Winnipeg Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Winnipeg with our comprehensive travel guide, featuring attractions, itinerary, food, lodging, culture, safety and health tips.


Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba in the Prairies of Canada, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From fascinating museums to scenic trails, this city has something to offer for everyone. Whether you are a history buff, a nature enthusiast, a foodie, or a culture lover, there is much to explore and discover in Winnipeg. Plan your trip to Winnipeg with our comprehensive travel guide, featuring attractions, itinerary, food, lodging, culture, safety, and health tips.

Introduction to Winnipeg

Located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, Winnipeg has a rich history dating back to the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the area. The city played a significant role in the fur trade, railway development, and the growth of Western Canada. Today, Winnipeg is a bustling city with a thriving arts and cultural scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and an excellent transportation system.

List of Places to Visit in Winnipeg

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

Winnipeg is known for its world-class museums and historical sites that offer a glimpse into the city’s past. Some of the must-see museums and historical sites include:

  • Canadian Museum for Human Rights
  • Manitoba Museum
  • The Forks National Historic Site
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • St. Boniface Cathedral
  • Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park

Natural Attractions of Winnipeg: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Winnipeg is surrounded by vast natural areas that offer visitors an opportunity to explore nature and unwind. Some of the city’s top natural attractions include:

  • Assiniboine Park and Zoo
  • FortWhyte Alive
  • Birds Hill Provincial Park
  • The Prairie Dog Central Railway
  • Assiniboine River Walkway
  • Kildonan Park

Hiking/Biking Routes of Winnipeg

Winnipeg offers many hiking trails and bike paths for visitors who want to explore the city’s natural beauty on foot or by bike. Some of the top hiking and biking routes in Winnipeg include:

  • The Trans Canada Trail
  • Seine River Greenway
  • Assiniboine RiverWalk
  • The Forks Riverwalk
  • Red River North Trail

Best Things to Do in Winnipeg: Activities and Tours

Winnipeg offers visitors a wide range of activities and tours to keep them entertained and engaged. Some of the top things to do in Winnipeg include:

  • Churchill Northern Studies Centre
  • Winnipeg Art Gallery
  • Festival du Voyageur
  • The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
  • Manitoba Theatre for Young People
  • MTS Centre

Week-Long Itinerary for Winnipeg

Day 1: Manitoba Museum, The Forks National Historic Site, and St. Boniface Cathedral.

Day 2: Canadian Museum for Human Rights and The Assiniboine Riverwalk.

Day 3: FortWhyte Alive, Assiniboine Park, and Zoo.

Day 4: Kildonan Park and Birds Hill Provincial Park.

Day 5: Royal Canadian Mint and Assiniboine River Cruise.

Day 6: Travel back in time on the Prairie Dog Central Railway and explore the Forks Market.

Day 7: Discover Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park and its history.

Food and Drink Scene of Winnipeg

Winnipeg has a vibrant food and drink scene that reflects the city’s diverse cultural heritage. Some of the must-try dishes and local beverages in Winnipeg include:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Perogies
  • Fried pickerel
  • Winnipeg-style pizza
  • Cinnamon buns
  • Bannock

Local Beverages

  • Half Pints Brewing Company
  • Fort Garry Brewing Company
  • Patent 5 Distillery

Where to Stay in Winnipeg: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Winnipeg offers a wide range of lodging options to suit every budget and preference. Some of the best places to stay in Winnipeg include:

  • The Fort Garry Hotel
  • The Fairmont Winnipeg
  • The Inn at the Forks
  • Mere Hotel
  • Guesthouse at Norwood

What to Buy in Winnipeg: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Winnipeg is known for its unique souvenirs and local products that reflect the city’s culture and heritage. Some of the best souvenirs and local products to bring home include:

  • Hudson’s Bay Blanket
  • Manitoba Maple Syrup
  • Artwork by local artists
  • Bison Jerky
  • Ukrainian Easter Egg

Local Culture and Customs of Winnipeg

Winnipeg is a multicultural city that celebrates its diversity through various festivals and events throughout the year. Some of the significant cultural events in Winnipeg include:

  • The Winnipeg Folk Festival
  • Folklorama
  • Festival du Voyageur
  • Pride Winnipeg

Best Time to Visit Winnipeg

The best time to visit Winnipeg is during the summer months from June to August when the weather is pleasant, and many festivals and outdoor events take place throughout the city.

Do’s and Don’ts of Winnipeg

Do:

  • Explore the city’s parks and trails
  • Try the local cuisine
  • Embrace the multicultural vibe of the city
  • Visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
  • Dress in layers to prepare for the fluctuating temperature

Don’t:

  • Leave your valuables unattended
  • Walk alone at night in the secluded areas
  • Smoke in public places
  • Forget to tip the server at restaurants
  • Ignore the weather forecast

Safety and Health

Safety in Winnipeg

Winnipeg is generally a safe city, but visitors should take precautions like they would in any city. Avoid leaving valuables unattended and stay in well-lit, populated areas at night.

Health in Winnipeg

Visitors to Winnipeg should consider purchasing travel health insurance to cover any medical expenses in case of emergencies. The city has several hospitals and medical clinics that offer quality healthcare services.

Getting to Winnipeg: Transportation Options and Logistics

Winnipeg is easily accessible by air, bus, and train

Airports Near Winnipeg

  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

Bus Stations Near Winnipeg

  • Winnipeg Bus Terminal

Other Options

  • VIA Rail

How to Get Around in Winnipeg

Winnipeg has a well-developed transportation system that includes buses, taxis, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Visitors can also rent cars or bikes to explore the city.

Where to Go Next from Winnipeg: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Winnipeg is an excellent starting point for exploring other parts of Manitoba and beyond. Some nearby destinations and excursions from Winnipeg include:

  • Riding Mountain National Park
  • Interlake Region
  • Churchill
  • Kenora

Conclusion

Winnipeg is a fascinating city with a unique history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are interested in museums, hiking trails, or local cuisine, Winnipeg has something to offer for everyone. Plan your trip wisely, follow the safety and health tips, and enjoy exploring this vibrant Canadian city.

Esplanade Riel facing Downtown Esplanade Riel facing Downtown Early skyscrapers in the Exchange District Early skyscrapers in the Exchange District A lovely Mercury Topaz with block heater cord and plug A lovely Mercury Topaz with block heater cord and plug Union Station Union Station Winnipeg Transit bus Winnipeg Transit bus Downtown from Esplanade Riel Downtown from Esplanade Riel Canadian Museum for Human Rights Canadian Museum for Human Rights Historical Buildings are common in Winnipeg Historical Buildings are common in Winnipeg Royal Canadian Mint in East Winnipeg Royal Canadian Mint in East Winnipeg Ice hockey is a big sport in Canada and Winnipeg is no exception; here fans celebrate the re-establishment of the Winnipeg Jets as an NHL team in 2011 Ice hockey is a big sport in Canada and Winnipeg is no exception; here fans celebrate the re-establishment of the Winnipeg Jets as an NHL team in 2011 Entrance to the Manitoba Theatre Centre Entrance to the Manitoba Theatre Centre Red River Exhibition Red River Exhibition 20+ varieties of Santa suits (and prescription eye wear, apparently) on Osborne St at the onset of a blizzard 20+ varieties of Santa suits (and prescription eye wear, apparently) on Osborne St at the onset of a blizzard Kielbasa is part of the Polish cuisine, and outside Poland it can be found in places with a history of Polish immigration, like the Canadian Prairie provinces Kielbasa is part of the Polish cuisine, and outside Poland it can be found in places with a history of Polish immigration, like the Canadian Prairie provinces Restaurants and shops in the Winnipeg Square mall Restaurants and shops in the Winnipeg Square mall Inside The Hole In the Toad Pub Inside The Hole In the Toad Pub Winnipeg Downtown Winnipeg Downtown Autumn in Birds Hill Provincial Park Autumn in Birds Hill Provincial Park link= link= link= link= link= link= link= link=