Tourism Winnipeg

Arts and Culture Itinerary

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Half Day
Begin your afternoon in the Exchange District, a 30-block area with breathtaking turn-of-the-last-century architecture
and the hub of Winnipeg’s diverse arts and culture scene. Nosh on a succulent pulled pork sandwich from White Star
Diner before heading off to explore the area’s galleries.  Start off at Pixels 2.1, Winnipeg’s newest photography
gallery. The works of Manitoba photographers are displayed dramatically on the front room’s white walls, while the back
room houses a studio for fine art photographic printing.

Cross the street and stop in Mayberry Fine Art to admire works by leading Canadian Artists such as Wanda Koop and
Joe Fafard. Next, visit Gurevich Fine Art for contemporary painting, photography, prints and sculpture by Canadian
artists such as Katharine Bruce, Cliff Eyland and Keith Wood.  Stroll over to McDermot Avenue and pop into the Urban
Shaman Gallery, one of Canada’s most prominent venues for aboriginal art. After working up an appetite, grab a window seat overlooking Old Market Square at old-world bistro Peasant Cookery for dinner. The eatery has a rustic vibe with jars of preserves and pickles lining the window sills and floor-to-ceiling antique mirrors adorning one wall. The menu offers French classics such as a charcuterie platter, mussels and shoestring fries and beef bourguignon. After eating, cap off the evening at art house theatre Cinematheque, an intimate theatre screening local and international films.

Full Day 1
Grab a cup of joe at trendy boutique café Parlour Coffee, a favourite with coffee connoisseurs as each cup is brewed
to order. Then, walk across the street and a couple of blocks north to The Manitoba Museum. This award-winning
heritage and edutainment centre offers one-of-a-kind experiences—travel back in time to the roaring 20s, explore
a 17th-century ship and marvel at animated ancient sea creatures. A variety of touring and specialty exhibits are a
fantastic complement to its nine permanent galleries.

In the afternoon, drive over to Corydon Avenue—a bustling strip packed with boutiques and restaurants. Take a lunch
break at Fresh Café, renowned for its fresh-squeezed juices and healthy plates from sandwiches to salads made with
local ingredients. The avenue is also home to a number of galleries. Meet the makers behind the gorgeous pottery
at artist-run cooperative Stoneware Gallery and shop for beautiful vases, jugs, servingware and more. Across the
road at Bear Creek Gallery lies a collection of Manitoba artists’ works from large acrylics to small watercolours to
photography and soapstone sculptures. Just around the corner is Gallery Lacosse, a small neighbourhood gallery
featuring works by Terry Lacosse, along with paintings, photos, cards and jewellery. Nearby, Nunavut Gallery carries
stunning Inuit sculptures and prints from world-renowned artists such as Kenojuak Ashevak, Sheojuk Etidlooie, Jessie
Oonark and Luke Anguhadluq among others.

Visit Winnipeg the weekend of May 5 & 6 for a chance to peek into the world of local artists and their studios across
the city as part of the In Plain View Winnipeg Artists’ Studio Tours. Experience art making in many media, including
paintings, ceramics, sculpture, watercolour, printmaking, glass art, jewellery-making, wearable art and more.

Head to the nearby boho Osborne Village for dinner and order beautiful works of sushi art at Meiji. At night,
Winnipeg stages around the city light up with impressive homegrown musical talent at venues like Times Changed
High & Lonesome Club, The Park Theatre, The Pyramid Cabaret and Le Garage Café. If you’re a passionate theatre
buff, check out award-winning productions at Prairie Theatre Exchange inside Portage Place Shopping Centre,
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in the Exchange District, or Rainbow Stage, an outdoor covered theatre located in
Kildonan Park.

Full Day 2
Artist hangout The Tallest Poppy makes great omelets and Challah cinnamon toast to jump start your morning. Take
in a walking tour of the Exchange District and learn about this area’s distinct Chicago-style architecture and fascinating
history. Nearby Oseredok highlights Winnipeg’s strong Ukrainian roots with an assortment of cultural artifacts,
archives and art. Take home a souvenir from the attached gift shop stocked with stunning Ukrainian-made pieces.
Only minutes away in The Aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg is the Canadian Plains Gallery, featuring works in intriguing
media from caribou hair tufting, porcupine quill work, beadwork, wood burning, and birch bark biting along with
traditional media like prints and art cards. If you’re visiting in late May, don’t miss Doors Open Winnipeg. This free event
allows you to explore the city’s architectural legacies like the Manitoba Legislative Building. 

For lunch with an artistic flavour, head to Pop Soda’s Coffeehouse & Gallery for old-fashioned floats and comfort food like panini and flat-bread pazzos. Popular with the university crowd, this art gallery and café displays the work of local artists and often schedules live music.  Make your way to the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada’s oldest civic art gallery that houses more than 24,000 pieces ranging from 15th century European paintings to 21st century American multimedia art. Stop in by May 20 to see an exhibition by famed North American painter Norman Rockwell, making its Canadian debut at the WAG. Then, head next door to the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. This centre for talent explores ideas and issues affecting today’s society while celebrating art in various media that spans television, architecture, film,
photography, sound and new media.

Stay downtown for a sleek and chic meal at Lobby on York.  Prime cuts of beef, luxurious seafood dishes and creative
appetizers make up the menu at this upscale eatery.

On your second evening, take in internationally acclaimed performances by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet or the
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Numerous summer festivals take over venues throughout the city, such as the
TD International Winnipeg Jazz Festival and the Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition in June, along with the
Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival in July. Come August, check out Folklorama, where you can travel to countries
from around the world through diverse and culturally rich food creations, music and entertainment.