Winnipeg is a stunning metropolis that always will get a nasty rap from Canadians. That is as a result of most individuals who name Winnipeg “Winterpeg” have by no means been there. The capital of Manitoba has quite a bit occurring, from a scorching meals scene to loads of outside actions and a historical past that may blow your thoughts. That’s only the start. Time named Winnipeg one of many world’s biggest locations in 2021, so you realize there’s extra to Winnipeg than simply being a fly-over vacation spot. So, let’s dive straight into all the very best issues to do in Winnipeg!
Best of Winnipeg Quick Guide
Must See: The Forks, Assiniboine Park, The Leaf, St. Boniface, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Manitoba Museum
Where To Stay: Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown, Fort Garry Hotel, The Inn on the Forks
Fun To Do: Folklorama Festival, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Nestwaya River Trail, Winnipeg River Walk
Must Try Foods: Smoked goldeye, Winnipeg rye bread, Imperial cookies, Schmoo torte
Best Things To Do In Winnipeg
The greatest Winnipeg points of interest vary from botanical gardens to incredible artwork galleries. The metropolis is especially identified for glorious seasonal festivals; you would possibly even wish to plan your complete journey round one. Come to Winnipeg, and also you’ll get to tour historic buildings, find out about indigenous tradition, and probably 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 type in the nation and one of the standard Winnipeg points of interest. The constructing is a modernist murals, whereas the exhibit inside is thought-provoking and academic.
The museum goals to boost consciousness of varied human rights points plaguing Canada and the world. With a number of core and momentary displays, the museum goals to make clear the rights of people world wide and the way vital it’s to guard them.
The remedy of indigenous folks in all corners of the world is a dominant theme in the museum exhibit. It’s explored in element in displays “Canadian Journeys” and “Indigenous Perspectives Gallery” and can also be addressed in half in most different collections. The museum’s momentary displays have been assorted, protecting all the pieces from depicting human rights in Star Trek to Nelson Mandela’s struggle in opposition to apartheid.
Other fascinating displays embrace one devoted to Viola Desmond, the primary black girl on our Canadian $10 invoice. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights additionally showcases human rights abuses and victories worldwide.
Practical Information
The Canadian Museum For Human Rights is open from 10 AM to five PM. Adult tickets are $18, and Sunday admission is free.
2. Discover Local Art at The Winnipeg Art Gallery
Add the Winnipeg Art Gallery to your itinerary if you wish to discover the artwork scene of this beautiful 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 modern and Inuit artwork, however its displays additionally embrace European and Canadian artwork by way of the ages and different fascinating collections. Also, 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.
Practical Information
The Winnipeg Art Gallery is open from 9 AM to five PM day by day besides Monday. Admission is $18 for adults.
3. Visit Assiniboine Park and Zoo
If you’re our common reader, you’ll know that we don’t suggest zoos and animal parks except we’re solely sure that the animals there are handled pretty. We have been to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo a number of occasions, and we’ve seen that almost all animals listed below are rescued and rehabilitated.
Polar Bears are normally orphaned cubs rescued in the wild and who would have by no means survived. Once a Polar Bear has been in captivity, it can’t return to the wild because it wouldn’t survive. However, their habitat, they don’t appear to thoughts in any respect.
The enclosures are very spacious, carefully mimicking their pure habitats. This is a blessing for the animals however a little bit of a curse for the guests as a result of it might generally be troublesome to identify them, particularly in the event that they’re sleeping. But hey, so long as they’re all handled proper, we’re completely not complaining.
A spotlight of the zoo is unquestionably the underwater show. We had the privilege of watching a polar bear swim above a glass walkway. It was really having the time of its life! Plus, a cute little harbor seal stopped by to say hey 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 rather more satisfying in the winter. The crowds are smaller so you may get round extra simply, plus a lot of the animal rescues dwelling on the Assiniboine Zoo are arctic animals (polar bears, arctic foxes, snowy owls, and so forth.) who’re the happiest in the chilly climate.
Practical Information
The Assiniboine Zoo is open from 9 AM to five PM. The admission charge is $24.70 in case you purchase the tickets on the gate however $22.45 in case you purchase them on-line a few days in advance.
Winnipeg is an fascinating vacation spot for its historical past, and the Forks National Historic Site is unquestionably one of many prime points of interest in Winnipeg for each customer. The Forks National Historic Site has been a gathering place for six,000 years. Located the place the Red and Assiniboine Rivers converge, it was a spot the place indigenous folks met to commerce. This custom continued by way of the fur commerce, the place aboriginal peoples met with European fur merchants.
Just wandering across the market constructing is a pleasant strategy to spend a day. With loads of uncovered brick and an intensive skylight that lets in plenty of pure mild, it’s considered one of Winnipeg’s most charming buildings. Not to say the infinite procuring alternatives and all of the scrumptious meals choices.
Practical Information
The Forks Market is open from 7 AM to 10 PM, though particular person retailers observe totally different working occasions.
5. Tour Winnipeg With A Local
Let a neighborhood drive you round Winnipeg for a number of hours, and also you’ll see the entire metropolis’s prime vacationer places and find out about their historical past. This is a superb possibility for vacationers who’re in city for a really brief time and wish to see all of the totally different areas of Winnipeg.
A driving tour is a superb possibility as a result of you’ll be able to transfer across the metropolis rapidly and attain areas that may in any other case stay unexplored. Plus, you’ll move 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.
Practical Information
A personal tour of Winnipeg by automotive takes round two hours and prices roughly $50 per individual.
6. Relax 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 Red River. If you’re in Winnipeg in the winter, that is by far top-of-the-line locations to go to in city to heat up. Unwind in the toasty thermal baths and get a soothing 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 suggest trying out the restaurant even in case you’re not going to soak in the swimming pools, because it’s one of many metropolis’s greatest. It’s a simple taxi experience from downtown. You can simply spend a complete afternoon right here.
Practical Information
The Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature is open from 8:30 AM to 10 PM. It’s $86 for adults to chill out in the thermal swimming pools and massages are charged further.
7. Ice Skating the Nestaweya River Trail
The Nestaweya River Trail is considered one of Winnipeg’s hottest winter points of interest. Every winter, the native authorities create an ice-skating path on the Red River, which anybody can entry totally free. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in town in chilly climate, and numerous locals and vacationers placed on their skates and glide throughout the frozen river for enjoyable.
However, I can’t assure that you just’ll have the ability to do it the subsequent time you’re in Winnipeg. In the winter of 2024, the Nestewaya River Trail was open for less than 9 days complete in two brief stints. The delicate winter and excessive precipitation made it extraordinarily difficult to handle the path and assure everybody’s security.
Practical Information
The Nestaweya River Trail is accessible solely in the winter, freed from cost.
8. Walking Tour of St. Boniface
St. Boniface is house to the most important French-speaking neighborhood in Western Canada. The metropolis district options many fascinating landmarks and is the proper location for an easy-going strolling tour in Winnipeg. Also, there are fairly a number 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. Also, see Whittier Park, Fort Gibraltar, and Université de Saint-Boniface, the realm’s greatest historic sights.
If you’ve gotten sufficient time in Winnipeg, the Royal Canadian Mint and Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum are additionally price touring.
Practical Information
St. Boniface is a francophone district in Winnipeg, accessible on foot from the central metropolis space.
9. Attend Festival du Voyageur
Winnipeg is known for its festivals, so I needed to embrace Festival 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. This is the most important winter pageant in Western Canada, and it has a historical past of greater than 50 years.
Festival du Voyageur is understood for music performances, big snow sculptures, handmade crafts, and rather more. The occasion is each enjoyable and academic, aiming to advertise the assorted francophone and indigenous artists.
The principal location for the pageant is Whittier Park, which is inside strolling distance of Downtown Winnipeg.
Practical Information
Festival du Voyageur normally takes place in the center of February. The admission charge varies from $5-$40 per day, relying on whenever you arrive on the pageant location.
10. Winnipeg Over The Years at The Manitoba Museum
The Manitoba Museum is a pure historical past museum with a set of two.9 million artifacts. It has three distinct areas, and guests can select to go to as many as they like. Individual tickets can be found for every a part of the museum.
They are the Science Gallery, the Planetarium, and the Museum Galleries. If you might be 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 way of the ages.
Practical Information
The Manitoba Museum is open from 10 AM to five PM every day, besides on Mondays. The mixed ticket for all museum points of interest is $24.15.
11. History Tours at Dalnavert Museum
The Dalnavert Museum is about inside a Victorian-Edwardian mansion. With interval furnishings and costumed tour guides, visiting this museum is like touring again in time.Visit the museum for stunning structure, but in addition to see a surprisingly correct depiction of life in the nineteenth century. And take note of all the small print, whether or not it’s the mesmerizing stained glass home windows or the frilly kitchen range.
Practical Information
The Dalnavert Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Tours are simply $10 per individual, and it’s beneficial to e-book your spot in advance.
12. Admire The Diversity at The Folklorama Festival
I included a winter pageant in Winnipeg, so it’s solely truthful that I additionally embrace another in the summer season for all of the vacationers preferring to go to town when it’s heat. The Folklorama Festival is the most important occasion of its type in Winnipeg, attracting tons of of 1000’s of tourists.
It takes place in August and lasts for 2 weeks. The pageant goals to rejoice all of the totally different cultures that decision Winnipeg their house. Every distinct tradition will get its personal pavilion on the pageant, and there are normally round 40 totally different pavilions on the grounds.
Each pavilion celebrates its tradition with conventional music, dances, and, in fact, meals. Some will provide further providers, resembling henna tattoos or varied workshops.
Practical Information
The Folklorama Festival is held each August. Tickets are $7.5 per pavilion, and reductions are supplied whenever you purchase combo tickets for a number of pavilions.
13. Winnipeg River Walk
The Winnipeg River Walk is a waterfront strolling path extending from the Manitoba Legislative Building to the Red and Assiniboine Rivers junction on the Forks Historic Site. It’s the proper place for an informal stroll in Winnipeg, largely because of the good views.
Doing the River Walk in one path shouldn’t take greater than 25-Half-hour. On both finish, you get to see outstanding buildings with sculptures and landscaped grounds. There’s hardly a greater strategy to finish a day stuffed with exploration and sightseeing in Winnipeg!
Thanks to Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures in The Forks, you’ll be able to discover town year-round. They provide fats bikes for winter biking, e-bikes, e-scooter leases, and snowshoes (in the winter!)
Practical Information
The Winnipeg River Walk extends for roughly 2.5 kilometers in one path.
14. The Manitoba Legislative Building
The Manitoba Legislative Building was top-of-the-line issues we did in Winnipeg. It can also be one of the fascinating excursions we’ve taken in our lives! We met Frank Albo (Canada’s reply to Dan Brown) on the steps of the Winnipeg Legislative Building and he took us on a walkthrough of Winnipeg’s very personal Da Vinci Code.
We had been then taken on a wild tour of secret societies and scandals as we walked by way of the halls of the historic constructing. It is so intriguing that Albo met with Prince Charles in the royal room when he visited.
This is unquestionably one of the fascinating issues to do in Winnipeg. Book your Signature Experience Tour right here.
15. Exchange District
Take a stroll by way of time on the Winnipeg Exchange District’s heritage buildings relationship from 1880 to 1920. What was as soon as a derelict a part of town has now turn out to be a vibrant neighbourhood full of espresso retailers, boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s price spending a day or night exploring the fashionable space.
The Exchange District is situated in the guts of downtown Winnipeg and is taken into account the humanities and cultural district of Winnipeg. Historic strolling excursions are supplied in the Exchange District as nicely. 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 full of retailers and eating. It was a former warehouse for CN Railway, but it surely has since been restored to assist create the trendy but historic really feel of The Forks space. Remains of the railway are on show all through.
One of our favourite locations to eat in the Terminal is the Old Spaghetti Factory. Sure, it’s tacky and a little bit of a Canadian chain, however it’s full of nostalgia.
17. Qaumajuq
When on the lookout for locations to go to in Winnipeg to find out about Indigenous tradition, the Quamujuq Gallery is a superb place to start out. Quamujuq homes the world’s largest assortment of Inuit artwork devoted to Inuit artists and craftsmanship.
Qaumajuq means “it is bright, it is lit” in Inuktitut. The design was impressed by the panorama of Northern Canada, and its inside options 14,000 items of Inuit artwork. It is 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. An complete wing is devoted to Inuit Art, which WAG has 10,730 works. You’ll additionally see modern artwork, ornamental artwork, and different Canadian artists on show.
18. Stroll Around The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden
Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is a small backyard located inside Assiniboine Park. Featuring stunning landscaping and artistic endeavors, the backyard is a beautiful place that gives many a reasonably sight.
All the bronze sculptures right here had been created by Dr. Leo Mol, a Ukrainian-born artist who spent most of his life in Winnipeg. Paved strolling paths lead by way of the backyard, permitting guests to find all of the totally different statues.
The landscaping is just about good. Come right here in spring or summer season to expertise the place in full glory and see all of the great flowers in full bloom.
Practical Information
The Sculpture Garden is open from 9 AM to 9:30 PM. Entrance to the realm is freed from cost.
19. Hiking At The Assiniboine Forest
Assiniboine Forest is the southern space of the large 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 mountaineering trails and snapping photographs of free-roaming deer.
Roughly 18 kilometers of signposted trails can be found in the forest. In the hotter months, they’re preferrred for hikers and cyclists, whereas in the winter, they’re good 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 typically straightforward, and there’s little or no elevation change.
Practical Information
Assiniboine Forest is open from 8:30AM to 4:30PM on workdays with free admission. The forest is closed on the weekends.
FAQ For Best Things To Do In Winnipeg
What Is Winnipeg Best Known For?
Winnipeg is greatest identified for its many festivals. The metropolis can also be a transportation hub and is commonly known as the Gateway to The West.
Is Winnipeg Good For Tourists?
Yes, Winnipeg is an effective metropolis for vacationers. With glorious museums, historic landmarks, and incredible festivals, it’s tremendous straightforward to have enjoyable in 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 an intensive exploration of Assiniboine Park. With a number of botanical gardens, displays, and an enormous zoo, Assiniboine Park takes up essentially the most time.
Why Is Winnipeg Popular?
Winnipeg is standard for its thriving cultural scene. The metropolis is understood for its many artwork museums and galleries, in addition to music and dance festivals.
Tips And Information For Visiting Winnipeg
Best Time To Visit
Summer is the very best time to go to Winnipeg, particularly in case you’re not used to Canadian chilly climate. Come right here between June and August, and also you’ll take pleasure in heat climate, flowers in bloom, and lengthy sunny days. The metropolis can also be standard throughout spring break, and April to May are additionally good occasions to go to, however it will likely be a bit colder.
There are many causes to come back to Canada in the winter, and we extremely suggest it in case you can deal with the chilly and snow. There will likely be fewer crowds round, you may get higher lodge offers, and also you’ll get to take pleasure in some really native experiences.
Getting There
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport providers the Manitoba area, and it’s only a 15-minute drive from town centre. But it’s a small airport with only a few worldwide connections, so chances are high you’ll must 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 Around
Buses and Uber are your greatest wager for getting round Winnipeg. Much of the downtown space is walkable, and lots of points of interest are shut to at least one one other, so you’ll be able to discover fairly a little bit of town on foot. But you’ll must depend on public transport to get to the extra distant areas, particularly Assiniboine Park.
You can e-book a non-public driver from the airport to choose you up upon arrival with a reputation card and take you on to your lodge. Book right here.
That being mentioned, if you wish to journey round Manitoba, you actually need a automotive. Compare these automotive rental costs to seek out the one best for you.
How Much Time Do You Need
Two days are simply sufficient time to discover the entire greatest 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 provide you with loads of time to discover all the very best sights.
Where To Stay In Winnipeg
It’s greatest to base your self in town middle, particularly in case you’re in city for simply a few days. That approach you’ll be able to stroll to a lot of the metropolis’s greatest points of interest and also you’ll solely must take an Uber or a bus to get to Assiniboine Park. Here are a few of the greatest lodges in Winnipeg for all budgets:
Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown is likely one of the extra reasonably priced lodges with a central location in Winnipeg.
The Fort Garry Hotel is about in a spectacular constructing simply 10 minutes from The Forks. The Fort Garry Hotel With reasonably priced nightly charges and a very good location, it is likely one of the greatest 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 greatest location in town. Located 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 is a spa and eating and the rooms are trendy and stylish. The Inn on the Forks
Delta Winnipeg Hotel—We have additionally stayed on the Delta Winnipeg Hotel in the previous, and it’s one other nice selection. It has two swimming pools, a skywalk, a pub, and eating. It’s typically used for conferences and is simple to stroll indoors to the adjoining conference facilities. It is situated downtown close to eating places and low retailers.
Fairmont Winnipeg – We stayed on the Fairmont when on a media tour a number of years in the past, and you may by no means go fallacious with a Fairmont Hotel. The Fairmont is centrally situated near the river. There is a swimming pool, well being membership, and two eating places.
The Grand Winnipeg Hotel is situated immediately throughout the road from departures/arrivals on the Winnipeg Airport, and the Four Points by Sheraton is only a bit farther away. There is a walkway by way of the Grand to the Sheraton. What we love is which you could take your trolleys from the airport proper into your rooms. There are eating places and bars proper on the premises of each.
Where 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 remember to share some plates to style all of the menu really has to supply.
Clementine Cafe – Known as the very best brunch in town! Located in Winnipeg’s Exchange District
ERA Bistro – Great possibility 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 are natural and free-trade.
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