Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba

The city of Winnipeg is located south of the Manitoba province and it is one of the largest Canadian cities after Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal.

If you are traveling to Winnipeg Manitoba for the first time, the city is known for friendly locals and weather similar to Chicago (Winnipeg is very windy).

Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba

The city is also known for its affordable living costs, and shopping is one of the most popular things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba, with Polo Park being the shopping Mecca.

Due to Winnipeg’s location near the USA border, the city is an ideal base for exploring Minnesota and fun things to do in North Dakota.

Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba: Outdoor Activities

River Boat Tour

If you are traveling to Winnipeg during the warmer months, taking a river boat tour on one of the city’s paddle-wheel boats is a fun thing to do and a great way to explore a the city’s landmarks.

Ice Skating

If you are traveling to the city in the winter months, ice skating is one of the most popular things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba.

One of the best places to enjoy some winter activities is the Arctic Glacier Winter Park, where you can rent skates and enjoy the park’s skating trails and skating rink.

Another popular place for skating is along the river trail, which connects with the skating trails at The Forks. The trail itself is open between January and February and it is a great way to explore Winnipeg’s outdoors, if you can tolerate the weather.

Skateboarding & BMX

If you are a skateboarding or BMX enthusiast, ‘The Plaza’ is the largest skate park in Canada, and it is great place where you can show-off your skills and watch amazing stunts.

Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba: Places of Interest

The Forks National Historic Site

A visit to The Forks National Historic Site is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba.

The Forks has a historic fur trading heritage that dates back over 5,000 years. Today, the Forks National Historic Site is a great place to enjoy walking tours, fun events and canoeing by the river.

Manitoba Museum & Planetarium

If you are interested in history, the Manitoba Museum, located on Main Street, is an excellent place where you can explore human and natural exhibits.

The museum is also home to planetarium shows where you can learn about the night sky.

Assiniboine Park & Zoo

Assiniboine Park is one of the largest urban parks in Winnipeg Manitoba where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll, recreational activities, and explore a few attractions such as the Winnipeg Railway Museum.

Apart from a miniature railway and a zoo, the park is home to a beautiful English garden and Conservatory, where you can explore hundreds of different flowers and trees.

Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba: Shopping & Dining

The Forks Market is one of the most popular shopping places in Winnipeg Manitoba where you can find local produce, hand-made arts and crafts.

If you are interested in boutique shopping, the Osborne Village is home to charming boutiques, as well as small markets where you can buy things like handmade jewelry and figurines.

For retail shopping and dining, Portage Place and Polo Park shopping malls offer over one hundred department stores and restaurants, and they also feature an Imax theater.

Polo Park is located adjacent Omand Park, and it is just a short drive from the Exchange District.

Portage Place is located adjacent the Newport Center, nearby the University of Winnipeg.

Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba: Nightlife & Entertainment

Nightlife

Winnipeg has a vibrant and buzzing nightlife due in part that the city is home to a couple of universities and many colleges within the city center.

The main hot-spots for nightlife are the Exchange District and Osborne Village, where you can find a variety of bars, clubs and pubs.

Entertainment

If you are interested in a night of performing arts, the Centennial Concert Hall, located at the Manitoba Centennial Center, is a great place to catch the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, as well as nightly opera and ballet performances.

In the summer, Central Park is another popular place where you can catch weekly entertainment, live entertainment and outdoor cinema screenings.

Things to do in Winnipeg Manitoba: Events & Festivals

Canada Day Festival

Canada Day Festival, held in late June in the Osborne Village, is one of the most popular events in Winnipeg Manitoba.

The event is family-orientated and features live entertainment, kid’s activities, and food stalls where you can sample fine cuisine.

Winnipeg International kids’ Festival

If you are traveling with the family in the summer, the Winnipeg International kids’ Festival, held in June, is a popular fun event that features hundreds of performing acts such as string Muppets and comical acts.

The Traveler Festival

The Traveler Festival (Festival du Voyageur), held in February in Saint Boniface, is one of the largest cultural events in Winnipeg Manitoba.

The event spans over ten days and features interactive exhibits and entertainment to showcase the city’s fur trading past and French heritage.

Folklorama Festival

The Folklorama Festival, held in August, is another popular international cultural event that aims to promote Winnipeg’s ethnic heritage and diversity.

The event is held in various pavilions where you have the opportunity to sample different types of cuisine and purchasing interesting souvenirs.

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