Full Week - Fall / Winter | Tourism Winnipeg

One week international itinerary—fall/winter

Day 1

Jump start your taste buds at Prairie Ink Restaurant housed within McNally Robinson Booksellers, where executive chef Gord Harris and master baker Eric Bari have created a Parisian café experience. After brunch, browse the book store for treasured tales and one-of-a-kinds gifts. Or pop into a Winnipeg institution, Salisbury House, for a hearty diner-style breakfast of bacon, eggs and buttered rye toast.

Then, head to Half Pints Brewery Company for a tour and a sample of their award winning British-style amber ale, India pale ale and hearty stout—be sure to try the chocolate beer! Served at restaurants throughout the city, this microbrewery is garnering attention across the continent.

Take a five minute drive and get up close a personal with fame—chocolate style. Chocolatier Constance Popp’s creations have made their way to the Academy Awards, 2010 Winter Olympics and the Golden Globes. They’ve also been requested by numerous international celebrities. Pre-book your learning (and tasting) tour to learn her secrets.

For lunch, try Fusion Grill on Academy Road, where the menu offers up innovative creations like caviar and Winkler corn tostadas, white truffle perogies with duck sausage and walnut cream sauce, grilled bison tenderloin with wild porcini mushroom demi glace, and to top it all off, a candied beet sundae with salted caramel ice cream.

Walk off your meal by shopping at some of the fantastic specialty shops that sprawl over six blocks on Academy Road. Then, catch a nap and rest up for what’s sure to be an eventful evening.

Travel the world at Banville & Jones during an international wine and food pairing event, often hosted by one of Winnipeg’s finest chefs. Located in St. Vital, this Tuscan-inspired wine emporium houses more than 3,000 bottles of wine, as well as gifts and gourmet items from around the world.

Top the evening off at one of Winnipeg’s many hot spots like the new Sensi Wine Lounge in the Exchange District, which offers an eclectic assortment of internationally acclaimed bottles and wine flights as well as a stellar menu of Italian-inspired tapas. For dinner, try out Corydon area mainstay Café Carlo for an eclectic menu of Californian-Italian-inspired cuisine fused with locally-sourced ingredients.

For a more casual evening, head to one of the city’s pubs for a brew and some pub grub like the King’s Head Pub, Toad in the Hole or Shannon’s Irish Pub. For a retro, Rat Pack-like experience, head over to Rae and Jerry’s Steakhouse. Kick back with a classic Manhattan and sway to adult pop standards in posh red leather lounge chairs that set the mood.

Day 2

Start out the day on Corydon Avenue where you can check out the Falafel Place’s famous falafel breakfast—eggs and bacon served alongside the fried chickpea treats with a helping of hummus.

Once you’re done, it’s time to explore this hip area of the city. Find a rare treasure at Abbey’s Antiques, Selim’s Antiques or Things Antiques and Gifts. Shop for upscale, cutting-edge fashion at Cha Cha Palace, Soul Shoes and Chic Clothing, or pick up something sassy for your four-legged friend at Hip Pooch. Then, outfit your home with stunning pieces from shops like Stoneware Gallery, carrying amazing glasswork and pottery, and Blue Moon Evolution and Room for Style, selling furniture you won’t find elsewhere.

Then, take a ten-minute drive to the Exchange District where historic 360-degree turn-of-the-century architecture is contrasted with Winnipeg’s oldest and newest boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries. Jewelry shopping is at its funkiest at Winnipeg’s own Hilary Druxman and its most indulgent at Tiffany-like Birks located across Main Street. If vintage is your thing, then look no further than shops like Hoopers, Ragpickers and Vintage Glory, all carrying pre-loved fashion and accessories. Special interest seekers can browse Winnipeg’s pinnacle used record store, Into the Music, and shop for other interests at Toad Hall Toys, Red River Book Shop, Antiques and Funk, Humidors Tobacconist, Imagine Games and Hobbies and more.

By now, you’ve probably got a hankering for a nibble. Sweet tooths should pop into Cake-ology for a signature cakette—a ball of cake slathered in buttercream and coated in chocolate. If savoury is more your thing, take a few steps to the Line-Up for chicken fingers and honey dill sauce served in a paper cone, so you can easily continue scouting the area. Or head into local favourite The King’s Head Pub for a cold one washed down with familiar pub grub and spicy curries.

Walk a few minutes to downtown where you can check out popular spots like The Bay and Mountain Equipment Co-op, as well as the more than 100 shops and services in Portage Place like Holt Renfrew Cosmetics, WK Chan, Mach Artworks, Argento World of Silver, Uptown Sports and more. Pop by Aqua Books on Garry for your used book fix, and then head to unique shops like those at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. After that, head to The Forks and Johnston Terminal for handcrafted gifts and artwork of all kinds.

Last, it’s time to get browsing at some of the city’s other shopping hot spots (depending on what direction you’re headed) like St. Vital Centre that houses favourites like Esprit, The Gap, Melanie Lyne, Old Navy, Buffalo Jeans, West Point Shoes, MAC Cosmetics, and Build-a-Bear Workshop. In the opposite direction on Regent Avenue, try Kildonan Place for stores like Le Château, Shoe Warehouse, Urban Behavior and more. If you find yourself near McPhillips, check out Garden City Shopping Centre where you will find Winners and Canadian Tire. The houseware and clothing outlets, as well as numerous other stores along Kenaston Boulevard, are Winnipeg favourites. Check out Home Sense, Urban Barn, Home Outfitters, Bombay, Liz Claiborne, Nygard, Adidas and Motherhood Maternity. And finally, go off the beaten path to the can’t-miss Ten Thousand Villages, where you’ll find distinctive handcrafted fair trade gifts from around the world.

Day 3

Get up and head out for some fresh air on the skis trails throughout the city. Whether you’re a novice or pro, the city offers miles and miles of groomed ski trails where you can swish through the snow. Head to Windsor Park Nordic Centre, Birds Hill Park or wait for the Red River to freeze and make your way right through the heart of the city. Another option is FortWhyte Alive an urban nature preserve where you can work on those rosy cheeks and then pop into Buffalo Stone Café for some hot chocolate and creamy mushroom soup to warm you from the inside.
After all that fresh air and exercise, head to Winnipeg’s newest sports haven, 4Play Sports Bar & Grill. Here, it’s all sports all the time. Sit back and watch your favourite events on a towering 24-foot screen as you relax in a leather armchair complete with cup holder and tray. Thirty LCD TVs are placed throughout the bar, so you´ll be able to view your game of choice from any seat in the house. While there, try your hand at one of the interactive Wii Suites and virtual sport simulators featuring the world's top 40 golf courses. Top it off with a stellar menu of classic comfort foods like burgers, pizza, chili and pastas.

After that, paradise waits at Club Regent Casino with its mystical tropical jungle that includes vibrant flowers, swaying palm trees and the sounds of exotic birds. Enter Neptune’s Cave and explore the magic of Manitoba’s only walk-through saltwater aquarium. The casino offers exceptional dining and lounges, live entertainment, a dance club and a first-class gaming experience all within a 182,000 sq. ft., smoke-free facility.

Day 4

Start off your morning in Assinboine Park, where you can watch the leaves change colour as you stroll along the pathways. Once the snow flies, the park turns into a pristine wonderland perfect for exploring on skis or snowshoes. Stop in for breakfast at Star Conservatory Restaurant for rib-sticking fare like Brie French toast with orange brandy sauce and fluffy buttermilk pancakes served with bacon.

After a morning outdoors, head inside and relive the opulent splendor of the past at one of the most unique entertainment facilities in western Canada, McPhillips Station Casino. Deep red velvets, rich woods and twinkling chandeliers take you back to a grand era of excitement and indulgence. The 178,000 sq. ft., smoke-free facility offers exceptional dining and lounges, live entertainment, sports bar and a heart-pounding gaming experience.

This afternoon, scale to great heights at Vertical Adventures, Manitoba's first wall-to-wall, full service indoor rock climbing facility. Satisfy your need for speed at Speedworld Indoor Kart Track, home to European race karts that send you squealing around corners at up to 50 km/h. Work on your swing during the off-season at The Golf Dome, where an indoor three-tier driving range and state-of-the-art virtual golf simulators wait.

In the evening, chow down on juicy ribs and moist roast chicken at Lovey’s BBQ & Smokehouse and then catch the city’s newest NHL superstars as the Winnipeg Jets take to the ice at the MTS Centre.

You can also get into the action by taking part in the Hypothermic Half Marathon, picking up a game of shinny at The Forks or strapping on your skates and gliding down the world’s longest skating rink on the River trail.

Day 5

Your day starts with breakfast at the Tallest Poppy, located inside the former Occidental Hotel, a Winnipeg landmark. Built in 1886, the hotel has stood watch through much of the city’s history, changing hands numerous times and earning itself a notorious reputation along the way. Now home to this hip spot popular with local foodies, they serve up wholesome food make with local ingredients.

After breakfast, it’s time to head to the nearby Manitoba Museum, where the province’s history comes to life. Stroll the streets of Winnipeg as they were in the 1920s or hop aboard the life-sized replica of the Nonsuch ketch. Make your way through the Hudson’s Bay gallery and discover our fur trading roots and finish your visit with a stop at Churchill’s shore line 450 million years ago.

Continue your day at The Forks—a gathering place for more than 6,000 years where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. Explore the site and plaques scattered throughout that relate the history of this significant spot. Visit the Oodena Celebration Circle, Balance of Spirit Within and the Peace Meeting Site for a reflection on the city’s aboriginal roots.

If you’re feeling peckish, head into The Forks Market and sample a variety of ethnic options from baba-made perogies to stuffed rotis to crispy samosas. Browse the market’s eclectic shops and pick up unique, handmade gifts and treasures.

In the evening, head over to the Manitoba Legislature and take in the Hermetic Code tour, where you will learn about the Masonic and occult symbols and principles that were built into the building’s unique architecture.

Finish off the day at The Fort Garry Hotel with a glass of Cabernet in the Palm Lounge. This former Grand Trunk Railway hotel boats crystal chandeliers, amazing architecture and an ambience that will take you back to days of elegance and grandeur.

Day 6

Get off to a good start at The Nook Diner where diner classics are served in a casual setting. The eggs with hollandaise sauce are not to be missed. Once you’re done, take some time to stroll the nearby areas of The Gates and Wellington Crescent where you can marvel at towering historical mansions.

Continue your tour of beautiful buildings at the Dalnavert Museum—a pristine example of Queen Anne Revival architecture. The museum offers a look into the late Victorian era through the preservation, exhibition and interpretation of the building and the museum’s collection.

Then make your way over to The Winnipeg Railway Museum, housed inside the stunning VIA Rail Station designed by the same architects that built Grand Central Station in New York City. Here Winnipeg’s rail history is preserved through displays, artifacts, railway related vehicles, trucks and fire trucks. View the first steam locomotive on the Canadian Prairies, The Countess of Dufferin, and continue on to an early-generation diesel locomotive just like the ones still used today.

For lunch, stop in at the Wagon Wheel restaurant. This Winnipeg staple has been serving up the best club house in the city for decades—the secret is fresh turkey roasted in-house daily.

In the afternoon, head to Lower Fort Garry, where history unfolds before your eyes. Costumed interpreters bring the Red River Valley in the 1850s to life at this restored 19th-century fort. Meet the Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company as he strolls through his garden, barter with the company clerk, sit in a tipi and listen to the whispers of ancient legends, and touch the coarse fur of a bison hide at the oldest stone fur trading post in North America.

Finish of the day in the Exchange District where stunning historic architecture greets you at every turn. Take in a walking tour and learn about the area’s fascinating history as the centre of Winnipeg’s grain trade in the 1920s. Packed full of boutiques and galleries, it’s the perfect place for a stroll. Pop into one of numerous restaurants like Peasant Cookery for rustic French classics, Mondragon for delicious vegan fare or Tre Visi for elegant Italian dining.

Day 7
The soaring spire of the Esplanade Riel welcomes you into St. Boniface, the city’s French Quarter. Start off your day at Sals on the Bridge at The Forks. This location of the popular chain offers stunning views of the Red River and the city from its perch atop the bridge. Dig in for a classic breakfast of sausage, eggs, bacon and buttery rye toast.

Cross the rest of the way over and visit Le Musee de Saint-Boniface Museum, the oldest building in Winnipeg built in 1846, where the personal items of well-known Canadians and culture of history of Manitoba is explored. Then stroll to the shore of the Red River and the stunning façade of St. Boniface Cathedral and the cemetery that is the eternal home of Louis Riel.

After that, grab a coffee at one of several cafes on Provencher Boulevard and wander the unique shops of the area. Be sure to pop into Bijou—a locally-owned jewellery store that sells stunning pieces made with coloured stones.
Visit St. Boniface City Hall located on Provencher Boulevard and gaze upon its imposing clock tower and then head over to Maison Gabrielle Roy. The Franco-Canadian author’s childhood home was often featured in her works and the building has been fully restored using her book’s descriptions.

Get some fresh air and unwind at Lagimodiere Gaboury Historic Park which borders the Seine and Red rivers. The park is known for the Lagimodiere Gaboury History Gate that commemorates renowned voyageurs Marie-Anne Gaboury and Jean-Baptiste Lagimodiere.

Discover the history of the Red River valley and its settlers at Fort Gibraltor. This historic site was originally built in 1809 by The North West Company and played a central role in Canada’s fur trade.

By now, you must be feeling peckish, and there are no shortage of options in St. Boniface. Check out Le Garage Café for French-inspired cuisine like chicken liver pate, mussels in St. James Pale Ale sauce and scallop-stuffed salmon. The café also offers one of the best poutines in the city, made with crispy shoestring fries. Stay late for live music and drink specials.

For authentic French cuisine try out Chez Sophie for tartiflette made with tangy trappist cheese, French style-pizza made with white sauce and salade noire topped with shaved dark chocolate. For the most elegant in fine dining, sit down at Step’n Out, where an ever-changing menu of inspired cuisine awaits. Savour pumpkin filled ravioli, tender lamb chops and decadent Bernard Callebaut chocolate cake inside a cozy, eclectic dining room oozing charm.

Day 8

Head to Winnipeg’s stunning VIA Rail Station designed by the same architects that built Grand Central Station in New York City. Winnipeg is the gateway to Churchill and here, you can hop aboard a train and make your way north to visit with beluga whales and polar bears.