Winnipeg is a stunning metropolis that usually will get a nasty rap from Canadians. That’s as a result of most individuals who name Winnipeg “Winterpeg” have by no means been there. The capital of Manitoba has rather a lot occurring, from a sizzling meals scene to loads of out of doors actions and a historical past that may blow your thoughts. That’s just the start. Time named Winnipeg one of many world’s biggest locations in 2021, so there’s extra to Winnipeg than simply being a fly-over vacation spot. So, let’s dive straight into all the perfect issues to do in Winnipeg!

Better of Winnipeg Fast Information 

• Should See: The Forks, Assiniboine Park, The Leaf, St. Boniface, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Manitoba Museum 
• The place To Keep: Radisson Resort Winnipeg Downtown, Fort Garry Resort, The Inn on the Forks
• Enjoyable To Do: Folklorama Competition, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Nestwaya River Path, Winnipeg River Stroll 
• Should Strive Meals: Smoked goldeye, Winnipeg rye bread, Imperial cookies, Schmoo torte

Greatest Issues To Do In Winnipeg

The perfect Winnipeg points of interest vary from botanical gardens to implausible artwork galleries. The town is especially identified for glorious seasonal festivals; you would possibly even wish to plan your whole journey round one. Come to Winnipeg, and also you’ll get to tour historic buildings, find out about indigenous tradition, and presumably even skate on a frozen river.

1. Be Moved at The Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the one museum of its variety within the nation and one of the vital in style Winnipeg points of interest. The constructing is a modernist murals, whereas the exhibit inside is thought-provoking and academic.

The museum goals to lift consciousness of assorted human rights points plaguing Canada and the world. With a number of core and short-term reveals, the museum goals to make clear the rights of people all over the world and the way vital it’s to guard them. 

The remedy of indigenous folks in all corners of the world is a dominant theme within the museum exhibit. It’s explored intimately in reveals “Canadian Journeys” and “Indigenous Views Gallery” and can also be addressed partially in most different collections. The museum’s short-term reveals have been various, protecting every little thing from depicting human rights in Star Trek to Nelson Mandela’s combat in opposition to apartheid. 

Different attention-grabbing reveals embrace one devoted to Viola Desmond, the primary black lady on our Canadian $10 invoice. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights additionally showcases human rights abuses and victories worldwide.

Sensible Data 

The Canadian Museum For Human Rights is open from 10 AM to five PM. Grownup tickets are $18, and Sunday admission is free.

2. Uncover Native Artwork at The Winnipeg Artwork Gallery

Add the Winnipeg Artwork Gallery to your itinerary if you wish to discover the artwork scene of this pretty metropolis. With an intensive assortment of over 28,000 items, it’s a prime location for artwork lovers in Winnipeg. 

The museum focuses primarily on up to date and Inuit artwork, however its reveals additionally embrace European and Canadian artwork by the ages and different attention-grabbing collections. Additionally, it’s not simply work hanging on the partitions; the WAG’s assortment showcases sculptures, textiles, ceramic objects, and lots of different items of ornamental artwork.   

Sensible Data

The Winnipeg Artwork Gallery is open from 9 AM to five PM daily besides Monday. Admission is $18 for adults. 

3. Go to Assiniboine Park and Zoo

When you’re our common reader, you’ll know that we don’t advocate zoos and animal parks until we’re solely sure that the animals there are handled pretty. We now have been to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo a number of instances, and we’ve seen that the majority animals listed below are rescued and rehabilitated.

Polar Bears are normally orphaned cubs rescued within the wild and who would have by no means survived. As soon as a Polar Bear has been in captivity, it can’t return to the wild because it wouldn’t survive. Nonetheless, their habitat, they don’t appear to thoughts in any respect.

The enclosures are very spacious, intently mimicking their pure habitats. This can be a blessing for the animals however a little bit of a curse for the guests as a result of it could typically be tough to identify them, particularly in the event that they’re sleeping. However hey, so long as they’re all handled proper, we’re completely not complaining. 

A spotlight of the zoo is certainly the underwater show. We had the privilege of watching a polar bear swim above a glass walkway. It was actually having the time of its life! Plus, a cute little harbor seal stopped by to say whats up to us. These seals are curious creatures and can come proper as much as the glass to take a look.

The Zoo is open year-round, however I’ll say that it’s far more gratifying within the winter. The crowds are smaller so you will get round extra simply, plus many of the animal rescues dwelling on the Assiniboine Zoo are arctic animals (polar bears, arctic foxes, snowy owls, and so on.) who’re the happiest within the chilly climate.

Sensible Data 

The Assiniboine Zoo is open from 9 AM to five PM. The admission price is $24.70 for those who purchase the tickets on the gate however $22.45 for those who purchase them on-line a few days prematurely. 

Winnipeg is an attention-grabbing vacation spot for its historical past, and the Forks Nationwide Historic Website is certainly one of many prime points of interest in Winnipeg for each customer. The Forks Nationwide Historic Website has been a gathering place for six,000 years. Situated the place the Pink and Assiniboine Rivers converge, it was a spot the place indigenous folks met to commerce. This custom continued by the fur commerce, the place aboriginal peoples met with European fur merchants.

Simply wandering across the market constructing is a pleasant strategy to spend a day. With loads of uncovered brick and an intensive skylight that allows a whole lot of pure mild, it’s one in every of Winnipeg’s most charming buildings. To not point out the limitless purchasing alternatives and all of the scrumptious meals choices. 

Sensible Data 

The Forks Market is open from 7 AM to 10 PM, though particular person outlets observe totally different working instances. 

5. Tour Winnipeg With A Native 

Let an area drive you round Winnipeg for a couple of hours, and also you’ll see all the metropolis’s prime vacationer areas and find out about their historical past. This can be a nice choice for vacationers who’re on the town for a really brief time and wish to see all of the totally different areas of Winnipeg. 

A driving tour is a superb choice as a result of you possibly can transfer across the metropolis rapidly and attain areas that will in any other case stay unexplored. Plus, you’ll go subsequent to Winnipeg’s most well-known points of interest, making it simpler to get across the metropolis on foot later whenever you wish to examine them correctly. 

Sensible Data 

A non-public tour of Winnipeg by automobile takes round two hours and prices roughly $50 per individual. 

6. Loosen up At Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature

Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature is a spa and well being membership in Crescent Drive Park on the financial institution of the Pink River. When you’re in Winnipeg within the winter, that is by far among the finest locations to go to on the town to heat up. Unwind within the toasty thermal baths and get a calming therapeutic massage that may have you ever dozing off on the desk. 

The well being membership can also be identified for its scrumptious meals, which actually hits the spots after a day stuffed with pampering. I’d advocate trying out the restaurant even for those who’re not going to soak within the swimming pools, because it’s one of many metropolis’s finest. It’s a simple taxi trip from downtown. You’ll be able to simply spend a whole afternoon right here.

Sensible Data 

The Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature is open from 8:30 AM to 10 PM. It’s $86 for adults to chill out within the thermal swimming pools and massages are charged further.  

7. Ice Skating the Nestaweya River Path

The Nestaweya River Path is one in every of Winnipeg’s hottest winter points of interest. Each winter, the native authorities create an ice-skating path on the Pink River, which anybody can entry totally free. It’s among the finest issues to do within the metropolis in chilly climate, and numerous locals and vacationers placed on their skates and glide throughout the frozen river for enjoyable. 

Nonetheless, I can’t assure that you simply’ll have the ability to do it the following time you’re in Winnipeg. Within the winter of 2024, the Nestewaya River Path was open for under 9 days whole in two brief stints. The delicate winter and excessive precipitation made it extraordinarily difficult to handle the path and assure everybody’s security. 

Sensible Data 

The Nestaweya River Path is accessible solely within the winter, freed from cost. 

8. Strolling Tour of St. Boniface

St. Boniface is house to the most important French-speaking group in Western Canada. The town district options many attention-grabbing landmarks and is the right location for an easy-going strolling tour in Winnipeg. Additionally, there are fairly a couple of bakeries all through St. Boniface, and also you’ll by no means be removed from a scrumptious croissant. 

First, cross the Esplanade Riel Footbridge from Downtown Winnipeg to St.Boniface. Then, you’re simply steps away from Saint Boniface Cathedral, the district’s most vital landmark. Additionally, see Whittier Park, Fort Gibraltar, and Université de Saint-Boniface, the world’s finest historic sights. 

When you’ve got sufficient time in Winnipeg, the Royal Canadian Mint and Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum are additionally price touring. 

Sensible Data 

St. Boniface is a francophone district in Winnipeg, accessible on foot from the central metropolis space. 

9. Attend Competition du Voyageur 

Winnipeg is known for its festivals, so I needed to embrace Competition du Voyageur, even when it’s a seasonal attraction. It normally takes place in February and lasts for 10 days, attracting greater than 75,000 guests yearly. That is the most important winter competition in Western Canada, and it has a historical past of greater than 50 years.

Competition du Voyageur is thought for music performances, large snow sculptures, handmade crafts, and far more. The occasion is each enjoyable and academic, aiming to advertise the assorted francophone and indigenous artists.

The primary location for the competition is Whittier Park, which is inside strolling distance of Downtown Winnipeg. 

Sensible Data 

Competition du Voyageur normally takes place in the course of February. The admission price varies from $5-$40 per day, relying on whenever you arrive on the competition location. 

10. Winnipeg Over The Years at The Manitoba Museum

The Manitoba Museum is a pure historical past museum with a group of two.9 million artifacts. It has three distinct areas, and guests can select to go to as many as they like. Particular person tickets can be found for every a part of the museum. 

They’re the Science Gallery, the Planetarium, and the Museum Galleries. If you’re brief on time, prioritize the Museum Galleries as it’s the most elaborate space of the museum with an in depth exhibit on Winnipeg by the ages. 

Sensible Data 

The Manitoba Museum is open from 10 AM to five PM day by day, besides on Mondays. The mixed ticket for all museum points of interest is $24.15. 

11. Historical past Excursions at Dalnavert Museum

The Dalnavert Museum is ready inside a Victorian-Edwardian mansion. With interval furnishings and costumed tour guides, visiting this museum is like touring again in time.
Go to the museum for stunning structure, but in addition to see a surprisingly correct depiction of life within the nineteenth century. And take note of all the small print, whether or not it’s the mesmerizing stained glass home windows or the flowery kitchen range. 

Sensible Data 

The Dalnavert Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Excursions are simply $10 per individual, and it’s really helpful to guide your spot prematurely. 

12. Admire The Variety at The Folklorama Competition 

I included a winter competition in Winnipeg, so it’s solely truthful that I additionally embrace another in the summertime for all of the vacationers preferring to go to town when it’s heat. The Folklorama Competition is the most important occasion of its variety in Winnipeg, attracting lots of of hundreds of tourists. 

It takes place in August and lasts for 2 weeks. The competition goals to have a good time all of the totally different cultures that decision Winnipeg their house. Each distinct tradition will get its personal pavilion on the competition, and there are normally round 40 totally different pavilions on the grounds. 

Every pavilion celebrates its tradition with conventional music, dances, and, after all, meals. Some will provide further companies, corresponding to henna tattoos or numerous workshops. 

Sensible Data 

The Folklorama Competition is held each August. Tickets are $7.5 per pavilion, and reductions are provided whenever you purchase combo tickets for a number of pavilions. 

13. Winnipeg River Stroll 

The Winnipeg River Stroll is a waterfront strolling path extending from the Manitoba Legislative Constructing to the Pink and Assiniboine Rivers junction on the Forks Historic Website. It’s the right place for an informal stroll in Winnipeg, largely because of the good views. 

Doing the River Stroll in a single route shouldn’t take greater than 25-Half-hour. On both finish, you get to see distinguished buildings with sculptures and landscaped grounds. There’s hardly a greater strategy to finish a day stuffed with exploration and sightseeing in Winnipeg! 

Due to Kendrick’s Out of doors Adventures in The Forks, you possibly can discover town year-round. They provide fats bikes for winter biking, e-bikes, e-scooter leases, and snowshoes (within the winter!)

Sensible Data 

The Winnipeg River Stroll extends for roughly 2.5 kilometers in a single route. 

14. The Manitoba Legislative Constructing

The Manitoba Legislative Constructing was among the finest issues we did in Winnipeg. Additionally it is one of the vital attention-grabbing excursions we’ve taken in our lives! We met Frank Albo (Canada’s reply to Dan Brown) on the steps of the Winnipeg Legislative Constructing and he took us on a walkthrough of Winnipeg’s very personal Da Vinci Code.

We have been then taken on a wild tour of secret societies and scandals as we walked by the halls of the historic constructing. It’s so intriguing that Albo met with Prince Charles within the royal room when he visited.

That is undoubtedly one of the vital attention-grabbing issues to do in Winnipeg. E-book your Signature Expertise Tour right here. 

15. Trade District

Take a stroll by time on the Winnipeg Trade District’s heritage buildings relationship from 1880 to 1920. What was as soon as a derelict a part of town has now develop into a vibrant neighbourhood crammed with espresso outlets, boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s price spending a day or night exploring the fashionable space.

The Trade District is situated within the coronary heart of downtown Winnipeg and is taken into account the humanities and cultural district of Winnipeg. Historic strolling excursions are provided within the Trade District as effectively. E-book one which fits your wishes right here.

16. Johnson Terminal

Johnson Terminal is situated subsequent door to the Forks and is one other historic spot crammed with outlets and eating. It was a former warehouse for CN Railway, nevertheless it has since been restored to assist create the trendy but historic really feel of The Forks space. Stays of the railway are on show all through.

Certainly one of our favourite locations to eat within the Terminal is the Previous Spaghetti Manufacturing facility. Certain, it’s tacky and a little bit of a Canadian chain, however it’s crammed with nostalgia.

17. Qaumajuq

When in search of locations to go to in Winnipeg to find out about Indigenous tradition, the Quamujuq Gallery is a superb place to begin. Quamujuq homes the world’s largest assortment of Inuit artwork devoted to Inuit artists and craftsmanship.

Qaumajuq means “it’s shiny, it’s lit” in Inuktitut. The design was impressed by the panorama of Northern Canada, and its inside options 14,000 items of Inuit artwork. It’s becoming because the gallery sits on the unique land of the Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Dakota, and Dene peoples. It was additionally the homeland of the Métis Nation. A complete wing is devoted to Inuit Artwork, which WAG has 10,730 works. You’ll additionally see up to date artwork, ornamental artwork, and different Canadian artists on show.

18. Stroll Round The Leo Mol Sculpture Backyard

Leo Mol Sculpture Backyard is a small backyard located inside Assiniboine Park. That includes stunning landscaping and artworks, the backyard is a beautiful place that gives many a reasonably sight. 

All of the bronze sculptures right here have been created by Dr. Leo Mol, a Ukrainian-born artist who spent most of his life in Winnipeg. Paved strolling paths lead by the backyard, permitting guests to find all of the totally different statues.

The landscaping is just about excellent. Come right here in spring or summer time to expertise the place in full glory and see all of the great flowers in full bloom. 

Sensible Data 

The Sculpture Backyard is open from 9 AM to 9:30 PM. Entrance to the world is freed from cost. 

19. Mountain climbing At The Assiniboine Forest

Assiniboine Forest is the southern space of the huge namesake park. Spanning an space of greater than 285 hectares, the place is a Mecca for all hikers in Winnipeg. You could be at this Aspen forest in simply quarter-hour from downtown exploring the mountain climbing trails and snapping pictures of free-roaming deer. 

Roughly 18 kilometers of signposted trails can be found within the forest. Within the hotter months, they’re perfect for hikers and cyclists, whereas within the winter, they’re excellent for cross-country snowboarding. Come right here to find a correct city jungle separating two of Winnipeg’s communities and marvel on the untouched natural world. 

One factor I’ll say is that the forest trails could be underwhelming for very skilled hikers, as they’re all usually straightforward, and there’s little or no elevation change. 

Sensible Data 

Assiniboine Forest is open from 8:30AM to 4:30PM on workdays with free admission. The forest is closed on the weekends. 

FAQ For Greatest Issues To Do In Winnipeg

What Is Winnipeg Greatest Identified For? 

Winnipeg is finest identified for its many festivals. The town can also be a transportation hub and is commonly known as the Gateway to The West. 

Is Winnipeg Good For Vacationers?

Sure, Winnipeg is an efficient metropolis for vacationers. With glorious museums, historic landmarks, and implausible festivals, it’s tremendous straightforward to have enjoyable on this metropolis. 

How Do You Spend a Day In Winnipeg?

A day in Winnipeg ought to embrace a go to to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a visit to The Forks, and a radical exploration of Assiniboine Park. With a number of botanical gardens, reveals, and a large zoo, Assiniboine Park takes up essentially the most time.  

Why Is Winnipeg Common? 

Winnipeg is in style for its thriving cultural scene. The town is thought for its many artwork museums and galleries, in addition to music and dance festivals. 

Ideas And Data For Visiting Winnipeg

Greatest Time To Go to 

Summer season is the perfect time to go to Winnipeg, particularly for those who’re not used to Canadian chilly climate. Come right here between June and August, and also you’ll get pleasure from heat climate, flowers in bloom, and lengthy sunny days. The town can also be in style throughout spring break, and April to Might are additionally good instances to go to, however will probably be a bit colder. 

There are various causes to return to Canada within the winter, and we extremely advocate it for those who can deal with the chilly and snow. There will likely be fewer crowds round, you will get higher lodge offers, and also you’ll get to get pleasure from some actually native experiences. 

Getting There

Winnipeg Richardson Worldwide Airport companies the Manitoba area, and it’s only a 15-minute drive from town centre. However it’s a small airport with only a few worldwide connections, so likelihood is you’ll have to catch a flight there from one of many greater airports in Canada. 

The airports in Toronto and Vancouver are the busiest nation, and each provide connections to the Winnipeg airport. Neither of the 2 greater airports is inside driving distance of Winnipeg, so flying to town is by far one of the best ways of getting there.  

Getting Round 

Buses and Uber are your finest guess for getting round Winnipeg. A lot of the downtown space is walkable, and lots of points of interest are shut to at least one one other, so you possibly can discover fairly a little bit of town on foot. However you’ll have to depend on public transport to get to the extra distant areas, particularly Assiniboine Park. 

You’ll be able to guide a non-public driver from the airport to choose you up upon arrival with a reputation card and take you on to your lodge. E-book right here.

That being mentioned, if you wish to journey round Manitoba, you actually need a automobile. Examine these automobile rental costs to seek out the one best for you.

How A lot Time Do You Want

Two days are simply sufficient time to discover all the finest points of interest in Winnipeg. It’s not an enormous metropolis and there aren’t too many vacationer points of interest, so a weekend ought to offer you loads of time to discover all the perfect sights. 

The place To Keep In Winnipeg

It’s finest to base your self within the metropolis middle, particularly for those who’re on the town for simply a few days. That manner you possibly can stroll to many of the metropolis’s finest points of interest and also you’ll solely have to take an Uber or a bus to get to Assiniboine Park. Listed here are a number of the finest resorts in Winnipeg for all budgets:

• Radisson Resort Winnipeg Downtown is likely one of the extra inexpensive resorts with a central location in Winnipeg. 
• The Fort Garry Resort is ready in a spectacular constructing simply 10 minutes from The Forks. The Fort Garry Resort With inexpensive nightly charges and a very good location, it is likely one of the finest choices in Winnipeg for a brief keep. 
• Inn on the Forks – We stayed on the Inn on the Forks, and I feel it’s the finest location within the metropolis. Situated inside strolling distance from the Museum for Human Rights, the Forks, and Johnson Terminal, you might be solely steps away from nice eats, nightlife, and tradition. There’s a spa and eating and the rooms are fashionable and stylish. The Inn on the Forks
• Delta Winnipeg Hotel—We now have additionally stayed on the Delta Winnipeg Resort previously, and it’s one other nice alternative. It has two swimming pools, a skywalk, a pub, and eating. It’s usually used for conferences and is straightforward to stroll indoors to the adjoining conference facilities. It’s situated downtown close to eating places and low outlets.
• Fairmont Winnipeg – We stayed on the Fairmont when on a media tour a couple of years in the past, and you may by no means go unsuitable with a Fairmont Resort. The Fairmont is centrally situated near the river. There’s a swimming pool, well being membership, and two eating places.
• The Grand Winnipeg Resort is situated instantly throughout the road from departures/arrivals on the Winnipeg Airport, and the 4 Factors by Sheraton is only a bit farther away. There’s a walkway by the Grand to the Sheraton. What we love is that you would be able to take your trolleys from the airport proper into your rooms. There are eating places and bars proper on the premises of each.

The place to Eat in Winnipeg

Passero & Corto – We ate at Passero and Corto contained in the Forks Market. It’s the one eat in restaurant on the Forks and the Italian delicacies was to die for. Ask your server to assist with meals and wine pairings and make sure to share some plates to style all of the menu actually has to supply.

Clementine Cafe – Often known as the perfect brunch within the metropolis! Situated in Winnipeg’s Trade District

ERA Bistro – Nice choice for lunch situated contained in the Museum for Human Rights. Staying true to the essence of the museum, the restaurant makes use of regionally sourced, sustainable substances, which can be natural and free-trade.

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