See the Heart of Eastern and Western Canada in Winnipeg, Capital City of Manitoba, Canada
As the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba, Winnipeg is the largest city in the province and connects the eastern and western portions of Canada. Winnipeg is the prime spot for travelers from either direction, whether by railway or car. The city is often called the "Gateway to the West" and is a center for finance, transportation, manufacturing, education, and agriculture. It is also a cultural center with the world famous Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Winnipeg offers travelers delightful sights, scenic waterways, historic buildings, parks, and lovely neighborhoods.
Winnipeg, the home of the man who drew Pooh
No other Canadian city can boast a namesake as beloved as Winnie the Pooh. Winnipeg was the home to artists Earnest H. Shepard, original illustrator of the beloved children's book. While Winnipeg is a rich city as a jumping off point for other more Northern points, it is a wonderful place in its own right.
Winter Travel
For travelers on their way to Churchill for Polar Bears or Northern Lights, they will most likely pass through Winnipeg. Winnipeg is a wonderful city with great open spaces, a wonderful river walk and places for many summer sports, but you might be surprised how much fun it can be in the winter.
If you are going to Churchill at the optimum time to see Polar Bears and thinking of skipping Winnipeg, we think you should consider a couple of days to enjoy Picturesque Winnipeg.
The bustling Academy Road district brims with ultra-chic retailers, while offering a postcard-worthy picture of the traditional holiday season. We love that many of the snow covered storefronts along Academy Road have a common Holiday look, right out of Dickens. This historic thoroughfare was originally a streetcar route that serviced the surrounding residential area of River Heights. Its namesake is the century-old private girl's academy that lies at its eastern end. Shopping choices are never-ending. Academy Road's variety of fashion, beauty, specialty foods and gourmet eateries provide gift ideas by the sleight full.
As for a place to stay in bad weather, we recommend The Inn at he Forks, as it sits at the middle of the city and is walking distance to most everything you will want to do in the winter or summer. Six thousand years ago this spot, “the Forks” was a great place to meet, and Centuries later it still is.
The Forks is rich with the history of people who all came here to meet. It is Winnipeg's number one tourist area. Year round you can find many events, a fresh food market, heritage attractions, open green spaces, a children's museum, Skateboard Park, boutique hotel, theatre, over 70 shops, skating trails and much, much more. Winnipeg is truly Canada's “Great Plains” city.
Things to See and Do in Winnipeg anytime of the year
The history buff will enjoy one of the many museums in Winnipeg. There's the Winnipeg Railway Museum www.wpgrailwaymuseum.com/ that features the Countess of Dufferin, which was the first steam locomotive to travel to Winnipeg in 1877. Museum guests can learn about Winnipeg's amazing railway heritage. The Winnipeg Police Museum features artifacts and interesting displays that depict the history of the Winnipeg Police Force. Admission is free to this museum.
Other museums include the Transcona Historical Museum, St. Boniface Museum, Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum, Seven Oaks House Museum, and the Ross House Museum.
Historic sites in Winnipeg are abundant with the Forks National Historic site of Canada, Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr's Shrine, Grant's Old Mill, Grey Nuns Walkway, Louis Riel's Tomb, Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, Scots Monument, and St. Andrew's Rectory National Historic Site.
Walking Tours
There are several walking tours to see Winnipeg on foot. Exchange District Walking Tours www.exchangedistrict.org/ give you a glimpse of early 1900s Winnipeg. The relaxing Forks Historic Port and Riverwalk is along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Or, you can rent a canoe or paddleboat and enjoy the scenery on the water. Also, enjoy the Muddy Water Tours, or for a good scare near Halloween, take a Haunted Winnipeg tour with ghosts, cemeteries, and other "things that go bump in the night!" To tour the French Quarter of Winnipeg, take the Old Saint Boniface Walking Tour.
Inspiration at the Winnipeg Gardens
Winnipeg offers several beautiful gardens to inspire all its visitors. The Assiniboine Park Conservatory has a Floral Display Gallery with special shows and a lights display during the Christmas holidays. It features gorgeous tropical trees, a gift shop, and the Garden Restaurant.
A lovely heritage floral garden can be explored at the Captain Kennedy House and Maple Grove Tea Room. At Kildonan Park, enjoy a formal garden, old and very large trees, an outdoor theater, picnic areas, and an ice skating pond in winter. Also visit the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden while in Winnipeg.
Family Attractions
Winnipeg makes a great family vacation spot with plenty to see and do with kids. The Maze in the Corn is the region's leading corn maze and features horse hayrides, a huge bale pyramid, and a petting zoo. For a fabulous family adventure, be sure to visit the Assiniboine Park www.winnipeg.ca/cms/ape/zoo/. It has a zoo, conservatory, gardens, a pavilion, and many walking trails and picnic areas. At the park's zoo, kids can visit with more than 1700 animals including cougars, polar bears, bald eagles, tigers, leopards, and many others. In winter, the park offers plenty of outdoor fun with cross-country skiing, skating, tobogganing, and more.
For the little golfers, visit the Fun F/X Miniature Golf Course. Or, take the family to Fun Mountain Waterslide Park for a summer splash. It features water slides, bumper boats, a tropical theme mini golf course, food concessions, and a gift shop. Also check out Grand Prix Amusements, the Manitoba Children's Museum, IMAX Theatre, Winnipeg Karting, and other great family attractions.
For a more relaxed setting, spend a day at Grand Beach, the glistening shore of the fifth largest lake in Canada. It's a wonderful place to swim, hike, wind surf, or take relaxing walks along the trails.
Shopping and Dining in Winnipeg
If you love to shop, Winnipeg is not lacking in shopping districts. The most popular districts are Academy Road, Corydon Avenue, Osborne Village, Exchange District, Chinatown, and the Forks Market. These districts offer a variety of items such as jewelry, clothing, antiques, souvenirs, crafts, cultural gifts, etc. There are a number of shopping malls and factory outlets to meet your needs.
At the end of a busy shopping day, it's time to whet your appetite at one of the fine restaurants in Winnipeg. There are many cuisine choices such as Australian, Caribbean, American, French, Greek, German, Italian, etc. You can try a new delight or opt for a hamburger or pizza. The city offers hundreds of restaurants to satisfy every taste bud!
For nighttime entertainment, visit one of the many clubs featuring dance, live music, theatre, and comedy.
Where to stay when weather is good
Winnipeg offers a variety of hotels, hostels, and bed and breakfasts for accommodation. You can choose according to budget, location, or amenities. Here are just a few bed and breakfasts: A Country Garden, A Fraser's Grove, A Home Away from Home, A Swan in the Town, Ellie's, Fulham Castle, Hidden River Country House, Waterloo, West Gate Manor, and Heritage (Homes of Winnipeg).
If you prefer a hotel, there are the Quality Inn and Suites, Nor-Villa Hotel, Comfort Inn, Canad Inns, Norwood Hotel, and many others. Or, you can even go camping during your stay if you love the great outdoors!
When visiting Winnipeg, you'll likely run out of time before visiting all the interesting attractions. So, plan to visit this fun city many times!