Winnipeg, the capital and largest city of Manitoba, is located in the heart of North America where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. It got its name from Lake Winnipeg and is known for its rich history and diverse culture influenced by both Aboriginal and European roots.
Being called the ‘Gateway to the West’, the city holds great significance as a cultural, economic, and transportation hub. Winnipeg offers fascinating tourist attractions, including world-class museums, galleries, and well-preserved historic sites and neighborhoods.
Visitors can also enjoy the thriving arts and dining scenes, along with beautiful parks, gardens, and the impressive Canadian Museum for Human Rights. If given the opportunity, Winnipeg is definitely worth a visit.
12. Leo Mol Sculpture Garden
The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is a very popular place to visit. It can be reached by driving southwest for about fifteen minutes from the city center. The garden is located within Assiniboine Park. Inside, you can see over 300 amazing artworks by the famous artist Leo Mol.
These include bronze and ceramic sculptures, as well as drawings and paintings. The garden is not only a place for art, but also offers a beautiful natural setting. You can enjoy wandering around and admiring the sculptures among picturesque plant beds, paths, and ponds.
There is also a Leo Mol Gallery where you can see beautiful bronze pieces and moulds of important works. Since its opening in 1992, the garden has become so popular and the artwork collection has grown so much that it has been expanded twice.
11. Saint Boniface Cathedral
In the city center, you can find the impressive Saint Boniface Cathedral. It faces the Red River and used to have a basilica, but unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire in 1968. However, the new church was designed using the remaining walls and historic white-stone facade of the original building. This creates a unique and beautiful sight, with the modern cathedral built onto the old one.
The most remarkable feature of the cathedral is its fantastic French Romanesque facade, which stands out against the surrounding park. Additionally, the cathedral’s cemetery contains the graves of early settlers and important people from the region. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the nearby Saint Boniface Museum, as it is definitely worth a visit.
10. Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
The Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site is situated northeast of Winnipeg and can be reached in about half an hour by car. It is located on the Red River and is the only stone fort that remains from the fur-trading era. The fort gives us a glimpse into the lives of the trappers and traders who inhabited it long ago.
It was constructed by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1830 and has been used for various purposes since then, including as a penitentiary, mental hospital, and country club. Nowadays, the site is open to visitors who can explore the well-preserved historic buildings filled with furniture from that time period.
There are also interactive activities available for visitors to try. Costumed reenactors are present to provide insight into what life was like during the mid-nineteenth century and they are happy to answer any questions.
9. Manitoba Legislative Building
The Manitoba Legislative Building, known for its beauty, is located in the southern part of the city. It faces the Assiniboine River and was completed in 1920. With its stunning neoclassical, Beaux-Arts-style architecture, it is surrounded by well-maintained lawns and gardens.
The government seat of the province boasts an impressive facade featuring Ionic columns and porticos topped by a large dome. The most eye-catching feature of the building is the famous Golden Boy statue, symbolizing the prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit of Manitoba.
Intricate carvings and statues adorn the building, including hidden numerical codes, Freemason symbols, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and various Roman gods.
8. Assiniboine Park
In western Winnipeg, there is a big and beautiful park called Assiniboine Park. The park has many things to do outside, like playgrounds, picnic areas, and fields to play sports. It also has a pretty garden with lots of flowers, as well as a zoo with animals.
The park opened a long time ago in 1909 and it is located near a river and a big forest with the same name. You can walk around the gardens and see nice paths and flower beds. The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is also there with many amazing artworks.
If you want to take a break from nature, there is a really nice building called a pavilion where you can watch shows and concerts.
7. Assiniboine Park Zoo
Assiniboine Park has a zoo called Assiniboine Park Zoo. The zoo is located at the western end of the park. It is a very large zoo with a wide variety of animals. Most of the animals in the zoo are from North America, but there are also animals from all over the world. The zoo was started in 1904 and has grown a lot since then.
They now have educational exhibits like Animals of Asia, Toucan Ridge, and Stingray Beach. These exhibits are home to many different animals, such as bison, lynx, tigers, leopards, and pandas. One exhibit that the zoo is famous for is the polar bear exhibit. In this exhibit, polar bears and other Arctic animals can be seen in habitats that look like the northern part of Manitoba.
6. Manitoba Museum
The Manitoba Museum is located north of downtown Winnipeg and offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the province’s history, culture, and nature. With over 2.6 million artifacts and specimens, the museum takes guests on an exciting journey through time with interactive exhibits.
Established in 1965, the museum houses various galleries that explore the people, plants and animals, and landscapes of Manitoba. In addition to fossils and archaeological discoveries, visitors can explore a reconstructed fur trading post and see the famous replica of the Nonsuch, a seventeenth-century sailing ship. The museum also features a fantastic Science Gallery and a Planetarium for visitors to enjoy.
5. Winnipeg Art Gallery
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, which was established in 1912, holds the distinction of being the first gallery in Western Canada. Over the years, it has brought joy to many generations through its vast collection of more than 25,000 artworks created by Canadian, Inuit, and international artists.
The art museum is located just a short distance southwest of the center and is housed in a late-modernist style building. This building showcases striking angular shapes and is covered in Tyndall stone. Inside, visitors can explore numerous galleries filled with paintings, photographs, and decorative arts.
These works of art are created by renowned artists like Wolfgang Katzheimer and Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald. The museum is particularly famous for possessing the world’s largest collection of Inuit art, showcasing captivating carvings, textiles, and prints created by Inuit artists.
4. Forks National Historic Site
The Forks National Historic Site is a popular tourist spot that gets its name from its beautiful location where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. It offers more than just a bustling market and museums – it has historic buildings, a port, and a park that hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year.
The Forks has been inhabited by Aboriginal groups for thousands of years and was designated as a National Historic Site in 1974 to preserve its rich history. In addition to informative exhibits, visitors can explore old buildings and museums to learn about the site, the city, and Manitoba. The Forks also has lovely outdoor spaces, a riverwalk, and great shops and restaurants to enjoy.
3. Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is located on the southeastern edge of the city. It is responsible for producing all of Canada’s coins as well as coins for many other countries. When you visit, you can take a tour of the modern facility and learn about the history of coins and currency in the on-site museum.
The mint was opened in 1976 and the building itself is triangular in shape and stands out among the surrounding lakes and green spaces. This facility in Winnipeg has produced over 60 billion coins for more than 75 countries since it took over from the original Royal Mint in Ottawa.
In addition to observing the production line, visitors can explore interactive displays and purchase souvenirs at the gift shop.
2. Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an important and interesting place to visit. It is located next to The Forks in the center of the city. The museum was opened in 2014 with the aim of exploring and educating people about human rights, and promoting respect for others.
Some of the galleries focus on how human rights are connected to Canada and its culture, while others cover sensitive topics such as the Holocaust and Holodomor in Ukraine. Visitors can learn about the history and future of human rights through interactive displays, photos, and films that are both engaging and emotional.
Additionally, the museum building itself and its Tower of Hope are visually stunning, offering breathtaking views of the city.
1. Forks Market
The Forks Market is located where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, and it is a hub of various stands and stalls. It is part of the Forks National Historic Site and consists of two horse stables that are connected by a courtyard filled with dining tables. The market is surrounded by numerous shops and restaurants.
It is not only a popular place to dine but also has more than 50 stores selling a wide range of items including fresh produce, ethnic foods, souvenirs, artisanal jewelry, and baked goods.
Moreover, there is a six-story viewing platform offering a view of the rivers, and informative exhibits showcasing the history of the market and The Forks Historic Site.
