Tourism Winnipeg

Voyageurs travelled Canada’s river system and arrived at The Forks, a traditional gathering place, which grew from a fur trading post into a bustling trade and commerce centre that is now Winnipeg.

Day 1
Visit The Manitoba Museum where you can board a life-size replica of the Nonsuch, a ship that sailed from Hudson Bay to England instrumental in the formation of the Hudson Bay Company, one of Canada’s largest diversified general merchandise retailers now more than 300 years old.

Then head to Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site where you will see the York boats that carried voyageurs to Hudson Bay in order to transport their fur pelts to England for processing. It is a fascinating tale of a six-month sailing journey demonstrating the strength, stamina and expertise of the voyageurs.

Day 2
Cross the river and explore Winnipeg’s French Quarter, St. Boniface, which celebrates the “joie de vivre” or joy of life of the hearty voyageur. Join in the music and dance, play traditional games and dine on tourtiere (meat pie) and pea soup at Fort Gibraltar, once a rival fur trading company to the Hudson Bay Company. Voyageur history continues to unfold at the St. Boniface Museum, St. Boniface Cathedral and Theatre in the Cemetery where the sound of their paddles and songs echoed from the banks of the rivers and lakes for more than 150 years.

In February, become a voyageur at the Festival du Voyageur, and delight in the festivities including street parties, international snow sculpting competitions, sled dog races, and a full slate of indoor entertainment, concerts, shows and much more.