Winnipeg travel guide
Winnipeg Tourism | Winnipeg Guide
You're Going to Love Winnipeg
As the capital of the province of Manitoba, Winnipeg is a regional business and arts center. During the day you can stroll historic neighborhoods or take in a gallery show, and at night enjoy a bursting dining and nightlife scene.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Winnipeg
1. Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
From ballet performances to comedy clubs, live music venues, modern dance, theater, art galleries, and a constant stream of arts festivals throughout the year - including an internationally recognized fringe theater festival - there is something to do every night of the week in Winnipeg.
2. Impressive Museums
The city is home to a number of intriguing museums, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Manitoba Museum, with its striking collection of natural and human history exhibits, among many others.
3. Superb Dining
Winnipeg's dining scene is busy and diverse at every level, from fine dining to cheap eats, including a wide range of specialties such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Italian, along with American/Canadian cuisine and European favorites.
4. Busy Nightlife
From stylish cocktail lounges to sweaty dance clubs and beer halls, there is a wealth of options when it comes to living life on the town.
5. Outdoor Fun
Enjoy fishing, canoeing, boating, hiking, cycling, and much more without leaving city limits at the FortWhyte Alive Outdoor Adventure center. There are also many other parks and outdoor sports available just outside Winnipeg.
What to do in Winnipeg
1. Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Free Your Mind
A family-friendly institution, which features eleven spectacular galleries, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a national museum in Manitoba near The Forks, highlights the understanding and promotion of human rights in Canada and throughout the world. The Museum for Human Rights is the world's first museum dedicated to the mission of human rights, encouraging respect for and dialogue with others by curating a tour through history. The building itself is a modern masterpiece designed by Antoine Predock, an architect hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico. With interactive tours and eye-opening programs, this educational museum is as essential as it is exciting.
2. Assiniboine Park Zoo: A World of Animals
Visited by millions of people year-round, Assiniboine Park Zoo is a place where nature reigns supreme. With more than 80 acres of wildlife reserves and 200 wide-ranging animal species from around the world, including 77 diverse mammals, 151 colorful birds and 14 eye-catching reptiles, the park is a favorite among families looking to experience the magnificence of the animal kingdom. The zoo also features polar bears, as well as endangered species such as the Siberian tiger and the golden eagle.
3. Forks National Historic Site: The Origins of Man
Travel back 6,000 years in time at the Forks National Historic Site, which showcases the history of man at the spot where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet. Sprawled over 14 lush acres of river lands, this site features breathtaking exhibits, sculptural masterpieces, year-round hiking trails, a canoe dock, and live events at the riverside amphitheater, which pay tribute to early Aborigines, European fur traders, and Métis buffalo hunters, as well as thousands of international immigrant populations.
4. Winnipeg Art Gallery: Art for the Ages
In the heart of downtown, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is a modernist gem designed by Gustavo da Roza, a Canadian architect, and displays nearly 24,000 masterworks, including an exclusive collection of Manitoban and Canadian art. Ranging from ancient Greek sculpture to select contemporary pieces, the gallery is a treasure trove of historical, decorative, and photographic art. Among the distinguished featured artists, visitors will find Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, and Rodin.
5. Royal Canadian Mint: Precious Metals
Producing all of Canada's precious and base coin collections, including gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion pieces, The Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg, a must-see for coin collectors. It has been open since 1976, manufacturing currency for Canada and more than 70 other countries, including Cuba, Norway, Yemen, Colombia, Iceland, Uganda and New Zealand. Take part in the 45-minute tour, which will guide you through the precise art and science of coin production.
1. Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Free Your Mind
A family-friendly institution, which features eleven spectacular galleries, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a national museum in Manitoba near The Forks, highlights the understanding and promotion of human rights in Canada and throughout the world. The Museum for Human Rights is the world's first museum dedicated to the mission of human rights, encouraging respect for and dialogue with others by curating a tour through history. The building itself is a modern masterpiece designed by Antoine Predock, an architect hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico. With interactive tours and eye-opening programs, this educational museum is as essential as it is exciting.
2. Assiniboine Park Zoo: A World of Animals
Visited by millions of people year-round, Assiniboine Park Zoo is a place where nature reigns supreme. With more than 80 acres of wildlife reserves and 200 wide-ranging animal species from around the world, including 77 diverse mammals, 151 colorful birds and 14 eye-catching reptiles, the park is a favorite among families looking to experience the magnificence of the animal kingdom. The zoo also features polar bears, as well as endangered species such as the Siberian tiger and the golden eagle.
3. Forks National Historic Site: The Origins of Man
Travel back 6,000 years in time at the Forks National Historic Site, which showcases the history of man at the spot where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet. Sprawled over 14 lush acres of river lands, this site features breathtaking exhibits, sculptural masterpieces, year-round hiking trails, a canoe dock, and live events at the riverside amphitheater, which pay tribute to early Aborigines, European fur traders, and Métis buffalo hunters, as well as thousands of international immigrant populations.
4. Winnipeg Art Gallery: Art for the Ages
In the heart of downtown, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is a modernist gem designed by Gustavo da Roza, a Canadian architect, and displays nearly 24,000 masterworks, including an exclusive collection of Manitoban and Canadian art. Ranging from ancient Greek sculpture to select contemporary pieces, the gallery is a treasure trove of historical, decorative, and photographic art. Among the distinguished featured artists, visitors will find Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, and Rodin.
5. Royal Canadian Mint: Precious Metals
Producing all of Canada's precious and base coin collections, including gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion pieces, The Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg, a must-see for coin collectors. It has been open since 1976, manufacturing currency for Canada and more than 70 other countries, including Cuba, Norway, Yemen, Colombia, Iceland, Uganda and New Zealand. Take part in the 45-minute tour, which will guide you through the precise art and science of coin production.
1. Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Free Your Mind
A family-friendly institution, which features eleven spectacular galleries, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a national museum in Manitoba near The Forks, highlights the understanding and promotion of human rights in Canada and throughout the world. The Museum for Human Rights is the world's first museum dedicated to the mission of human rights, encouraging respect for and dialogue with others by curating a tour through history. The building itself is a modern masterpiece designed by Antoine Predock, an architect hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico. With interactive tours and eye-opening programs, this educational museum is as essential as it is exciting.
Where to Eat in Winnipeg
Enjoy innovative fusion cuisine at Deer + Almond, where the menu changes constantly, and main dishes start at C$12. For a satisfying lunch as you explore downtown, try the hand-cut meat sandwiches at King + Bannatyne, starting at C$9.
When to visit Winnipeg
With its cold winters, most visitors from outside the region come to the city during the warmer months from May through September, when temperatures average between 65 and 80 degrees. The city also hosts many festivals and events during the summer months.
How to Get to Winnipeg
Plane
The Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) is located about 4.5 miles from the city center. City bus routes 15 and 20 connect to the downtown area, with fares at C$2.45.
Train
VIA Rail service connects the city as part of the Canadian route from Vancouver to Toronto, and the Winnipeg-Churchill route that runs north to Churchill.
Car
The city is connected to the Trans-Canada Highway, with connections through the country, but you should note that the distances between metropolitan centers can be long.
Bus
Greyhound Canada and Grey Goose bus companies provide intercity service to Winnipeg from throughout the continent.
Airports near Winnipeg
Airlines serving Winnipeg
Where to stay in Winnipeg
Downtown - centered around the intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street, this is the economic and business heart of the city, where you'll find attractions such as the Manitoba Museum and the Planetarium.
Popular Neighborhoods in Winnipeg
Exchange District - covering a 30-block area, this historic district is named after the grain exchange that operated here in the late 19th century. It's now occupied by trendy renovated shops, nightclubs, and restaurants.
The Forks - located at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, this historic area is where you will find the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, along with the Forks Market, an indoor market lined with specialty shops and foods for sale.
Where to stay in popular areas of Winnipeg
Most booked hotels in Winnipeg
How to Get Around Winnipeg
Public Transportation
Bus service is provided throughout the city by Winnipeg Transit, including rapid transit service on several routes. Fares start at C$2.70, with Monday to Sunday weekly passes available for C$23.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful in the downtown areas, particularly around entertainment venues. Fares start at C$3.50, rising by C$1.55 for each 0.60 miles.
Car
Driving is feasible within the city and there are a number of municipal parking lots available in the downtown area. A compact rental starts at C$20 per day.
The Cost of Living in Winnipeg
Shopping Streets
The Exchange District is full of shops and boutiques, with another scene of high-end shopping along Academy Road. For shopping malls, look to Portage Avenue in the downtown area.
Groceries and Other
Safeway and Lucky are two of the largest supermarket chains in Winnipeg. A quart of milk costs about C$1.60 and a dozen eggs C$3.50.