Often a city’s downtown gets all the tourism love. But in Winnipeg, the south end features some of the city’s best highlights. From a world-class spa to an urban prairie oasis, there’s something for every kind of visitor:
Family: Did you know Winnipeg is even more fun for families than Disney (These kids sure thought so)? Get fuelled for the day with a hearty, hot breakfast at the Holiday Inn Winnipeg South’s EnoBAR & Kitchen. Kids eat free so let the pancakes stack up and the orange juice flow.
After packing some snacks from the hotel’s on-site market, pile into the car and head out for an urban nature experience like no other. Located just 10 minutes from the Holiday Inn, FortWhyte Alive is 640 acres of protected prairie beauty which offers year-round outdoor activities for the whole family. Hike in the summer, snowshoe when there’s snow; canoe in open water, or catch some fish through a hole in the ice; buy fresh goods at the summer market, or bake bannock while warming up by a fire. No matter what the season, the whole herd will love watching FortWhyte’s 25+ head of bison roam the plains.
With all your energy spent, finish the day splashing in the kid’s pool, relaxing in the whirlpool, or just get cozy under the covers for an in-room family movie night.
Couples: Have a getaway made for two. Treat yourselves to the Holiday Inn’s Romantic Escape Package, which includes upgrading to a superior king guest room; plenty of space to stretch out and spend a lazy morning. This is probably a good time to order room service, or just tuck into the package’s provided box of chocolates.
In keeping with comfort, book a couples massage at Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature, which is only minutes away, and enjoy quality time together while you free your muscles of tension. After you’re seriously blissed out, let the final bits of stress soak out of you in thermal pools situated amongst the pines, or indulge your senses in an Aufguss ritual — a mixture of music, essential oils, and relaxation in the Finlandia sauna.
If all this relaxation has made you hungry, keep your spa bathrobe on and enjoy a gourmet meal, fireplace side, at Rësto. Or, head back to your suite, pop the cork on the supplied bottle of wine, and toast to a spectacular day.
Girl’s Trip: Whether you’re with your BFF or it’s the whole squad, south Winnipeg has some of the best shopping options for a girl’s weekend. Hop on the Holiday Inn’s complimentary shuttle and take your credit card to the city’s newest mall, Outlet Collection Winnipeg. Get that Kate Spade bag you’ve always wanted at a sale price or stock up on other designer labels such as Lacoste, Michael Kors, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Don’t worry too much about treating yourself; Holiday Inn guests receive a $20 Outlet Collection Winnipeg gift card to help with that shopping spree.
Go from fashion to furniture by popping just across the road to Winnipeg’s IKEA, the second largest one in Canada, or taking a quick drive to the Kenaston & McGillivray retail power centre, which features stores like Tommy Hilfiger, Hudson’s Bay Home, Adidas, and Winnipeg’s own fashion icon, Nygard, one of the largest women's clothing manufacturers in the world.
Later, head back to your hotel room to get dressed up for a night out. Grab a cocktail and some apps at EnoBAR & Kitchen, try a local pint at Stone Angel Brewing Co’s large, airy taproom, or put on a one woman show at 8KKM Karaoke, a quirky little place that has your favourite, classic English songs along with a wide selection of Japanese and Korean titles.
Make the Holiday Inn Winnipeg South your home base before heading out to explore all Winnipeg’s south end has to offer.