Canada's coldest city has a lively downtown with the Manitoba Legislative Building and Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It's rich in Indigenous culture and has many parks and the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, sits at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. This Canadian city of nearly 800,000 people is home to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Canadian Museum for Human Rights. You can dine in a pop-up restaurant on the frozen river in winter or attend lively festivals like Folklorama in summer. Winnipeg's restaurants serve local specialties and cuisines from various cultures.
Exploring the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an important part of Winnipeg's cultural landscape. Architect Antoine Predock designed this modern building, which houses exhibits exploring global human rights issues. As you walk through the museum, you'll ascend ramps winding through various galleries, ending at the Israel Asper Tower of Hope with its panoramic city view.
Discovering Inuit Art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery
The Winnipeg Art Gallery holds the world's largest collection of contemporary Inuit art. The gallery's recent expansion, Qaumajuq, dedicates space to Inuit art and culture. In this new wing, you can view thousands of Inuit sculptures in a visible vault.
Experiencing The Forks
The Forks, at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, has been a meeting point for over 6,000 years. Indigenous peoples and later European fur traders congregated here. Today, you'll find a market with local food vendors, shops, and restaurants at The Forks. During winter, you can skate on the frozen rivers or warm up in one of the warming huts designed by international architects.
Exploring Assiniboine Park
Assiniboine Park covers 400 acres. Visit the Assiniboine Park Zoo to see polar bears and other Arctic species in the "Journey to Churchill" exhibit. In the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden within the park, you can view works by the Ukrainian-Canadian artist.
Tasting Winnipeg's Culinary Offerings
Winnipeg's restaurants serve dishes from many cultures, reflecting its population. You can try Ukrainian perogies, Filipino pancit, or the city's signature "fatboy" - a chili cheeseburger topped with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. For locally-sourced ingredients, visit Peasant Cookery in the Exchange District, where you can taste house-made charcuterie and seasonal dishes.
In winter, you can dine on the frozen river at RAW:almond, a pop-up restaurant featuring chefs from across Canada. This experience combines innovative cuisine with Winnipeg's winter landscape.
Navigating Winnipeg
While renting a car can be useful, Winnipeg also offers public transportation. You can use Winnipeg Transit bus routes throughout the city. In summer, take the River Spirit Water Bus along the Red and Assiniboine rivers to key points of interest.
You can walk through Winnipeg's compact downtown core to reach many attractions. During winter, use the indoor Winnipeg Walkway system, which connects buildings over 11 miles, to stay warm while exploring downtown.
