Tourism Winnipeg

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Downtown Winnipeg is home to diversity, with heritage buildings neighbouring exciting new developments, urban shopping malls and casual dining establishments, accentuated by a lively entertainment scene. Millions of visitors head downtown to explore the city’s distinct urban culture and storied history. While here, be sure to take in a night of entertainment at the MTS Centre, grab a bite to eat on the rooftop patio at Tavern United, catch a play at Prairie Theatre Exchange or go on a 3D journey at the IMAX theatre.

Location: The approximate boundaries are Spence St to the west, the Red River to the east, the Assiniboine River to the south and Higgins Ave to the north. The Exchange District and Chinatown are also considered part of downtown. Located 6.1 km from the airport.

How to get there: From the airport, turn onto Wellington Ave and then right onto King Edward St (Route 90). Take the first left onto Ellice Ave and continue. Turn right at Spence St and turn left at Portage Ave to enter downtown.

Bus routes: 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 80, 81

Top Places to Eat

• Relax in a cushy lounge chair and watch the Winnipeg Jets and other pro sports team on a 24 ft. hi-definition screen at 4Play Sports Bar & Grill. The action takes place in a two-storey entertainment mecca, featuring a full-service restaurant, virtual golf and Wii suites, a private VIP booth and plenty more seating around 30 LCD TVs. 323 Portage Ave, 221-4583. http://www.4playsportsbar.com/
• Whether seeking a sweet slab of cake or flavourful veggie burger, Dessert Sinsations Café’s menu satisfies both tastes, offering wholesome, house-made food. This sunny café buzzes with energy all day and late into the night. 505 St. Mary Ave, 284-4661. http://www.dessertsinsations.com/
• A visit to East India Company takes diners away to South Asia with its ornately decorated dining room filled with exquisite treasures. Dive into the extensive buffet brimming with authentic Indian dishes, including tender tandoori chicken and crispy pakoras. 349 York Ave, 947-3097. http://www.eastindiaco.com/
• Specializing in prime cuts of steak and fresh seafood, Lobby on York is a sleek and contemporary restaurant and lounge perfect for a night out on the town. The kitchen puts modern twists on traditional dishes, like pan-roasted pickerel with couscous, edamame and prawns. 295 York Ave, 896-7275. http://www.lobbyonyork.com
• Samurai Japanese Restaurant is a zen-like oasis amongst the hustle of downtown. Izakaya—small Japanese snacks—are served, as well as sushi made with luxurious ingredients, such as lobster and crab. 330 Portage Ave, 944-0333. http://samuraiwinnipeg.com
• A five-course fine dining extravaganza that changes each month awaits eager epicureans at Sydney’s at The Forks. Gourmet creations like maple pepper-glazed salmon and sweet corn crab bisque are artfully presented. 215-1 Forks Market Rd, 942-6075. http://www.sydneysattheforks.com/web/index.html
• For one of the city’s best views, snag a coveted table on the rooftop patio of Tavern United in summer. When the weather cools down, head indoors to this two-storey sports bar for wings, beer, fish and chips and other pub grub. 260 Hargrave St, 944-0022. http://www.canadinns.com/eat/eat.php?entry_id=9259
• VJ’s Drive-Inn is an institution in the city known for its made-from-scratch fries and burgers loaded with chili and all the other fixings. The small white building at Broadway and Main is take-out only, but seating is available outdoors in warmer months. 170 Main St, 943-2655.
• Turkeys are roasted on-site daily—that’s what makes the mouth-watering clubhouse sandwiches served at The Wagon Wheel Lunch restaurant one of the best in town. 305 Hargrave St, 942-6695.

Top Places to Shop

• Proper-fitting shoes and foot health for men, women and children are the focus at Canadian Footwear. Hard-to-find sizes, widths and orthotics are also stocked. 128 Adelaide St, 944-7463. http://www.canadianfootwear.com/home
• Two levels of food kiosks, specialty food and wine stores, clothing, souvenirs, jewellery and gifts at The Forks Market offer something for everyone. 1 Forks Market Rd, 942-6302. http://www.theforks.com/shopping
• Hugo Boss, Replay, and Tino Cosma are just some of the high-end labels at men’s clothing shop Hanford Drewitt. On-site tailoring ensures the perfect fit. 354 Broadway, 957-1640. http://hanforddrewitt.com/
• Johnston Terminal is one of two retail buildings at The Forks. Here, you’ll find treasures from China at Mandarin House, artwork by Manitoba artisans at Pulse Gallery, a large selection of children’s toys at Kite and Kaboodle, and so much more. Johnston Terminal at The Forks, 942-6302. http://www.theforks.com/shopping/show,listing/johnston-terminal
• Outdoor adventurers look to Mountain Equipment Co-op to outfit biking, hiking, camping, traveling and paddling adventures. Three deserted buildings were converted into the shop you see today, using environmentally friendly practices. 303 Portage Avenue, 943-4202. http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Services/Stores/Winnipeg.jsp
• Located in the heart of downtown, there are more than 100 shops and services at Portage Place, including a theatre, cinema and IMAX screen. Retailers from Le Château to Staples are mixed in with local shops, like H’attitude and Argento World of Silver. 393 Portage Ave, 925-4630. http://www.portageplace.mb.ca/
• Find your favourite professional sports team’s gear at Uptown Sports & Collectibles. This shop carries hats, jerseys, mugs, cards, pennants, toques, and shirts that will thrill any sports enthusiast. Portage Place Skywalk, 203-393 Portage Ave, 885-3377.

Top Things to See and Do

• After extensive renovation, the Children’s Museum recently reopened with 12 new hands-on areas for families to explore. Whimsical galleries include a jungle gym named “Lasagna Lookout” and Pop M’art, which re-uses materials for arts and crafts. 45 Forks Market Rd. 924-4000. http://www.childrensmuseum.com
• Dalnavert Museum is housed in the beautifully restored Victorian home of Hugh John Macdonald, son of Canada’s first prime minister. The home showcases the Queen Anne Revival-style architecture, circa 1895. 61 Carlton St, 943-2835. http://www.mhs.mb.ca
• The land around the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers has been a meeting place for more than 6,000 years. Today, The Forks National Historic Site hosts interpretive displays, a riverside walkway, a world-class skating plaza and a wide range of events for the whole family. It is also the future home of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Located east of Main around Broadway. Events hotline: 957-7618. http://www.theforks.com/
• Watch Hollywood blockbusters and documentaries on a five-and-a-half storey screen at IMAX Theatre at Portage Place, now with shows in 3D. Third floor, Portage Place, 956-IMAX. http://www.imaxwinnipeg.com
• Take a guided or self-guided tour inside The Manitoba Legislative Building, one of the finest public buildings in North America. The “Ledge” is home to Manitoba’s provincial government and The Golden Boy—one of Manitoba’s best known icons—proudly tops the building. 450 Broadway, 945-5813. http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/legtour/index.html
• The Millennium Library is a state-of-the-art educational facility with free internet access and tours available. 251 Donald St, 986-6450. http://www.winnipeg.ca/library
• Located in the heart of downtown, MTS Centre is an all-in-one music venue, stadium and sports centre and is now home to the Winnipeg Jets. It is one of the busiest arenas in the world. 300 Portage Avenue, 987-7825. http://www.mtscentre.ca
• Plays with a focus on Manitoban and Canadian artists take centre stage at Prairie Theatre Exchange. It is Canada’s only professional theatre company located in a shopping mall. 393 Portage Ave, third floor, Portage Place, 942-5483. http://www.pte.mb.ca/
• Established in 1912, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is Canada’s first civic art gallery and home to the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art. The diverse selection of exhibitions offered at the WAG has made it one of Canada’s leading art museums. 300 Memorial Blvd, 786-6641. http://wag.ca