Cyclists take in the sights of downtown Winnipeg at St. Boniface during Moveable Feast 2013. (Photo by Robin Summerfield)
Organizers of six new food, restaurant and culture tours of downtown Winnipeg promise the summer excursions will reveal a new side to the prairie city.
"These tours help us show off the city in an authentic, intimate way," said Stephano Grande, executive director of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. "Rather than just putting an ad in the paper or on a billboard, we want to pull people by the hand and actually show them what’s going on downtown."
This isn't the first time the BIZ has been in the tour business. In 2013, they launched Moveable Feast, an eating and biking tour of the city's core. And in February they hosted a cycling and food tour as part of an international conference about best practices in urban cycling.
The new tours will cover Winnipeg's patio, wine, beer and pub culture. A trolley tour around downtown will highlight redevelopment projects and the rebirth of the core as a place to work, live and invest.
The announcement of the tours also heralds the start of Winnipeg's summer events season, Grande said. “People have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring and summer – the sizzling heat, the sunset, and hanging around downtown restaurants and patios surrounded by friends and good people.”
Here are descriptions of all the tours, dates and cost:
Biking & Beer – An elite mountain/hybrid cycling event. Hit the city's newest bike routes on a two-hour ride with the executive director of the Downtown BIZ, finishing with a cold beer on a downtown patio. Route is approximately 50 km and features Café 22, Pony Corral, and Moxie’s Classic Grill on June 18, July 16, and August 13. 4:30 p.m. start; free.
A Moveable Feast – Take in the gorgeous view of some of downtown's most iconic buildings, architecture, and places on a five-hour bike ride, while enjoying great eats from local downtown restaurants, featuring Little Sister Coffee Maker, Old Spaghetti Factory, Promenade Cafe & Wine, Little Saigon, Waves Restaurant & Lounge, Pony Corral, Thom Bargen, The Fyxx, East India Company Pub & Eatery, Kum Koon, and surprise restaurants in the Exchange District and West End. Route is approximately 7 km and is co-presented by Downtown BIZ, Exchange District BIZ, West End BIZ, Provencher BIZ, West Broadway BIZ, Osborne Village BIZ, Bike Valet, Bike Winnipeg, and the City of Winnipeg’s Active Transportation. June 19 and September 27. 5:00 p.m. start; $35/person.
Patio Crawl – Because now that summer is here, one patio is never enough. Grab your friends, soak up the sun and sip your favourite drinks. Sample delicious brews at beloved watering holes like Elephant & Castle, Muddy Waters, Finn's Pub, The Keg, Earls Restaurant, Old Spaghetti Factory, Clay Oven, Beachcombers, Rudy's Eat and Drink, The Met, and The Current. August 8, July 11, and July 13. 5:00 p.m. start; $30/person. Tour length: 2.5 hours.
Winnipeg Wine – Explore the wine lists of some of Winnipeg's top downtown restaurants and sample delectable food pairings with this guided tour. Stroll your way to downtown’s top fine dining restaurants, including Sydney's, The Velvet Glove, Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, Prairie 360, 295 York, and Fort Garry, and cap it all off with an overnight stay at the lavish Hotel Fort Garry. September 12. 6:30 p.m. start; $175 for one person or $250 for two people.
Almost Famous – Tour the pubs, clubs, and bars that are home to Winnipeg best blues, rock, and country bands. Featuring classic, quirky, and historic venues with performances from up-and-comers and local favourites at the Pyramid Cabaret, Shannon’s Irish Pub, and Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club. July 19 and August 16. 9:00 p.m. start; $35/person.
Rebirth of Our Downtown – Take a front row seat as the BIZ shares with you stories leading to the rebirth of our downtown and our downtown vision. Winnipeg’s downtown has shown a new wave of productivity, growth, innovation and consumer optimism – as articulated in a new market research report, Downtown Trends. Hop on our trolley and tour some of the redevelopment activities that’s making downtown Winnipeg the place to invest, work, live, and experience. June 25. 10:00 a.m.; free.
For a tour list and to buy tickets click here.
Eat, drink and socialize during one of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's six new tours for 2014. (Photo by Robin Summerfield)
Cyclists stop at a downtown statue of Louis Riel during Moveable Feast 2013. (Photo by Robin Summerfield)
Cyclists tour downtown restaurants during Moveable Feast 2013. (Photo by Robin Summerfield)
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