Canada As You Like It Blog
10 amazing things to do on your summer road trip to Winnipeg - By Travel Manitoba
- by Travel Manitoba
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- 01 Jun, 2018
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If you are hoping to have a new adventure, look no further than Winnipeg, Manitoba for your summer road trip. Here are 10 amazing things you MUST do on your trip to the capital city...
1. Take a Journey to Churchill at the Assiniboine Park Zoo
A day spent at the Assiniboine Park Zoo is an absolute necessity for all types of travellers. Your family will adore stepping into the Wapusk Lowlands, where some of the zoo’s most fascinating animals, including owls, Arctic fox, caribou and wolves dwell. Walk through the entrance to the arctic tunnel and be amazed by swimming polar bears overhead and playful seals.
After meeting the animals at the zoo, spend some time in Assiniboine Park’s compelling Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, or take the kids to the fabulous Nature Playground.
2. Unwind at the spa
Is Winnipeg a spa city? Absolutely! Whether it’s practicing a hot/cold cycle at an outdoor spa, or experiencing an ancient bathing ritual, Winnipeg has a number of intriguing spas to relax into.
Start with the incredible Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature, an outdoor oasis with a number of hot/cold pools, saunas, steam rooms and more. Ten Spa at the historic Fort Garry Hotel is an ultra-chic and modern spa, where you can experience hammam, a hot air bathing ritual that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. If you find yourself at one of Winnipeg's most popular public spaces, The Forks, be sure to stop in at Riverstone Spa to try the Signature Indigenous Hot Stone Massage. The benefits of dead sea salt can be discovered at the Urban Oasis Mineral Spa, located inside the Clarion Hotel. Lastly, consider trying Winnipeg’s first Japanese-style spa, Pocca Poca Spa. The spa specialises in Ganban-yoku, a popular form of thermal relaxation in Japan that involves laying on heated stone slabs.
3. Shop 'til you drop
Start your shopping excursion with Winnipeg’s first outlet mall, Outlet Collection, which is situated in an ideal shopping location on Kenaston Blvd, close to other popular retailers like HomeSense, Urban Barn, Tommy Hilfiger IKEA!
Other popular malls include CF Polo Park (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Coach, Saje, Aldo, and Club Monaco), St. Vital Centre (Le Chateau, Browns Shoes and RW & Co.) and Kildonan Place Mall (HomeSense and Marshalls).
For boutique shops, head to areas like the historic Exchange District to find one-of-a-kind products and clothing. Retailers here include Hillary Druxman, Lennard Taylor Design Studio, A Pinch of Creativity, HUT K, and Tiny Feast.
4. Dig into the dining scene
What's wrong with basing your trip entirely on food? Nothing, that's what! Plan your dinners at fine-dining spots like Harth Mozza & Wine Bar and the Oxbow, or at tapas eateries like Deer + Almond,
It’s impossible to name all of the best restaurants in one blog post, but we can’t go without a mention of the to-die-for breakfast at Clementine, the array of food choices at The Forks Market, and the Canadiana vibes of Smith.
5. Get lucky
Add a little excitement to your adventure to Winnipeg with game of chance at one of the city's top gaming destinations.
Horse enthusiasts will love the thundering of hooves at Assiniboia Downs, where, on a warm evening or sunny afternoon from May to September, the alfresco entertainment of live horse racing is exhilarating for all ages. For a variety of gambling opportunities, the Club Regent Casino is a popular choice with blackjack tables and VLTs, as well as a brand new, state-of-the-art event centre at which visitors can catch a variety of concerts and shows. The McPhillips Station Casino is all about old world, railway charm, complete with a sweeping staircase and chandeliers. It's also the ideal spot to win big.
6. Catch the game
For many, summer in Winnipeg is synonymous with spending the day cheering in the stands for the home team.
Winnipeg's CFL team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, inspires legions of fans, all inside the stunning new Investors Group Stadium where dining options are plentiful and delicious. GO BLUE! On the baseball side of things, catching a Winnipeg Goldeyes game is the perfect way to spend a sunny summer afternoon with the family – with low ticket prices to boot.
7. Spend a night out on the town
With a minimum drinking age of 18, the city comes alive at night (yes, even in the winter) at dance clubs, pubs and theatres. For those who crave a bit of dancing, the liveliest clubs include Upstairs in the District, OV Club, 441 Main, Citizen and the World Famous Palomino Club – which recently relocated into an historic building on Winnipeg’s Main Street. LGBTQ+ bars in the city include the high-energy dance club Fame and Club 200, which frequently features go-go dancers and drag queen performances.
Winnipeg is known for its music scene, so you won’t have any difficulty finding a show to check out on nearly any day of the week. For live music, keep an eye on The Park Theatre, The Cavern, Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club and The Handsome Daughter.
8. Be humbled by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Be prepared to spend several hours in the incredible Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the first museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. It takes time to get the most out of each exhibit in this massive museum, and even more time to take in the striking architecture of the space.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is also the first national museum to be built outside the National Capital Region. Coming up this summer is the Mandela: Struggle for Freedom exhibition (opening June 8, 2018) which looks at Nelson Mandela's life and the movement that formed around him.
9. Join into a Festival
If you love lively gatherings, music, and partying with the locals, plan your trip to Winnipeg during one of the many festivals.
If you enjoy cultural festivals, consider sampling food and entertainment from around the world at Folklorama. As far as world class music festivals go, the Winnipeg Folk Festival is right up there with the best. Film connoisseurs will adore the vibe of Winnipeg’s Exchange District during the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.
If you dare to hit the road and explore other areas of Manitoba, notable festivals include the Rainbow Trout Festival, Rockin’ the Fields, Pioneer Days, the Morden Corn and Apple Festival and more!
10. Venture outside the city limits
Venture outside the city limits during your stay, where some of the greatest beauty in Manitoba can be found!
Cast a rod and watch the sun set in wild backcountry. All of the routes are inaccessible by motorboat, and protected from commercial or residential development. It's only the adventurous souls willing to come in by paddle who get to explore out here. Truly Magical. .
Take a day trip to the region known as New Iceland and stop into quaint towns along the way like Gimli and the Village of Dunnottar. Keep going until you reach Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, where you can take in the scenery, embark on a hike, or check out an Icelandic settlement village.
For overnight trips, consider the stunning Riding Mountain National Park where you can see wildlife and an enclosed bison herd. Whiteshell Provincial Park is perfect for cabin stays and canoeing opportunities, while Nopiming Provincial Park offers the chance for camping excursions. The options are endless!
Visit the Travel Manitoba Blog here.
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.