Winnipeg Bucketlist: My 45 Top Suggested Things to Do

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Museums & History | Shopping & Markets | Bars & Nightlife | Entertainment | Festivals | Neighborhoods | Winter Activities

I’m a local here to tell you the very best things to do in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg is a city in Canada 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 fun. Plus, there are some seriously great day trips from the city.

So, whether you’re on a great Canadian adventure or are another local looking for things to do, I’ve put together my ultimate local list of the best things to do in Winnipeg.

Make sure to bookmark my guide to the best areas to stay in Winnipeg, and let’s get started!

Best Things To Do in Winnipeg

The Forks

A historical meeting place with shops, restaurants, and activities.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily

The Forks is so awesome. It not only tops this list of things to do 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. It was a trading place for early indigenous people, followed by the European fur traders, Metis buffalo hunters, and railway pioneers.

Today, the Forks is a year-round community center with one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, performances, and activities. 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.

🛎️ Need a Place to Stay? Be sure to check out my list of the 11 best Winnipeg hotels.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

A Winnipeg museum dedicated to the history and evolution of human rights.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (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.”

I’ve been here a handful of times now, and find something new every time I go.

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 at least 2-3 hours.

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

Royal Canadian Mint

One of two circulation coin mints in Canada.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 267-1871 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat

For a unique activity, 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.

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

Manitoba Legislative Building

Manitoba’s history-rich Parliament building.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (204) 945-5813 | Website | Hours: Tours run every Friday at 11 am and 2 pm

Want to dive a little deeper into Manitoba’s government and political system? Then take a tour through the Manitoba Legislative building! Tours are free and accommodate up to 30 people at a time.

On the tour, you’ll learn about the history of the building and its architecture. You can even watch the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly when it’s in session.

Manitoba Museum

Manitoba’s premier science and natural history museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (204) 988-0576 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily; closed Monday

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

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

Winnipeg Folk Fest

A world-renowned annual summer folk festival.

🌐 Website | Phone: +1 204 231 0096

Taking place every July at Birds Hill Provincial Park, Winnipeg Folk Fest is a fabulous music festival and 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: (204) 786-6641 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun; Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

Located right in downtown Winnipeg off Portage Avenue, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is a must for 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.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet

North America’s oldest continuously operating ballet company.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (204) 956-0183 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Weekdays; 8:30 am – 6 pm Sat; 10:30 am – 3:30 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.

FortWhyte Alive

Winnipeg’s premier environmental & educational recreation center.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (204) 989-8355 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 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 with pools, treatments, saunas, a restaurant, and more.

📍 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 featuring mineral pools and bathing routines for ultimate detoxification and rejuvenation.

Located in Downtown Winnipeg’s Crescent Drive Park, Thermea is dedicated to providing guests with 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!]

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival

An eclectic theater festival is held each July.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (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 activities in Winnipeg.

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

The Leaf

A collection of four nature biomes at Assiniboine Park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Every Day from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, check the website for temporary closures | Admission: Adults $16.50, Seniors $14.30, Students $14.30, Children $9, Children 2 & Under Free

Opened in December 2022, The Leaf is one of Winnipeg’s newest all-ages attractions and is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature all year round.

Located in a spectacularly-designed building in Assiniboine Park, The Leaf is a horticultural center featuring four biomes: the Tropical Biome, the Mediterranean Biome, the Display House, and the Butterfly Garden. 

Outside The Leaf, don’t miss the Gardens at The Leaf, which feature ~30 acres of green space. Then, once you’re done exploring, grab a bite at Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, the onsite restaurant.

Assiniboine Park Zoo

An 80-acre zoo devoted to conservation and research.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily | Admission: Children 2 & under Free, Adults $25.20, Seniors $21.60, Children $14.30, Students $22.05

What do lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) all have in common in Manitoba? Just that you can find all of the above at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, of course (at least I think that’s all they have in common, they could be planning a coup, who knows.)

The park is open year-round and has over 80 acres to explore. There are landscapes and animal-viewing areas, interactive displays, a horse center, a restaurant, gift shops, and children’s areas. Devoted to conservation and research, the zoo is a great place to learn more about the protection of species from around the globe.

Assiniboine Park

An outdoor space packed with activities.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (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)

Bison Safari

The Bison Safari Adventure at FortWhyte Alive Park will have you up close and personal with the largest land mammal species in North America.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 989 8355 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Fri-Mon, 9 am – 8 pm Tue-Thu

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!

Aurora Farm

Do yoga, join a full-moon celebration, or simply just meet cute animals at this farm just south of Winnipeg.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Sat-Sun; Closed Mon-Fri

Aurora Farm is the ultimate place to be for people wanting to get a taste of farm life while in Winnipeg. The farm is located just south of the city and hosts farm tours, workshops, horse classes, baby goat & alpaca yoga, and more!

I personally visited on a Baby Goat & Alpaca Yoga excursion and fell in love with all the animals. They also have a gift shop where they sell body products, consumables, dried herbs, and other fun things.

Museums & History

Manitoba Children’s Museum

A museum for kids with interactive exhibits. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily, Closed December 24 & 25 and 4 days immediately following Labor Day

Looking to entertain some kiddos while in Winnipeg? Then you have to put the Manitoba Children’s Museum on your itinerary! This museum is housed in a train repair facility built in 1889 (it’s the oldest surviving one in Western Canada) and is a place where education meets fun and creativity for growing minds.

The museum features hands-on permanent exhibits including a splash lab, tumble zone, and illusion tunnel, plus temporary specialty ones. Check out the museum’s event schedule for even more fun for the littles. 

Upper Fort Garry

An old trading post that’s now a park with displays and signage.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open 24 hours

Upper Fort Garry is a poignant slice of Western Canadian history located across the street from the Fort Garry Hotel. This site was the 5th European trading post near the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and the place where Manitoba was deemed a Canadian province.

While much of the fort was dismantled, the north gate (pictured above) still stands. You’ll also find interpretive signs and a 440-foot-long steel wall with engraved historical symbols, over 7000 LED lights, and sounds.

Winnipeg Ghost Walk

A series of historical walks detailing the more macabre side of Winnipeg’s past.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Select times in October

Did you know that the basement of a local poutinerie was once a jail? Or that a park that now hosts concerts and events was once the site of a gallows? I didn’t either, until I took the Winnipeg Ghost Walk, that is.

These spooky, yet incredibly informative, 1.5-hour walking tours highlight some of Winnipeg’s most grisly and somber history. Granted, these experiences are not for the faint of heart or easily frightened, but if you’re up for walking around Winnipeg after dark and getting dazzled by the macabre, then this is for you.

As of 2024, there are three options to choose from that only run in the fall: the Exchange District Ghost Walk (the one I took), the Spirits of Seven Oaks Haunted Walking Tour, and the Broadway Ghost Walk.

Riel House National Historic Site

A place to learn about the life and circumstances of Louis Riel, an important historical figure in Manitoba.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (Check website for closures)

As the founder of Manitoba, Louis Riel is a central figure in Manitoban – and Canadian – history. It’s at the Riel House National Historic Site in Winnipeg that you can get the cliff’s notes on how Riel fought for and defended the Metis people.

When you visit the Riel House, you’ll learn all about Louis Riel’s life, political career, and activism efforts to defend the Metis. There is also a lot to be learned here for people of all ages about the daily life of the Metis and the Red River Settlement. There’s interpretive programming, family-friendly games, plus signage if you want to take a self-guided tour. 

Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site

A historical fort with demonstrations, interactive activities, and a full calendar of events. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 4:30 pm; check website for closures

Located on the Red River just 30 minutes north of Winnipeg, Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site was created in 1830 by the Hudson’s Bay Company after a flood destroyed the original site. The main purpose of the fort was to provide supplies for the local populations, although it also acted as a fur trading post.

Featuring mostly summertime programming, although open year-round, this is an awesome place to learn about the history of Manitoba and the Lower Fort Garry site as a whole. 

There are historical demonstrations and interactive activities (led by people in costumes, no less), workshops for all ages, and a full calendar of events. There is also a gift shop and restaurant. 

Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada

An aviation museum with exhibits and displays for all ages.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily, check website for closures | Admission: Adults $16, Seniors $13, Students $13, Youth $9.50, Children 2 & Under Free

Love planes and history? Then this one’s for you. With 86,000 square feet of space, more than 20 aircraft, 14 galleries, and an observation lounge, the Royal Aviation Museum of Canada is the de facto hub for all things aviation in Winnipeg. 

Plus, it’s great for the whole family. Adults will love the science, displays, and historical attributes, while kids will enjoy the grandeur and the interactive play zone. Everyone will love the snack bar.

Shopping & Markets

Pineridge Hollow

An aesthetically pleasing property with restaurants, shops, and activities.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Thu; 9 am – 9 pm Fri-Sun

Roughly a 30-minute drive from Winnipeg, Pineridge Hollow makes for the cutest afternoon city escape. The property features 9 locally-owned stores offering clothing, furniture, home decor, and wellness supplies. It also has walking trails, forest rooms, geodesic domes, workshops, fitness classes, a greenhouse, and a petting zoo.

And I haven’t even mentioned the food. Not only is there the fantastic Pineridge Hollow Restaurant with farm-to-table fare, but the little village also features bakeries, coffee shops, a grocery store, and more. 

👉 Pro Tip: I highly recommend making a reservation at the Pineridge Hollow Restaurant. It’s been absolutely packed every time I’ve gone!

McNally Robinson Booksellers

A lauded bookstore chain founded in Winnipeg.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (204) 475-0483 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm Mon, 10 am – 9 pm Tue-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.

CF Polo Park

Winnipeg’s largest mall with 190 stores, 3 restaurants, a movie theater, and a food court.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Mon-Fri; 10 am – 7 pm Sat; 11 am – 6 pm Sun

Polo Park is the largest shopping mall in Winnipeg and is located near the intersection of Portage Avenue and St. James Street. At 1,202,000 square feet, the mall is home to 190 stores, 3 restaurants, a multiplex movie theater, and a food court.

But the shopping fun doesn’t stop in the mall itself. This area is home to endless large box stores, chain restaurants, and activities. If a day of splurging is calling your name, then head on over to Polo Park.

Bars & Nightlife

Craft Breweries

Winnipeg’s craft beer scene has boomed in recent years.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 204 666 7824 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm Tue-Thu, 12 pm – 12 am Fri-Sat, 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 (ahem, my favorite) breweries in Winnipeg are Nonsuch Brewing Co., Barn Hammer Brewing, Brazen Hall Kitchen & Brewery, Kilter Brewing Company, Little Brown Jug Brewing Company, One Great City Brewing Co., and Good Neighbour Brewing Co.

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

The Sunset Terrace Eat + Drink

The Fort Garry Hotel’s seasonal patio with live music, shareable eats, and specially curated cocktails.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Seasonal, Tuesday – Saturday 4 pm – 10 pm 

The Sunset Terrace at the Fort Garry Hotel is where cocktail bombs, live jazz, and shareable plates come to thrive in the Winnipeg summer sun. The ambiance is elegant and the charcuteries are to die for. 

The Sunset Terrace is only open from roughly June through September so I recommend making a reservation – especially if you visit on the weekend and plan it around a live music performance. It’s a whole vibe.

Forks Common

Two floors of seating plus an outdoor patio with an excellent selection of beer and wine.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 10 pm Mon-Thu, Sun; 11 am – 11 pm Fri-Sat

The Forks Common is a great way to experience the Forks, the Forks Market Food Hall, and an excellent selection of Winnipeg’s finest hops and wine pairings all in one fell swoop.

There are currently 20 rotating beer taps on the menu, all chosen by Advanced Cicerone Lauren Richard, who specializes in beer and food pairing. Of course, if vino is more to your taste, then you’ll also enjoy the wine list. It was curated by Master of Wine Rhys Pender.

Overall, the Forks Common has two entire floors of seating, along with 450 summer outdoor spots with views of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

The Beer Can

A summertime family-friendly beer garden with local brews on tap.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Seasonal

Come summertime, The Beer Can is my favorite place to hang out in the city. The venue has long communal tables, shareable food, bands and DJs, and tons of local beers.

They also have beer-related active events here, such as a Run Club and Yoga. It’s only open from Spring til Fall though, so it’s perfect if you’re visiting Winnipeg in the summer.

Club 200

A gay bar on Garry Street with a dance floor and full-service restaurant.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 4 pm – 2 am Thursday – Saturday, 4 pm – 12 am Sunday – Wednesday

Want to dance the night away in Winnipeg’s premier gay bar & nightclub? Club 200 is the spot. Here you’ll find drag shows, karaoke, and even go-go dancers. But even if you just want to hit the dancefloor, this place always delivers.

Times Changed High & Lonesome Club

A live music venue and honky tonk with a seasonal patio extension called Blue Note Park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open for shows, check their website for details

Times Changed High & Lonesome Club is an icon not only in Winnipeg’s live music scene but in Canada as a whole. This honky tonk is a hub for roots and blues music, although you’ll find everything from alternative to twang and beyond.

In the summer, head just down the street to Blue Note Park, an outdoor extension of the High & Lonesome Club. Outfitted with a stage, picnic tables, and a bar, this rowdy little parking lot is the perfect place to cut a rug on a warm Winnipeg summer night.

King’s Head Pub

A pub in the Exchange District offers a full bar and menu plus karaoke, dancing, and live music.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 11 am – 2 am Mon-Sat; 12 pm – 2 am Sun

With a full bar and a great local beer selection, The King’s Head Pub in the Exchange District is a great place to relax and have a libation. Their food, while delicious, is pretty standard pub fare, although they do step it up a notch by offering specialties like Guinness Battered Fish & Chips.

If you’re up for a night out, then come to the King’s Head when they have an event on the calendar. You’ll often find Karaoke Mondays, dance parties, and live bands on the roster.

Toad In the Hole

A pub in Osborne Village featuring an extensive whisky collection, pool tables, and live music.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 3 pm – 2 am Mon, Thu, Sun; 5 pm – 1 am Tue; 3 pm – 1 am Wed; 12 pm – 2 am Fri-Sat

The Toad In The Hole is to Osborne Village what the King’s Head is to the Exchange District – a quintessential Winnipeg establishment with craft beers, pool tables, and live music on the regular. 

I admit, the Toad is my most-frequented Winnipeg pub – you just might spot me there with a Whisky Sour in hand on a cold winter’s eve. 

Entertainment

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!

Gas Station Arts Centre

A 232-seat performance venue in Osborne Village.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Subject to event schedule

Looking to discover some of Winnipeg’s finest performers? Then check out the event calendar at Gas Station Arts Centre. This performance venue located in the heart of Osborne Village positions itself as a place for artists of all mediums and career stages. Whether it’s a band, comedy act, or theater performance, there’s usually something for everyone here.

Oh, and don’t miss their summertime patio music series – you’ll often find DJs booked in and craft beers on offer!

Dave Barber Cinematheque

An 85-seat cinema featuring an eclectic variety of world cinema, Winnipeg filmmakers, and cult classics.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Subject to screening times

You probably won’t find the latest blockbuster showing at the Dave Barber Cinemateque, but you will find thought-provoking independent films, intriguing panel discussions and Q&As, cultural events, and cult classics.

I’ve seen many great films at this theater, but I have to especially recommend the Trash Cult Tuesdays series for those who love a taste of the truly weird and wonderful.

Winnipeg Pro Wrestling

Treat yourself to a rowdy night of gymnastic-style body slams, over-the-top theatrics, and raucous crowds.

🌐 Website

A Winnipeg Pro Wrestling performance is one of the most gaudy and energetic ways to spend an evening in the city. I mean, watching grown humans pick out skin-tight outfits, develop intriguing storylines, and then mock-combat each other in a ring while beer-slugging crowds cheer in the stands is just as delightful as you think it is.

I’ve been a few times now and Winnipeg audiences eat it up – the events are packed with rambunctious (yet always mostly polite) fans. Pro Wrestlers on the circuit have performances in Winnipeg venues ranging from the West End Cultural Centre to the Burton Cummings Theatre and Blue Note Park.

Festivals

Winnipeg Improv Festival

Annual festival celebrating local & international improv.

📍 Google Maps | Website

I may be a bit biased as I have performed in and volunteered for the Winnipeg Improv Festival, but it’s one of my absolute favorite events in Winnipeg. Every October, the festival books out the Gas Station Arts Centre and showcases local improvisers and guest troupes.

If you like comedy with a twist, I highly recommend it.

Manito Ahbee Festival

Celebrating Indigenous arts and culture in Winnipeg

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (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.

Festival du Voyageur

An annual winter arts & culture festival.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (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 on 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.

Neighborhoods

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, and 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 with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars.

📍 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. I lived in Osborne Village for two years, and I can honestly say it’s the best place to be if you’re into a more alternative scene.

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 show at Gas Station Arts Center (or the other way around)!

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.

Winter Activities

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!

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.

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That’s it for our ultimate list of Winnipeg attractions and activities! 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.