A Diamond Destination - Yellowknife Accommodation Guide

Yellowknife's Midnight Sun 1

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

	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.

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.

	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).

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.

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:

1. c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development; Yellowknife's Midnight Sun; Yellowknife, NT, Canada
2. c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development, Downtown Yellowknife; Yellowknife, NT, Canada
3. c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development; Wildcat Cafe; Yellowknife, NT, Canada
4. c/o NWT Resources Wildlife Economic Development; Yellowknife's Old Town Float Base; Yellowknife, NT, Canada