Top places to visit in Winnipeg

• Manitoba Legislative Building

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h

  A grand 1920 neoclassical building topped by the gilded Golden Boy statue. Famed for its Beaux-Arts design and the "Hermetic Code" symbolism explored on guided tours.

• Assiniboine Park & Zoo

  Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry CAD 22

  Sprawling urban park with the Assiniboine Park Zoo, home to the Journey to Churchill exhibit featuring polar bears, seals and northern species, plus gardens and conservatory.

• Esplanade Riel

  Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h

  A striking cable-stayed pedestrian bridge over the Red River linking The Forks with St. Boniface, unusual for housing a restaurant on its deck. A favourite spot for skyline views.

• Winnipeg Art Gallery — Qaumajuq

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 18

  The WAG houses the world's largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art, showcased in Qaumajuq, a luminous purpose-built centre with a visible glass vault of carvings.

• Exchange District

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 2 h

  A National Historic Site of 20 city blocks of well-preserved early-1900s warehouse and terra-cotta architecture, now full of boutiques, galleries, restaurants and theatres.

• FortWhyte Alive

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 11

  A 660-acre nature reserve with lakes, trails, a bison prairie herd, interpretive centre and seasonal activities like canoeing and snowshoeing on the city's edge.

• The Forks

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h

  Historic meeting place at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. A national historic site with a bustling market, riverwalk, shops, eateries and seasonal festivals.

• Canadian Museum for Human Rights

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry CAD 22

  The first museum in the world solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. Its striking Antoine Predock-designed building at The Forks features a glowing alabaster Tower of Hope.

• Manitoba Museum

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 23

  Manitoba's largest heritage and science centre, with nine permanent galleries, a planetarium and science gallery. Highlights include the full-size replica of the 17th-century ship Nonsuch.

• St. Boniface Cathedral

  Church · 4.6 rating · about 1 h

  Iconic ruins of the 1908 basilica fronting a modern cathedral, in the heart of Winnipeg's historic French quarter. The adjacent cemetery holds the grave of Métis leader Louis Riel.

• Royal Canadian Mint

  Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry CAD 8

  The high-tech plant that produces all of Canada's circulation coins as well as coinage for dozens of countries. Guided tours show the minting process and a collection of coins.

• Leo Mol Sculpture Garden

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h

  A tranquil garden within Assiniboine Park displaying more than 300 bronze sculptures, paintings and drawings donated by Ukrainian-Canadian artist Leo Mol.

Things to do

• Canadian Museum for Human Rights Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from CAD 30 per person
• Assiniboine Park Zoo & Journey to Churchill Wildlife · 3 h · from CAD 22 per person
• FortWhyte Alive Bison Safari & Nature Walk Nature · 2.5 h · from CAD 25 per person
• Manitoba Legislature Hermetic Code Tour Cultural · 2 h · from CAD 25 per person
• Exchange District Walking Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from CAD 20 per person
• Red River Sightseeing River Cruise Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from CAD 35 per person
• Royal Canadian Mint Guided Tour Cultural · 1 h · from CAD 8 per person
• The Forks Red River Mutual Trail Skating (Winter) Outdoor · 1.5 h

Day trips and tours

• Winnipeg City Highlights Full-Day Tour 8 h · from CAD 130
• Nature & Wildlife Day: Assiniboine Zoo + FortWhyte Alive 7 h · from CAD 110

Where to stay in Winnipeg

• Downtown / The Forks about CAD 200 per night

  Central and walkable, putting you steps from The Forks market, the Human Rights museum and the riverwalk, with downtown hotels and dining.

• Exchange District about CAD 170 per night

  Historic heart of Winnipeg full of warehouse-era architecture, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, theatres and nightlife.

• Osborne Village about CAD 150 per night

  Trendy, walkable neighbourhood just south of downtown known for cafés, bars, indie shops and a lively young crowd.

Hotels

• Inn at The Forks 4-star · CAD 200 to CAD 320 per night
• Fort Garry Hotel 4-star · CAD 180 to CAD 350 per night
• Fairmont Winnipeg 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 380 per night
• Alt Hotel Winnipeg 3.5-star · CAD 150 to CAD 210 per night
• Mere Hotel 3.5-star · CAD 150 to CAD 230 per night
• Humphry Inn & Suites 3-star · CAD 110 to CAD 160 per night

Where to eat

• VJ's Drive Inn Burgers, Diner, American · about CAD 15 per person
• Clementine Brunch, Contemporary, Cafe · about CAD 28 per person
• Kum Koon Garden Chinese, Dim Sum, Cantonese · about CAD 22 per person
• Deer + Almond Contemporary, Canadian, Small Plates · about CAD 55 per person
• Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company Bakery, Cafe · about CAD 12 per person
• Passero Italian, Contemporary · about CAD 70 per person
• Feast Café Bistro Indigenous, Canadian, Contemporary · about CAD 30 per person
• Sushi Gozen Japanese, Sushi · about CAD 30 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Car Rental Self main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Aggressive panhandling downtown

  Downtown core, Portage Avenue, around transit stops

  Some panhandlers near downtown intersections and bus stops can be persistent or follow tourists asking for money.

  How to avoid it: A polite, firm "no" works; keep walking and do not display cash. Use ATMs inside banks or malls.

• Unofficial parking attendants

  Near The Forks and event venues during festivals

  During busy events, individuals may direct you to "paid" parking that is unofficial or wave you into private lots and demand cash.

  How to avoid it: Use marked official lots and pay at the machine or app. Ignore anyone flagging you down for cash parking.

More in Canada

• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Banff
• Niagara Falls
• Quebec City