Edmonton winters are no joke, but the city has quietly built up a solid lineup of indoor hangouts that make staying in worth it. From a mall-based illusion museum to free Thursday art sessions, here's what's on offer when the thermometer drops.

Start with the Museum of Illusions, which opened recently inside West Edmonton Mall (8882 170th St NW). It's packed with hands-on exhibits — perspective rooms, holograms and the like — and adult tickets start at $40. It's open daily, so it works whether you're killing a solo afternoon or corralling the kids.

For something greener, the Muttart Conservatory is Edmonton's answer to a mid-winter tropical holiday. Its glass pyramids hold over 700 plant species across year-round botanical gardens, open daily except Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — with longer hours until 9 p.m. on Thursdays and adults-only evenings on Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is $14.95, which is hard to beat for an hour of fake summer.

Thursdays are surprisingly the busiest night of the week. The Art Gallery of Alberta (2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW) runs its free Art Hive every Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. — drop in, use the provided materials, and make something regardless of skill level. Come evening, the Edmonton Reuse Centre (6835 83rd St NW) hosts free DIY workshops from 6 to 8 p.m., with local experts covering practical skills like bike repair, sewing and gardening.

If you'd rather nest with a hot drink, Edmonton has a healthy crop of board game cafes spread across the city — hours and costs vary by venue, but they're ideal for a cozy evening with friends.

Round out the weekend at Queen Mary's Market (12011 111th Ave NW), a weekend-only spot with more than 130 vendors plus five restaurants under one roof. Expect antiques, collectibles, local produce and artisanal goods; it runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, and entry is free.

Why it matters: Edmonton makes a genuinely good cold-season city break precisely because so much of it is indoors and affordable — several of these options cost nothing at all. It suits families needing to burn kid energy, couples after a low-key date night, and solo travellers who'd rather make something than scroll through it.

Story based on reporting by Curiocity.