Introduction
Winnipeg is not a well known tourism destination. And if it is, many refrain from participating in the frigid prairie winters. Although being in the heart of Canada in December does not feel as intriguing, Winnipeg holds many creative attractions that combine both authentic Canadian styles as well as a large multi-cultural community that contain plenty of outdoor and indoor activities that can be family oriented, and child approved.
- The Forks Market
One of Winnipeg’s #1 tourist attraction is at The Forks. There is plenty of Canadian history associated with Winnipeg. The Forks has been a meeting place for over 6,000 years and dates way back into Manitoba’s deep rooted history. The Forks is a historical landmark located steps away from where Thomas Scott would be executed by Louis Riel back in April of 1870, which ultimately went on to shape the Manitoba Metis Federation into what the province of Mantioba is today.
This building holds an innovative spin of an outdoor market that’s actually indoors. It has plenty of culinary options for dine-in, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There are many multicultural food choices like Habenero Sombrero, The Original Pancake House, and The Common. It also has a wonderful variety of cute shops like Forks Trading Company and dconstruct Jewelery.
As for outdoor activities, The Forks has a World famous skating trail that gives you some amazing options when experiencing the beautiful scenery of downtown Winnipeg, all while skating alongside friends or family on the Red River. The Forks has a skate rental inside the market area called Iceland Skate Rentals. The rates for skate rentals are extremely wallet-friendly ranging anywhere from $4-$6 dollars per hour for children, adults, and seniors. Personally, I prefer to go and play a nice game of pick-up hockey with friends and maybe have a couple beers at the outdoor skating bar along the Red River skating trail.
2. Go to a Winnipeg Jets Game
Going to an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg is can’t miss entertainment! Having lost the hockey franchise for nearly 20 years left many fans devastated and in disbelief. But since returning, the Canada Life Centre has turned itself into the home of one of the most exciting fan-bases in hockey, the arena is nearly at full capacity (15,001 fans) every game of the season supplying you with one of the best sporting atmospheres money can buy you. Tickets can vary anywhere from $65 to $400 depending on how close to ice level you’d like to be. If you can manage to get to Winnipeg during a Jets playoff run, it’s arguably the most exciting time of the year for the city.
They shut down the two main streets of Winnipeg to host fan’s outside of the arena. On average the numbers are nearly double the amount of people that there is inside watching the game in the arena. The city sets up a huge screen that gives people the ability to gather in True North Square to watch the game outside. You don’t even have to be a Jets fan to be able to have fun at these events, the atmosphere is amazing!
Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party Time Lapse – YouTube
- Visit the Canadian Human Rights Museum
Learn the importance of rights at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. This is a world-class museum with a magnificent structure on the outside that offers the nicest view of the city from the top, as well as an experience that provides you with a breathtaking educational experience while you encounter many moving stories and captivating exhibitions. Admission costs roughly $8 to $18 for youth and adults. The museum is also right next to The Fork, so if you wanted to try to plan a big day of activities – both are very manageable to do in 1 day!
- Go to the Festival Du Voyageur
The Festival Du Voyageur is a 10 day celebration of Winnipeg’s historical fur-trading past that blends francophone culture into some day-time and night-time crafts, food, entertainment, and musical events with the French-Canadian community.
Some of the can’t miss dining from Festival Du Voyageur are; tourtiere meat pies, fresh bannock, pea soup and plenty of French-Canadian delicacies like maple syrup snow taffy! (pictured below)
- Visit the Polar Bears at the Assiniboine Park Zoo
Since it’s opening in 2014, the new Journey to Churchill exhibit at Assiniboine Park Zoo features an inside and outside polar bear exhibit where you can view the polar bears and sea lions swimming above you in the aqua tunnel, as well as experience them roaming around in their nearly 10 acre polar-complex. It is a can’t miss stop experience, but bring a jacket as it’s extremely cold at times!
Photo Sources; All personal except
On-Land Skating Trails Open at The Forks | ChrisD.ca
Free Admission to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights | Arrowhead RV Park
Festival du Voyageur | Travel Top 6™
