As Winnipeg buckles down to take on Code Red restrictions, the unseasonably warm weather this week may be one of our only positives right now – luckily, these positives are even in the double digits!
Get outside when you can and soak up the sunshine, safely. Here are over a dozen ways to catch a tan in November:
VISIT THE FORKS
Sipping and seating at the Forks are here for those who wish patio season lasted all year. Grab your coffee to go from Fools + Horses and get cozy around one of The Forks’ many fireplaces.
The Forks: A self-guided audio tour takes you through more than 6,000 years of history in 60 minutes. Download the track, put in your headphones and explore this historic site on foot.
Stroll along the Riverwalk as it follows the curves of the Red and Assiniboine rivers to the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Spot the geese and ducks who are waiting until the very last minute to depart south for the winter.
ASSINIBOINE PARK ZOO
Stay outside and say hello to the snow leopards and more! Purchase your tickets online for contactless entry and discover all the incredible species throughout the Assiniboine Park Zoo’s 80-acre mostly-open space.
CUTE PARKS WITH ART
Create your own sculpture scavenger hunt as you stroll through these parks:
Bois-des-Esprits: This 117-acre urban forest along the banks of the Seine River is lined with countless carvings holding folklore secrets since 2009. Some carvings are easier to find than others. How many can you spot?
Grants Old Mill: It’s all fun and reindeer games around Grant’s Old Mill – the reconstruction of the 1829 water-powered flour mill along the banks of Sturgeon Creek. You’ll spot over a dozen tiny wooden deer in many tiny poses hiding all around.
Leo Mol Sculpture Garden: This garden is a quiet retreat within the Assiniboine Park. Just a short walk past the Pavilion, you can explore the many bronze sculptures by Dr. Leo Mol.
GUIDED WALKS
The Loop: Winnipeg’s urban walking trail showcases the city’s modern-day gems throughout this 9.5km trail winding through downtown, the Exchange District and St. Boniface with more than 50 unique points of interest.
Winnipeg Architecture Foundations QR Code Tour: Learn more about Winnipeg’s buildings and how they were designed with this tour that uses QR code decals on significant architectural projects throughout the city.
Wicked to Riches Broadway Walking Tour: The Winnipeg Trolley Company has put together an amazing self-guided 90-minute experience with more than 15 stops along the way. Download the app and experience the city on your own time.
ACTIVITIES FOR ART LOVERS
Back Alley Arctic: The arctic comes alive in Wolseley. Walk or bike down this art-filled alley featuring dozens of works by local artist and environmental activist, Kal Barteski.
Winnipeg Public Art Walk: Explore Winnipeg and learn more about the art that makes our city so vibrant! Winnipeg Arts Council has just released a new mobile app offering an interactive guide to public art found in parks, along trails and on city streets.
CoolStreetsWPG bridges: You’ve heard of wall murals and street murals, but what about bridge murals? For the third year in a row, Cool Streets Winnipeg has transformed five city bridges into bright and colourful pathways accessible for everyone to see.
EVEN MORE IDEAS
FortWhyte Alive: Whether you’re birding, biking or hiking through the endless trails, you’ll be sure to soak up all the sun.
No plans? Big planes! Visit the Air Force Heritage Museum to discover a display of military aircraft like no other in Canada.
Coffee (curbside), cones and canines. Ice cream in November is absolutely acceptable in Winnipeg – even more so when you share it with a pup. Pre-order from Fete Ice Cream and Coffee and pick it up on your way to Bonnycastle dog park.