Here For It - Fall - Outdoor Experiences

There’s no time like autumn to experience Winnipeg’s great outdoors. Our famed tree canopy turns a gorgeous golden hue while underneath this scene of slowly falling leaves you can take a stroll while breathing in that crabapple-crisp air. In the sky beyond the branches an ever-present honking of migratory geese adds a fine symphony to round out the senses, while just outside the city you can experience the rustle of stalks as you navigate a corn maze in your niftiest knits.

Here are a few spots that showcase just how awesome autumn is in Winnipeg.

Get Your Goose

One of the most spectacular sights you can catch in the city happens every year from September through October. It’s a time when tens of thousands of migratory birds are warming up for a long flight south. But before they do head out, they’re busy feeding and foraging in the city’s surrounding fields, then flying in to rest at night at both Oak Hammock Marsh and FortWhyte Alive. The sight and sounds of these thousands of ducks, geese, gulls, pelicans and shorebirds make is remarkable. It’s a symphony of honks, beating wings and splashes as the birds take to the water while all occurring right around dusk, making for sunset shots filled with the silhouettes of countless wings.

At FortWhyte Alive this spectacle is paired with Goose Flight Feasts in the Buffalo Stone Café. With three nightly seatings, you can watch this aviation action go down at Lake Devonian, while savouring a seasonal three-course dinner from the farm-to-table experts from SMITH at Inn at the Forks. FortWhyte Alive itself has much in the way to experience during this time, including canoeing on the lakes (with guided Paddle Nights available for booking), strolls through its enchanting aspen forests, bison safaris and numerous other events.

Oak Hammock Marsh too has plenty to compliment this ducky spectacle, including guided marsh walks, canoe rentals, and self-guided wetland scavenger hunts that are fun for the whole family.

Park Life

Winnipeg’s parks are primetime spots to take a stroll underneath golden archways of leaves. Kildonan Park always enchants with its splendid footbridges, stately trees and the iconic Witch’s Hut, which looks like it was plucked out of a Brother’s Grimm fairytale in autumn. Assiniboine Park is brimming with tree-lined paths and charming gardens—including the brand new Gardens at The Leaf—where you’ll be treated to plenty of golden and crimson hues as you stroll past attractions like The Leaf at Canada’s Diversity Gardens (where you can continue to see the $67 million horticultural attraction take shape) and Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.

Pedalling and Paddling

Considering meteorologists are calling for mild fall temperatures, check out some of our local outfitters to listen to the crunching leaves under the wheels of a fat tire bike, or to kayak past The Forks as the leaves start to fall.

At a glance, for bikes there’s Woodcock Cycle Works, White Pine Bicycle Co, Northern Bicycle, Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures, Type Eh Bikes and Bee2Gether Bikes. The latter rents fun tandem bikes, pedal-powered carts and so much more at its locations in Assiniboine Park and The Forks.

To get on the water, check out Winnipeg Canoe Rentals for free pickups and returns; Wilderness Supply for canoes and kayaks; Splash Dash Canoe Rentals – located right at The Forks; and Manitoba Canoe and Kayak Centre, which offers lessons and drop-ins. We have lots of great ideas for the best spots to get paddlin' in the 'Peg.

Farm Fun

Corn maze season is also upon us, with several options when it comes to hearing that rustle amongst the stalks as you navigate your way. Deer Meadow Farms and the aptly named A Maze in Corn are the two top draws. Both attractions offer experiences your kids will relish, like petting zoos and wagon rides, while you can buy produce grown on the farm too.