ESSENTIALS
THE FORKS / OODENA CIRCLE Measuring 60 metres across and 2.5 metres deep, this stone circle is geometrically aligned to the sunrise and sunset of the fall and spring equinoxes, and summer and winter solstices, as well as to true north. The Forks, beside the Children’ s Museum, theforks. com, Map 1: Q-5
FORT GIBRALTAR Opens May 15 Standing near the fork of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in St. Boniface, this historical site is a replica of the fort built by the North West Company in 1810. The summer program features costumed interpreters re-enacting the life of the fur trade in 1815. Adults $ 8, youths & seniors $ 5, kids under 5 free. Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm. Whittier Park, Hébert St and St. Joseph St, 204‐233‐9470, fortgibraltar. com, Map 1: N-5
LOWER FORT GARRY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Opens May 8 Once a supply centre of the Hudson’ s Bay Company, this stone fort has been restored to its 1850s appearance. Costumed interpreters move through their daily activities hammering horseshoes, baking bread and stocking furs, never breaking character. Explore the stores, homes, supply houses and grounds. Mon-Fri 9:30 am-5 pm. Admission to National Parks free in 2017. Hwy 9, 32 km north of Winnipeg, 1-888-773‐8888 or 204‐785‐6050
MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE BUILDING Explore the grand building where the province’ s decision-makers meet. Selfguided tours daily 8 am-8 pm. Broadway and Osborne St, 204-945‐3636, Map 1: Q-3
ST. BONIFACE BASILICA The dramatic façade is all that is left of the original St. Boniface Cathedral-Basilica, which was destroyed by fire in 1968. Its cemetery includes the graves of many important Manitoba figures, including Louis Riel. 190 ave de la Cathédrale, 204-233‐7304, Map 1: P-6
UNION STATION Built in 1911, the building was designed by the same architects behind New York’ s Grand Central Station. Today this is still the Winnipeg station for VIA Rail. 123 Main St, Map 1: P-4
UPPER FORT GARRY PARK Central to some of Winnipeg’ s most memorable events of the fur trade era, all that remains of this Hudson’ s Bay Company fort is the gate itself. A newly constructed park features historical plaques explaining the fort’ s significance and a Heritage Wall with light installation. Broadway and Main St across from The Forks, upperfortgarry. com, Map 1: Q-4
INDOOR ATTRACTIONS
ENIGMA ESCAPES Teams work together to race against the clock and solve clues that will help them escape themed puzzle rooms. Track down the lost jewel of Zanzibar, diffuse a bomb inside a 1920s speakeasy, or travel to space. Rooms suitable for groups of 4-8. Call ahead to book. Mon-Thu 1 pm-9 pm, Fri 1 pm-11 pm, Sat 11 am-11 pm, Sun 11 am-7 am. 4-980 Lorimer Blvd, 204‐219‐0014, enigmaescapes. com, Map 2: E-3
HEIGHTS ARCHERY Archery range houses proshop with a range of traditional and compound bows and offers classes and private lessons. Knowledgeable staff on-site. Mon-Fri 12 pm-10 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12 pm-5 pm. Shooting pass: $ 10 for first hour; $ 5 / half an hour. 2281 Portage Ave, 204-832-4421, Map 2: D-2
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. 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
THE REAL ESCAPE At Canada’ s first and largest escape room, teams race against the clock to solve puzzles and collect clues that will help them escape. Meticulously planned and stylishly executed escape rooms, for groups between 4-14, transport players to a creepy castle, haunted house, insane asylum, or a high security bank vault. Call ahead to book. 3137 Portage Ave, 204‐615‐7717, therealescape. ca, Map 2: D-1
SPEEDWORLD INDOOR KART TRACK With 27,000 sq ft of indoor track space, nine curvy bends and karts that reach 50 km / h, this indoor go-kart facility will satisfy anyone’ s racing urges. Each car is timed to determine the winner of each race. Close toed shoes are required. Pay as you play. Mon-Fri 12 pm-11 pm, Sat 11 am-12 am, Sun 12 pm-10 pm. 575 C Berry Street, 204‐774‐5278, speedworld. ca, Map 2: C-3
SKY ZONE INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK Manitoba’ s first all-trampoline, walled playing court. All ages are free jump for joy in special grip orange socks or join in a game of pick up basketball. Jumpers under 18 years require a guardian to sign a waiver. Call for hours. $ 12 / 30 min, $ 16 / 60 min, $ 20 / 90 min, $ 24 / 120 min. 200-400 Fort Whyte Way, 204‐888‐5867, skyzone. com, Map 2: F-2
VERTICAL ADVENTURES One of the only places where you can scale great heights on the prairies, this indoor climbing facility offers instruction for all ages and levels. Mon-Fri 4 pm-11 pm, Sat 10 am-10 pm, Sun 12 pm-6 pm. Adult $ 15, youth $ 11. 77 Paramount Rd, 204-632‐5001, verticaladventures. ca, Map 2: B
MUSEUMS / HISTORICAL
CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS This national museum is the first museum dedicated solely to the history, evolution, celebration, and future of human rights. May-June: The museum celebrates the nation’ s 150th anniversary with exhibit Our Canada, My Story, which presents and in depth look at the personal stories of seven Canadians. Open Tue-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Admission: $ 18 / adult, $ 9 / youth, $ 14 / students and seniors, $ 50 / family, children under 7 free. 85 Israel Asper Way, 204‐289‐2000 or 1‐877‐877‐6037, Map 1: Q-5
DALNAVERT MUSEUM The restored home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald, former Premier of Manitoba. The lavish interior is decorated with period antiques dating back to the Victorian era. Guided tours and promenade audio play tours available. May 6 & 13: Hear lectures on amazing women in Manitoba’ s history, and the suffragists’ campaign for equality. Jun 22-30: Object theatre presentation Postcolonial Postcards takes over the rooms of the museum as part of Canada’ s 150th celebration. Open Wed-Sun 12 pm-4 pm. Adults $ 6, seniors / students $ 5, children $ 4, groups of 10 or more $ 4 each, audio play $ 11. 61 Carlton St, 204-943‐2835, friendsofdalnavert. ca, Map 1: Q-4
GABRIELLE ROY HOUSE Tour the family home of famed Francophone author Gabrielle Roy and see the rooms and views made famous through her writing, including the novel Rue Deschambault( Street of Riches). May hours: Wed-Sun 1 pm-4 pm, June hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat & Sun 1 pm-5 pm. Adults $ 8, seniors / students / youth $ 5, families $ 20. 375 rue Deschambault, 204‐231‐3853, Map 1: P-7
MANITOBA ELECTRICAL MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTRE Explore the history of electricity in Manitoba from the 1800s to the future. Interactive and interesting exhibits include a replica turn-of-the-last-century tram car and a towering robot made of 50 home appliances. Free admission and personal tours. Mon-Thu 1 pm-4 pm and by appointment. 680 Harrow St, 204-360-7905, Map 2: E-4
THE MANITOBA MUSEUM Start amid a stampeding buffalo hunt and travel through Manitoba’ s history at this celebrated museum. Gaze up at towering dinosaurs, walk the deck of the famous Nonsuch ketch, watch a silent movie in 1920s Winnipeg and explore the ancient Ordovician Sea that once covered Churchill. Starts May 19: An aweinspiring exhibit of the World’ s Giant Dinosaurs takes the museum with skeletons, fossils, casts, and robots. Call for hours. 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 See portraits, signed jerseys, vintage equipment and other artifacts including the AVCO Cup and Clara Hughes’ s bike from the‘ 96 Olympics. Open Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Admission by donation. 145 Pacific Ave, 204‐925‐5736, Map 1: N-4
MENNONITE HERITAGE VILLAGE This park replicates life in an early Mennonite village, including period houses, blacksmith shop, general store, Old Colony Church, schools and a replica 1877 windmill. On site museum and restaurant. Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 11:30 am-5 pm. Adult $ 10, senior / student $ 8, children( 6-12) $ 4, family $ 30. Forty minutes east of Winnipeg, 2 km north of Steinbach, 1‐204‐326‐9661 or 1‐866‐280‐8741
NEW ICELAND HERITAGE MUSEUM Located in the Icelandic community of Gimli, the New Iceland Heritage Museum allows you to visit three exhibits in three locations. At the Waterfront Centre, the story of New Iceland is told through multi‐media exhibits. Discover the history of Lake Winnipeg and see its inhabitants in a 500‐gallon aquarium at the Lake Winnipeg Visitor Centre. Learn about turn‐of‐the‐century classrooms and schools at the Gimli Public School 1915. Call for hours. Adults $ 7, seniors / youth $ 6, children under 6 free, family $ 15, guided group tour $ 4 / person. Gimli, one hour north of Winnipeg on Hwy 8, 204‐642‐4001
ST. BONIFACE MUSEUM Discover the history of Winnipeg’ s Francophone community. The building is the oldest in Winnipeg, and the largest oak log structure in North America. Inside, learn about the daily lives of the French and Métis people of the early Red River Settlement. Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 12 pm-4 pm. Adults $ 6.75, youth $ 4.50, seniors / students $ 5.50, children under 5 free, family $ 16. 494 Taché Ave, 204‐237‐4500, Map 1: P-6
WINNIPEG POLICE MUSEUM See artifacts showing the history of the Winnipeg police force. Displays include an exhibit of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, original bomb suits and a 1925 police patrol wagon. Wed-Fri 10 am-3 pm. Group tours available. Free admission. Winnipeg Police Headquarters, 245 Smith St, 204‐986‐3976, Map 1: P-4
MUSEUMS / TRANSPORTATION
ROYAL AVIATION MUSEUM OF WESTERN CANADA Learn the history of aviation in Canada with displays of vintage aircraft and artifacts. Of special interest is a replica of the Avrocar flying saucer. A product of the Cold War, the aircraft was commissioned by the US government and built by Avro Canada in 1959. 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
WINNIPEG RAILWAY MUSEUM The railway played a major role in the development of this city and the museum’ s goal is to preserve that heritage. Among other artifacts the museum is home to the first steam locomotive on the Canadian prairies, The Countess of Dufferin. Open daily 10 am-4 pm. Adult $ 5, youth 6-15 $ 3, youth 5 and under free. VIA Rail Station, 123 Main St, 204‐942‐4632, Map 1: Q-5
NATURE
ASSINIBOINE PARK ZOO Prim peacocks, monkeys, prairie dogs, camels and tigers call the zoo home. Also a variety of exotic animals like the red panda, amur tiger and several kinds of monkeys. Don’ t miss the Journey to Churchill exhibit, which features polar bears and other arctic species, and teaches about biodiversity and conservation. Daily 9 am-4 pm. Adult $ 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, FortWhyte offers more than 600 acres of aspen forest, tall grass prairie, scenic lakes, hiking trails and floating marsh boardwalks. The interpretive centre includes a Touch Museum as well as the Aquarium of the Prairies. Weekend programming includes inside out yoga, forest health and interpretive walks. Visit the Buffalo Stone Cafe and gift shop on-site. 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
In honour of Canada’ s 150th birthday, all of Canada’ s national parks offer free admission in 2017. Celebrate by visiting Lower Fort Garry( pg 40) and learn about the lives of historical Canadians.
40 where. ca MAY / JUNE 2017