Winnipeg is a city in the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is a major Canadian centre on the Prairies. About 633,000 people live in the city proper, with about 695,000 in the entire metropolitan area. "The Peg" is a city as diverse in and of itself as the whole of Canada. It is the capital and largest city in Manitoba.
It is a fairly well rounded city and has a stable economy. It is a destination that should definitely be looked at for people who really like: architecture, rivers, history, french, money (mint), urban planning, arts, and museums. Aside from that, it truly has something for everyone-from boutiques to cheap value stores, Winnipeg has a great retail market, where a lot of new concepts are tried.
Winnipeg started out as a fur trading post located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, and was a crossroads for many early settlers. Many trails converged on the city and later became streets (which is evident when you see the city's somewhat haphazard road layout). After the construction of the CP railway across Canada, Winnipeg became a major transportation hub and "Gateway to the West." The city experienced a boom during the early 20th century, and for while was western Canada's major economic centre. Fortunately for the visitor, the economy slowed around the middle of the century, leaving intact a remarkable collection of period architecture, primarily in the city's downtown Exchange district.
The Red and Assiniboine rivers form Winnipeg's most prominent geographical features, and have played an important role in this city's development. "The Forks," where the Assiniboine flows into the Red, has been a meeting place since Aboriginal peoples first came there to trade. Today, it's the city's top tourist destination, with shops and restaurants representing the city's many ethnic groups, and a well-maintained expanse of riverside park.
Winnipeg is off the tourist trail for most visitors to Canada, and the visitor will experience an authentic and friendly Canadian Prairie City which leaves many pleasantly surprised.
PLACE TO VISIT
Statue Look, Portage Ave. between Spence and Westbrook. This area is full of all kinds of neat statues, artwork and designs that are eye catching and some, odd. Look at a giant bulldog, a weird fat man sitting, abstract rectangular prisms, historic figures, and more.
The Forks A tourist attraction on the Red River. The Forks Market offers fresh and speciality foods plus more than 50 unique shops - housed in an eclectic and historic building that was originally a horse stable. The market has an excellent food court with various ethnic food options including favourites 'Taste of Sri Lanka' and 'Bindy's Caribbean Delights'. Head to the hayloft for handicrafts and one-of-a-kind items from clothing and artisan-inspired gifts to jewellery, toys and much more. In the winter you can rent ice skates and go skating down the Red River. In the summer, there are special events and outdoor entertainment almost daily, not to mention some fantastic patios and outdoor bars.
The Royal Canadian Mint The Royal Canadian Mint’s facility in Winnipeg, designed by local architect Etienne Gaboury, produces billions of coins each year. This is where ALL our Canadian circulation coins are made, as well as those for 60+ governments all around the world. A fascinating guided tour includes the viewing of a 5-minute video in the theatre area followed by a 40-minute walking tour overlooking the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility where the precise art, craft, and science of coin-making is revealed. Open year-round, the on-site Boutique offers beautiful collector coins, an exclusive line of Royal Canadian Mint clothing, and an exciting collection of souvenirs and gift ideas. The adjacent interactive coin museum involves the visitor in unique learning activities including the ability to make your own souvenir coin and the opportunity to lift and hold a 99.99% pure gold bar worth over $200,000.
The Exchange District National Historic Site - The heart of historic downtown Winnipeg is the Exchange District National Historic Site, an area of 20 blocks and more than 150 turn of the century buildings from Winnipeg's boom period. This National Historic Site is Winnipeg's cultural epicentre - home to many art galleries, art-house theatres and other cultural institutions, but the architecture and broad wealth of distinct retail and dining amenities have made it a premiere attraction for visitors to the city. Old Market Square is home to many of the city's premiere arts and cultural festivals, and the Historic Walking Tour Program is a must-do for any visitor to Winnipeg.
The Aboriginal Centre Located in the historic CP Rail Station, the Centre is a gathering place and vital central resource for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community. Visitors will enjoy seeing the Rotunda area, complete with the original doorways through which many travellers passed, restored to its former grandeur. The Aboriginal Centre Restaurant provides tour groups and the casual lunch crowd, the opportunity to experience traditional Aboriginal cuisine. The Aboriginal culture is featured in various art forms at Canadian Plains Gallery. Scheduled summer tours operate from May long weekend to Labour Day weekend.
Manitoba Legislative Building. Visit Manitoba’s beloved "Golden Boy", who is perched atop the Provincial Legislative building. The Golden Boy, a magnificently gilded 5.25M (17.2-foot) figure sculpted by Charles Gardet of Paris and cast in 1918 at the Barbidienne foundry in France, is probably Manitoba's best known symbol. Embodying the spirit of enterprise and eternal youth, he is poised atop the dome of the building. He faces the north, with its mineral resources, fish, forest, furs, hydroelectric power and seaport, where his province's future lies. The foundry was partially destroyed by bombs during the First World War, but the Golden Boy emerged unharmed. Go inside the building to see the exquisite grand staircase and rotunda.
St. Boniface. The city's French quarter boasts a wide variety of activities, shops and over a dozen restaurants guaranteed to satisfy your palate. Swing and dance at the winter festival Le Festival du Voyageur that runs for approximately a week every February, savour a home-cooked meal, visit exhibitions, take part in guided tours and view over 35 designated historical sites.
St. Boniface Cathedral. The original cathedral, built in 1908, was destroyed by fire in 1968. The remaining walls were incorporated into the design of the new church, creating a dramatic facade facing west across the Red River towards downtown Winnipeg. The cathedral is a beautiful testament to Winnipeg's history. There are also theatrical productions performed in the adjacent cemetery. Hear stories from the French, Métis and Manitoba History while visiting gravesites of fascinating historical characters including Louis Riel, founder of our province.
Osborne Village. This is arguably the city's main cultural centre, catering mainly to twenty-somethings. Still, the area has a good mix of businesses that cater to all ages. "The village", as it is known, runs along Osborne Street from Roslyn Road, right up to the intersections of Pembina, Osborne, and Corydon. The street is lined with boutique fashion stores catering to all walks of life (from Goth to Hipster to Earthy and back), excellent restaurants, nightspots, and arguably one of the city's better record stores, Music Trader.
Manitoba Museum. The Manitoba Museum is the recipient of the Michelin Green Guide’s top award – designated ‘Worth the Trip’, the Province of Manitoba’s Tourism Service Excellence Award, the Attractions Canada Prix Award (provincial) for indoor attractions and the Canadian Tourism Commission’s ‘Win with Winter in Canada’ award. The museum is the province’s largest attraction hosting more than 300,000 visitors annually. You can explore a vivid portrayal of Manitoba’s rich and colourful history through nine galleries that total approximately 68,000 square feet of exciting exploration (approximately 4 football fields). All regions of Manitoba are represented in the galleries, including the Grasslands, the Boreal Forest, the Arctic/Sub arctic.
Manitoba Children's Museum The Manitoba Children’s Museum is home to several hands-on galleries, offering plenty of family fun. Be a TV anchor, visit the land of fairy tales or climb aboard a fully refurbished locomotive and passenger train car. In November and December, you can take a magical stroll through the Santa Village and perhaps even meet the man in the red suit himself.
Assiniboine Park. If you are looking for a great summer outing at the park with a frisbee, this is the place to go. There is a zoo and all of its amenities on site for those wanting an attraction. Explore over 378 acres (153 hectares) along the Assiniboine River. The Zoo, Conservatory, English Garden, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, Tudor-style pavilion, and a fine example of a French formal garden are a few of the features found in the park. Picnic areas and cycling and walking trails are popular with visitors. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing, tobogganing and skating on the Duck Pond. All public areas are wheelchair accessible. Main Entrance is on Corydon Avenue one mile west of Kenaston Boulevard.
Assiniboine Park Conservatory. View 10 different displays a year in the Floral Display Gallery, including Orchid and Bonsai shows and a special Holiday Lights Display over the Christmas season. Dating from 1914, the Palm House exhibits a tropical jungle with visitors walking under a canopy of mature tropical trees to admire orchids selected from the Conservatory’s extensive collection. The Gift Shop offers unique gifts for the gardener in everyone. The Garden Restaurant serves light meals and refreshments in a garden atmosphere.
St. Vital Park. Situated on the Red River, this park is the perfect place for family get-togethers and recreational sports. In winter, the duck pond becomes a skating rink. Located on River Road, north of Bishop Grandin Boulevard.
Kildonan Park. North on Main, this park is a favourite, especially Sunday night "Cruise Nights". You will find many interesting new and vintage cars cruising through the park and meeting up with friends. Kildonan Park is also home to the Rainbow Stage theatre, which is an open-aired theatre located in the centre of the park. Rainbow Stage company puts on a professional musical every summer, usually running from the end of July until the end of August. As most parks, they also have BBQ/Picnic designated areas, a pool, play structures, and some interesting landscaping.
WHAT TO DO
Royal Winnipeg Ballet The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is known worldwide for its technical excellence and its eclectic repertoire. Strongly rooted in classical ballet, the RWB’s repertoire is diverse, ranging from the classics to innovative contemporary ballet. The box office is located at 380 Graham Avenue at Edmonton. Performances at the Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street. For information, call (204) 956-0183 Box Office (204) 956-2792 or 1-800-667-4792.
Manitoba Theatre Centre Discover Canada’s flagship regional theatre producing 10 exciting productions in two state-of-the-art venues: the Mainstage and the Warehouse along with a Master Playwright Festival and the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. Located at 174 Market Avenue (Mainstage) and 140 Rupert Avenue (Warehouse) Season runs October to May For information, call (204) 942-6537 or 1-877-466-4500 (toll-free).
Folklorama is the largest and longest running multicultural event of its kind in the world. Cultural pavilions are spread out at various locations throughout the city for two weeks in August, with a wonderful variety of music, dancing, and food showcasing the city's amazing ethnic diversity.
Red River Exhibition runs from late June to early July in Exhibition Park, near the Assiniboia Downs Racetrack at the southern end of the city.
Le Festival du Voyageur is western Canada's largest winter festival. For 10 days in February, this fur-trade-themed celebration lights up Saint Boniface, Winnipeg's French Quarter.
HOW TO REACH
By Plane - The Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is the major airport serving the city. It is conveniently located in the west end of the city about 4.4 miles (7 km) from Portage and Main. Major airlines servicing Winnipeg include Air Canada, WestJet, Northwest Airlines, and United Airlines as well as many smaller regional carriers. There are daily non-stop flights to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Hamilton, London (Ontario), Thunder Bay, Regina, Saskatoon, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, numerous smaller destinations in Manitoba, Northern Ontario, and Nunavut, as well as non-stop charter and seasonal service to Detroit, Florida, Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
By bus - Greyhound Canada and Grey Goose provide service to downtown Winnipeg from across the continent; routes also extend throughout the province of Manitoba. The bus depot is located at the corner of Portage Avenue and Colony Street, in the downtown area, one block from The Bay department store. The bus depot has improved security and friendly manitobans.
By train - Via Rail offers The Canadian to Vancouver (via Edmonton and Jasper) or Toronto, which departs from Union Station. Trains to Toronto depart on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; Trains to Vancouver depart Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Winnipeg is also the origin of The Hudson Bay, which departs three times weekly with service to Churchill on Hudson Bay via The Pas and Thompson. Union Station is located at the corner of Main Street and Broadway, within easy walking distance of The Forks. It was designed by the same architects behind Grand Central Station in New York, and is a stately piece of architecture. The station itself is a tourist highlight and houses a railway museum in the summer months. Beware, trains are often extremely late.
By car - Winnipeg is located on the Trans-Canada Highway. From the south, take US Interstate 29, which then becomes provincial highway 75. Winnipeg is an hour from the Canada-US border and two and one half hours from Grand Forks, ND. From the west, the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) leads directly to Winnipeg from Regina. Winnipeg is 3 hours and 20 minutes from the MB-Sask border. From the east, Ontario Highway 17 becomes Highway 1 at the Manitoba border (at which time it becomes a 4-lane divided highway). The journey from the Ontario border to Winnipeg is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Driving times from nearby cities to Winnipeg are about 9 hours from Saskatoon, 6.5 hours from Regina, 8.5 hours from Thunder Bay, 3.5 hours from Fargo, 6 hours from Bismarck and 7 hours from Sioux Falls or Minneapolis. It is 16 hours from Edmonton and 12 from Calgary.
