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Browsing Winnipeg
Air Force Heritage Park & Museum
This park and museum combo has been around since 1975. The museum showcases the two-story Battle of Britain Lace Tapestry, which uses 40,000 km of thread. In the Garden of Memories visitors will find 1500 stones, laid out in the shape of a propeller, commemorating Canada's airmen. The centerpiece lists all Royal Canadian Air Force stations where these men trained under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan from 1940-45. Admission is free.
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Assiniboia Downs Horse Racing Track
Now operated as a non-profit organization by the Manitoba Jockey Club, the Downs thrive once again. Although live horseracing is only in summer, the simulcast broadcasts and warm hospitality keep players coming in droves. Facilities include a Souvenir Centre, two restaurants and 100 new VLT's for simulcast viewing. General admission is free to all.
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Assiniboine Park
Assiniboine Park is the city's oldest park, and it encompasses 1,100 acres. The park has a 700-acre forest, and plenty of green space to roam. Facilities available include a fine zoo, conservatory, walking trails, an English garden, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, the summer outdoor Lyric open-air live-performance theater, the restored Pavilion housing a restaurant and art gallery, and cricket, softball, and soccer fields.
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Assiniboine Park Zoo
Founded in 1904, this zoo has a long history of breeding endangered species—including Siberian Tigers and Golden Eagles. There are 1200 animals of 275 different species making this one of the largest zoos in Canada. Mainstays include the Discovery Center, an indoor learning park, and a petting zoo. Winter travelers can look forward to the Lights of the Wild display around Christmas time.
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Bayat Inuit Gallery
Pretty much everything is for sale in this hip ethnic gallery. They have around 1,000 square feet of sculpture displays, with pieces coming from all over Arctic Canada. Over 1,000 pieces are on offer, from such well-known sculptors as Nuna Parr, George Arlook, Ajangajuk Shaa, and Kiawak Ashoona. Work can also be viewed and purchased online. For those who like sculpture, this site is near enough to the Leo Mol Sculpture Gallery at Assiniboine Park to make it worth the trip out.
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Bel Acres Golf & Country Club
This semi-private course is one of the more difficult city courses available to the general public for around thirty dollars. The long fairways and the multitude of trees challenge every golfer. There are even a few holes with water to negotiate. The service is good and the CPGA professional on staff can give guidance to almost any golfer in terms of skills and equipment. The usual snack shops can be found, but this space also offers good licensed dining for golfers who want to talk about their rounds over drinks.
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Burton Cummings Theatre
Also known as Walkers Theatre (after its original owner), this place is a true witness to Canada's fine arts. For almost 100 years, it has hosted live theater, vaudeville, concerts, and silent films. It is known today as The Burton Cummings Theatre after the lead singer of the rock group Guess Who. Cummings donates a part of his concerts' earnings for repayment of the theatre's $1.8 million debt. Help sustain this 2,000 seat, grand theatre by catching an event here.
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Canad Inns Stadium
This stadium, run by Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation, was formerly known as the Winnipeg Stadium, and is home to the Blue Bombers. Apart from the games of the home team, it hosted the opening ceremony of the 1999 Pan-American Games. The Canadian Football League's Grey Cup was also held here in the years 1991 and 1998, and the stadium will be hosting the Grey Cup yet again in 2006. It has a total seating capacity of 29,000 and features field turf for fast, exciting play.
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Centennial Concert Hall
Part of the Centennial Centre, which also houses the Museum of Man and Nature and the Planetarium, this hall is essentially a roadhouse for Winnipeg performance art. It is home base to such notable troupes as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Manitoba Opera. See world-class events here.
Special note: The concert hall's box office is only host to their clients' ticket agents; ticket sales should be directed to the agencies handling the event you wish to attend. More »
Chinatown
About 200 Chinese immigrants who worked on the transcontinental railway first settled in Winnipeg about 100 years ago, and the Chinese community has grown ever since; the present-day population is about 20,000. The semi-official center of Chinese life in Winnipeg is the Chinese Cultural Center (on King Street between James Avenue and Higgins Avenue), which has a lovely garden and is noted for the quality of its Chinese library. However, it is the streets surrounding the Cultural Center that will likely interest you the most and that give Chinatown its distinctive atmosphere. It is there that you can savor the tempting aromas of nearby restaurants and browse through the exotic clutter of shops offering imports of silk, spices, and porcelain.
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Club Regent Casino
This is one of the city's two world-class casinos. It is decorated in a Caribbean motif and features numerous lounges and restaurants to keep patrons refreshed. The sprawling, multilevel affair has waterfalls, a cave, and a 151,000-litre saltwater aquarium housing exotic sharks and eels. Visitors can choose between popular big casino-style games or video lottery terminals. Special features at the casino include the Royal Palms Restaurant, Toukie's Lounge, Serpentine's Lounge, Jaguar's Sports Bar & Teletheatre, and a gift and smoke shop. The lively spot is located about a 30-minute drive northeast of downtown.
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Dalnavert Museum
The Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) saved this century-old house in 1969, when it was slated for demolition. The MHS spent a half-million dollars for a meticulous restoration of the Queen Anne Revival home. With the exception of the gift shop, the restorers of this venue have been successful in portraying the style of an affluent Victorian household.
It is located down the street from the
Exchange District
The Exchange District is a National Historic Site that includes a 20-block area in downtown Winnipeg containing 150 landmark historic buildings. The original center of Winnipeg, the area got its name from the Grain Exchange that made the city a major agricultural and commercial center. The historic architecture is only part of the appeal of the Exchange District, however. The area is a cultural hub, home to a lively urban scene with art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife.
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Forks Market
Since its opening in 1989, this market has evolved into the quintessential gathering place. After 10 years of development of this historic site and restoration of several historic buildings, it is once again a thriving hub of activity. Walking distance from the downtown hotels and within five minute's shuttle from attractions such as the Forks National Historic Site
The importance of the Forks National Historic Site to the history of Winnipeg and Canada cannot be underestimated; the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers has been a strategic meeting place and a center of trade, transportation, and human settlement ever since the earliest aboriginal times. Truly the city's reason for existence, the Forks is still the city's meeting place. In the warmer months, this tranquil green space is the site of festivals and special events, while the frozen rivers are transformed into ideal locations for skating and cross-country skiing during the winter. Interpretive exhibits and tours explaining the history and development of the Forks are available, and the paths that wind through the site are a perfect spot to cycle or walk or just take in the local scene.
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Fort Gibraltar
Near the forks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in Winnipeg's Francophone community of St. Boniface, this wooden stockade-style fort replicates the original fur trading post built in 1810 by the North West Company. A blacksmith shop, fur trading and storage building, and a new, cottage-style building round out the fort, which comes to life during the city's annual winter Festival du Voyageur celebration of its fur trading roots.
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Fort Whyte Centre
This recreation and nature area is a treat for avid birdwatchers and a great place to take the kids for a day of adventure and discovery. Located on 200 acres of pristine marshland, the centre is seasonal home to more than 200 species of birds and innumerable species of bugs and other critters. It's a favorite year-round hangout for Winnipeg families, and summer offers special kids' outdoor learning programs. Call or visit the website for details of the numerous programs and tours available.
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Gas Station Theatre
The Osborne Village is known for its contributions to the culture and subculture of the city. This space is a leader in the area, where professional and amateur thespians alike give performances that range from classical to 20th century. The acts are either free or reasonably priced per show, so an evening of entertainment will not break the bank. The hours are as eclectic as the shows, so it is best to call ahead for details.
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IMAX Theatre
Travel to unseen places without breaking the bank to get there. The six-story, 72-foot wide screen takes viewers to where the action is with brilliant productions including Heartland, a prairie special and Everest, which chronicle the climb of the world's highest mountain. Popular movies, such as The Matrix and film festivals also make an appearance at the theatre.
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Johnston Terminal
Back in the 1920s, the Terminal was a distribution warehouse serving the booming rail industry. Now it is a venue for an array of boutiques, cultural displays and the large restaurant chain, the Kenosewun Visitor Centre and Museum
The name for this interpretive center on the banks of the Red River at Lockport, a half-hour north of Winnipeg, comes from the Cree words for "there are many fishes." This is where native people fished as long as 3,000 years ago (and where locals still troll for catfish, walleye, and occasional northern pikes). There's information here on archeology, culture, and history, sprinkled with artifacts that have been dug out from the nearby riverbank area.
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Leo Mol Sculpture Garden
This is a one-of-a-kind sculpture garden in North America dedicated to the work of Winnipeg artist Leo Mol. A taped tour is available along with group tours that must be booked in advance. The indoor portion of the gallery, located at Assiniboine Park, is instructional as it offers the ins and outs of bronze statue creations. A gift shop is also on site, with beautiful cards and prints relating to the work of the artist on sale.
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Living Prairie Museum
Thirty acres of tall grass prairie smack in the middle of Winnipeg, this unique preserve protects some 160 species of prairie plants and a wide range of small wildlife. The museum is one of just a few fragments that remain in Canada of what was once a vast ecosystem covering almost a million square miles in the center of North America.
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Lockport
A charming town on the Red River, Lockport is a popular destination for day-trippers from Winnipeg. The drive to the town, which winds along the riverside, is beautiful, and the peaceful and verdantly green parks that line the riverbanks make the town a lovely spot to while away a Sunday afternoon. A dam and a lock system that give the town its name cause catfish to concentrate here, and the area is known as having some of the best fishing in Manitoba. The dam is also famous for the huge flocks of pelicans that gather there as they migrate.
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Louis Riel's Tomb
Set on the landscaped grounds of St. Boniface Cathedral, this simple, dignified grave is a pilgrimage point for Canada's Metis people--the offspring of early French and British fur traders and native women in Western Canada, once ostracized by other "pure-blooded" Canadians, but now proudly reclaiming their heritages. Louis Riel was their leader during two rebellions, one here in Manitoba, the second in neighboring Saskatchewan. Riel negotiated Francophone rights into the agreement that saw Manitoba enter the Confederation in 1870--to become the first province outside of central Canada.
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Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site of Canada
A remarkable example of 19th-century fur trade posts, this National Historic Site makes up the biggest collection of original 19th-century fur trade buildings in Canada--mostly because it's made of stone, whereas most forts of that era were built of wood. This one still has its original stone walls, ramparts, ammunition batteries, and residences, all of them restored to mint condition. Together they form the backdrop for historic characters that populate the fort all summer, replaying and reliving its history for fascinated visitors.
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Maison Gabrielle-Roy
This 1905-built, pillar-post home in the Winnipeg Francophone city of St. Boniface was the birthplace and childhood home of famed author Gabrielle Roy, whose novel The Tin Flute, penned while she lived in Quebec and was earning a living as a journalist, established her as a writer of international repute. The book attracted so much attention that the reclusive Roy returned to Manitoba to live. She continued to write while teaching in northern Manitoba, and later while living in Winnipeg again. Her childhood home was restored and turned into a museum in 2005.
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Manitoba Children's Museum
This fun family destination is a sure-fire winner with kids. Featuring interactive galleries, such as "All Aboard," kids at this hands-on museum can do anything from taking an imaginary train ride to delivering the news in the TV studio. Create something cool at the Creation Station and be sure to visit the "Elements of Nature" store for a souvenir.
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Manitoba Legislative Building
The Manitoba seat of political power is accessible to anyone. Visitors can sit in on government proceedings and then take a guided tour of the complete structure. The tour includes a look at the magnificent Grand Staircase, the Rotunda, as well as the various chambers of the dignitaries of this province. The building was completed on July 15, 1920 and the structure is impressive. It stands 72 meters above the ground with a provincial symbol, the Golden Boy, crowning the dome of the building. The park-like grounds are expansive and are a great place to have a picnic or sit and read a book.
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Manitoba Theatre for Young People
This is a 28,000 square foot theatre, featuring an ever-changing line-up of dramatic performances. It is also an acclaimed school with an array of performance studies for youth. Founded as the Actor's Showcase in 1965, it reformed as MTYP in 1982. If theatre makes you hungry, step outside the Arts Centre and bump right into Branigan's, Muddy Waters Smokehouse, or the Old Spaghetti Factory. Season memberships, single tickets, and group rates are available. Call for details.
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McKim Courtyard
One of the more beautiful buildings in the city, this courtyard is designated as a heritage site. It was built in 1911 and the red brick exterior has lasted until today. The interior is a labyrinth of hardwood walkways and stairs that meander along the white stone and brick. The focal point of the courtyard is the live tree that adds vibrancy to the space.
Home to establishments like the exotic
McPhillips Street Station Casino
This is one of this city's two world-class casinos. It is a new building, constructed and decorated in the style of a turn-of-the-century grand hotel. Visitors can take a ride on the Millennium Express 3-D theatre tour train and stroll through the recreated historic rail village. Games include most found at major casinos as well as video lottery terminals. There are lounges and stores to meet the needs of visitors. The Station is located about 15 minutes from the Winnipeg International Airport.
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MTS Centre
The latest addition to Winnipeg's bustling downtown area is the magnificent MTS centre. With a capacity of 15,000 people, this is one of the city's most popular entertainment venues. Basketball, curling, arena football, lacrosse, wrestling, and indoor soccer is the sporting action you can catch here. There is also an ice rink for hockey and skating events. Theatre, musical, and cabaret performances are other offerings on its platter. Past entertainers have included Rod Stewart and Motley Crue. The venue also presents a wide variety of restaurants, a sports goods store, and meetings and party venues too. Don't forget to find out about the special club packages offered. Known for its unmatchable offerings as well as its contemporary architecture, make this a must visit on your itinerary. But with 7000 parking spaces, just don't forget where you park your car.
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Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
Created as a joint venture of Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Manitoba Government in the 1970s, the 36-square-kilometer marsh is one of North America's birding hotspots. Walk or bike the nature trails to see as many as 280 species of birds and hundreds of other species of animals and plants. Explore the interactive exhibits, gift shop, and scenic cafe inside the Interpretive Cenre too. There are plenty of daily activities and special events for visitors of all ages, such as canoe rides, special presentations, and ecotours.
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Old Market Square
At the turn of the last century, Old Market Square was the site of Winnipeg's fire hall. Since then, it has been converted into a much-needed green space in the center of the downtown core. During the summer months, it is a good spot to enjoy a take-away lunch from the many restaurants in the area, including the Fyxx and the Glass Onion. This is also the site of numerous festivals and concerts—for more details on event scheduling, contact the Exchange District Biz office.
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Osborne Village
Situated on the south side of the Assiniboine River, Osbourne Village evolved over the years from an affluent suburb in Winnipeg's early days, to a Bohemian hippie haven in the '60s, to its current incarnation as a trendy, upscale shopping spot. Unique little boutiques, a handful of bars and restaurants, and some fine local crafts stores flavor this eclectic area, making it an ideal spot to shop and dine on the front lines of fashion. There's never a lull in activity nor a shortage of things to see, as this is the most densely populated neighborhood in the city; it's both a local favorite and a favored tourist haunt.
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Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural & Educational Centre
One of the largest Ukrainian cultural centers outside the Ukraine, this building just north of the Manitoba Museum houses its own museum, archives, library, and art gallery where both Canadian and international Ukrainian artists show their work. Guided tours, workshops, lectures, and language classes are offered. And the boutique is a rare spot to find utterly unique gifts and souvenirs.
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Platform: Centre for Photographic and Digital Arts
Formerly the Floating Gallery, this publicly-subsidized space located in the Artspace building in Winnipeg's Exchange District specializes in visual art of the photographic/digital/provocative/occasionally confusing kind. Local artists and photographers mount exhibitions ranging from pure visual landscape depictions to highly-experimental, mentally-challenging stuff. It's a fascinating touchstone for Winnipeg's buzzing, eclectic arts community.
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Plug In Gallery
This art space, in operation since 1973, has dedicated itself to the expressions of progressive art, including the work of gay and lesbian artists. Although there are some excellent exhibits of fine art, popular art exhibits are not left out. The gallery caters largely to up-and-comers in various artistic disciplines, and the purpose of this group is to further cultural expression. The building is located in the historic Exchange District, so take in some history with the art.
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Prairie Dog Central Railway
The Vintage Locomotive Society, which formed in 1968 to restore old rolling stock and operate a museum, is comprised entirely of volunteers. The Prairie Dog Central was their first project and is now the oldest steam-powered locomotive operating in North America. Take the two-hour, 45-kilometre tour with stops in Warren and Grosse Isle, where town residents organize craft and bake sales and visitors can take in various rustic attractions. Advance reservations are recommended.
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Quarry Oaks
Ranked by Score Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 courses in Canada, and listed in Golf Digests top-10 for service in North America, this spot is a must-play for golf junkies. The 27-hole championship course is difficult and in immaculate shape. The well-stocked pro shop has a knowledgeable staff. It has a fully licensed restaurant that serves gourmet food along with sandwiches. It offers banquet facilities and tournament schedules for large groups. Fees are reasonable and it is advised to book a tee time.
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Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint's facility in Winnipeg, designed by local architect Etienne Gaboury, produces billions of coins each year. This is where ALL our Canadian circulation coins are made, as well as those for more than sixty governments all around the world. A fascinating guided tour includes the viewing of a 5-minute video in the theater area followed by a 40-minute walking tour overlooking the manufacturing facility where the precise art, craft, and science of coin-making is revealed! Parking is available and is free.
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St. Andrews on the Red Church
This humble but beautiful stone building is the oldest Anglican stone church in Canada, west of the Great Lakes. Built between 1845 and 1849, the church is still used by local parishioners (check out the kneelers--that's well-worn buffalo hide!), but also recognized as a provincial heritage site under the Heritage Resource Act in Canada. Just across the road, a National Historic Site, St. Andrews Rectory, houses a tidy collection of period artifacts in a stone house that was one of the historic Red River settlement's first permanent homes.
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Stoneware Gallery
Twelve local artists who have received their training from all over the world have banded together in a cooperative to produce some of the city's most beautiful pottery, stoneware, and porcelain. The designs offered are contemporary and range from fun to elegant. The prices are excellent for the caliber provided, because there are no middlemen to raise the cost. Whether you are looking for a souvenir or a gift that goes beyond a tee shirt to capture the local essence, the Stoneware Gallery is a great place to look.
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The Manitoba Museum
Visitors can get a detailed look at the lives of the Plains Indians and the early prairie settlers at this museum located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. It has nine galleries including a planetarium, a science gallery, and a five-story sailing ship, the Nonsuch. The Manitoba Museum was recently awarded the Michelin Guide's highest rating, "Worth the Trip."
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Tuxedo Golf Club
Service is a strong point at this club, from the knowledgeable pro shop people to serving staff in the restaurant found in the newly built clubhouse. Players wanting to practice can use the remarkable driving range, work on touch shots in the short game facility or beat the odds on the enjoyable miniature golf course. The crown jewel of the facility is the par 70 course that challenges but does not frustrate the novice golfer.
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Ukrainian Museum of Canada
This Manitoba branch of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada is located in the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Winnipeg. The cathedral itself is a stunning example of the traditional Russian "onion-dome" style, and the small museum inside displays Ukrainian folk arts and crafts brought here by early pioneers, including traditional dress of various regions, Easter eggs ("pysanky"), woodcarvings, and woven articles ("kylyms").
The headquarters for the Ukrainian Museum of Canada is in Saskatoon and was founded in 1936. It is not just dedicated to preserving Ukrainian culture but also Ukrainian women's culture in particular. More »
Western Canada Aviation Museum
This museum founded in 1974 is housed in the original Trans-Canada Airways (now Air Canada) hangar. In addition to restoring and exhibiting rare aircraft, the Vickers Vedette Flying Boat will be the only one in the world when it is completed. In Spaceways, the kids can simulate a trip through the solar system. Located adjacent to the Winnipeg International Airport, the Flight Deck offers a great view of air traffic coming and going. See their website for further details.
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Windsor Park Golf Course
Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy a day out on these links. The course is located within city limits, which means this space is easily accessible and you won't need to spend a lot of travel time going to and from the course. It is an 18-hole par 68 course with a fairly low course rating, catering to the mid to high handicappers. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
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Winnipeg Convention Centre
With 160,000 square feet on three different levels, this convention centre can provide for virtually any event. The flexible modular design of its conference rooms mean events can be planned to precise specifications. The Presentation Theatre, with tiered seating for 300, has data ports at each privacy desk and multimedia support.
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Winnipeg Railway Museum
The venerable Countess of Dufferin, the first steam locomotive to reach Winnipeg in 1877, once rested in regal railway glory at Winnipeg's old Canadian Pacific Station, now an aboriginal economic and social development center. So the Countess has moved to the Canadian National, now VIA Rail station, as the centerpiece of this rail-dedicated museum that brings visitors right up to today's diesel era. In addition to the Countess, you'll find retired and restored fire trucks that date back to 1929 and several other early locomotives.
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