Yellowknife

Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories, on the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, on Yellowknife Bay.

Yellowknife Halal Travel Guide

Cabins in Old Town, Yellowknife, NT - Cabins from the city's early days in Old Town

You don't have to fly to Yellowknife, but it's the way most people get there. And if you do, your appreciation of the city has begun even before you reach the ground, as you look down after the long approach over the deep lake and see how it looks as if the city has been clawed out of the taiga. Nature does not give Yellowknife anything more than what humanity has made it. Here, more so than any other city in Canada's North, even in the Arctic, one can see just what an accomplishment it has been to make a livable place here on the far side of North America's deepest lake.

The city gets its name from the Yellowknifes Dene and the area's First Nations inhabitants, who lived on the peninsula jutting into Great Slave Lake's North Fork where the city is now. Their name came from their use of copper knives they obtained on trading journeys to the Arctic, where the metal was readily available.

European explorers had known of the Yellowknife and their home since the 18th century, but rarely had any reason to venture, much less settle and there. Gold was discovered in the area during the 1890s, but the deposits were not enough to distract the steady stream of wealth-seekers headed for the Klondike Gold fields of Yukon and Alaska at the centre of that era's Gold rush. By the 1920s, however, a rough settlement had been established there, as bush pilots found it an excellent staging area, storing fuel supplies there for forays further north.

Yellowknife's modern history begins around 1935. A government survey team taking a second look found Gold deposits more extensive than the earlier ones, some of which were practically at ground level where they could be easily extracted. Very quickly, Americans and Canadians impoverished by the Depression came to Yellowknife, building ramshackle log cabins and other ad hoc structures to house themselves and the businesses that came to serve them. Within three years and the people of the boomtown had elected a school board—the first democratic act of self-government in the Northwest Territories.

The outbreak of war in Europe at the end of the decade slowed things down for a while in Yellowknife, but afterwards the miners returned, along with scientists, bankers, government officials, and anyone else who thought they might make their fortune, or at least a life for themselves, north of 60. They couldn't all fit in the small frontier town. The federal government built a post office on the high ground above the lake. Fairly soon after, as intended, a commercial neighborhood known as New Town (in contrast to Old Town down on the lake) grew up around it. It soon became a city, and in 1967 became the Northwest Territories' capital, taking over from Fort Smith.

A popular songwriter native to Yellowknife wrote that while the streets there weren't paved with Gold and there was plenty underneath the pavement. That was true, and by the late 1970s modern high-rise office buildings had gone up downtown. The four-star Explorer Hotel went up on the high ground nearby to give visiting executives an impressive place to stay, and sometimes served as a meeting place for the territory's new legislative assembly.

At the end of the decade the world began coming to Yellowknife. Roads finally connected the city to the rest of Canada, ending its dependence on the bush pilots who had been its first settlers, although it still relied on ice roads across the lake in winter. Prince Charles came to speak at the dedication of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the territorial museum. And when the Soviet nuclear-powered Kosmos 954 satellite came crashing to Earth in 1979 and the international media reported the story from Yellowknife. Suburban sprawl began to appear in the areas to the south of New Town, around Range Lake.

The territorial assembly moved into its own building in 1982, on the shores of Frame Lake near the Heritage Centre. That would be the peak of Yellowknife's development for some time. The decline in the price of Gold on the international markets after the inflationary 1970s ended led to a slow pullback in mining operations. Bathers in Frame Lake were replaced by pollution and leeches. In 1992, during a strike at the Giant Mine, on the outskirts of the city, nine replacement miners were killed when a bomb planted by a striker went off and the deadliest incident of labour-related violence in Canadian history (the miner was convicted two years later). The city began to experience the social problems that follow any decline of a major industry, such as homelessness, increased drug and alcohol abuse, and crime.

Mine after mine closed down throughout the 1990s, until Giant itself shut its doors in 2004. The city's literal golden age was behind it, and government displaced mining as the city's largest employer. Even that took a hit at the end of the century, when the eastern two-thirds of the Northwest Territories were split off to become Nunavut, with its capital at Iqaluit on Baffin Island.

But the city was able to reinvent itself, even if it has not been able to completely return to its former prosperity. Tourism, always present in a city surrounded by abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, picked up some of the slack. It got a boost from abroad, as Japanese visitors found it an ideal place to go on dogsled rides and take in the northern lights, even in the coldest of winters. The cable-TV show Ice Road Truckers, focusing on a family business hauling supplies across the lake, put Yellowknife on the 21st-century media map. With the discovery of diamonds in the 1990s, mining has made a comeback, as enough diamond deposits have been found in the area for the city. In total, four major diamond mines have operated within the territory and the city claims itself "The Diamond Mining Capital of North America".

You will probably see that Yellowknife was a lot more, and is a lot more, whether you come during the long summer days with four-hour white nights in between, or the equally short winter days when temperatures stay well below zero and the auroras light up the night sky.

Travel as a Muslim to Yellowknife

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Yellowknife

• Yellowknife Airport IATA Code: YZF GPS: 62.463056, -114.440278 - Yellowknife Airport 02 - Yellowknife airport front Daily flights connect Yellowknife with Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, Vancouver in British Columbia, and with communities throughout the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, and Nunavut.

Air travel, interestingly enough, is one of the oldest ways of getting to Yellowknife (the city was founded in the mid 1930s, and space for float planes can still be found at the Old Town docks).

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Yellowknife

Railways have not been built to Yellowknife. In fact, passenger rail service is not available in the Northwest Territories at all; the nearest freight railway reaches to the town of Hay River on the south side of the Great Slave Lake. One of the nearest passenger stations is in Edmonton, Alberta, thousands of kilometers to the south. There are two bus transfers from Edmonton to Yellowknife according to the Greyhound website.

By car

Yellowknife is at the end of NWT Highway 3 Yellowknife Highway. Take the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 1) north from Alberta to the Northwest Territories/Alberta border. Continue to follow the highway past the communities of Enterprise (Northwest Territories)|Enterprise, Hay River, and Kakisa to the junction with Highway 3. Follow Highway 3 to the Mackenzie River crossing at Fort Providence. From Fort Providence, follow Highway 3 past Behchoko (formerly Rae-Edzo) to its terminus at Yellowknife.

A permanent bridge across the Mackenzie River opened in 2012, replacing a seasonal ferry crossing or ice bridge which formerly served as the sole overland route into the territorial capital.

Travel on a Bus in Yellowknife

Yellowknife is served six days a week by wtltd.ca/passenger Frontier Coachlines (+1 867-873-4759) stopping at the Shell Service Station on Range Lake Road. It connects with Greyhound Canada at Hay River.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Yellowknife

Yellowknife is on Great Slave Lake. Boating to and in Yellowknife is private (ferries are used at some highway river crossings in the territory, however). There are docks in the Old Town area; one could presumably go across the lake to Hay River or Edzo in a private boat. (Closer to Yellowknife is Dettah.) The lake drains to the Arctic Ocean via the Mackenzie River.

How to get around in Yellowknife

Orientation

View North along 50th Avenue in downtown Yellowknife, NT - Franklin Avenue downtown

Yellowknife is quite compact, and the main areas of interest can be easily reached on foot. "New Town" is the current downtown core. It is bordered by 47th street to the north, 53rd street to the south, 52nd avenue to the east, and Veteran's Memorial Way (49th Avenue) to the west. Franklin Avenue (50th Avenue) is the main thoroughfare. The corner of Franklin Avenue and 50th Street is considered to be the city's centre.

"Old town", where the original city of Yellowknife was founded and is located at the base of the hill on Franklin Avenue, on a peninsula that juts into Yellowknife Bay, and on Latham Island. This area is primarily residential, but remains home to some of Yellowknife's oldest businesses.

Travel on a Bus in Yellowknife

Yellowknife Transit operates a three route bus service. +1 867 873-4693. Fares are $3.00. Buses run every 40 minutes from 7:10 AM to 7:10 PM, Mondays through Saturday.

What to see in Yellowknife

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife, NT, from city hall - Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Ragged Ass Road blade sign, Yellowknife, NT - Ragged Ass Road sign

• Aurora Borealis ([[northern lights) - This is the one thing that you must see (however, it is best seen in wintertime, when the nights are long, and they cannot be seen at all during the short "white nights" around the summer solstice when the sun never dips far enough below the horizon for long enough for it to get darker than twilight). There are many tour companies that offer different ways of seeing the Aurora Borealis, such as by snowmobile, sled dog expedition, photography workshops and tractor rides to various lodges.

• Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - 4750 48th Street GPS: 62.45389, -114.36662 ☎ +1 867 873-7551 | Opening Hours: Daily: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm, closed on Statutory Holidays Free admission Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Prince of Wales Museum Yellowknife Northwest Territories Canada 05 - The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre houses the territorial museum and archives.

• Ragged Ass Road - GPS: 62.46063, -114.35256 150 m long between Brock and Hamilton drives near the lakeshore Ragged Ass Road (street) Looking north along Ragged Ass Road, Yellowknife, NT . This otherwise undistinguished short unpaved residential street is known for its name, which started as a joke among prospectors about their lack of success one season, far beyond Yellowknife. Before you get a signature souvenir sign or T-shirt from one of the many shops in town that sells them, you might want to walk down the actual street and take a picture of the official sign, now that the city has finally acknowledged its existence, so you can confirm to people you tell the story to back home that, yes, this street actually exists.

• The many art galleries in town feature the works of local and northern artists.

• Pilots Monuments - 3511, 3513 Ingraham Dr, Yellowknife GPS: 62.4655, -114.3480 Opening Hours: Open 24 hours - Sitting on top of a hill, this monument gives tribute to bush pilots who opened up Northwest Territories, delivered food & medicine and transported people.

• Great Slave Lake
• Old Town

• Northwest Territories Legislative Building - GPS: 62.459444, -114.381944 ☎ +1 867-767-9130 ext 12017 +1-800-661-0784 - Northwest Territories Legislative Building

What to do in Yellowknife

Yellowknife is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. There are several scenic walking and hiking trails within the city boundaries. The Ingraham Trail (Highway 4) connects Yellowknife to many lakes, rivers, and hiking routes that draw campers, hikers, paddlers, fishermen and women, and hunters.

The winter months are dominated by winter sports: hockey, curling, skating, cross-country skiing, broomball, volleyball, and indoor soccer.

A small but active amateur arts community brings theatre, dance, and choral works to the community. Apart from some excellent amateur performers,the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) and the main venue for the performing arts, endeavours to bring professional level entertainment such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (Spring 2007) and renowned flamenco guitarist Juan Martin, who has appeared annually in recent years.

The Snowking Festival, Long John Jamboree, and the dog sled races are annual winter events (occurring in March). In the summer, visitors can take in the Summer Solstice Festival, Raven Mad Daze (with its 24-hour golf tournament), and Folk on the Rocks, a popular music festival. Raven Mad Daze is a festival to celebrate the beginning of summer with bands on city blocks, vendors selling food and fruit drinks, and silly string is available for those who are pumped up and into the spirit. It's held in Downtown Yellowknife where all vehicle traffic is rerouted to other surface streets.

Or take a tour from one of the many tour companies around Yellowknife, such as Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures or Becks Kennels. They offer many programs. These include dog sledding, aurora viewing, shoreline breakfast/lunch, wildlife viewing, and fishing trips.

• Enodah Wilderness Travel - Trout Rock Lodge |

Great Slave Lake GPS: 62.46605, -114.97694 ☎ +1 867-874-4334 Fly in wilderness lodge on Great Slave Lake. Fishing, bird watching, Aurora packages. Day trips or overnight.

• Beck's Kennels | 124 Curries Drive GPS: 62.42673, -114.41242 ☎ +1 867-873-5603 Dogsled tours. Kennel owned and operated by World Champion dog racer, Grant Beck. Winter activities: Aurora by dog sled, traditional dogsled tours and learn to drive your own dogteam experience. They also offer overnight dogsled adventures. November 1 - mid May. Summer and fall activities: Aurora tours and dogsled on wheels. August 1 - October 31.

• Northern Arts and Cultural Centre - GPS: 62.4525, -114.362 - Northern Arts and Cultural Centre Northern_Arts_and_Cultural_Centre - QQ058138

How to work legally in Yellowknife

There are many jobs available in Yellowknife, and wages are significantly higher than in the south.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Yellowknife

• A Canadian Diamond.
• A painting by a local artist.
• An Inuit stone carving.
• A hand-made birch bark basket.
• Caribou-skin mittens.
• A northern parka, trimmed with fur.
• A single spring roll from Corner Mart after a night of ogling teenagers at the Raven.
• A world-famous breakfast hotdog from Gas Town (only served until 11AM).

• Centre Plaza Mall - GPS: 62.4533, -114.37 - Centre Plaza Mall

Halal Restaurants in Yellowknife

Wildcat_Cafe_Yellowknife_Northwest_Territories_Canada_01A - Wildcat Cafe

• Gold Range Bistro - 50th Street GPS: - Local café with great ordinary food and lots of good people where the local residents eat. (In)famous for their plate-sized eggroll.

• Thornton's - 51th Street and 52nd Ave. GPS: Tapas and specialties. Incredibly good food at reasonable prices for fine dining.

• Wildcat Café - 3904 Wiley Road GPS: 62.4665, -114.349 ☎ +1 867-873-8850 The Wildcat Cafe - Caribou, fish, Steaks in a Gold Rush atmosphere. Originally built in 1937, this rehabbed establishment is a popular eatery and perhaps Yellowknife's best tourist attraction and most expensive, second only to Bullock's.

• Bullock's Bistro - 3534 Weaver Dr ☎ +1 867-873-3474 - Relaxed, cramped, extra-casual restaurant in circa 1930s cabin. The menu features fish, game, and salads. The fish is as fresh as this morning, and the seemingly hectic grill manages to produce fine results with it. Don't expect anything fancy in service or presentation, but you'll enjoy the lively and authentic atmosphere. Make sure your wallet is well-stocked before coming: a simple plate of fish-n-chips and a bottle of self-serve organic juice will run between $30 and $40.

Twist Resto-Lounge and Shout are some of the best places to drink north of 60. The manager (Flint) at Twist has been featured by MSN Travel and ranked as the top bartender in Canada. Though be sure to bring a well-stocked wallet as even the soft drinks cost a small fortune.

The NWT Brewing Company is the only micro-brewery in the territory and their pub serves food and many of their northern-named soft drinks on tap. They have won awards for their Kicksled Cream Ale.

The Elks Club hosts scotch night every Tuesday, where a shot will set you back a most-reasonable $3-fiddy.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Yellowknife

Yellowknife - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Yellowknife, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Yellowknife. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Yellowknife and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Yellowknife. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Yellowknife. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inYellowknife: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Yellowknife.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Yellowknife: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Yellowknife, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Yellowknife.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Yellowknife, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Yellowknife, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Yellowknife and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Yellowknife, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Yellowknife, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Yellowknife without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Yellowknife is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Yellowknife.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Yellowknife is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Yellowknife, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Yellowknife Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Yellowknife

eHalal Group Yellowknife is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Yellowknife. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Yellowknife.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Yellowknife ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Yellowknife. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Yellowknife, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Yellowknife are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Explorer Hotel, Yellowknife, NT, from south entrance - The Explorer Hotel

• Super 8 Motel - Yellowknife - 308 Old Airport Road GPS: 62.448024, -114.411198 +1-866-875-7666
• Bayside B&B | ☎ +1 867-669-8844 - View of the Back Bay from the wrap-around deck.

• Island B&B | ☎ +1 867-873-4803 -

Mid-range

• Coast Fraser Tower - 5303 52 Street ☎ +1 867-873-8700 +$179+ -

• The Explorer Hotel - 4825 49 Avenue GPS: 62.45738, -114.3724 Northwest corner of intersection of 48th Street and 49th Avenue, on highest ground ☎ +1 867-873-3531 +1-800-661-0892 $183+ Explorer Hotel Architecturally undistinguished from the rest of Yellowknife's boxy, modernist 1970s buildings and the Explorer stands out by standing on the highest spot in the centre of town. Northern Canada's largest hotel has hosted three generations of the British royal family, including the Queen herself, on their visits to the city, as well as other prominent personages. This level of comfort comes with a fitness centre, two business centres and the Traders Grill restaurant and Trapline Lounge. It will not, however, come cheap.

• Chateau Nova Hotel - 4571 48 Street ☎ +1 867 766-6682 +1-866-722-6682 - 141 rooms and suites with wi-fi, flatscreen TV, A/C, kitchenettes. Quarry Restaurant steakhouse open 7AM Monday - 2PM and 5PM Monday - 9PM, Quarry Lounge open 11AM Monday - 10PM.

Stay Safe

Yellowknife, NT, post office 2015 - Yellowknife Post Office

Driving, particularly away from the main highway, may involve long distances without seeing much traffic. Be sure to check the usual summer driving requirements: spare tire, water, etc. In winter, temperatures can drop to -50C and colder. Be prepared! Bring a candle lantern for heat, a thermos of hot water, foods such as Chocolates or nuts and a heavy blanket, and mitts (not gloves). If stranded, do not leave your vehicle unless forced to.

Bison are prevalent between the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence and Rae\Edzo. They like to amble on the highway. Take care during night driving along this section.

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