Robin S.
Yelp
The Legislature is my favourite Edmonton destination when there's nothing better to do on a summer or autumn afternoon than pick up a to-go coffee and sit underneath a tree to read. The best spots for this happen to be at the south and southwest; huge trees dapple sunlight over unbelievably green grass, and you can usually obtain a fair amount of privacy in comparison to front of the Legislature building, where kids and parents frolic like maniacs in the wading pool and numerous fountains.
My preferred reading area overlooks the bowling green, which turns into a skating rink in the winter and had, at one time, part of one of the original Fort Edmontons sitting over it. You can also plan some mean romantic dates for this area: try my favourite, night-time candlelight picnic, amongst the trees here. Slightly to the east, there's a beautiful, yellow/orange-lit tree-lined path that is divine for smooching.
If you hate crowds and love either late nights or early mornings, these are the ideal summertime moments to visit the wading pool and fountains, when the toddlers are all safely tucked in their beds. It's usually either deserted, or populated with a few young people having a good time.
And as mentioned, winter is also a great time to visit the Legislature grounds. On a still night with soft snowflakes and the brightly-lit Christmas lights, a travel mug of hot chocolate clutched between your mittens, winter becomes almost welcome.
During the daytime, the Legislature's gift shop is open; this is located at the north end of the wading pool/fountain area. Pick up postcards, books and maple candies, and look at some of the old outfits the government guys used to wear. I like coming in here and rifling through the racks of brochures on things to do in Edmonton, Alberta, and elsewhere in Canada; there's enough free literature to plan a serious road trip.