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Esplanade Riel facing Downtown

Winnipeg is Manitoba's capital and largest city, and stands midway on the Trans-Canada Highway and railway. With 705,000 inhabitants (2016), The Peg dominates the Canadian Prairies and is as diverse as the whole of Canada.

Winnipeg is a "gateway to the West", and can be visited for its architecture, museums, and its broad retail market. Among major attractions are the Canadian Royal Mint, St Boniface Cathedral, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Winnipeg is off the tourist trail for most visitors to Canada, but the visitor will experience an authentic and friendly Canadian Prairie city which leaves many pleasantly surprised.

Understand

History

The name Winnipeg is a transcription of the western Cree word wi-nipe-k meaning "muddy waters"; the general area was populated for thousands of years by First Nations. The confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, nowadays known as The Forks, was a crossroads of canoe routes travelled by Aboriginal peoples prior to European contact. Winnipeg started out at this spot in 1738 as Fort Rouge, a French outpost for the fur trade. After the Seven Years' War, under the Hudson's Bay Company it became Fort Gibraltar and later Fort Garry. Many trails converged on the fort and later became streets, which is evident when you see the city's somewhat haphazard road layout.

In 1869–70, Winnipeg was the site of the Red River Rebellion, a conflict between the local provisional government of Métis, led by Louis Riel, and newcomers from Eastern Canada. This rebellion led to Manitoba's entry into the Canadian Confederation as Canada's fifth province in 1870. On 8 November 1873, Winnipeg was incorporated as a city.

After the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway across Canada, Winnipeg became a major transportation hub and "Gateway to the West." The city experienced a boom during the early 20th century and for a while was Western Canada's major economic centre. Fortunately for the visitor, the economy slowed around the middle of the century, leaving intact a remarkable collection of period architecture, primarily in the city's downtown Exchange District.

People

Winnipeg is generally a very tolerant city and was the first large city in North America to elect an openly gay mayor. Winnipeg has several LGBT bars and a Pride festival every summer.

Winnipeg is a multicultural city. As of the 2011 census, visible minorities make up 21% of Winnipeg's population and Aboriginals 12%. Much of Winnipeg's population is of European descent, notably from Germany, Ukraine, France, Scandinavia and Poland. More than a hundred languages are spoken in Winnipeg. In fact, Winnipeg is home to Canada's largest French-speaking population west of Ontario and the Filipino language Tagalog is the second most prevalent mother tongue in Winnipeg. Nevertheless, 99% of the population speaks English fluently. The city celebrates its diversity with the Folklorama festival, the longest running multicultural event of its kind.

Neighbourhoods

 Corydon Avenue (Little Italy)
Corydon Avenue and its surrounding neighbourhood are one of the city’s hot spots for shopping, dining or an afternoon of people-watching at one of the many sidewalk cafes and restaurants dotting the avenue. Corydon Avenue comes alive during warm summer evenings as crowds of people gather to meet, greet and to have some of the best food, gelati and sushi in the city.
 Downtown
Downtown Winnipeg is centred around Portage & Main. Portage Ave is the city's busiest thoroughfare. Winnipeg Square, Bell MTS Place, Portage Place and the flagship department store of The Bay are on the downtown section of this street. On Main St are Winnipeg's City Hall, Union Station, the Manitoba Museum, the Planetarium, the Centennial Concert Hall and the Winnipeg Railway Museum.
 Exchange District
The Exchange District is a National Historic Site in the downtown area of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Exchange District today thrives as one of Winnipeg's commercial and cultural centers. Winnipeg's theatre district is also in the Exchange District, home to the Manitoba Theatre Centre and Centennial Concert Hall. Old Market Square is also in the Exchange which hosts the Jazz Winnipeg Festival and the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.
 The Forks
The Forks is a historic site and meeting place in downtown Winnipeg at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, and has played an important role in the city's development. The Forks Market contains many specialty food shops, fresh fruit and vegetables, and many ethnic shops and restaurants. There are often buskers in and around the Forks. Attractions include the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, the International Children's Festival, one of the largest skateparks in Canada, the world's longest skating rink (winter only), a well-maintained expanse of riverside park, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights which opened in 2014.
 Osborne Village
Osborne Village has evolved into a neighborhood filled with characters. It is Winnipeg's most densely populated neighbourhood and is home to one of Winnipeg's most vibrant collection of stores and restaurants with over 175 businesses calling Osborne Village home.
 St. Boniface
Covering the southeast part of the city, it is home to the Franco-Manitoban community. It features such landmarks as the Cathédrale de Saint Boniface (St. Boniface Cathedral), boul Provencher, the Provencher Bridge, Esplanade Riel, St. Boniface Hospital and the Université de Saint-Boniface. Every February Le Festival du Voyageur takes place outdoors at Parc Whittier Park and Fort Gibraltar.
 West End
A mostly residential area west of Downtown comprised of many small and unique neighbourhoods. The area is very ethnically diverse as is evidenced by the Portuguese, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese, East Indian and Thai restaurants that line both Ellice Ave and Sargent Ave, making it is one of the best areas for real ethnic food. The West End Cultural Centre is a major music venue that is worth a visit. The West End varies widely in wealth, and contains some of the most affluent neighbourhoods, and some of the poorest in the city. The neighbourhood has benefited from major revitalisation and urban beautification projects.

Climate

Winnipeg
Climate chart (explanation)
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See the Winnipeg 7 day forecast at Environment Canada
Imperial conversion
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Winter must haves
A lovely Mercury Topaz with block heater cord and plug

Winnipeg is cold in the winter and if you plan on spending any time outside between November and April you should consider packing:

  • Toque/Knit Hat (make sure it covers the ears) or earmuffs
  • Gloves or mittens (or garbage mitts)
  • Scarf (optional, but recommended)
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Sweaters
  • Winter jacket
  • Long underwear (optional)
  • Ski pants (snow pants)
  • Boots (depending on what you will be doing)

If you are driving in Winnipeg during the winter, be sure your car is outfitted with a block heater and plug it in if leaving it overnight. Alternatively, ensure your CAA/AAA membership is up-to-date and have the phone number ready for when your car won't start.

Winnipeg has a humid continental climate with extremes of hot and cold. The longest day of the year lasts for over 16 hours, and the shortest day of the year lasts for 8 hours.

Winnipeg is ranked as Canada's second sunniest city year-round and second for clearest skies year-round. Summers are typically warm and often humid, particularly in July, with frequent nighttime thunderstorms. On average, Winnipeg has 45 days a year where the humidex (combined effect of heat and humidity) reaches above 30 °C. Winnipeg is also known for its high mosquito population, particularly during early summer. Dusk and dawn are the most active time for mosquitoes. June, late August and September tend to provide the most pleasant environment for summer visitors.

Spring and fall tend to be rather contracted seasons, each averaging a little over six weeks. In general, the weather during these seasons is highly variable and rapidly changing. It is typical for the day to start off quite cold in the morning, but heat up considerably in the afternoon. It can be difficult to judge how to dress during this time, so layers are the best option.

Winnipeg has the coldest winter temperatures of any city in North America with a population of over 100,000. Winters in Winnipeg are usually dry, and can feel colder due to the often windy conditions. The winters are long and overnight minima average below -15°C with rare extremes going down to near -40°C, though there is still much to enjoy during these months. Be sure to pay attention to the windchill (combined effect of cold and wind) which can drop below -40 °C/F (exposed skin freezes in less than 10 minutes). Snow cover can be expected from mid-November to late March. The city turns on what is arguably Canada's best display of Christmas lights from late November until well into January.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

There is one major airport serving the city:

Major airlines serving Winnipeg include Air Canada, WestJet, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and many smaller regional carriers.

Flight schedules

There are daily non-stop flights from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Hamilton, London (Ontario), Thunder Bay, Regina, Saskatoon, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, numerous smaller destinations in Manitoba, Northern Ontario, and Nunavut. There is non-stop charter and seasonal service to Phoenix, Palm Springs, Orlando, Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Flight times are 3 hours from Vancouver; 2 hr 45 min from Toronto; 3 hr 30 min from Montreal, Ottawa or Denver; 2 hr from Edmonton, Calgary or Chicago; 1 hr from Minneapolis, Regina, Saskatoon or Thunder Bay.

Public airport transportation

Public transport is offered by Winnipeg Transit's Route 15 & Route 20 buses which run every 10 to 25 minutes between about 6AM to 1AM weekdays (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays have their own schedule) and will take you downtown in about 30 minutes.

Private airport transportation

There are usually, but not always, taxi cabs and limo sedans-for-hire waiting at the airport.

  • Taxi: Expect to pay around $20 plus tip (15–20%) for a taxi (room for about 2–3 people depending on luggage) to central Winnipeg. Maximum fare to anywhere in the city is about $55 depending on traffic.
  • Limo or Shuttle: Limo sedan fares (up to 4 people with luggage) are a flat rate, generally $30 and up. Limos can, on occasion, be cheaper than a taxi.
  • Rental: The Winnipeg airport has five car rental companies on-site: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National. Rental counters are on the main floor of the parkade across from the terminal.

By train

Union Station

There is only one passenger train station in the city:

  • 2 Union Station, 123 Main St (corner of Main St & Broadway Ave, downtown), toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Served by Via Rail. It was designed by the same architects behind Grand Central Station in New York and is a monument to the Beaux-Arts era. It is definitely worth a visit and houses a railway museum (below under See) in the summer months. The station is within easy walking distance of The Forks. Union Station (Q3095569) on Wikidata Union Station (Winnipeg) on Wikipedia 

Via Rail routes serving Winnipeg:

  • The Canadian from Vancouver (via Edmonton and Jasper) or Toronto runs 2 days a week each direction.
  • The Winnipeg–Churchill completes the 1,700-km journey (over 1,000 mi) to the vast subarctic region of Northern Manitoba in two days. Departures from Winnipeg on Tuesdays and Sundays, and from Churchill via The Pas and Thompson on Thursdays and Saturdays.

By bus

Ontario Northland connects Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and points east.

By car

Winnipeg is on the Trans-Canada Highway.

  • From the south, take U.S. Interstate 29, which then becomes Provincial Highway 75, and Pembina Hwy once inside Winnipeg's city limits. Winnipeg is 1 hour from the Canada–U.S. border and 2 hr 30 min from Grand Forks, North Dakota.
  • From the west, the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) leads directly to Winnipeg from Regina. Winnipeg is 3 hr 20 min from the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.
  • From the east, Ontario Highway 17 becomes Highway 1 at the Manitoba border (at which time it becomes a 4-lane divided highway). The journey from the Ontario border to Winnipeg's outside "Perimeter Highway" is about 1 hr 30 min and about another 30–45 min to downtown, depending on traffic.

Approximate driving times from nearby cities to Winnipeg are about 8 hours from Saskatoon, 6 hours from Regina, 2 hr 45 min from Kenora, 8 hours from Thunder Bay, 3½ hours from Fargo, 6 hours from Bismarck and 7 hours from Sioux Falls or Minneapolis. It is 14 hours from Edmonton, Calgary or Chicago.

Get around

Winnipeg is a large, spread-out city and it can take a while to get around. Unlike most North American cities this size, there is no urban freeway network in the city. Public transportation service is adequate to good in the inner part of the city and on main suburban roads, but only fair to poor in outer suburban areas and some bus routes run only infrequently during the evening or on weekends. Traffic jams, particularly in the downtown area, are common during the rush hour periods which are generally from 7:30–9AM and 3:30–5:30PM Monday to Friday. Much of Winnipeg's downtown real estate is devoted to parking, with ubiquitous and cheap surface lots continuing for multi-block stretches. It is worth considering renting a car, especially if any excursions outside of the city are planned.

Highways: Winnipeg is one of the first Canadian cities of its size to have a ring road (the Perimeter Highway) which provides a by-pass for travellers on the Trans-Canada Highway. Within the city, the Trans-Canada Highway follows regular city streets.

Street names: All streets in Winnipeg have names. Major routes will have both names and route numbers, but will almost always be called by the name. A notable exception is Route 90, which is commonly called Kenaston in the southern half of the city and Route 90 in the northern half. Many streets change names as they wind through the city, which can be extremely confusing, even to locals. The most known example is Route 62, which starts as Salter in the north end of the city, but as it goes south becomes Isabel, Balmoral, Colony, Memorial, Osborne, Dunkirk, and finally Dakota in the south end, with no clear indication when it changes.

One-way streets: Many downtown streets are one-way, which can make navigating downtown quite confusing. One-way streets are rare outside of downtown, except around Polo Park.

No left turns: Many busy streets limit left-hand turns, particularly during rush hour. This is especially prevalent downtown, but is common in the rest of the city as well. In many cases, though, a left turn from a one-way to a one-way is allowed.

Confusion corner: This intersection is mainly where Osborne St and Pembina Hwy (Routes 62 and 42) meet, but other streets connect as well, and there are bus-only lanes. There are many lanes going different directions, and it can be very confusing to know which lane you need to be in, which has given the intersection the name "confusion corner".

North End: The area of the city just north of downtown is known as the North End. This is the poorest part of the city and extra precautions should be taken when traveling through here, especially at night (though most crime is gang-related rarely involving innocent bystanders). There is a very noticeable drop in the quality of infrastructure when you cross from downtown into the North End, but it is also a very sudden change so it is important to be mindful of your surroundings.

By bus

The city operates a bus service with routes running throughout the city:

The fare is $2.95 for adults, or $2.45 for children 6–16, high school students and seniors (65+ years of age), for which identification is required (as of January 2018). Children 5 and under are free with a fare-paying adult. Drivers will only accept exact change in cash. A transfer can be requested when you pay your fare, which entitles you to ride as many buses as you like within the following 60 minutes. You may also purchase tickets at a reduced rate of $2.60 ($1.82 for youth and $1.30 for seniors), in strips of 5 or 10, at almost any convenience store.

There are a variety of passes available, which provide discounts of 22-38%. They can be purchased at any convenience store. The Max 5 pass, available only for adult fares, can be used Monday to Friday, and the Superpass can be used from Monday to Sunday.

Special services

  • Bomber FanFare allows you to ride Transit from the stadium for free by showing your valid game day ticket after Bomber home games. Transit also operates shuttle services to the Bomber stadium.
  • Bike and Bus offers bike racks on the 60, 160 and 162 buses during the summer free of charge. St. Vital Shopping Centre and Osborne Junction have bike lockers.
  • DART provides request bus service to residents living in selected areas of South and South East Winnipeg.
  • Downtown Spirit operates on 3 routes in the downtown area during the day, free of charge.
  • Park & Ride allows you to park in designated areas and then catch a Transit bus.
  • Shuttle services are offered for occasions such as the Folk Festival and the Red River Ex.

By taxi

Taxis are licensed in Winnipeg and every driver must have their identification visible. For security purposes, taxi drivers are protected by a shield and have video surveillance. By law, fares are non-negotiable and determined by a meter. Smoking and open alcohol are not allowed. The most common taxi model is the smaller Toyota Prius.

Winnipeg Taxicab Tariff: Starting fee: $3.50 with 72.5 m, then $0.10 for each additional 72.5 m + $0.10 for each 13.18 seconds of time. Whenever the taxi stops, there's a "waiting time charge" of $0.10 for each 13.18 seconds of metered waiting time. A 10 km ride works out to about $17.20 + any waiting times + tip (15–20%).

By car

Driving is the easiest way to get around Winnipeg. On-street parking, which ranges from $1–2/hr can usually be found in popular areas if you are willing to search. During rush hour, most of these spaces will turn into no stopping zones in order to facilitate traffic flow. If these are unavailable, there are parkades or parking lots which will provide a variety of hourly rates. These are roughly twice as expensive as street parking, but they are all over the downtown area. If visiting The Forks, there is a large parkade and two lots which provide free parking for visitors.

Auto theft is a serious problem in Winnipeg. Anti-theft devices are strongly recommended, especially immobilizers. Never leave your vehicle running and never leave any objects visible inside, especially aftermarket stereo equipment.

By bicycle

Cycling Rules
  • Cyclists must ride on and obey the laws of the road.
  • From ½ hour before sunset until ½ hour after sunrise, bicycles must have a white front light and a red or amber rear light or reflector.
  • Cyclists must use hand signals to indicate a turn.
  • Cyclists are prohibited from wearing earphones.
  • Cyclists are prohibited from riding while intoxicated.
  • Children riding in a bike-mounted baby seat must wear a helmet.
  • Helmets are mandatory for children under 18.

Bicycles are allowed on all Winnipeg roads, though drivers encountered may feel differently. The City of Winnipeg provides a cycling map which is available online or at one of many bicycle shops. Some roads have bicycle lanes (shared with buses) and sharrows. Suggested cycling routes are marked by road signs, but may venture into residential areas with many stop signs. Riding on sidewalks is illegal, but this law is rarely enforced. The most problematic areas are typically bridges where no bicycle infrastructure exists, such as the Midtown Bridge and the Louise Bridge. Cyclists may be better off walking their bikes on the sidewalk on these bridges during rush hours. Bicycle theft is common throughout all areas of the city. Seats and wheels should be secured with a sturdy lock.

Some dedicated active transportation paths exist. Many of these will follow along Winnipeg's rivers, making for a very scenic, but meandering, ride. Spring flooding may affect the conditions on routes near the rivers. The Forks makes an excellent starting/stopping point for scenic bike rides—many paths begin and end there, and there are many restaurants and patios to relax in before and after rides. Some suggested scenic routes are:

  • Along the Assiniboine River, between The Forks and Assiniboine Park (approximately 20 km round-trip). The north side of the river will take cyclists starting from The Forks past the Legislature, through Wolseley, and near Polo Park mall. The south side of the river will take cyclists starting from Assiniboine Park along Wellington Cres (one of the richest areas of the city) and through Osborne Village.
  • Along the Red River, between The Forks and the Bridge Drive-In (a locally famous ice cream shop) (approximately 15 km round-trip). This path is almost entirely on active transportation paths, going through natural areas and recreation parks in the Riverview area.
  • From The Forks to Whittier Park (approximately 5 km round-trip). This route will go over Esplanade Riel to Whittier Park in St. Boniface, which contains the reconstructed Fort Gibraltar. This route can be extended by following Tache Ave south to Marion St, which will take cyclists past the St. Boniface Cathedral and the St. Boniface Museum.
  • The Duff Roblin Parkway Trail (approximately 50 km one-way). Starting in the south of the city, this trail follows the Red River Floodway around the east side of the city to Birds Hill Provincial Park, 24 km north of the city. This trail is a peaceful gravel path through the prairie with no intersections. There are no amenities along this trail until you enter the park.
  • In January and February, the River Trail is available and can be ridden on bicycle (it has an ice trail for skaters and a packed snow trail for walkers and cyclists).

Many of the paths beside the river will also include "monkey trails"—unofficial trails that offer some challenge to mountain bikers. Due to frequent flooding and erosion, these may include muddy sections, fallen trees, and steep drop-offs into the river.

In the winter, snow and ice on roads can make cycling treacherous. Major routes, especially downtown, will be cleared quickly and will have sand applied, which will help with safety but also make for a messy ride. These conditions will generally last from December to March. Bike paths and lanes may take much longer to be cleared, if they are cleared at all. The right-hand lane is often the iciest, and frostbite is a reality for the poorly equipped rider.

In springtime (March and April), melting snow can create very large puddles and potholes and render off-road trails unusable.

Rentals

Woodcock Cycleworks, 433 St. Mary's Road, ☏ +1 204-253-5896, toll-free: +1-866-211-5795. M-F 10AM-8PM; Sa 10AM-5PM; Su 11AM-5PM. Rentals can be booked online or in-store. Mountain bikes, road bikes, fat bikes and hybrids available. $30-50. 

By foot

Winnipeg is generally not a walking-centric city. Because municipal law mandates that all new buildings must contain a lot of parking between the sidewalk and the building, pedestrians will be confronted with a morass of cars in all directions. Winnipeg's main arteries all have boulevards and are extremely wide by world standards, with Main St having ten lanes where it meets Portage Ave downtown. However, this pedestrian-unfriendliness is primarily perceived rather than real. Virtually all streets contain sidewalks on both sides running for the street's entire length and stoplight crossings are frequent even on highways.

Walking across Portage & Main is prohibited and physically impeded by concrete barricades. Pedestrians must cross this famous intersection through an underground concourse, which has a variety of entry points in or near the office towers on all four corners.

Downtown from Esplanade Riel

Walking distance from Portage & Main to:

  • The Forks: 10–15 minutes.
  • St. Boniface: 15–20 minutes.
  • Osborne Village: 20 minutes.
  • Corydon Ave: 30 minutes.

Interesting walks in central Winnipeg:

  • Exchange District, all around.
  • Broadway from Osborne to Main.
  • Osborne St from River to Pembina.
  • River Walks along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers (notably from the Legislature to The Forks).
  • Esplanade Riel from The Forks to St. Boniface.
  • Tache Ave and Provencher Ave in St. Boniface.

Winnipeg Skywalk

As it can get very cold during Winnipeg's winters, the downtown area has a network of tunnels and skywalks. The Skywalk is a system of 14 skyways and 7 tunnels connecting 38 buildings and allowing for a maximum protected walk of 2 km. As far east as the Fairmont Hotel east of Main St all the way west to One Canada Centre on Portage Ave (across from The Bay), it connects you to all of the buildings around Portage & Main, Winnipeg Square, Cityplace and Portage Place malls, the Millennium Library (Winnipeg's central library branch) and the MTS Centre arena. It has many shops along the way, making travelling during the winter a lot easier.

See

Map
Map of Winnipeg (Edit GPX)

Galleries

  • 1 Gallery Lacosse, 169 Lilac St (at Corydon Ave), ☏ +1 204-284-0726. Tu–F 11AM–6PM, Sa 11AM–5PM. Celebrating Manitoba art and its unique place in the Canadian creative landscape. Artists are showcased through their paintings, pottery, photos and jewellery. 
  • 2 Graffiti Gallery, 109 Higgins Ave (in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-667-9960. Part of Graffiti Art Programming Inc, a not for profit youth art organization that uses art as a tool for community development, social change and individual growth. 
  • 3 PLATFORM: Centre for Photographic and Digital Arts, 121–100 Arthur St (in the Artspace Building), ☏ +1 204-942-8183, . Manitoba's only artist-run centre devoted exclusively to photographic and digital arts. The gallery exhibits local, national and international artists. 
  • 4 Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, 460 Portage Ave (between the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Portage Ave), ☏ +1 204-942-1043, . W–Sa noon–9PM, Su noon–5PM. Manitoba's premier contemporary art gallery and the first Institute of Contemporary Art in Canada. Free. 
  • 5 Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art, 203–290 McDermot Ave (in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-942-2674, . Features cutting-edge Aboriginal art in an ever-changing contemporary setting, while promoting the rich artistic legacy of Aboriginal communities. 
  • 6 Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd (across from the historic Hudson Bay department store on Portage Ave), ☏ +1 204-789-1760, . Tu-Su 11AM–5PM except F 11AM–9PM. The Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada's oldest gallery, and features Manitoban, Canadian, and international artists and a large collection of Inuit Art. With its striking architecture, it is an integral part of downtown Winnipeg. Adults $12, students/seniors $10, youth (ages 6–12) $6. Winnipeg Art Gallery (Q3813414) on Wikidata Winnipeg Art Gallery on Wikipedia (updated Apr 2018)

Museums

  • 7 Airforce Heritage Museum and Air Park, 186 Sharp Blvd (Along Air Force Way (Sharp Blvd), north of Ness Ave, to the south of Winnipeg airport (CYWG)), ☏ +1 204-833-2500 ext 4180. Air park uncontrolled, museum by appointment only. Enjoy the largest air park in Canada, where many historic aircraft are mounted throughout a grassy park, many dramatically in action poses. The nearby museum, inside nearby Canadian Forces buildings, contains many outstanding exhibits of national significance. Free. 
File:Canadian Museum for Human Rights
  • 8 Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Musée canadien pour les droits de la personne), 85 Israel Asper Way (At the Forks in Downtown Winnipeg), ☏ +1 204-289-2000, toll-free: +1-877-877-6037, . Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, confirm on website. The first museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. Their aim is to engage Canadians and international visitors in an immersive, interactive experience that offers the inspiration and tools to make a difference in the lives of others. This is the first national museum to be built in nearly half a century, and the first outside the National Capital Region. Adult $12, senior or student $10, youth 7-17 $5, child free A. Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Q630212) on Wikidata Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Wikipedia (updated Jul 2020)
  • 9 Costume Museum of Canada, 301-250 McDermot Avenue, ☏ +1 204-989-0072, . This museum gallery is closed to the public, but it organizes pop-up exhibits, travelling exhibitions, heritage fashion reviews, and educational programs. Costume Museum of Canada (Q5175220) on Wikidata Costume Museum of Canada on Wikipedia 
  • 10 Dalnavert Museum, 61 Carlton St (downtown), ☏ +1 204-943-2835, . W–F 11AM–4PM (Jul–Aug: 10AM–5PM), Sa 11AM–6PM, Su 12–4PM. The former home of Premier Sir Hugh John Macdonald, Dalnavert has been designated a National Historic Site. 
  • 11 [dead link] Fire Fighters Museum of Winnipeg, 56 Maple St (in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-942-4817, . Sa Su 11AM–3PM. This beautifully maintained fire hall built in 1903 features stain glass windows and displays hand and horse-drawn, steam and early motorized fire apparatus, artifacts, photographs and records dating back to the 1880s. 
  • 12 Manitoba Children's Museum, 45 Forks Market Rd (at The Forks), ☏ +1 204-924-4000, fax: +1 204-956-2122, . Summer (Jul & Aug): 9:30AM–6PM; winter: Su–Th 9:30AM–4:30PM, F Sa 9:30AM–6PM. The Manitoba Children’s Museum is home to several hands-on galleries, offering plenty of family fun. Be a TV anchor, visit the land of fairy tales or climb aboard a fully refurbished locomotive and passenger train car. In November and December, you can take a magical stroll through the Santa Village and perhaps even meet the man in the red suit himself. $6.25–7 (senior, adult and group discounts available). 
  • 13 Manitoba Electrical Museum, 680 Harrow St, ☏ +1 204-360-7905. M–Th 1–4PM. A small but interesting museum, very kid friendly. Features electric street car, robot made of household electronics and consumer products through the ages. Free. 
  • 14 Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Ave (downtown), ☏ +1 204-956-2830. Summer (mid May–early Sep): 10AM–5PM; winter: Tu–Fr 10AM–4PM, Sa Su 11AM–5PM. You can explore a vivid portrayal of Manitoba’s rich and colourful history through nine galleries that total approximately 68,000 square feet of exciting exploration (approximately 4 football fields). All regions of Manitoba are represented in the galleries, including the Grasslands, the Boreal Forest, the Arctic/Subarctic, the Hudson Bay Company Collections Gallery and the Parklands/Mixed Woods Gallery, which is the largest and most interactive of the galleries, and moving dinosaurs. Frequent shows in the Planetarium. $5–8 (senior, youth, family and bundle discounts available). (updated Jun 2017)
  • 15 Le musée de Saint-Boniface, 494 av Taché (in Old St. Boniface), ☏ +1 204-237-4500, . Stand within the oldest building in Winnipeg and the largest oak structure in North America, depicting the lives of the French and Métis people. 
  • 16 Western Canada Aviation Museum, 958 Ferry Rd (Hangar T-2, in southwest part of Winnipeg airport (CYWG), past Calm Air building), ☏ +1 204-786-5503, . M–F 9:30AM–4:30PM, Sa 10:00AM–5:00PM, Su 10:00AM–5:00PM. Closed for renovation until 2021. Tales from the sky, great ideas and not so great ideas in flight, and an interactive area for kids. The collection features aircraft from Canadian and particularly useful in Canada. Adults $7.50, Seniors & students $5, Children $3. (updated Jun 2016)
  • 17 Winnipeg Railway Museum, 123 Broadway (in Union Station, tracks One and Two), ☏ +1 204-942-3632, . Daily 11AM–4PM (winter), longer hours in summer. A wonderful collection of actual locomotives and rolling stock from over a century of railway in Winnipeg. Includes the "Countess of Dufferin", an 1872 steam 4-4-0 locomotive, plus two others with steam, three with diesel, and an electric locomotive. Also has 11 boxcars, baggage cars, cabooses, snowploughs, and maintenance cars. $7 adults, $6 seniors and older students, $5 children. Winnipeg Railway Museum (Q8025782) on Wikidata Winnipeg Railway Museum on Wikipedia (updated Mar 2020)

Parks

  • 18 Assiniboine Park, 2355 Corydon Ave (in Tuxedo). If you are looking for a great summer outing at the park with a frisbee, this is the place to go. There is a zoo and all of its amenities on site for those wanting an attraction. Explore over 153 ha (378 acres) along the Assiniboine River. The Zoo, Conservatory, English Garden, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, Tudor-style pavilion, and a fine example of a French formal garden are a few of the features found in the park. Picnic areas and cycling and walking trails are popular with visitors. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing, tobogganing and skating on the Duck Pond. All public areas are wheelchair accessible. The main entrance is on Corydon Ave one mile west of Kenaston Blvd. The park may also be accessed from Portage Ave via a footbridge over the Assiniboine River. 
  • Located within Assiniboine Park:
    • Assiniboine Park Conservatory.
    • Assiniboine Park Zoo.
    • Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.
    • Lyric Theatre.
    • The Pavilion Gallery Museum.
    • Winnie the Bear statue.
  • 19 FortWhyte Alive, 1961 McCreary Rd (in Tuxedo), ☏ +1 204-989-8355, . M–F 9AM–5PM, Sa Su 10AM–5PM, extended summer and fall. 640-acre nature centre showcasing a 30-head bison prairie herd, 5 lakes, 7 km of trails, bird feeding stations, tipi encampment and more. 
  • 20 Harbour View Recreation Complex, 1867 Springfield Rd (in Transcona, 2.5 km east of Hwy 59), ☏ +1 204-222-2751, . Enjoy a day of play with a nine-hole par 27 golf course, mini golf, driving range, lawn bowling, tennis, horseshoes, shuffleboard, sand volleyball and paddleboats. During the winter, enjoy ice skating on the lake, tobogganing, cross-country skiing and broomball. Professional golf and cross-country ski instruction and rental equipment are available. 
  • 21 Kildonan Park, 2015 Main St (in West Kildonan), ☏ 311, toll-free: +1-877-311-4974. North on Main, this park is a favourite, especially Sunday night "Cruise Nights". You will find many interesting new and vintage cars cruising through the park and meeting up with friends. As most parks, they also have BBQ/Picnic designated areas, a pool, play structures, and some interesting landscaping. 
  • 22 King's Park, King's Drive and Kilkenny Drive (in Fort Garry, south of University of Manitoba), ☏ 311, toll-free: +1-877-311-4974. Bordering on the Red River, King’s Park has many pathways (gravel and paved) to enjoy some of which lead to marshland. In the centre of the park you will find the beautiful Pagoda Gardens. The Park also has a soccer field, two baseball diamonds and an off-leash dog park area. 
  • 24 St. Vital Park, on River Rd, north of Bishop Grandin Blvd, ☏ +1 204-986-7623. Situated on the Red River, this park is the perfect place for family get-togethers and recreational sports. In winter, the duck pond becomes a skating rink. 

Landmarks

Historical Buildings are common in Winnipeg
  • 25 Esplanade Riel. Connecting The Forks to St. Boniface, this bridge has become one of the most photographed sights in Winnipeg. 
  • 26 The Forks, ☏ +1 204-942-6302. A tourist attraction on the Red River. The Forks Market offers fresh and specialty foods plus more than 50 unique shops housed in an eclectic and historic building that was originally a horse stable. The market has an excellent food court with various ethnic food options. Head to the hayloft for handicrafts and one-of-a-kind items including clothing, artisan-inspired gifts, jewellery and toys. In the winter you can rent ice skates and go skating down the Red River. In the summer, there are special events and outdoor entertainment almost daily, some fantastic patios and outdoor bars. 
  • 27 Fort Gibraltar, 866 St. Joseph St (in St. Boniface), ☏ +1 204-237-7692, fax: +1 204-233-7576, . Living history museum, educational guided tours about the fur trade era and costumed interpreters reliving life in 1815. During February, it is at the heart of the Festival du Voyageur. 
  • 28 Manitoba Legislative Building, 450 Broadway, ☏ +1 204-945-5813. Visit Manitoba’s beloved Golden Boy, who is perched atop the Provincial Legislative building. The Golden Boy, a magnificently gilded 5.25 m (17.2 ft) figure sculpted by Charles Gardet of Paris and cast in 1918 at the Barbidienne foundry in France, is probably Manitoba's best-known symbol. Embodying the spirit of enterprise and eternal youth, he is poised atop the dome of the building. He faces the north, with its mineral resources, fish, forest, furs, hydroelectric power and seaport, where his province's future lies. The foundry was partially destroyed by bombs during the First World War, but the Golden Boy emerged unharmed. Go inside the building to see the exquisite grand staircase and rotunda. Guided tours available. 
Royal Canadian Mint in East Winnipeg
  • 29 The Royal Canadian Mint, 520 Lagimodiere Blvd (at the junction of Highways 1 and 59), ☏ +1 204-983-6429, toll-free: +1-866-822-6724. The Royal Canadian Mint’s facility in Winnipeg, designed by local architect Etienne Gaboury, produces billions of coins each year. This is where all Canadian circulation coins are made, as well as those for 60+ governments all around the world. A fascinating guided tour includes the viewing of a 5-minute video in the theatre area followed by a 40-minute walking tour overlooking the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility where the precise art, craft, and science of coin-making is revealed. Open year-round, the on-site Boutique offers beautiful collector coins, an exclusive line of Royal Canadian Mint clothing, and an exciting collection of souvenirs and gift ideas. The adjacent interactive coin museum involves the visitor in unique learning activities including the ability to make your own souvenir coin and the opportunity to lift and hold a 99.99% pure gold bar worth over $200,000. 
  • 30 St. Boniface Cathedral, 190 av de la Cathédrale, ☏ +1 204-233-7304. Tours during Jul & Aug: W–F 2PM & 7PM; Sa Su 2PM, 4PM & 7PM. The original cathedral, built in 1908, was destroyed by fire in 1968. The remaining walls were incorporated into the design of the new church, creating a dramatic facade facing west across the Red River towards downtown Winnipeg: the clouds wheeling behind the hollow rosary window frame are like a Tyrell art installation. The cathedral is a beautiful testament to Winnipeg's history. (updated Jun 2017)

Do

Activities

Public 18-hole golf courses

  • 3 John Blumberg Golf Course, 4540 Portage Ave. 
  • 4 Kildonan Park Golf Course, 2021 Main St. 
  • River Oaks Golf Course (south on Waverley St). 
  • 5 Shooters Family Golf Centre, 2731 Main St. 
  • 6 Tuxedo Golf Club, 400 Shaftesbury Blvd. 
  • Windsor Park Golf Course, 10 Des Meurons St. 

Sports

  • 7 Assiniboia Downs Racetrack, 3975 Portage Ave (just west of the Perimeter Hwy), ☏ +1 204-885-3330, . May–Sep. Featuring live thoroughbred racing. Year-round simulcast wagering on races from around the globe. 
  • Team Canada Volleyball, ☏ +1 204-474-7084. Come out and cheer on Team Canada! Team Canada Women’s Volleyball regularly hosts elite international competitions in Winnipeg and Manitoba. 
  • 8 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, IG Field, 315 Chancellor Matheson Rd (at the University of Manitoba). Jun–Nov. Football (Canadian Football League): The Blue Bombers have a long history of support in the city. The Bombers have made it to the league finals 21 times since 1937. They last won the Grey Cup in 1990; in 2007, they lost the final to Saskatchewan, their friendly rivals. In 2006, Winnipeg hosted the Grey Cup. Tickets range from $20–75. 
  • 9 Winnipeg Goldeyes, Shaw Park, 1 Portage Ave E (north of The Forks). May–Sep. Baseball (American Association): Since returning to Winnipeg in 1994, the team has frequently finished first in their division and won championships in 1994 and 2012. Shaw Park, constructed in 1999, is considered one of the nicest minor league baseball parks in North America. Tickets range from $5–25. 
  • 10 Winnipeg Jets, Bell MTS Place, Portage Ave & Donald St (downtown). Oct–mid Apr, Stanley Cup playoffs run into Jun. Hockey (National Hockey League): In 2011, Winnipeg once again became home to an NHL team after a Winnipeg-based group purchased the Atlanta Thrashers. The team resurrected the Jets name that had been used by two other Winnipeg-based hockey teams, most notably the city's former NHL franchise. The Jets play at Bell MTS Place, built in 2004 and a first-class venue for hockey games and concerts, though small by NHL standards. Season-ticket packages sold out less than a week after being placed on sale. Single-game tickets are available, but are very hard to come by; 13,000 of the arena's 15,000 seats were dedicated to season tickets. 
  • 11 Manitoba Moose, 300 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3C 5S4 (downtown, between Hargrave St and Donald St). Season runs between October and April - may extend into May and June for playoffs. Hockey (American Hockey League). The Manitoba Moose are the professional farm team of the Winnipeg Jets, and play at least 38 regular season games at Bell MTS Place. The AHL is professional and developmental league where NHL draft picks, prospects, and ex-NHL veterans regularly play. Compared to the NHL, AHL hockey is more affordable and tickets are more readily available. AHL games are generally more family friendly as a result. The level of hockey is generally lower than the NHL, but many AHL players end up moving up to the NHL league eventually. The Manitoba Moose play at the same arena as the Winnipeg Jets. Ticket prices vary between $20 and $45. (updated May 2015)
  • Valour FC, IG Field, 315 Chancellor Matheson Rd. Soccer team in the Canadian Premier League, which made its debut in 2019. Owned by the Blue Bombers, Valour also plays at IG Field. 

Casinos

Theatre

Film

Plays and musicals

  • 15 Black Hole Theatre Company, 210 Dysart Rd (University College, University of Manitoba), ☏ +1 204-474-6880, . Oct–Apr. The Company performs works by established and emerging playwrights. 
  • Le Cercle Molière, 825 rue Saint-Joseph (in Old St. Boniface), ☏ +1 204-233-8053, . French-language theatre company. $30 (student, young adult, subscription, and other discounts available). 
  • 16 Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP), 2 Forks Market Rd (at The Forks), ☏ +1 204-942-8898, fax: +1 204-943-4129. Oct–May. A full season of professional theatre for young people, age 3 to teen, and their families. $14–18 (student, senior, group discounts available). 
  • 17 Prairie Theatre Exchange (PTE), 3rd floor, 393 Portage Ave (third floor, Portage Place Shopping Centre, Downtown), ☏ +1 204-942-5483. Winnipeg's second-largest live theatre offers an incredibly intimate experience with all seats less than 10 metres from the stage. $35-47 (student, senior, group discounts available). 
  • 18 Rainbow Stage, 2021 Main St (in Kildonan Park), ☏ +1 204-989-0888, . Summer performances take place at Rainbow Stage in Kildonan Park, Canada's longest running outdoor theatre. $35-60 (student, senior, group discounts available). 
  • 19 Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (MTC), 174 Market Ave (East Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-942-6537, fax: +1 204-947-3741, . Oct–May. Winnipeg's premier theatre group, MTC shows original works, Broadway hits, and everything in between. The MTC Mainstage focuses on broad-appeal musicals and plays, while the smaller (though still modern) MTC Warehouse is used for quirkier or more challenging fare. MTC also holds a Master Playwright Festival in January and February and the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival in July at venues throughout the city. $20–85 (student, senior, subscription discounts available). 
  • Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR). Shakespeare plays performed in a variety of settings, mostly outdoors. 
  • 20 Theatre in the Cemetery, 190 ave de la Cathédrale (St. Boniface Cathedral Cemetery), toll-free: +1-866-808-8338. July-August. Enjoy a unique and entertaining theatrical performance that takes you through the St. Boniface Cathedral's cemetery, one of the oldest in the city. Hear stories from French, Métis and Manitoban history while visiting gravesites of fascinating historic characters such as Louis Riel, founder of the province. Shows available in both English and French. $7. 
  • Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, 123 Doncaster St (Asper Jewish Community Campus), ☏ +1 204-477-7478, . Oct–May. $35. 

Opera and ballet

  • 21 Little Opera Company, 200 av de la Cathédrale (Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface), ☏ +1 204-452-1017, . An intimate alternative to grand opera with chamber opera that is sung in English. 
  • 22 Manitoba Opera, 555 Main St (Centennial Concert Hall), ☏ +1 204-253-2787, . Acclaimed artists from around the world join the finest Canadian singers, the Manitoba Opera Chorus, and the Winnipeg Sympony Orchestra. 
  • 23 Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB), 380 Graham Ave (downtown), ☏ +1 204-956-0183, fax: +1 204-943-1994. Known worldwide for its technical excellence and its eclectic repertoire. Strongly rooted in classical ballet, the RWB’s repertoire is diverse, ranging from the classics to innovative contemporary ballet. $12–15 (senior, student, subscription discounts available). 
  • 24 Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers (WCD), 2nd floor, 211 Bannatyne Ave (Crocus Building, in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-452-0229, . Each season WCD creates and presents new work from within the Company and also introduces Winnipeg audiences to some of the best choreography and dance from the rest of Canada. 

Orchestra

Events

The city is home to several events.

  • Le Festival du Voyageur (Saison Voyageur), St. Boniface. Western Canada's largest winter festival. For 10 days in February, this fur-trade-themed celebration lights up Saint Boniface, Winnipeg's French Quarter. 
  • Folklorama, venues throughout the city (guides available), ☏ +1 204-982-6210, fax: +1 204-943-1956, . beginning of Aug. The largest and longest running multicultural event of its kind in the world. Cultural pavilions are spread out at various locations throughout the city for two weeks in August, with a wonderful variety of music, dancing and food showcasing the city's amazing ethnic diversity. 
  • ManyFest (downtown). Sep. Taking place on a closed-off Broadway over the course of a weekend, ManyFest (as you could guess) is a combination of many festivals into one: cycling events, a farmer's market, a dance party, a running race, and more. Free. 
  • Pride Winnipeg Festival. beginning of Jun. Pride in Winnipeg has been celebrated annually since 1987 and has evolved from a one-day event into a 10-day festival filled with pride, confidence, fun, colour, music, laughter, optimism and activism. Winnipeg Pride is the Pride of the Prairies—the largest celebration of LGBTTQ culture between Toronto and Vancouver. 
  • 28 Red River Exhibition (The Ex), Exhibition Park, Assiniboia Downs (Portage Ave west past Perimeter Hwy). Late Jun. The largest annual fair in Manitoba. 
  • TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival (Jazz Fest), venues throughout the city, ☏ +1 204-989-4656, fax: +1 204-956-5280, . Late Jun to early Jul. With performers in multiple venues around town. $15. 
  • Winnipeg Comedy Festival, venues throughout the city. April. Stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy from local, national, and international comics. 
  • 29 Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival (The Fringe), Old Market Square (Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-942-6537, . Jul. North America's second largest Fringe Festival, offering over 150 different indoor plays and free outdoor entertainment. $5–10, passes available. 

Buy

Provincial Sales Tax (PST) in Manitoba is 7% and Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Canada is 5%. Prices generally do not include tax, so expect your purchases to cost an additional 12%.

It is customary in Winnipeg that all prices are set by a price tag and it is uncommon for retailers to bargain.

It is common for smaller shops to close at 6PM, while large stores and malls will close around 9PM on weekdays. Weekends have reduced shopping hours, especially Sundays. Stores are only allowed to open at 9AM on Sundays and must close by 6PM, with certain exceptions (such as convenience stores). There are a few large chain stores that are open 24 hours or until midnight, such as Walmart, Shopper's Drug Mart and Superstore.

Markets

  • 1 Downtown Winnipeg Farmer's Market, Edmonton St & Graham Ave (Manitoba Hydro Place Plaza), ☏ +1 204-958-4626, . Jul–early Sep: 11:30AM–5:30PM. Similar to the St. Norbert Farmer's Market (many of the same vendors). Started in 2013. 
  • 2 St. Norbert Farmer's Market, 3514 Pembina Hwy (in St. Norbert, south of the Perimeter). Jun–Sep: Sa 8AM–3PM, W 11AM–4PM; Oct Sa 8AM–3PM. Fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and cookies, crafts including: wooden toys, leather purses, outdoor furniture, creative metal works and fine jewellery. Everything is made in Manitoba. 
  • 3 Ten Thousand Villages, 134 Plaza Dr (near the intersection of Pembina Hwy & Bishop Grandin Blvd), ☏ +1 204-261-0566. M–Sa 10AM–5:30PM. A fair-trade store run by the Mennonite Central Committee. The store offers various hand-made gifts and crafts created by artisans from around the world. All merchandise is bought from the artisans at a fair price to help provide income for struggling families in the developing world. 

Shopping malls

Shopping streets and districts

20+ varieties of Santa suits (and prescription eye wear, apparently) on Osborne St at the onset of a blizzard
  • Academy Rd. Academy Rd offers the finest shops and services catering to the discriminating shopper, with designer-original fashions, toy and gift shops, bakeries, a specialty grocery store, coffee houses and restaurants, gourmet catered fare, a chocolatier, a gourmet food and wine store and more. 
  • Corydon Ave. You’ll find a mix of fashion boutiques, restaurants, curio and antique shops, jewellery, furniture, gift stores, a book and plant store, upscale second-hand boutiques and more. 
  • Downtown. Filled with shops both large and small. The Skywalk connects the large centres, protecting you in the winter. Most shops close around 6PM. 
  • 7 Cityplace, 333 St. Mary Ave. 
  • 8 Portage Place Shopping Centre, 393 Portage Ave, ☏ +1 204-925-4630. Portage Place is the hub of downtown Winnipeg with over 100 services, restaurants and shops. 
  • 9 Winnipeg Square, 360 Main St. Winnipeg’s largest underground mall offers over 45 shops, services and restaurants. 
  • The Exchange District. Antiques, book stores, gift shops, clothing and furniture boutiques make this neighbourhood a unique shopping destination. 
  • The Forks Market. Featuring Aboriginal and ethnic crafts, fresh food and more. 
  • Osborne St. Merchants offer a variety of goods from coffee to cookware, books to home furnishings, giftware to gold, music to pottery. Contemporary fashions suited to every style are offered in many fine stores. 

Eat

Winnipeg residents love food. There is an amazing array of restaurants catering to every taste and budget. Tipping is customary in Winnipeg and is not included in the price of the food. Some restaurants may automatically add a gratuity charge for large groups. Tips typically range from 10–20%

Local cuisine includes:

  • Winnipeg goldeye, a smoked fish available at most grocery stores and fish markets.
  • Winnipeg-style rye bread, best bought unsliced directly from the bakery.
  • Winnipeg-style cream cheese is a good accompaniment for Gunn's bagels.
  • Fresh pickerel filets and cheeks.
  • Russian mints
  • Manitoba maple syrup
  • Kubasa or kielbasa, a ready-to-eat Eastern European pork garlic sausage smoked daily.
  • Mennonite farmer's sausage (for frying or barbecuing).
  • Chili Burgers
  • Tourtière, a French-Canadian meat pie.
  • French-Canadian desserts like sucre à la crême (similar to fudge) and tarte à sucre (like pecan pie, minus pecans).
  • Aboriginal foods like elk, bison, and bannock.
  • Honey dill dipping sauce for things like chicken fingers and fries. Can be ordered at almost any restaurant in Winnipeg or bought in some stores.

Budget

  • 1 Affinity Vegetarian Garden, 100–208 Edmonton St (downtown), ☏ +1 204-943-0251. M–F 11:30AM–2PM, 5PM–9:30PM, Sa 5PM–9:30PM, Su closed. Chinese and vegetarian, including vegetarian imitations of shrimp and fish. entrees $8.75-11.50. 
  • 2 Burrito Del Rio Taqueria, 433 River Ave (in Osborne Village), ☏ +1 204-415-5600. Mexican. 
  • 3 Falafel Place, 1101 Corydon Ave (in River Heights), ☏ +1 204-489-5811. Lebanese/brunch. Perfect for hangovers. 
  • 4 KG Saigon, 840 Sargent Ave (in the West End), ☏ +1 204-783-3482. Amazing Vietnamese food. 
  • 5 The North Star Drive-In, 531 McGregor St (in the North End), ☏ +1 204-589-4003. Across the street from Alycia's, and has excellent burgers in town. If you try this family-run drive in, expect very friendly staff and delicious burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc. North Star also always has a fresh dogbowl of water if you happen to bring your pet along. 
  • Salisbury House, 21 locations throughout the city. Started during the Dirty Thirties, the company still succeeded due to good food at decent prices. Salisbury refers to hamburgers as "nips", and French fried potatoes as "chips". Many expatriates returning to the city find it a necessity to have at least one Sals' "nip". 
  • 6 [dead link] Shawarma Time, 616 Ellice Ave (in the West End), ☏ +1 204-774-2109. Middle Eastern. 
  • 7 VJ's Drive Inn, 170 Main St (across from Union Station, downtown), ☏ +1 204-943-2655. Greasy spoon. Burgers, fries and shakes. One of the best in town. 

Mid-range

  • 8 Baked Expectations, 161 Osborne St (in Osborne Village), ☏ +1 204-452-5176. Popular bakery and restaurant, famous for its desserts. 
  • 9 Bridge Drive-In, 766 Jubilee Ave (in Riverview), ☏ +1 204-475-6850. Ice cream. 
  • 10 InFerno's Bistro, 312 rue des Meurons (in St. Boniface), ☏ +1 204-262-7400. M–Th 11AM–10PM, F Sa 11AM–11PM. French. 
  • 11 Magic Thailand, 842 Logan Ave, ☏ +1 204-774-0839. Authentic Thai. Don't be put off by the area or the decor. 
  • Stella's Cafe & Bakery, 7 locations throughout the city. Breakfast/brunch, soup, sandwiches and other entrees. Also offers gluten-free and vegan alternatives. 
  • 12 Sun Fortune Restaurant, 15–2077 Pembina Hwy (near the University of Manitoba), ☏ +1 204-269-6868. Authentic Chinese. North Americanized Chinese dishes are also available. If you know Cantonese or know someone who can speak it, there are unconfirmed rumours of a secret Cantonese-only menu. 
  • [dead link] Nuburger (formerly Unburger), 472 Stradbrook Ave (in Osborne Village), ☏ +1 204-888-1001, . M–Sa 11AM–10PM, Su noon–9PM. Healthy gourmet burgers including creations such as "Blueberry Yum Yum" (beef burger with blueberry BBQ sauce), "Shanghai" (chicken burger with a spicy asian twist) and "Bella" (grilled portabella veggie burger). Buns baked daily. (updated Oct 2017)

Splurge

  • Bonfire Bistro, 1433 Corydon Ave, ☏ +1 204-487-4440, fax: +1 204-489-2703, . M–Th 11:30AM–2:30PM 5–10PM, F Sa 11:30AM–2:30PM 4:30–10:30PM, Su 4:30–9:30PM. Italian including wood-fired pizza, pasta, and entrees prepared from local ingredients wherever possible. Does not accept reservations, will not allow groups more than 6. 
  • 13 Cafe Dario, 1390 Erin St, ☏ +1 204-783-2813. Lunch: M–F 11:30AM–2PM; dinner: Sa Su 5PM–on. Latin American. Gluten free alternatives available. Reservations recommended. Prix fixe 5 course meal $39. 
  • Carnaval Brazilian BBQ, 270 Waterfront Dr (in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-505-0945. Rotisserie-style Brazilian BBQ. All-you-can-eat meat-on-a-stick. 
  • 529 Wellington, 529 Wellington Cres, ☏ +1 204-487-8325. One of the best steakhouses in the city. 
  • Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, 189 Carlton St (downtown), ☏ +1 204-925-7400. Japanese sushi and steakhouse. The chefs prepare the meal in front of you with great showmanship. You must come as a group or you will be placed with strangers as the tables seat 8+. The menu consists of set dinners that can be expensive, but the food is delicious and the show is very entertaining. 
  • Saperavi, 709 Corydon Ave, ☏ +1 204-416-3996. One of the few restaurants in Winnipeg serving Georgian cuisine. 
  • Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant, 484 Stradbrook Ave, ☏ +1 204-477-6500, . M W Th Su 5–11PM, F Sa 5PM–midnight. Spanish tapas. You may need to make a reservation a few days in advance! 

Drink

The sale of alcohol is regulated by the Government of Manitoba through the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC, or the "LC"). All alcohol is sold through the MLCC's Liquor Marts. Beer and wine can be sold through beer vendors or wine markets. Any establishment selling alcohol must be licensed and follow MLCC rules, such as minimum drink prices and last call at 2AM.

The legal drinking age in Manitoba is 18. Alcohol can only be consumed in residences or licensed establishments, not in public. The legal blood alcohol contact (BAC) limit for driving is 0.05. Taxis are common at popular night spots. Buses run infrequently at night and stop running before 2AM.

Winnipeg is home to four local breweries:

Nightspots

Parking will be difficult in the popular areas, especially Saturday nights.

  • Corydon Ave. Packed patios during the summer, the place for late night eats and drinks all year round.
  • Osborne Village. Home of the underground scene and late night food and drinks.
  • Exchange District. The main dance clubs in Winnipeg can be found in the Exchange District.

Bars

  • 1 Bar Italia (Bar I), 737 Corydon Ave, ☏ +1 204-452-1929. Billiard tables, a packed patio and attracts a hip, twenty-something crowd. 18+. 
  • 2 High and Lonesome Club (Times Change(d)), 234 Main St (downtown), ☏ +1 204-957-0982, . W–F 11:30AM–2:30PM and 5:30–8:30PM, Sa 5:30–8:30PM. Folk, roots, country, blues. 18+. 
  • 3 Pembina Draught Bar (The Pemby), 1011 Pembina Hwy, ☏ +1 204-453-3724. Younger crowd, large selection of cheap beer by the pitcher, decent music, pool, foosball, and free darts. 18+. 
  • [dead link] The Windsor Hotel, 187 Garry St (downtown), ☏ +1 204-942-7528, . The best live blues in town. 18+. 
  • The Zoo Night Club (The Zoo), 160 Osborne St (in Osborne Village), ☏ +1 204-452-9824. Often punk-rock, cheap beer, pool and sometimes strippers. 18+. 

Pubs and lounges

  • King's Head Pub, 120 King St (in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-957-7710. M–F 11:30AM–2AM, Sa Su 2PM–2AM. A British-style pub with great British and Indian food, it's also a great place to go for a large selection of beers on tap. Occasional live music upstairs. 
  • Shannon's Irish Pub, 175 Carlton St (east side of the Winnipeg Convention Centre), ☏ +1 204-943-2302. Irish-themed pub. Live music every night. Large selection of beer on tap and whisky. 
  • [dead link] Toad in the Hole Pub (The Toad), 112 Osborne St (in Osborne Village), ☏ +1 204-284-7201. M–F 11:30AM–2AM, Sa 11AM–2AM, Su 11AM–midnight. Great place to go for beer, some darts, pool or a nice meal. Reasonably priced. New Whiskey Bar features 160 whiskies from around the world. Live music in the basement (The Cavern). 

Dance clubs

Most clubs and bars will insist on seeing identification for every patron, partly for security purposes.

Gay & lesbian nightclubs

  • Club 200, 190 Garry St (downtown). M–Sa 4PM–2AM, Su 6PM–midnight. LGBT, events, prizes, dining. 18+. 

Sleep

All major chain hotels have properties in Winnipeg. As well as in the downtown area, there are numerous hotels near the airport, near Polo Park Shopping Centre, and on Pembina Hwy South. Cheap motels can be found throughout the city. The older hotels on Main St should be avoided at all costs.

Budget

  • 1 Backpackers Winnipeg Guest House International, 168 Maryland St (in Wolseley), ☏ +1 204-772-1272, toll-free: +1-800-743-4423, fax: +1 204-772-4117, . A restored Victorian home, Guest House offers affordable, quality tourist accommodation with private and semi-private rooms, kitchen facilities, laundry, air conditioning, games room, TV, videos, BBQ, Internet Access, Free Wi-Fi, close to restaurants, grocery, pubs, and tourist information. $30+. (updated Mar 2018)
  • 2 UWinnipeg Downtown Hostel, 370 Langside St, ☏ +1 204-786-9139, . This hostel operates out of the McFeetors Hall Student Residence at the University of Winnipeg's Furby-Langside Campus. Availability depends on how many students are occupying the residence hall at any given time. The hall is generally almost entirely open to travellers during the summer season; availability during the regular school year can be fairly limited or nonexistent. $65+. (updated Mar 2018)

Mid-range

  • 3 The Columns Bed & Breakfast, 5 East Gate (in Wolseley), ☏ +1 204-510-4803, toll-free: +1-877-772-1626, fax: +1 204-237-4309. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. The Columns is a heritage mansion, built in 1906 on treed river side property on East Gate. At the base of the garden, there is a bicycle/walking path that leads to the popular Forks area in downtown Winnipeg. The house has been renovated and restored by the current owners. $125+. 
  • 4 Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion St (in St. Boniface), ☏ +1 204-233-4475. The Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg has been providing guests with excellent hospitality since the late 1800s. Hospitality is a family tradition, and the Sparrow family has owned and operated the Norwood Hotel since 1937, the oldest family-operated hotel in Manitoba. $115+. 
  • 5 West Gate Manor Bed & Breakfast, 71 West Gate (in Wolseley), ☏ +1 204-772-9788. Enjoy the beauty of the country life in the heart of the city. $75+. 
  • 6 Hansen Inn, 150 Sherbrook Street, ☏ +1 204 960-6516, . Five rooms, from a single bed plus child bed to a two-room suite, some with shared bath. Free wifi in all areas, and laundry available. $65-90. (updated May 2016)

Splurge

  • 7 Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway Ave (downtown), ☏ +1 204-942-8251, toll-free: +1-800-665-8088, fax: +1 204-956-2351, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A former Grand Trunk Pacific Railway hotel, the Fort Garry was completed in 1913, and bears similarities to New York's Plaza Hotel. Oozes character and charm. Downtown, near Union Station. 246 rooms. Also experience their famous Sunday brunch featuring a dessert bar with a chocolate fountain. $195+. 
  • 8 Inn at the Forks, 75 Forks Market Rd (at The Forks), toll-free: +1-877-377-4100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Features modern style and commitment to service in a spectacular natural setting offering many amenities, including a convenient shuttle service to downtown. Guests may choose from 117 guest rooms and suite, each designed with contemporary lodging elegance. Rooms are smoke-free and furnished with the utmost attention to detail. $189+. 
  • 9 Mariaggi's Theme Suite Hotel, 231 McDermot Ave (in the Exchange District), ☏ +1 204-947-9447, . Luxury romantic suites for couples, featuring jacuzzi hut tubs, steam rooms, large screen TVs and more, with 8 different country-based themes. $185+. 
  • 10 Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel, 190 Smith St (downtown), ☏ +1 204-947-6961. Suites are available in studio, one or two bedroom layouts. Each has a complete kitchen and living space. Daily and extended stay rates are available. Centrally located. $165+. 

Stay safe

Winnipeg has a moderately high crime rate by Canadian standards, but low violent crime by American or global standards. Much crime is gang or alcohol related and rarely involves tourists who exercise the same degree of caution they would in any other urban center. Areas where higher degree of caution is advised at night include areas north of City Hall on Main St and the area surrounding Central Park.

Panhandlers are less numerous in Winnipeg compared to cities like Vancouver and Victoria, BC and they are very seldom aggressive, however displays of obvious wealth such as jewelery and expensive digital cameras should be kept to a minimum. It is best to kindly refuse panhandlers and keep walking.

As in any city, common sense should prevail. Never leave a vehicle unlocked and under no circumstances should any object be left in the car interior where it can be seen, no matter what the value (includes CDs, gloves, clothing, tools, etc). Keep all items in the trunk. Most importantly, never leave any coins, no matter what the amount in your ashtray or console. An individual with drugs or alcohol dependency will not hesitate to smash a car window even for less than $1.

If you rent a vehicle, ensure with your rental agency that it is equipped with an immobilizer. If you drive your own vehicle here, Manitoba Public Insurance offers a most-at-risk vehicle assessment [dead link]. While this is aimed at those intending to register vehicles in Manitoba, tourists may use this to consider if their vehicle is at an elevated risk for theft. Out of province tourists may also consult with their automobile insurance agent.

Cope

Consulates

Nearby

Winnipeg Downtown

Birds Hill Provincial Park

Featuring hills and ridges formed by ancient glaciers, this 35km² park 24km northeast of Winnipeg on Hwy 59 has a lake, oak and aspen forests, native prairie wildflowers, deer, waterfowl and songbirds. Facilities include camping, swimming, picnic sites, a riding stable, a restaurant, a beach concession and a convenience store. There are 30 km of trails for walking and cross-country skiing and 7.2 km of paved bicycle and roller blading trails. Every July the park hosts the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

  • Winnipeg Folk Festival (Folk Fest), Birds Hill Provincial Park (20min north on Hwy 59), ☏ +1 204-231-0096, fax: +1 204-231-0076, . Jul. One of North America's premier outdoor music festivals. Features music performances, a folk school, programs for young performers and young visual artists, over 100 artisans, children’s programming, a visual art exhibition, and a food village that encourages the use of local, organic and fair trade ingredients. Day pass: $69.75, full pass: $214.75, full camping pass: $252.75 (discounts for youth, children and early bird available). 

Go next

Winnipeg is a great starting point to begin exploring the province of Manitoba. Manitoba has many recreational opportunities, including canoeing, fishing, cycling, and cross-country skiing.

  • Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site of Canada, 15 min north of Winnipeg
  • Oak Hammock Marsh, 20min north of Winnipeg
  • Flights and trains to Churchill, a favourite Manitoba oceanfront spot for polar bears, are available from Winnipeg. There is no road.
  • The Gimli Icelandic Festival (Islendingadagurinn) in Gimli (Manitoba) (1 hr north on Hwy 8, first weekend of August) is the second oldest continuous ethnic festival in North America. It includes contests and a parade.
  • Grand Beach Provincial Park (100km northeast on Hwy 59) is famous for its beautiful white sand fresh water beaches.
  • Whiteshell Provincial Park (90 minutes east of Winnipeg via Highway 1 or Highway 44, or VIA Rail Service to Brereton Lake) offers great camping, hiking, and boating.
  • The Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach (1 hr southeast of Winnipeg) is representative of Mennonite villages found throughout Southern Manitoba at the turn of the century, recounting the pioneer stories of Russian Mennonites and their migration to Canada. The north side illustrates early settlement buildings while the south side shows the gradual shift to various business enterprises.
Routes through Winnipeg
Saskatoon ← Portage la Prairie ←  W  E  → Sioux Lookout → Toronto
Churchill ← Portage la Prairie ←  N  S  → END
Regina ← Portage la Prairie ←  W  E  → Jct N S → Falcon Lake → becomes → Thunder Bay
Saskatoon via ← Portage la Prairie ← ←  W  E  → END
Weyburn ← becomes ← Glenboro ←  W  E  → END
Estevan ← becomes ← Winkler ←  W  E  → END
Thompson ← St. Laurent ←  N  S  → END
Gimli ← Selkirk ←  N  S  → END
Grand Beach Provincial Park ← Jct W E ←  N  S  → Île-des-Chênes → becomes → Thief River Falls
END ←  N  S  → Emerson → becomes → Grand Forks


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