23 Things to Do in Winnipeg, Manitoba (By a Local!)

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Winter Activities | FAQ

Looking for the best things to do in Winnipeg, Canada? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Winnipeg is a city near and dear to my heart, as not only did I grow up just a few short hours away in the adjacent province of Saskatchewan, I now find myself living here as an adult.

Winnipeg is a city characterized by grace and grit — it’s proud of its prairie heritage, it has a bustling arts scene, and it doesn’t shy away from wintertime adventure. Because yes, Winnipeg does get mighty cold in the wintertime!

So, to help you prepare for your Canadian adventure, I’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Winnipeg.

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Best Things To Do in Winnipeg

The Forks

A historic meeting place with shops, restaurants, and activities

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 11 pm daily

The Forks is so awesome it not only tops this list, but also my list of the best things to do in Manitoba.

Named for being at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, the Forks has been a meeting place for over 6000 years as a place for trade by the early indigenous people, followed by the European fur traders, Metis buffalo hunters, and railway pioneers.

Today, the Forks is a year-round community center of sorts with one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, performances, and activities. It’s easily one of the most popular places to visit in Winnipeg.

Not to mention, the Forks market is a total foodie mecca – you could do your own food tour in the main hall and dazzle your tastebuds for days on end.

Just keep in mind that the Forks market is Winnipeg’s top tourist site and is visited by more than 4 million people every year – so chances are you’ll have to share the space with quite a few others!

🛎️ Need a Place to Stay? Be sure to check out my list of the 11 best Winnipeg hotels to find your perfect place to stay!

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

A Winnipeg museum about the history and evolution of human rights

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 877 877 6037 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Mondays

Opened in 2014, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was the first museum in the world dedicated to the “evolution, celebration, and future of human rights.”

Located right beside the Forks, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights contains six floors of poignant galleries that cover issues such as “What are Human Rights”, “Turning Points for Humanity”, “Protecting Rights in Canada”, “Indigenous Perspectives”, and “Examining the Holocaust”.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights has a uniquely Canadian angle to it but covers an international range of subject matter.

This Winnipeg museum is fairly large, so I recommend carving out a full day and adding it to your list of things to do in Winnipeg this weekend.

📚 Related Reading: 15 Best Places to Visit in Canada (By a Local!)

The Exchange District

A district characterized by restored warehouses and excellent shopping

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 942 6716 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Weekends | 👉 Winnipeg Like a Local on Viator

A uniquely artsy 20-block area, The Exchange District is the place to indulge in some of Winnipeg’s most popular restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and art.

A Canadian National Historic Site, the Exchange district was once the Winnipeg hub of all things commerce, with the grain industry and other commodities finding a home here.

Today, you’ll still find a lot of business being done here, but with more of a hipster flair.

In particular, one of the most popular meeting places in The Exchange District is Old Market Square — a park that often features musical performances and festivals.

Not to mention, the mural game in The Exchange district is strong – I highly recommend just taking an afternoon to walk around and appreciate all the murals here.

If you’re interested in a customized walking tour, then check out this Winnipeg Like a Local tour.

Saint Boniface

The epicenter of Winnipeg’s French community

📍 Google Maps

If you’re looking for the best French Canadian culture that Winnipeg, Canada has to offer, then Saint Boniface is the place to go.

Saint Boniface is located right across the pedestrian bridge from The Forks, and the neighborhood features one of the largest Francophone populations in the prairies.

While here, take a walk along Le Boulevard Provencher, pop into the French boutiques and cafes, pay a visit to the Cathedral.

📚 Related Reading: Check out my list of the Top Places to Visit in Manitoba for some more Manitoba-related travel inspiration.

Osborne Village

An artsy district in central Winnipeg

📍 Google Maps

Another artsy area, Osborne Village is one of the best places to visit in Winnipeg for dive bars, pubs, music venues, vintage stores, and record shops.

In comparing Osborne Village to the Exchange district, both areas are known for art but where the Exchange District leans more upscale, Osborne Village is a little more gritty.

That’s not to say one is better than the other, it’s just that you’ll get a more raw vibe in Osborne.

If you’re looking for a great night out in Osborne Village, I recommend going to the Toad in the Hole Pub for a couple of pints before catching a comedy show at Gas Station Arts Center (or the other way around!) 

Royal Canadian Mint

One of two circulation coin mints in Canada

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 984 1144 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Weekends

One of the most unique Winnipeg things to do, take a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint.

The Mint facility is not only where all Canadian coins are made, but it’s also where the tender is produced for 75 additional countries all around the world.

The Winnipeg Mint was opened in 1976 and is where billions of coins are made every single year. You can purchase tour tickets right at the Mint itself.

McNally Robinson Booksellers

A lauded bookstore chain founded in Winnipeg

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 475 0483 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon – Wed; 10 am – 9 pm Thurs – Sat; 10 am – 6 pm Sun

Looking for Winnipeg things to do that involve your favorite authors? Then head to McNally Robinson Bookstore, which has locations in Grant Park and The Forks Market.

Visiting independent bookstores is a great way to get to know a city, and Winnipeg’s McNally Robinson Booksellers is one of the largest of its kind in Canada.

An added bonus — the bookstore often brings in musicians, authors, and speakers to give performances.

Assiniboine Park

An outdoor space packed with activities

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 927 6000 | Website | Hours: 24 Hours Open daily

Open year-round, Assiniboine Park (in the west end of town) is the place to be to catch free concerts in the summer, hike the fitness trails, or have a barbecue in the wide green expanses.

Plus, Assiniboine Park also boasts the English Garden — a great little dose of nature in the city – and the Assiniboine Park Zoo (home to polar bears)

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend in Winnipeg, it’s always one of the best choices!

Manitoba Legislative Building

Manitoba’s history-rich parliament building

📍 Google MapsWinnipeg, MB R3C 0V8, Canada | Phone: +1 204 945 5813 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily

Are you ready to take one of the coolest urban tours in the country? Then head to the Manitoba Legislative Building and take the Hermetic Code Tour!

With an academic as your guide, you’ll uncover hidden clues in the building’s design including hieroglyphics, numerological codes, and Freemason symbols.

Ever wonder why there are sphinxes on the roof of the building? You’ll find out on this tour!

One of the most unique things to do in Winnipeg, you can get tickets in advance on the website.

Manitoba Museum

Manitoba’s premier science and natural history museum

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 956 2830 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thurs – Sun, Closed Mon-Wed

If you’re into natural history and heritage museums, then put the Manitoba Museum on your list for top things to do in Winnipeg.

There is a planetarium, science gallery, and they always have special exhibitions on rotation – including exhibits on hockey and a Stranger Things laser show.

Winnipeg museums are fun to visit no matter the time of year!

Winnipeg Folk Fest

A world-renowned annual summer folk festival

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 231 0096 | Website

Taking place every July at Birds Hill Provincial Park, Winnipeg Folk Fest is a fabulous music festival that is a staple in Manitoban culture.

Attendance usually exceeds 70 000 people, and you can expect a range of musical styles including roots, electronic, indie rock, Celtic, and Americana.

There are usually at least 75+ artists in the lineup each year, so chances are you’ll find a performance that you love.

Winnipeg Art Gallery

A permanent art museum featuring over 24,000 works

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 786 6641 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm daily; 11 am – 9 pm Fri, Closed Mondays

Located right downtown Winnipeg off Portage avenue, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is a must for any fine art fans and one of the top Winnipeg tourist attractions.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery features plenty of regular and rotating exhibitions, and they have adult programs and art classes to check out as well.

Sports Games

Winnipeg is home to exciting pro and semi-pro sports teams

Winnipeggers love their sports teams, and you’ll have no trouble finding a game to attend – whether that be hockey, baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, or curling.

Winnipeg is home to two high-level professional teams – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Winnipeg Jets (football and hockey, respectively), and plenty of semi-pro teams and events.

Grab a drink and a jersey and settle in!

Bison Safari

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 989 8355 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily

Going on a Bison Safari is one of the most iconic Winnipeg tourist attractions (it also makes our list of the best day trips from Winnipeg).

I mean, what’s better than a guided tour amongst some of the most iconic animals that have ever graced the prairies?

The Bison Safari Adventure at FortWhyte Alive park (in south Winnipeg) will have you up close and personal with the largest land mammal species in North America, and give you a rundown on some prairie history.

You’ll even get to take some buffalo selfies, so don’t forget your camera on this one!

Craft Breweries

Winnipeg’s craft beer scene has boomed in recent years

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 666 7824 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 7 pm daily, Closed Sunday Monday

Home to well over a dozen breweries, going on a self-guided craft beer tour is a great thing to do in Winnipeg for adults.

Some of the best breweries in Winnipeg are Nonsuch Brewing Co. Barn Hammer Brewing, Brazen Hall Kitchen & Brewery, Devil May Care Brewing Company, Fort Garry Brewing Co., and Half Pints Brewing Company.

You can always plan to take a cab, Uber, or the bus after you’re done with your sampling!

Manito Ahbee Festival

Celebrating Indigenous arts and culture in Winnipeg

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 956 1849 | Website

Indigenous History is a huge part of Winnipeg’s identity – and what better way to honor that than by attending a festival dedicated to celebrating the culture?

The Manito Ahbee Festival happens around May every year and is a festival of indigenous art, music, and culture.

The festival features a traditional Pow Wow, a music conference, a trade show, an art challenge, and an education session.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet

North America’s oldest continuously-operating ballet company

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 956 0183 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 8 pm Weekdays; 9 am – 6 pm Sat; 11 am – 4 pm Sun

Did you know that Winnipeg is home to a world-renowned ballet company?

It’s true — founded in 1939, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is Canada’s oldest ballet company and even features an exclusive full-time ballet school.

While they’re on the road roughly 100 days out of the year, the company regularly puts on performances in Winnipeg.

If you’re a dance fan in the city, then catching a performance is a must!

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival

An eclectic theater festival held each July

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 943 7464 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 12 am daily

Happening every July, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is the second-largest Fringe Festival in North America and one of the most fun things to do in Winnipeg.

Along with theatre performances, there are also street performers, musicians, food trucks, beverage pavilions, and merchant vendors.

Winter Activities in Winnipeg

Red River Mutual Skating Trail

A maintained skating trail in downtown Winnipeg

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 323 3333 | Website | Hours: 11:30 am – 9 pm Mon -Thurs; 11:30 am – 11 pm Fri – Sat; 11:30 am – 8 pm Sun

In the summertime, The Forks is a great place to lounge around, grab some ice cream, and soak up the summer vibes – but in the winter, it becomes a mecca for winter sports and activities.

Tie up your skates and hit the water on the Red River Mutual Trail, which, at 9 kilometers long, is one of the world’s longest skating trails. There are warming huts along the way so you stay nice and toasty and keep out of the winter wind.

This is also a popular spot if you’re into a bit of shinney (hockey just for fun). Rent some skates, grab a stick, and show those Winnipeggers what you got!

FortWhyte Alive

Winnipeg’s premier environmental & educational recreation center

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 989 8355 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily

Back to where the Buffalo roam, exploring the natural expanse of FortWhyte Alive is a quintessential thing to do in Winnipeg come winter. They provide excellent winter activities such as snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing (bring your own skis).

FortWhyte Alive is home to trails, lakes, wildlife, and some seriously great tours — you’ll be constantly on the lookout for wildlife during your visit.

🚗 Need a car while visiting Winnipeg? I recommend comparing rates using Discover Cars. They’ll get you the best vehicle for the season!

Thermea Spa

A relaxing Nordic-style spa

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 855 284 6868 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 10 pm daily

Visiting a spa is a great idea no matter the time of year, but there’s something so cozy and relaxing about visiting one in Winter.

Surrounded by snow-covered fir trees, Thermea Spa is a Scandinavian-style spa that features mineral pools and bathing routines for ultimate detoxification and rejuvenation.

Located in Downtown Winnipeg’s Crescent Drive Park, Thermea is dedicated to providing guests a full wellness experience through massage and thermotherapy.

They have plenty of options depending on what you’re looking for and are even committed to being environmentally friendly and eco-conscious.

📚 Related Reading: The Best Time to Visit Canada [By a Local!]

Festival du Voyageur

An annual winter arts & culture festival

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 237 7692 | Website

A festival that happens in the midst of every chilly February, Festival du Voyageur is Western Canada’s premier winter festival.

Held in Saint Boniface, this festival features concerts, buskers, giant snow carvings, and the most exquisite variety of French Canadian food this side of Quebec.

This annual festival has been happening since 1970 and regularly receives an average of 95 000 attendees from all over the world.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Winnipeg is near some great slopes and cross-country trails

If you’re looking for a great winter destination in which to shred some powder, then you’ve come to the right place.

Of course, you might be thinking “but it’s the prairies, what could it possibly have for ski resorts?”

Well, this may not be the mountains, but if you’re looking for some quality, well-maintained resorts, then there are plenty to choose from:

• Stony Mountain Ski Area –  Located just north of Winnipeg in Stony Mountain, Manitoba, this resort has 10 runs for snowboarders and skiers, features night skiing, and is usually the first park to open in the season.
• Asessippi Ski Resort – While almost a 4-hour drive out of the city, Asessippi is Manitoba’s largest ski resort, and features 25 runs of all levels of difficulty, a tubing park, two freestyle parks, a beautiful resort village, and three chairlifts. This is where I routinely went downhill skiing as a kid – it’s worth a visit!
• Ski Valley – A two and a half-hour drive from Winnipeg (right near the town of Minnedosa), Ski Valley features nine runs of all skill levels.
• Falcon Ridge Ski Hill – For some seriously picture-perfect views, come to Falcon Ridge Ski Hill near Whiteshell Provincial Park in the east of the province. This alpine resort lies just beside Falcon Lake, and features skiing, tubing, music, skating, and more.

What to do in Winnipeg FAQ

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That’s it for our ultimate list of things to do in Winnipeg! For more inspiration to prepare for your trip, check out all our Canada travel guides: Best Winnipeg Hotels, Best Winnipeg Day Trips, Things to Do in Banff, Alberta Road Trip Itinerary.

Enjoy the best things to do in Winnipeg!