We are in a rivalry with Calgary! we do not speak of that word here....lol I'm just being silly of course! Calgary is beautiful as well and just at Banff's doorstep. In all honesty all of Alberta is pretty special. Yes that pirate ship with the Sea Lions, that's West Edmonton Mall. Downtown Edmonton has quite a bit happening. We also have a young mayor that wants to turn our city into a tourism central and has done quite a bit to bring it closer to it's goal in uniqueness. I hope one day you get to experience more of Edmonton. Thanks for stopping by!