Experience the best of Winnipeg, from cross-country skiing to canoeing

Manitoba’s capital, Winnipeg, is a historic city with handsome early-20th-century architecture, an impressive lineup of live entertainment options, and trendy, walkable neighborhoods. Long a settling place for immigrants, the city has gained a reputation for innovative global dining, with eclectic eateries dishing up Ukrainian pierogi, Spanish tapas, and Thai curries.

At the city’s heart is The Forks, a sprawling complex of park trails, hip shops, and bustling restaurants in a former rail yard. Check out the Canadian Museum for Human Rights housed in a striking modern building nearby, or explore the Exchange District to see the 150 or so heritage buildings that make the downtown area a National Historic Site of Canada. You can stop by one of the district’s chic cocktail bars after a show at the Centennial Concert Hall, host to the city’s renowned symphony orchestra.

Beyond downtown, families make a beeline for Assiniboine Park, where kids love riding the steam train and encountering the zoo’s polar bears and Arctic foxes. Winnipeg is a big sports destination too, whether you’re into watching a live game or getting out and about in the great outdoors.

Here are some funattractions and activities for sports fans:

• Ice hockey: Catch the Winnipeg Jets NHL team in action at Canada Life Centre and yell alongside passionate fans as you sip a local beer or nosh on beloved Canadian favorites like poutine. The venue is bang in the middle of downtown, so crowds usually spill into nearby sports taverns for spirited celebrations after a win.

• Canadian football: Winnipeggers are fiercely proud of the local CFL team, the Blue Bombers, who’ve won the coveted Grey Cup more than 10 times. Watch them battle it out with rivals at IG Field, a state-of-the-art stadium on the University of Manitoba campus. The season runs mid-June through November.
  
  
• Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame: Learn about the achievements of Manitoba’s leading athletes at a museum celebrating their success. Photos, trophies, and uniforms chronicle the stories of local legends like ice hockey pro Billy Mosienko and Jon Montgomery, who won gold in skeleton at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

• FortWhyte Alive: This sprawling urban green space is a popular place to hike, bike, and paddle. Wander a trail though aspen forest and marshland or hurtle along challenging mountain-bike trails, graded according to difficulty. You can also explore tranquil lakes by canoe or try your luck at hooking walleye or pike. Canoe and fishing rentals are available.

• Cross-country skiing: Glide along nearly 25 miles of groomed trails in Birds Hill Provincial Park, a 40-minute drive northeast of the city. As you wind among aspen and oak trees, you might catch sight of white-tailed deer or hear singing chickadees. Along the way, you can stop off at cozy warming shelters with wood stoves.

When to go

With highs in the 80s, summer days are a great time to explore the city’s neighborhoods and enjoy active pursuits like hiking and canoeing. Though bracingly cold, winters are frequently sunny and open up a whole new range of outdoor activities. Wander the world’s largest snow maze in St. Adolphe, just south of the city, or attend events like the 10-day Festival du Voyageur. Held every February, the festival celebrates the region’s fur-trading heritage with live concerts and elaborate snow sculptures.

Travel tip

Download the free Culture Card app for discounts, perks, and events listings at arts and entertainment venues across town.

Planning a visit to Winnipeg? Check out our Radisson Hotels Americas properties in the area to find your ideal home base.