19 Greatest Issues To Do in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg is a shocking metropolis that always will get a foul 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 loads occurring, from a sizzling meals scene to loads of out of doors 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 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 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 unbelievable artwork galleries. Town is especially recognized 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 form within the nation and one of the 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 boost consciousness of varied human rights points plaguing Canada and the world. With a number of core and momentary reveals, the museum goals to make clear the rights of people around the globe 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 Perspectives Gallery” and can also be addressed partly in most different collections. The museum’s momentary reveals have been assorted, overlaying the whole lot from depicting human rights in Star Trek to Nelson Mandela’s combat towards apartheid. 

Different attention-grabbing reveals 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.

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 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 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 daily besides Monday. Admission is $18 for adults. 

3. Go to Assiniboine Park and Zoo

In case you’re our common reader, you’ll know that we don’t suggest zoos and animal parks until we’re totally sure that the animals there are handled pretty. We’ve got been to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo a number of occasions, 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. Nonetheless, their habitat, they don’t appear to thoughts in any respect.

The enclosures are very spacious, carefully 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 may well 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 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 pleasing within the winter. The crowds are smaller so you may 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 forth.) 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 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 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. Positioned 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 option 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 countless buying 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 occasions. 

5. Tour Winnipeg With A Native 

Let an area drive you round Winnipeg for just a few 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 good choice as a result of you may 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 once you wish to examine them correctly. 

Sensible Info 

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

6. Calm down 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. In case you’re in Winnipeg within the winter, that is by far top-of-the-line 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 recognized for its scrumptious meals, which actually hits the spots after a day filled with pampering. I’d suggest testing the restaurant even for those who’re not going to soak within the swimming pools, because it’s one of many metropolis’s greatest. It’s a straightforward taxi trip from downtown. You’ll be able to simply spend a whole 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 calm down 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 Pink River, which anybody can entry without cost. It’s top-of-the-line 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 subsequent time you’re in Winnipeg. Within the winter of 2024, the Nestewaya River Path was open for less than 9 days complete in two brief stints. The gentle 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 house 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 just a few 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. 

In case you have sufficient time in Winnipeg, the Royal Canadian Mint and Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum are additionally value touring. 

Sensible Info 

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

9. Attend Competition du Voyageur 

Winnipeg is legendary for its festivals, so I needed to embrace Competition 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.

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

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

Sensible Info 

Competition du Voyageur often takes place in the midst of February. The admission payment varies from $5-$40 per day, relying on once 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 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 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 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 additionally to see a surprisingly correct depiction of life within the nineteenth century. And take note of all the main points, 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 e book your spot prematurely. 

12. Admire The Variety at The Folklorama Competition 

I included a winter competition in Winnipeg, so it’s solely honest 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 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 have fun 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 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, equivalent to henna tattoos or numerous workshops. 

Sensible Info 

The Folklorama Competition is held each August. Tickets are $7.5 per pavilion, and reductions are provided once 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 Web site. It’s the proper place for an informal stroll in Winnipeg, largely as a result of good views. 

Doing the River Stroll in a single course 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 option to finish a day filled with exploration and sightseeing in Winnipeg! 

Because of Kendrick’s Out of doors Adventures in The Forks, you may 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 course. 

14. The Manitoba Legislative Constructing

The Manitoba Legislative Constructing was top-of-the-line issues we did in Winnipeg. It’s also one of the 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 attention-grabbing issues to do in Winnipeg. Guide your Signature Expertise Tour right here. 

15. Change District

Take a stroll by time on the Winnipeg Change District’s heritage buildings courting from 1880 to 1920. What was as soon as a derelict a part of town has now turn out to be a vibrant neighbourhood crammed with espresso outlets, boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s value spending a day or night exploring the trendy space.

The Change 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 Change District as nicely. Guide one which fits your needs 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 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 Previous Spaghetti Manufacturing unit. Positive, it’s tacky and a little bit of a Canadian chain, however it’s crammed with 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 good place to begin. 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’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 stunning landscaping and artworks, the backyard is a beautiful place that gives 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 season 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. 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 will be at this Aspen forest in simply quarter-hour from downtown exploring the mountaineering trails and snapping images of free-roaming deer. 

Roughly 18 kilometers of signposted trails can be found within the forest. Within the hotter months, they’re excellent 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 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 Recognized For? 

Winnipeg is greatest recognized for its many festivals. Town can also be a transportation hub and is usually referred to as the Gateway to The West. 

Is Winnipeg Good For Vacationers?

Sure, Winnipeg is an effective metropolis for vacationers. With glorious 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 an intensive 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 In style? 

Winnipeg is in style for its thriving cultural scene. Town is thought 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 season is one of the best 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. Town can also be in style throughout spring break, and April to Could are additionally good occasions to go to, however will probably be a bit colder. 

There are lots of causes to return to Canada within the winter, and we extremely suggest it for those who can deal with the chilly and snow. There shall be fewer crowds round, you may get higher lodge offers, and also you’ll get to get pleasure from 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. Nevertheless 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 one of the best ways of getting there.  

Getting Round 

Buses and Uber are your greatest wager 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 may 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 e book a non-public driver from the airport to select you up upon arrival with a reputation card and take you on to your lodge. Guide right here.

That being stated, if you wish to journey round Manitoba, you really want a automotive. Evaluate these automotive 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 all the 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 for those who’re on the town for simply a few days. That manner you may stroll to many 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 here are a few of the greatest accommodations in Winnipeg for all budgets:

• Radisson Resort Winnipeg Downtown is without doubt one of the extra inexpensive accommodations 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 without doubt 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 within the metropolis. Positioned 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 Hotel—We’ve got additionally stayed on the Delta Winnipeg Resort previously, 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’s situated downtown close to eating places and occasional outlets.
• Fairmont Winnipeg – We stayed on the Fairmont when on a media tour just a few 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 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 which 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 be sure you share some plates to style all of the menu really has to supply.

Clementine Cafe – Generally known as one of the best brunch within the metropolis! Positioned in Winnipeg’s Change 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 domestically sourced, sustainable components, which are natural and free-trade.

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