Winnipeg is a stunning metropolis that always 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 so much happening, from a scorching meals scene to loads of outside actions and a historical past that can blow your thoughts. That’s only the start. Time named Winnipeg one of many world’s biggest locations in 2021, so you understand there may be extra to Winnipeg than simply being a fly-over vacation spot. So, let’s dive straight into all one of the best 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 Lodge Winnipeg Downtown, Fort Garry Lodge, The Inn on the Forks
Enjoyable To Do: Folklorama Pageant, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Nestwaya River Path, Winnipeg River Stroll
Should Attempt 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 unbelievable artwork galleries. Town is especially identified for wonderful seasonal festivals; you may even wish to plan your total 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 form within the nation and probably the most 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 non permanent reveals, the museum goals to make clear the rights of people all over the world and the way essential 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 be addressed partially in most different collections. The museum’s non permanent reveals have been different, overlaying all the pieces from depicting human rights in Star Trek to Nelson Mandela’s struggle towards 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 Info
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 Info
The Winnipeg Artwork Gallery is open from 9 AM to five PM day-after-day besides Monday. Admission is $18 for adults.
3. Go to Assiniboine Park and Zoo
Should you’re our common reader, you’ll know that we don’t suggest zoos and animal parks until we’re solely sure that the animals there are handled pretty. We’ve been to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo a number of instances, and we’ve seen that almost all animals listed here are rescued and rehabilitated.
Polar Bears are often 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. Nevertheless, their habitat, they don’t appear to thoughts in any respect.
The enclosures are very spacious, carefully mimicking their pure habitats. It is a blessing for the animals however a little bit of a curse for the guests as a result of it will possibly generally 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 really having the time of its life! Plus, a cute little harbor seal stopped by to say good day 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 pleasurable within the winter. The crowds are smaller so you will 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 on.) who’re the happiest within the chilly climate.
Sensible Info
The Assiniboine Zoo is open from 9 AM to five PM. The admission payment is $24.70 should you purchase the tickets on the gate however $22.45 should you purchase them on-line a few days upfront.
Winnipeg is an attention-grabbing vacation spot for its historical past, and the Forks Nationwide Historic Web site is certainly one of many prime points of interest in Winnipeg for each customer. The Forks Nationwide Historic Web site has been a gathering place for six,000 years. Situated the place the Crimson 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 quite a lot of pure gentle, it’s certainly one of Winnipeg’s most charming buildings. To not point out the infinite purchasing alternatives and all of the scrumptious meals choices.
Sensible Info
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 a neighborhood drive you round Winnipeg for a number of hours, and also you’ll see the entire metropolis’s prime vacationer areas and find out about their historical past. It is a nice possibility for vacationers who’re on the town for a really quick time and wish to see all of the totally different areas of Winnipeg.
A driving tour is a good possibility as a result of you possibly can transfer across the metropolis shortly and attain areas that will in any other case stay unexplored. Plus, you’ll cross subsequent to Winnipeg’s most well-known points of interest, making it simpler to get across the metropolis on foot later if you wish to examine them correctly.
Sensible Info
A personal 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 Crimson River. Should you’re in Winnipeg within the winter, that is by far the most effective locations to go to on the town to heat up. Unwind within the toasty thermal baths and get a calming therapeutic massage that can have you ever dozing off on the desk.
The well being membership can be identified for its scrumptious meals, which actually hits the spots after a day filled with pampering. I’d suggest testing the restaurant even should you’re not going to soak within the swimming pools, because it’s one of many metropolis’s greatest. It’s a simple taxi trip from downtown. You’ll be able to simply spend a complete afternoon right here.
Sensible Info
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 additional.
7. Ice Skating the Nestaweya River Path
The Nestaweya River Path is certainly one of Winnipeg’s hottest winter points of interest. Each winter, the native authorities create an ice-skating path on the Crimson River, which anybody can entry without spending a dime. It’s the most effective 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.
Nevertheless, I can’t assure that you just’ll be capable to do it the subsequent time you’re in Winnipeg. Within the winter of 2024, the Nestewaya River Path was open for less than 9 days whole in two quick stints. The delicate winter and excessive precipitation made it extraordinarily difficult to handle the path and assure everybody’s security.
Sensible Info
The Nestaweya River Path is accessible solely within the winter, freed from cost.
8. Strolling Tour of St. Boniface
St. Boniface is residence to the biggest French-speaking group in Western Canada. Town district options many attention-grabbing landmarks and is the proper location for an easy-going strolling tour in Winnipeg. Additionally, 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 essential landmark. Additionally, see Whittier Park, Fort Gibraltar, and Université de Saint-Boniface, the realm’s greatest 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 Info
St. Boniface is a francophone district in Winnipeg, accessible on foot from the central metropolis space.
9. Attend Pageant du Voyageur
Winnipeg is known for its festivals, so I needed to embrace Pageant du Voyageur, even when it’s a seasonal attraction. It often takes place in February and lasts for 10 days, attracting greater than 75,000 guests yearly. That is the biggest winter competition in Western Canada, and it has a historical past of greater than 50 years.
Pageant du Voyageur is understood for music performances, large snow sculptures, handmade crafts, and far more. The occasion is each enjoyable and academic, aiming to advertise the varied francophone and indigenous artists.
The principle location for the competition is Whittier Park, which is inside strolling distance of Downtown Winnipeg.
Sensible Info
Pageant du Voyageur often takes place in the midst of February. The admission payment varies from $5-$40 per day, relying on if 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 set 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. In case you are quick 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 Info
The Manitoba Museum is open from 10 AM to five PM each 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 about 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 lovely 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 Info
The Dalnavert Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Excursions are simply $10 per individual, and it’s beneficial to guide your spot upfront.
12. Admire The Range at The Folklorama Pageant
I included a winter competition in Winnipeg, so it’s solely truthful that I additionally embrace an alternate in the summertime for all of the vacationers preferring to go to town when it’s heat. The Folklorama Pageant is the most important occasion of its form in Winnipeg, attracting a whole bunch of hundreds of tourists.
It takes place in August and lasts for 2 weeks. The competition goals to rejoice all of the totally different cultures that decision Winnipeg their residence. Each distinct tradition will get its personal pavilion on the competition, and there are often round 40 totally different pavilions on the grounds.
Every pavilion celebrates its tradition with conventional music, dances, and, after all, meals. Some will supply additional companies, reminiscent of henna tattoos or numerous workshops.
Sensible Info
The Folklorama Pageant is held each August. Tickets are $7.5 per pavilion, and reductions are provided if 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 Crimson and Assiniboine Rivers junction on the Forks Historic Web site. It’s the proper place for an off-the-cuff stroll in Winnipeg, largely as a result of good views.
Doing the River Stroll in a single 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 filled with exploration and sightseeing in Winnipeg!
Because of Kendrick’s Outside 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 Info
The Winnipeg River Stroll extends for roughly 2.5 kilometers in a single path.
14. The Manitoba Legislative Constructing
The Manitoba Legislative Constructing was the most effective issues we did in Winnipeg. It is usually probably the most 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 probably the most attention-grabbing issues to do in Winnipeg. E book your Signature Expertise Tour right here.
15. Change District
Take a stroll by time on the Winnipeg Change District’s heritage buildings relationship from 1880 to 1920. What was as soon as a derelict a part of town has now turn into a vibrant neighbourhood stuffed with espresso outlets, boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s price spending a day or night exploring the trendy space.
The Change District is positioned 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 Change District as properly. E book one which fits your wishes right here.
16. Johnson Terminal
Johnson Terminal is positioned subsequent door to the Forks and is one other historic spot stuffed with outlets and eating. It was a former warehouse for CN Railway, however it has since been restored to assist create the fashionable but historic really feel of The Forks space. Stays of the railway are on show all through.
Considered one of our favourite locations to eat within the Terminal is the Outdated Spaghetti Manufacturing facility. Positive, it’s tacky and a little bit of a Canadian chain, however it’s stuffed 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 good place to start out. Quamujuq homes the world’s largest assortment of Inuit artwork devoted to Inuit artists and craftsmanship.
Qaumajuq means “it’s vibrant, 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 whole 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 lovely landscaping and artworks, the backyard is a beautiful place that provides many a fairly 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 fantastic flowers in full bloom.
Sensible Info
The Sculpture Backyard is open from 9 AM to 9:30 PM. Entrance to the realm is freed from cost.
19. 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 will be at this Aspen forest in simply quarter-hour from downtown exploring the 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 wildlife.
One factor I’ll say is that the forest trails will be underwhelming for very skilled hikers, as they’re all usually straightforward, and there’s little or no elevation change.
Sensible Info
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 greatest identified for its many festivals. Town can be a transportation hub and is commonly known as the Gateway to The West.
Is Winnipeg Good For Vacationers?
Sure, Winnipeg is an effective metropolis for vacationers. With wonderful museums, historic landmarks, and unbelievable 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 an enormous zoo, Assiniboine Park takes up essentially the most time.
Why Is Winnipeg Standard?
Winnipeg is in style for its thriving cultural scene. Town is understood for its many artwork museums and galleries, in addition to music and dance festivals.
Suggestions And Info For Visiting Winnipeg
Greatest Time To Go to
Summer time is one of the best time to go to Winnipeg, particularly should 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. Town can be in style throughout spring break, and April to Might are additionally good instances to go to, however it will likely be a bit colder.
There are a lot of causes to return to Canada within the winter, and we extremely suggest it should you can deal with the chilly and snow. There will likely be fewer crowds round, you will get higher resort offers, and also you’ll get to take pleasure in some really 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 chances are high 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 supply connections to the Winnipeg airport. Neither of the 2 greater airports is inside driving distance of Winnipeg, so flying to town is by far the easiest way of getting there.
Getting Round
Buses and Uber are your greatest guess for getting round Winnipeg. A lot of the downtown space is walkable, and lots of points of interest are shut to 1 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 select you up upon arrival with a reputation card and take you on to your resort. E book right here.
That being mentioned, if you wish to journey round Manitoba, you really want a automobile. Evaluate these automobile rental costs to search out the one best for you.
How A lot Time Do You Want
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 one of the best sights.
The place To Keep In Winnipeg
It’s greatest to base your self within the metropolis middle, particularly should you’re on the town for simply a few days. That approach you possibly can stroll to a lot of the metropolis’s greatest points of interest and also you’ll solely have to take an Uber or a bus to get to Assiniboine Park. Listed below are a few of the greatest resorts in Winnipeg for all budgets:
Radisson Lodge Winnipeg Downtown is among the extra reasonably priced resorts with a central location in Winnipeg.
The Fort Garry Lodge is about in a spectacular constructing simply 10 minutes from The Forks. The Fort Garry Lodge With reasonably priced nightly charges and a very good location, it is among 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 within the metropolis. Situated inside strolling distance from the Museum for Human Rights, the Forks, and Johnson Terminal, you’re 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 Lodge—We’ve additionally stayed on the Delta Winnipeg Lodge up to now, and it’s one other nice alternative. 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’s positioned downtown close to eating places and occasional outlets.
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 mistaken with a Fairmont Lodge. The Fairmont is centrally positioned near the river. There’s a swimming pool, well being membership, and two eating places.
The Grand Winnipeg Lodge is positioned immediately 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 you can 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 you should definitely share some plates to style all of the menu really has to supply.
Clementine Cafe – Often called one of the best brunch within the metropolis! Situated in Winnipeg’s Change District
ERA Bistro – Nice possibility for lunch positioned contained in the Museum for Human Rights. Staying true to the essence of the museum, the restaurant makes use of regionally sourced, sustainable elements, which can be natural and free-trade.
Learn Extra: