19 Best Things 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 lots happening, from a sizzling 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 best locations in 2021, so you already know 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!

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 Pageant, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Nestwaya River Path, Winnipeg River Stroll 
• Should Strive Meals: Smoked goldeye, Winnipeg rye bread, Imperial cookies, Schmoo torte

Finest Issues To Do In Winnipeg

One of the best Winnipeg points of interest vary from botanical gardens to unbelievable artwork galleries. Town is especially identified for wonderful 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, study 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 sort within the nation and one of the crucial 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 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 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 momentary displays have been diverse, masking every thing from depicting human rights in Star Trek to Nelson Mandela’s combat towards apartheid. 

Different 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.

Sensible Data 

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

2. Uncover Native Artwork at The Winnipeg Artwork Gallery

Add the Winnipeg Artwork Gallery to your itinerary if you wish to discover the artwork scene of this pretty metropolis. With an intensive assortment of over 28,000 items, it’s a high 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 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 every single day besides Monday. Admission is $18 for adults. 

3. Go to Assiniboine Park and Zoo

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

Polar Bears are 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 not return to the wild because it wouldn’t survive. Nonetheless, taking a look at their habitat, they don’t appear to thoughts in any respect.

The enclosures are very spacious, intently mimicking their pure habitats. This can be a blessing for the animals however a little bit of a curse for the guests as a result of it may well typically 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 way more pleasant within the winter. The crowds are smaller so you may get round extra simply, plus many of the animal rescues residing 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 price 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 high 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 Purple and Assiniboine Rivers converge, it was a spot the place indigenous individuals 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 method to spend a day. With loads of uncovered brick and an intensive skylight that permits loads of pure gentle, it’s one in all Winnipeg’s most charming buildings. To not point out the infinite 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 retailers observe completely different working instances. 

5. Tour Winnipeg With A Native 

Let a neighborhood drive you round Winnipeg for just a few hours, and also you’ll see all the metropolis’s high vacationer places and study 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 completely 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 may 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 while you wish to examine them correctly. 

Sensible Data 

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

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 Purple River. If you happen to’re in Winnipeg within the winter, that is by far among the finest locations to go to on the town to heat up. Unwind within the toasty thermal baths and get a 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 trying out the restaurant even when you’re not going to soak within the swimming pools, because it’s one of many metropolis’s greatest. It’s a straightforward taxi experience from downtown. You may simply spend a whole afternoon right here.

Sensible Data 

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

7. Ice Skating the Nestaweya River Path

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

Nonetheless, I can’t assure that you just’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 Data 

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

8. Strolling Tour of St. Boniface

St. Boniface is house to the most important French-speaking group in Western Canada. Town district options many fascinating 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 vital landmark. Additionally, see Whittier Park, Fort Gibraltar, and Université de Saint-Boniface, the world’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 Data 

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 most important 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 way 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 

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

10. Winnipeg Over The Years at The Manitoba Museum

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

They’re the Science Gallery, the Planetarium, and the Museum Galleries. 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 Data 

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 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 particular person, and it’s advisable to e book your spot upfront. 

12. Admire The Range at The Folklorama Pageant 

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 the town when it’s heat. The Folklorama Pageant is the most important occasion of its sort in Winnipeg, attracting tons of of hundreds 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 house. Each distinct tradition will get its personal pavilion on the competition, and there are often round 40 completely different pavilions on the grounds. 

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

Sensible Data 

The Folklorama Pageant is held each August. Tickets are $7.5 per pavilion, and reductions are provided while 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 Purple 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 outstanding buildings with sculptures and landscaped grounds. There’s hardly a greater method to finish a day stuffed with exploration and sightseeing in Winnipeg! 

Due to Kendrick’s Outside Adventures in The Forks, you may 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 course. 

14. The Manitoba Legislative Constructing

The Manitoba Legislative Constructing was among the finest issues we did in Winnipeg. It is usually one of the crucial 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 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 crucial fascinating issues to do in Winnipeg. Ebook your Signature Experience Tour here. 

15. Trade District

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

The Trade 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 Trade 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 stuffed with retailers 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.

One in every 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 stuffed with nostalgia.

17. Qaumajuq

When searching for locations to go to in Winnipeg to study 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 brilliant, 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 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 stunning landscaping and artistic endeavors, the backyard is a stunning place that gives many a reasonably sight. 

All of 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 the backyard, permitting guests to find all of the completely 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 great flowers in full bloom. 

Sensible Data 

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

19. 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 photographs 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 wildlife. 

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

Sensible Data 

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

FAQ For Finest Issues To Do In Winnipeg

What Is Winnipeg Finest Identified For? 

Winnipeg is greatest identified for its many festivals. Town can also be a transportation hub and is usually 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 an intensive exploration of Assiniboine Park. With a number of botanical gardens, displays, and a large zoo, Assiniboine Park takes up essentially the most time.  

Why Is Winnipeg Fashionable? 

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 Data For Visiting Winnipeg

Finest 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. Town can also be in style throughout spring break, and April to Might are additionally good instances to go to, however it is going to be a bit colder. 

There are a lot 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 providers the Manitoba area, and it’s only a 15-minute drive from the town centre. Nevertheless it’s a small airport with only a few worldwide connections, so likelihood is you’ll must 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 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 plenty of points of interest are shut to at least one one other, so you may discover fairly a little bit of the town on foot. However you’ll must depend on public transport to get to the extra distant areas, particularly Assiniboine Park. 

You may 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. Book here.

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

How A lot Time Do You Want

Two days are simply sufficient time to discover all the 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. 

The place To Keep In Winnipeg

It’s greatest to base your self within the metropolis middle, particularly when you’re on the town for simply a few days. That method you may stroll to many 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. Listed below are a number of the greatest inns in Winnipeg for all budgets:

• Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown is among the extra reasonably priced inns with a central location in Winnipeg. 
• The Fort Garry Hotel is ready 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 at the Forks – We stayed on the Inn on the Forks, and I believe it’s the greatest 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 trendy and stylish. The Inn at the Forks
• Delta Winnipeg Hotel—We’ve additionally stayed on the Delta Winnipeg Lodge prior to now, and it’s one other nice alternative. It has two swimming pools, a skywalk, a pub, and eating. It’s usually used for conferences and is straightforward to stroll indoors to the adjoining conference facilities. It’s positioned downtown close to eating places and low retailers.
• Fairmont Winnipeg – We stayed on the Fairmont when on a media tour just a few years in the past, and you’ll by no means go flawed 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 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 remember to 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 Trade District

ERA Bistro – Nice choice 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 substances, which can be natural and free-trade.

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