
| Edmonton,
AB |
1508
km (937 mi) |
18
hr 32 min |
| Fort
Providence, NT |
314
km (195 mi) |
4
hr 21 min |
| Rae-Edzo,
NT |
108
km (67 mi) |
1
hr 27 min |
| Regina,
SK |
2188
km (1358 mi) |
1
day 3 hr |
| Whitehorse,
YT |
1899
km (1180 mi) |
23
hr 39 min |
| Winnipeg,
MB |
2853
km (1773 mi) |
1
day 9 hr |
|
Vancouver, BC |
2595
km (1613 mi) |
1
day 4 hr |
|
|
Yellowknife
Distance Table
(*Estimated driving time) |
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Within the City
Yellowknife
City Transit operates Monday to Saturday, with stops at the airport
and throughout the downtown core. There is no service on Sunday or on statutory
holidays. Tickets can be purchased at City
Hall and various shops. Three transit routes are available: Route 1
covers downtown, the airport and Range
Lake areas, route 2 covers N'dilo (Latham Island, Old Town), downtown
and Forrest Drive areas and route 3 is used during Saturday and summer hours.
Taxis
are fairly cheap and are an affordable way to get around the city with 24-hour,
local and out-of-town services available from three taxi companies. Handi-vans
are also available providing transportation needs for disabled passengers.
There is a public parkade
at the Centre
Square Mall and metered parking in the downtown core with free parking
available on residential streets. Meter rates are in effect from Monday to Friday
with Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays exempt.
Note: Visitors are encouraged
to check with the City of Yellowknife and local cab companies for current schedules
and information.
Car Rentals
Most rental agencies are located at the airport. For travellers visiting in
the summer, it is a busy time with a limited number of rental cars available
so it is advisable to book ahead well in advance.
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Wildcat
Cafe 3 |
ORIENTATION
Located on the western shore
of Yellowknife Bay and along the north arm of Great
Slave Lake, Yellowknife is a relatively rocky region dotted with small
lakes and trees. Great Slave Lake is the fifth largest freshwater lake in North
America, consisting of an area of 28,750 sq km (11,100 sq mi) and at a maximum
depth of 614 m (2014 ft).
The city is organized into
two main tourist districts known as New
Town and Old
Town. New Town is the city's centre and composed of a flat, sandy plain
whereas Old Town is the historic part of Yellowknife, located on a rocky peninsula
jutting into Yellowknife Bay.
WHEN TO VISIT
Yellowknife experiences
dry, cold winters and warm summers with long hours of daylight. The annual total
precipitation averages 15 cm (6 in) of rainfall and 135 cm (53 in) of snowfall.
Winter temperatures average in the highs at -25°C (-13°F) with January being
the coldest month. July is the warmest month with temperatures in the low 20s
(68°F) with the potential to hit temperatures in the high 30s (86°F).
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-31°C
(-24°F) |
-23°C
(-9°F) |
0
mm |
| Feb |
-28°C
(-18°F) |
-19°C
(-2°F) |
0
mm |
| Mar
|
-24°C
(-11°F) |
-12°C
(10°F) |
0
mm |
| Apr |
-11°C (12°F) |
0°C (32°F) |
2
mm |
| May
|
0°C (32°F) |
10°C (50°F) |
12
mm |
| Jun
|
8°C
(46°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
23
mm |
| Jul |
12°C
(54°F) |
21°C
(70°F) |
35
mm |
|
Aug |
10°C
(50°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
42
mm |
|
Sep |
3°C
(37°F) |
10°C
(50°F) |
25
mm |
|
Oct |
-3°C
(27°F) |
1°C
(34°F) |
15
mm |
|
Nov |
-18°C
(-0.4°F) |
-10°C
(14°F) |
1
mm |
|
Dec |
-27°C (-17°F) |
-19°C (-2°F) |
0
mm |
|
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Climate
data from the Weathernetwork.ca
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The best time to visit is
during the summer months when warmer temperatures and longer hours of daylight
offer plenty of time and opportunities to experience the attractions, tours
and sites of this city. Recreational activities
are found in abundance in Yellowknife during the spring and summer with birdwatching,
boating, fishing, hiking, hunting and golfing taking centre stage. For those
wanting to experience an arctic vacation, winters in Yellowknife also offer
a number of adventures including dog sledding, snowmobiling and cross-country
skiing. Winter is also a prime time to witness the mysterious northern lights
in Yellowknife, with green, red and mauve lights illuminating the night skies.
A number of festivals and
events
take place throughout the year, offering visitors a chance to experience northern
culture anytime. Popular events include the Caribou
Carnival held in March celebrating the arrival of spring, the Solstice
Festival in June highlighting the summer solstice, the Festival
of the Midnight Sun and Folk
on the Rocks, both held in July and showcasing northern arts, culture
and music, and the Far
North Film Festival in November, an international film fest.
DISTRICTS
Yellowknife offers all
types of accommodations for visitors. In general, New Town is a modern option
for travellers whereas Old Town provides a stay with character.
New Town
For travellers seeking contemporary accommodations with easy access to amenities
and services, the New Town district is ideal. New Town is located between Frame
Lake and Yellowknife Bay and is considered the downtown area of the
city.
Main street is Franklin
Avenue (50th Avenue) and the centre of town is found at the junction
of 48th Street and Franklin Avenue. Visitors will find hotels and some B&Bs
in this area along with shopping, government buildings and offices. Visitors
can stop in downtown's shops
and galleries
and find original artwork as well as other uniquely-northern souvenirs including
furs, carvings and northern diamonds.
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| Yellowknife's
Old Town Float Base 4 |
|
Major attractions in New
Town include the Prince
of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, located on Frame Lake, three blocks
from downtown. This centre showcases northern history and aboriginal culture
including artifacts and Inuit carvings. Also on Frame Lake is the Northwest
Territories Legislative Assembly Building, known for its architectural
design, in the shape of a traditional snowhouse.
Popular hotels and motels
in New Town include the Super
8 Motel, offering an affordable and friendly stay, the Explorer
Hotel featuring the largest conference facility in the NWT, the centrally
located Capital
Suites for short-and long-term stays and Chateau
Nova, providing accommodations for business and vacation travellers.
Old Town
Visitors wanting a stay geared towards experiencing the old-time charm and character
of the gold-rush era will find it in Old Town, dotted with colourful shacks,
heritage buildings and small houseboat communities. This area is the historic
birthplace of Yellowknife, located at the base of the hill on Franklin Avenue
and situated on a peninsula that juts into Yellowknife Bay.
Old Town is a hub for boats
and floatplanes and travellers will find several B&Bs in this section of the
city along with many restaurants
and cafes. Many B&Bs are situated on the waterfront on Latham
Island, a neighbourhood connected to Old Town via a causeway, including
Back
Bay Boat B&B with views of Back Bay and the Bayside
B&B on Yellowknife Bay.
The best way to experience
this part of Yellowknife is on a walking tour. Pick up a brochure at the Northern
Frontier Regional Visitors Centre that will guide visitors on a tour
of the heritage buildings found in this district, dating back to frontier times.
A popular attraction is the Wildcat
Cafe, the oldest restaurant in the city, built in 1937. Another main
attraction is the Bush
Pilot's Monument, commemorating pilots that helped shape the city with
a lookout offering great views of the city and good photo opportunities. Take
a walk down the famous Ragged
Ass Road, named after a now defunct mine, and purchase a Ragged Ass
Road sign as a unique souvenir to bring home.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development; Yellowknife's Midnight
Sun; Yellowknife, NT, Canada
- c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development, Downtown Yellowknife;
Yellowknife, NT, Canada
- c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development; Wildcat Cafe; Yellowknife,
NT, Canada
- c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development; Yellowknife's Old Town
Float Base; Yellowknife, NT, Canada
