Are you thinking of moving to Winnipeg in the not-too-distant future? Our vibrant city is always bustling and alive with things to do and places to go. While Winnipeg is a great tourist destination, it offers plenty of attractions, restaurants, and more to make sure that living here is never boring.
Here are the best things to do and places to go in Winnipeg!
1. NHL games at Bell MTS Place: Go Jets Go!
With a fanbase unlike any other, Jets games are what get us through the winters! With an average attendance of over 15,000, the roar of the crowd is not to be missed. The Jets may have been gone for 15 years, but Winnipeg’s love for them has only grown stronger. Spend an evening at Bell MTS Place — conveniently located downtown — with excellent food, excited fans, and exceptional hockey!
2. Eat!
Plain and simple, if you’re a foodie, Winnipeg has all you can eat and more. We owe our culinary diversity to our multicultural population, which means we get to enjoy food from all around the world. Greek food, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, French-Canadian — you name it, Winnipeg has it, and it’s all delicious!
3. Assiniboine Park and Zoo
The recently updated Assiniboine Park Zoo is one of Manitoba’s best family attractions, year in and year out. With almost 200 animal species, you’ll see something new every time you stop by. The zoo’s signature exhibit, “Journey to Churchill” showcases animals found right here in our home province, offering a look at both the beauty and plight of Manitoba wildlife. The surrounding park is also a favourite spot in the city, with plenty of greenspace, the Lyric Theatre stage, and well-groomed walking trails.
4. The Forks Market
The Forks Market, located where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet (the Forks), offers a wide range of shops and restaurants, with clothing, jewellery, art, and food from around the world. The Common is a particularly popular spot in the Market, with 20 craft beers and 20 wines on tap that make perfect pairings to the delights found in the Forks Market Food Hall. With year-round events and attractions, the Forks is quintessentially “Winnipeg.”
5. Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (located just down the street from the Forks Market) is a national museum dedicated to the exploration of human rights throughout the world, with special attention paid to Canada. The museum was built as a means of promoting respect for others, to encourage reflection, and to open up a dialogue among us all. It features 11 main galleries over five floors, with stunning architectures and incredible Winnipeg vistas from the top of its spire.
6. Move to the music
Winnipeg’s live music scene is legendary in Western Canada, with a plethora of local bands and solo musicians. We have venues all over the city, and a wide variety of music, from funk for the dancers to punk for the thrashers. We also see some of the biggest names in the industry grace the stages of Bell MTS Place, the Burton Cummings Theatre, and the Garrick Centre. If you’re a music lover, then you’ll love it here.
7. Amazing art
The Winnipeg Art Gallery regularly features exhibits from all over the world, showcasing incredible art from a variety of media and artists. We also have the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, offering a more musical way to satisfy your artistic cravings. With dozens more small galleries throughout the city, events, and school art programs, there’s a place in Winnipeg for every artist.
8. Festival du Voyageur
Winnipeg’s most popular winter festival takes place for 10 days every February and highlights Manitoba’s rich French-Canadian heritage. There’s plenty of entertainment, including live music, as well as children’s activities, French-Canadian food, and incredible ice sculptures. It’s the perfect punctuation mark in the middle of a Winnipeg Winter.
9. FortWhyte Alive
FortWhyte Alive is an educational environmental centre in Southwest Winnipeg. The site features 640 acres of prairie, lakes, and forest, as well as wetlands, a bison habitat, nature trails, and plenty of wildlife. There are plenty of opportunities to learn and enjoy nature for both young and old, and plenty of active and passive recreation opportunities, from hiking and canoeing to ice fishing. All that within city limits!
10. Folk Fest
Winnipeg Folk Fest — held in picturesque Birds Hill Park — is one of the biggest events every year, drawing in thousands of campers and concertgoers, as well as some of the biggest names in folk, indie, funk, and rock music. Past headliners include Sam Roberts Band, Elvis Costello, Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle, and Blue Rodeo.
Whether you’re new to the city or have been here for years, there’s always something exciting to do and new traditions to create for yourself. This list only scratches the surface, so come explore Winnipeg for yourself!
If you’d like to come on a house hunting trip, please don’t hesitate to contact Gino at 204-955-5853 or ginocipriano@royallepage.ca.