essentials
THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM ASSOCIATION OF ST . JAMES-ASSINIBOIA This authentic Red River log house built in 1856 is filled with treasures and period pieces from the 1800s . Open daily 10 am-4 pm . Free admission . 3180 Portage Ave , 204-888-8706 , Map 2 : D-1
GABRIELLE ROY HOUSE Tour the family home of famed Francophone author Gabrielle Roy and see the rooms and views made famous through her writing . Wed-Sat 1pm-4pm , Sun-Tue closed . Adults $ 8 , seniors / students / youth $ 5 . 375 rue Deschambault , 204-231-3853 , Map 1 : P-7
ROYAL AVIATION MUSEUM OF WESTERN CANADA Commemorative exhibits showcasing vintage aircraft , artifacts and the history behind Canada ’ s legendary aviators . Mon-Fri 9:30 am-4:30 pm , Sat 10 am-5 pm , Sun noon-5 pm . Adult $ 10 , senior / student $ 7.50 , children ( 3-12 ) $ 5 , family $ 25 . 958 Ferry Rd , Hangar T-2 , 204-786-5503 , Map 2 : C-2
MANITOBA ELECTRICAL MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTRE Explore Manitoba ’ s electric history through interactive exhibits such as a turn-of-the-last-century tram car replica , and a towering robot made of 50 home appliances . Free admission . Mon-Thu 1 pm-4 pm and by appointment . 680 Harrow St , 204-360-7905 , Map 2 : E-4
THE MANITOBA MUSEUM An evolutionary tour of Manitoba is beautifully displayed at this celebrated museum . Gaze upon towering dinosaurs and watch a silent movie set in a 1920s Winnipeg . Explore the ancient Ordovician Sea and learn about Manitoba ’ s barren northland . Adult $ 11 , senior / youth / student $ 9 , under 3 free . Centennial Centre , 190 Rupert Ave , 204-956-2830 or 204-943-3139 , Map 1 : N-4
MANITOBA SPORTS HALL OF FAME View the smiling portraits , signed jerseys , vintage equipment and other artifacts from Manitoba ’ s greatest athletes . Open Wed- Sat 10 am-4 pm . Admission by donation . 145 Pacific Ave , 204-925-5736 , Map 1 : N-4
MENNONITE HERITAGE VILLAGE Set on 17 hectares of land that spread out from one village street , the park replicates life in an early Mennonite village . Learn more about the Mennonite experience from 1525 to the present at the on-site museum . Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm . Adult $ 10 , senior / student $ 8 , children ( 6-12 ) $ 4 , family $ 30 . 40 minutes east of Winnipeg , 2 km north of Steinbach , 1-204-326-9661 or 1-866-280-8741
NEW ICELAND HERITAGE MUSEUM Discover the history of the Icelandic inhabitants and their region through multi-media exhibits and a 500-gallon aquarium at the Lake Winnipeg Visitor Centre . Adults $ 7 , seniors / youth $ 6 , children under 6 free , family $ 15 , guided group tour $ 4 / person . Located in the community of Gimli , one hour north of Winnipeg on Hwy 8 . Call for hours at 204-642-4001
ST . BONIFACE MUSEUM The historical museum hosts a collection and interpretive experiences relating to Western Canada ’ s French-Canadian and Métis heritage . It is the oldest remaining structure in Winnipeg and the largest oak log building in North America . Mon-Wed , Fri-Sat 10 am-4 pm , Thu 9am-9pm , Sun closed . Adults $ 6 , youth $ 4 , seniors / students $ 5 , children under 5 free , family $ 15 . 494 Taché Ave , 204-237-4500 , Map 1 : P-6
WINNIPEG POLICE MUSEUM Walk through a historical display of Winnipeg ’ s police force . Displays include an exhibit of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 , a 1925 police patrol wagon , and original bomb suits and artifacts . Tue-Fri 10 am-3 pm , Sat-Mon closed . Free admission . Winnipeg Police Headquarters , 245 Smith St , 204-986-3976 , Map 1 : P-4
WINNIPEG RAILWAY MUSEUM Over 37,500 square feet of railway equipment , displays , history and artifacts on display including the first steam locomotive on the Canadian prairies . Mon & Thu 9 am-4 pm , Tue 10 am-4 pm , Wed , Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm . Adult $ 7 , student / senior $ 6 , children $ 5 , ages 3 and under free . VIA Rail Station , 123 Main St , 204-942-4632 , Map 1 : Q-5
NATURE
ASSINIBOINE PARK ZOO The home to a wide variety of exotic animals and seasonal exhibits . Journey to Churchill is the zoo ’ s latest exhibit showcasing polar bears and other arctic species of northern Manitoba . Daily 9 am to 4 pm . Adults $ 19.75 , senior / youth $ 17.50 ( 60 + and 13-17 ), children $ 10.50 , under 3 free . * Gates close 30 min before official closing . Assiniboine Park , 2595 Roblin Blvd , 204-927-6000 , Map 2 : D-3
FORTWHYTE ALIVE A rural oasis inside the city that offers more than 600 acres of aspen forest , tall grass prairie and hiking trails . Hike one of the four trails to the sod house , floating boardwalk and bird feeding station . Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross country skiing on groomed trails . Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm , Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm . Adults $ 7 , seniors $ 6 , students / children $ 5 , under 3 free . 1961 McCreary Rd , 204-989-8355 , fortwhyte . org , Map 2 : F-3
LIVING PRAIRIE MUSEUM Take a trip back through time to witness prairie life before settlement and urbanization , when tall grass prairie covered one million sq km of land in North America ; from Texas to Manitoba . Now only 1 / 20th of one per cent of the original tall grass prairie in Manitoba remains . Groomed cross-country ski trails throughout winter ( weather dependant ). 2795 Ness Ave , 204-832-0167 , Map 2 : D-2
OAK HAMMOCK MARSH Friendly interpreters assist in your exploration of the thriving wetland along nature trails or by canoe through the marsh . Home to nearly 300 species of birds and wildlife . There is also a gift shop and interpretive centre on-site . Daily 10 am-dusk . Adult $ 8 , youth ( 3-17 ) $ 6 , seniors ( 55 +) $ 7 , family ( two adults and children ) $ 26 . Twenty minutes north of Winnipeg , 204-467-3300 , oakhammockmarsh . ca
PARKS / TRAILS
ASSINIBOINE PARK Located thirty minutes from downtown Winnipeg , this prairie park offers a variety of winter activities : toboggan slide , ice skating on the central pond , and30km of groomed cross-country skiing trails , weather dependant . Also home to the Conservatory , Zoo , English Gardens , Leo Mol Sculpture Garden , Lyric Theatre , Tudor-Style Pavilion , Pavilion Gallery , Pavillon Event Centre , Qualico Family Centre and Park Café . Park is open 24 hours daily . Main entrance at 2355 Corydon Ave . Accessible from Portage Ave via the footbridge across the Assiniboine River , 204-927-6000 , assiniboineparkzoo . ca , Map 2 : D-3
BIRDS HILL PROVINCIAL PARK Located a half hour from downtown Winnipeg , this prairie park offers hiking trails through oak and aspen forests ; including 30 km of winding , groomed cross-country ski trails . Daily admission $ 5 , annual pass $ 40 . Gates open from 7 am-11 pm . East of Winnipeg on Lagimodière Blvd ( Hwy 59 ), 204-654-6730
SPRINGHILL WINTER PARK Located fifteen minutes from downtown , this is the closest downhill ski facility to Winnipeg . Hill stands at 130 vertical feet and has three lifts , runs and terrain for downhill skiing , snowboarding , and cross-country skiing . Ski and snowboard rentals available including professional ski and snowboard lessons . Licensed sports bar on-site . Off Highway 59 North on Oasis Road , 204-224-3051 , Map 2 : A-7
ST . VITAL PARK This urban green space runs along the Red River , providing scenic cycling and hiking trails . A boat launch area makes this a hub for city boaters . A tranquil duck pond is home to many species of waterfowl and transforms into one of the city ’ s largest outdoor skating rinks when the temperature drops . Two toboggan slides on-site . 190 River Rd , Map 2 : F-4
THE RIVER TRAIL Winnipeg is proud to hold the Guinness World Record for longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world . Walk , run , skate , sled or cycle on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers ( weather dependant ). Free access . Docks located in various neighbourhoods : Norwood , St . Boniface , the Exchange District , The Forks , Corydon , Legislature . Call for information : 204-233-ALLO ( 2556 )
WINDSOR PARK NORDIC SKI CENTRE Weather dependent , this outdoor park offers two regularly groom and lighted cross-country ski trails : a green loop measures 3 km , while the more challenging blue loop is 5 km . Ski lessons available by CANSI certified instructors . The clubhouse offers repairs , waxroom , concessions , lockers and rentals . Opens once sufficient snow is available . Mon- Thu 12 pm-10 pm , Fri noon-9 pm , Sat-Sun 9 am-6 pm . Adult $ 5 , senior / youth ( 11-17 ) $ 4 , children ( 10 and under ) $ 3 , family $ 12 . 10 Des Meurons , 204-253-9236 , windsorparknordic . ca , Map 2 : E-5
PooLS
PAN AM POOL Built for the 1967 Pam Am Games and revamped for the 1999 Pan Am Games , this pool boasts one of the largest indoor bodies of water in the world . The pool consists of three pools ( including a great kiddie pool ), two weight rooms and an indoor track . Single admission prices vary depending on hours : Admission during non-peak hours adults / seniors $ 5.35 , children 12 and under $ 3.00 , youth $ 4.70 , 25 Poseidon Bay , Call 311 for hours , Map 2 : E-3
SPoRTS ATTRAcTIoNS
ADRENALINE ADVENTURES Giant outdoor adventure park features fun for all ages including snowtubing down the hill , cable snowboarding , a snowboarding terrain park , and free ice skating ( weather depending ). Clubhouse with restaurant and rentals on-site . Call for hours and prices . 600 Caron Rd , Headingley , 204-800-2060 , adrenalinemb . com
ToURS
DOWNTOWN TOURS Sample some of Winnipeg ’ s best dishes and local brews with fellow foodies and beverage aficianados . Choose from three new specialized tasting tours such as the Winnipeg Wine , Tap In , and The Breakfast Club , designed to showcase the incredible selection of restaurants that downtown Winnipeg has to offer . Visit downtownwinnipegtours . com or call 204-958-4640 to book . Downtown Winnipeg BIZ , 426 Portage Ave , Map 1 : P-3
FRONTIERS NORTH ADVENTURE Plan an incredible vacation to explore the majestic northern territory of Churchill , Manitoba . Take in the electric northern lights activity beneath the Auroral Oval . Tour seasonal wildlife such as polar bears , beluga whales , and birds via arctic cruise or tundra buggy . One-day and multiday adventures available . Call 204-949-2050 or toll-free 1-800-663-9832 for more information or frontiersnorth . com .
GREY NUNS ’ WALKWAY Marked with historical markers and situated on the riverbank across from the St . Boniface Basilica and Museum on Taché Ave . The self-guided walkway leads to the entrance of St . Boniface and the Esplanade Riel , which crosses to The Forks National Historic Site . Along Taché Ave , Map 1 : P-6
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT View Canada ’ s circulating coins and foreign currency ( up to 15 million coins per day ) produced on the high-speed presses . Guided tours available year-round . Interactive Coin Museum on-site . Tue-Sat 9 am-4 pm . Tours : adults $ 6 , seniors ( 65 +) $ 5 , children ( 5-17 ) $ 3 , children under 4 free , family ( 2 adults , 4 children ) $ 15 . 520 . Located at Lagimodière Blvd at the junction of Hwy 1 and 59 , 204-983-6429 , Map 2 : E-6
THE LOOP This 9.5-kilometre , 3.5 hour , self-guided circuit gives walkers the opportunity to explore urban Winnipeg ’ s historic , cultural , architectural , and modern day gems . See more than 50 landmarks , including The Forks , St . Boniface Cathedral , the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the buildings in the theatre district . For route maps and information visit tourismwinnipeg . com / the-loop
SQUAREPEG TOURS Take your pick from themed tours that expose the secrets , mysteries , and mayhem of Winnipeg ’ s early years . Explore the hidden symbols of the Manitoba Legislature during Symbols , Secrets & Sacrifices Under the Golden Boy or walk through Winnipeg ’ s dark and mysterious past on the Murder , Mystery and Mayhem Tour . Visit squarepegtours . ca or call 204-898-4678 for full list of tours , prices and times .
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