essentials
PARKS / TRAILS
ASSINIBOINE FOREST Walk through the 3 km of nature trails at Canada’ s largest urban park. This 700-acre forest is also home to 39 species of mammals, including deer, fox and 80 species of birds. Connects to the Harte Trail portion of the Trans-Canada Trail in its southwestern corner. Open daily sunrise to sunset, year-round. Grant Ave between Chalfont Rd and Shaftesbury Blvd, Map 2: E-3
ASSINIBOINE PARK Walk, bike or blade the trails, and watch the colours change on the park’ s many lawns. You may catch an impromptu game of ultimate, or a league cricket match. If you have little ones in tow, be sure to visit the magical Nature Playground. Covering 153 hectares along the Assiniboine River the park is 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 is at 2355 Corydon Ave. The park is also accessible from Portage Ave, via the footbridge across the Assiniboine River, 204-927-6000, assiniboineparkzoo. ca, Map 2: D-3
ASSINIBOINE RIVERWALK Whether it’ s a moonlit stroll, spring afternoon bike ride through the puddles, or afternoon run, the Assiniboine Riverwalk provides a kilometre of enjoyment, and a great way to experience the city. From The Forks to the Legislative grounds, Map 1: Q-5 to Map 1: Q-3
BIRDS HILL PARK RANCH Offers year-round trail riding, pony and hay rides for all ages. Weather dependant. Restaurant and petting zoo on-site. Call ahead to reserve and for hours. One hour trail ride $ 25, hay and sleigh rides $ 120 for groups up to 20 people. Inside Birds Hill Provincial Park, east of Winnipeg on Lagimodière Blvd off of Hwy 59, 204-222-1137, bhpr. ca
HARTE TRAIL This trail is connected to the Assiniboine Forest Trail and is accessible from its south-west portion. Constructed along an old railway line, it is heavily treed with a gravel base, perfect for walking or cycling yearround. Park along the highway and take in the peace and quiet of the countryside. Ridgewood Ave & Elmhurst Rd, Map 2: E-3
KILDONAN PARK Besides the lush gardens and park space, Kildonan Park is home to some of the oldest and largest trees in the province. Within the park, visitors can find Hansel & Gretel’ s Witch Hut hidden within the walking and bike trails. Also home to Rainbow Stage, Canada’ s oldest outdoor theatre, which is only open in the summer months. If there’ s still enough snow on the ground, find some skis to enjoy the park’ s groomed crosscountry trails. Open daily sunrise to sunset year-round. 2021 Main St, 1-877-311-4974, Map 2: B-5
MIRACLE RANCH Near Birds Hill, this ranch offers trail rides, pony rides, hay and sleigh rides through big open skies, beautiful blue water, rugged gravel pits, and abundant wildlife. Lessons available. Bonfire or party room can be reserved. One hour trail ride $ 30. Hay and sleigh rides $ 175-195 for first 20 people. Reservations required. North on Hwy 59, east on Garven Rd 1 km, turn south on Lorne Hill Rd 1 / 2 km to ranch entrance, 204-224-1180, miracleranch. ca
SEINE RIVER TRAIL This nature trail winds through old St. Boniface to the Red River and continues to be expanded on. Watch out for birds and wildlife along the way, including beavers, muskrats, deer and blue herons. Find trail guides on website. Lagimodière-Gaboury Park, Thibault St & Provencher Blvd, winnipegtrails. ca, Map 1: O-6
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. The park offers a children’ s playground, BBQ pits, picnic shelters, sand volleyball courts, and more. 190 River Rd, Map 2: F-4
PARKS / TRAILS PAST THE PERIMETER
BIRDS HILL PROVINCIAL PARK Located a half hour from downtown Winnipeg, this prairie park offers a beach, campground, ranch and recreational activities. It’ s also home to the world-renowned Winnipeg Folk Festival every July. Hiking trails wind through oak and aspen forests where you’ ll encounter native wildflowers, deer, waterfowl and songbirds. Self-guided trails are marked by signs, while guided trails follow a brochure available from the park office. Groomed cross-country ski trails wind for 30 km throughout. The Pineridge Bicycle Trail runs 7.2 km around the park. Daily admission $ 5 annual pass $ 40. Gates are open from 7 am-11 pm. East of Winnipeg on Lagimodière Blvd( Hwy 59), 204-654-6730
PETROFORMS These ancient rock formations depict animals, humans and geometric shapes. They are said to be an earthly reminder of instructions given by the spirits to the Anishinaabe people. Located 6 km south of Nutimik Lake on PR 307, or 38 km north of PTH 44 in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Please do not disturb the stones.
SPRUCE WOODS PROVINCIAL HERITAGE PARK Along with camping and swimming facilities, this provincial park is home to Spirit Sands, a hiking trail unlike any other in Manitoba. The trail leads hikers through 5 sq km of desert sand dunes towering 30 metres above the prairie grasslands. The trail travels through cool wooded areas and down into The Devil’ s Punch Bowl, a unique group of ponds formed by underground streams. The self-guided trail can be hiked at varying lengths or seen by horsedrawn carriage. Home to Manitoba’ s only lizard, the northern prairie skink, as well as the hognose snake and two species of cacti. The park has a number of ideal trails for mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Located 200 metres south of the Assiniboine River on PTH 5, 0.8 km east on Park Rd and 1.1 km south of the Day Use Rd. Info: 1-204-834-3223 or 1-204-827-8850.
WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK This expansive park is part of the Canadian Shield and covers 2,719 km of forest and lakes, of which there are 130. The area is excellent for hiking, canoeing, biking and camping, with facilities and starting points at Falcon, West Hawk and Caddy Lake. Winter recreational activities abound: ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing and showshoeing trails are located throughout the park. Downhill skiing at Falcon Lake. Entrances are on Hwy 1 from the east or west, Hwy 44 from the south, or from the north along Hwy 11 at Seven Sisters on PR 307.
SPAS
BLACKSMITH PARLOUR A first of it’ s kind in Canada, new up-scale salon offers services for men, like nail treatments and facial messages with a refreshment. Pampering comes with choice beverages like Fort Garry Dark and Tall Grass Vodka. This man cave is lined with cozy leather chairs and personal televsions for customers to plug into. 289 Garry St, 204-977-8267, blacksmithparlous. com, Map 1: P-3
FLOAT. CALM Experience total relaxation in a lightand sound-blocking pod filled with a buoyant water and epsom salt solution that gives the feeling of weightlessness. The water is heated to skin temperature allowing your body to simply melt away. 90 minute floats help to calm and recentre the mind. Membership passes avaible. 337C Pembina Hwy, 204-477-6507, floatcalm. com, Map 1: T-3
MAGIC ROOM SPA Established in 1965, this long running spa specializes in soothing treatments at affordable prices. This spacious spa offers services including Natural Moor Body Wrap and Total Care facial packages along with a retail shop lined with beauty products. Walk-ins welcome. magicroomspa. com, 264 Edmonton St, 204-943-6702, Map 1: P-4
RIVERSTONE SPA Surrender your senses to luxurious pampering. On the banks of The Forks National Park, a river stream ushers spa-goers to natural treatments in an upscale atmosphere, including the signature hot stone massage, manicure and pedicures. Inn at The Forks, The Forks, 204-944-2444, riverstonespa. ca, Map 1: Q-5
TEN SPA A hidden gem in the Fort Garry Hotel, this luxury spa bases its treatments on a combination of folk, scientific and old-school European traditions. It also features the city’ s only Hamam Turkish bath where massages and scrubs are given in exotic comfort. Fort Garry Hotel, 10th floor, 204-946-6520, tenspa. ca, Map 1: Q-4
THERMËA BY NORDIK-SPA Nestled beside Crescent Drive golf course amongst mature, towering trees, urban getaway is a haven for rejuvenation. This resort spa offers world class relaxation in the form of heated outdoor pools and saunas, thermotherapeutic baths, massage therapy, and spa treatments. Restaurant and gift shop on site. 775 Crescent Dr, 1-855-284-3344, thermea. ca, Map 2: F-4
URBAN OASIS The city’ s only therapeutic mineral pool spa. The mineral waters contain Dead Sea Salt, which is known for its many therapeutic benefits. Access to the indoor pool comes with any of the treatments, including facials, waxing, body polishes and wraps. Clarion Suites Hotel, 1445 Portage Ave, 204-783-8131, urbanoasismineralspa. com, Map 2: D-3
TOURS / IndUSTRy
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT See your money being made at the Royal Canadian Mint. All of Canada’ s circulating coins, as well as currency for many foreign countries are produced here. Tour the mint and see the high-speed presses that can produce up to 15 million coins per day. Interactive Coin Museum on-site. Guided tours available year-round. 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 Lagimodière Blvd, at the junction of Hwy 1 and 59, 204-983-6429, Map 2: E-6
WINNIPEG TASTING TOURS Enjoy a 4 hour brews cruise showcasing Winnipeg’ s best breweries. Tours start at Peg Beer Co. for a brewery tour, light appetizers and, of course, beer! From there, your group selects the next 3 following brewery stops for more tours and beer samplers. Transportation is provided. Private group tours available, book ahead. Adults $ 80. winnipeg-tasting-tours. myshopify. co
TOURS / wALKIng
DOWNTOWN TOURS Discover downtown Winnipeg with tours for food and drink lovers and history buffs. The Tap In tour showcases the best places for a pint, while the Winnipeg Wine tour allows guests to sample food and wine pairings from top restaurants, with an optional overnight hotel stay at the end of the night. Foodies can also take part in a breakfast sampling tour, a patio crawl, or the bike-and-dine Moveable Feast tour. A walking tour of the neighbourhood points out historical highlights for curious travellers. For more information and tickets visit downtownwinnipegtours. com or call 204-958-4640. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 426 Portage Ave, Map 1: P-3
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
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, Esplanade Riel, St. Boniface Cathedral, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the buildings in the theatre district. For route 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, walk through Winnipeg’ s dark and mysterious past on the Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Tour, or hear chilling supernatural tales on a Broadway Ghost Walk. Visit squarepegtours. ca or call 204-898-4678 for full list of tours, prices and times.
42 where. ca march / april 2018