19 Best Things To Do in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg is a shocking 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 rather a lot occurring, from a scorching meals scene to loads of outside 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 may be 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!

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 Hotel Winnipeg Downtown, Fort Garry Hotel, The Inn at the Forks
• Enjoyable To Do: Folklorama Competition, 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 sights vary from botanical gardens to implausible artwork galleries. The town is especially identified for wonderful seasonal festivals; you would possibly even need 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 sort within the nation and some of the standard Winnipeg sights. The constructing is a modernist murals, whereas the exhibit inside is thought-provoking and academic.

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

The therapy of indigenous individuals in all corners of the world is a dominant theme within the museum exhibit. It’s explored intimately in displays “Canadian Journeys” and “Indigenous Views Gallery” and can also be addressed partially in most different collections. The museum’s short-term displays have been diverse, masking the whole lot from depicting human rights in Star Trek to Nelson Mandela’s struggle in opposition to apartheid. 

Different fascinating displays embody 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 beautiful metropolis. With an in depth 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 embody European and Canadian artwork via the ages and different fascinating collections. Additionally, it’s not simply work hanging on the partitions; the WAG’s assortment showcases sculptures, textiles, ceramic objects, and plenty of different items of ornamental artwork.   

Sensible Data

The Winnipeg Artwork Gallery is open from 9 AM to five PM day by day 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 fully sure that the animals there are handled pretty. We have now 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 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. Nevertheless, taking a look at 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 might probably generally be troublesome 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 hi there 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 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 many others.) who’re the happiest within the chilly climate.

Sensible Data 

The Assiniboine Zoo is open from 9 AM to five PM. The admission payment is $24.70 when you purchase the tickets on the gate however $22.45 when you purchase them on-line a few days upfront. 

Winnipeg is an fascinating vacation spot for its historical past, and the Forks Nationwide Historic Web site is certainly one of many prime sights 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 individuals met to commerce. This custom continued via the fur commerce, the place aboriginal peoples met with European fur merchants.

Simply wandering across the market constructing is a pleasant solution to spend a day. With loads of uncovered brick and an in depth skylight that allows lots of pure gentle, 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 completely 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. This can be a nice possibility for vacationers who’re on the town for a really quick time and need to see all of the completely different areas of Winnipeg. 

A driving tour is a superb possibility as a result of you possibly can transfer across the metropolis shortly and attain areas that might in any other case stay unexplored. Plus, you’ll cross subsequent to Winnipeg’s most well-known sights, making it simpler to get across the metropolis on foot later if you need to examine them correctly. 

Sensible Data 

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

6. Chill out 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. When you’re in Winnipeg within the winter, that is by far among the best locations to go to on the town to heat up. Unwind within 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 advocate testing the restaurant even when you’re not going to soak within the swimming pools, because it’s one of many metropolis’s finest. It’s a straightforward taxi journey 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 calm down 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 sights. Each winter, the native authorities create an ice-skating path on the Crimson River, which anybody can entry at no cost. It’s among the best 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 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 quick stints. The gentle 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 residence to the most important French-speaking neighborhood in Western Canada. The town district options many fascinating landmarks and is the right 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 vital landmark. Additionally, see Whittier Park, Fort Gibraltar, and Université de Saint-Boniface, the realm’s finest 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 Data 

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 embody 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 understood for music performances, big snow sculptures, handmade crafts, and far more. The occasion is each enjoyable and academic, aiming to advertise the assorted francophone and indigenous artists.

The principle 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 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. If you’re quick on time, prioritize the Museum Galleries as it’s the most elaborate space of the museum with an in depth exhibit on Winnipeg via 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 sights 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 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 frilly 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 advisable to e-book your spot upfront. 

12. Admire The Range at The Folklorama Competition 

I included a winter competition in Winnipeg, so it’s solely honest that I additionally embody an alternate in the summertime for all of the vacationers preferring to go to the town when it’s heat. The Folklorama Competition is the most important occasion of its sort in Winnipeg, attracting a whole bunch of 1000’s of holiday makers. 

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

Every pavilion celebrates its tradition with conventional music, dances, and, in fact, meals. Some will supply further companies, akin to henna tattoos or varied workshops. 

Sensible Data 

The Folklorama Competition is held each August. Tickets are $7.5 per pavilion, and reductions are supplied 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 right place for an off-the-cuff stroll in Winnipeg, largely because of the 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 distinguished buildings with sculptures and landscaped grounds. There’s hardly a greater solution to finish a day stuffed with exploration and sightseeing in Winnipeg! 

Because of Kendrick’s Out of doors Adventures in The Forks, you possibly can discover the 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 path. 

14. The Manitoba Legislative Constructing

The Manitoba Legislative Constructing was among the best issues we did in Winnipeg. It is usually some 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 have been then taken on a wild tour of secret societies and scandals as we walked via 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 some of the fascinating issues to do in Winnipeg. E book your Signature Experience Tour here. 

15. Alternate District

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

The Alternate 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 supplied within the Alternate District as properly. Book one that suits your desires here.

16. Johnson Terminal

Johnson Terminal is positioned subsequent door to the Forks and is one other historic spot full of outlets and eating. It was a former warehouse for CN Railway, however 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 unit. Positive, it’s tacky and a little bit of a Canadian chain, however it’s full of nostalgia.

17. Qaumajuq

When searching 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’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 modern 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 artistic endeavors, the backyard is a stunning 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 via the backyard, permitting guests to find all of the completely 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. 

Sensible Data 

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 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 mountain climbing trails and snapping photographs of free-roaming deer. 

Roughly 18 kilometers of signposted trails can be found within the forest. Within the hotter months, they’re splendid for hikers and cyclists, whereas within 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 wildlife. 

One factor I’ll say is that the forest trails could be underwhelming for very skilled hikers, as they’re all usually simple, 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 Recognized For? 

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

Is Winnipeg Good For Vacationers?

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

How Do You Spend a Day In Winnipeg?

A day in Winnipeg ought to embody 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, displays, and a large zoo, Assiniboine Park takes up probably the most time.  

Why Is Winnipeg Fashionable? 

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

Suggestions And Data For Visiting Winnipeg

Greatest Time To Go to 

Summer time is the very best time to go to Winnipeg, particularly when you’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 standard throughout spring break, and April to Could are additionally good instances to go to, however will probably be a bit colder. 

There are lots of causes to return to Canada in the winter, and we extremely advocate it when you can deal with the chilly and snow. There can 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 the town centre. But it surely’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 larger 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 larger airports is inside driving distance of Winnipeg, so flying to the town is by far one of the simplest ways of getting there.  

Getting Round 

Buses and Uber are your finest wager for getting round Winnipeg. A lot of the downtown space is walkable, and plenty of sights are shut to 1 one other, so you possibly can discover fairly a little bit of the 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 personal driver from the airport to select you up upon arrival with a reputation card and take you on to your lodge. Book here.

That being stated, if you wish to journey round Manitoba, you really want a automobile. Compare these car rental prices 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 finest sights in Winnipeg. It’s not an enormous metropolis and there aren’t too many vacationer sights, so a weekend ought to provide you with loads of time to discover all the very best sights. 

The place To Keep In Winnipeg

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

• Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown is among the extra inexpensive inns 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 Lodge With inexpensive nightly charges and a very good location, it is among the finest choices in Winnipeg for a brief keep. 
• Inn at 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 at the Forks
• Delta Winnipeg Hotel—We have now additionally stayed on the Delta Winnipeg Lodge previously, and it’s one other nice selection. It has two swimming pools, a skywalk, a pub, and eating. It’s usually used for conferences and is simple to stroll indoors to the adjoining conference facilities. It’s positioned downtown close to eating places and low 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 improper 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 Hotel is positioned straight 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 via 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.

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 – Referred to as the very best brunch within the metropolis! Situated in Winnipeg’s Alternate 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 domestically sourced, sustainable components, which are natural and free-trade.

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