Explore The Top 30 Attractions and Things to Do in Winnipeg, Manitoba

September 28, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 1841 Views 0 Comments

Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba province in Canada. The city is named after Lake Winnipeg which is just outside it. The city is associated with various festivals and top things to do in Winnipeg in winter such as ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, winter games, ice hockey, and more.

Festival du Voyageur is the biggest winter festival in the city. You get to see unique snow gimmick games, food, events, and activities held at the best places to visit in Winnipeg. You also get to see several snowmen and ice-sculpture installations in the city during this time.

Besides all things snowy, the city is also known for its cultural attractions as well. It hosts famous festivals dedicated to folk music, jazz music, dance performances, ballet, and drama. Even if your visit to Winnipeg does not coincide with a festival, you can still catch a wonderful performance. Winnipeg tourist attractions like the Manitoba Centennial Center regularly hold music and theatrical performances.

Winnipeg is home to wonderful works of art, especially sculptures. There are art museums, galleries, and sculpture gardens among things to see in Winnipeg. You will also see several statues and sculptures scattered around the city.

Winnipeg Art Museum and Leo Mol Sculpture are the most prominent art institutions to explore during Winnipeg travel. The city is also adorned with vivid street art and creative murals. You can admire these at Winnipeg tourist spots in Exchange District, Osborn Village, and Corydon Avenue.

Being the capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg has several archeological, historical, and natural museums that talk about the province’s history.

People also visit Winnipeg for its own rich history as well. The region was a major settlement of the aboriginal people of Canada. Just outside the city, there are a few reserved farms. You can enjoy a variety of cultural activities and outdoor things to do in Winnipeg at these places. These places preserve the aboriginal history and culture of the region. They are also popular for nature trails and hiking.

The places to see in Winnipeg also have a historical imprint of the colonial period. You will come across several commercial, residential, and government buildings that were built by French colonists. You can further explore the history of that period in history museums, churches, art museums, military buildings, and house museums.

This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn a small part of the commission and for that, you do not need to pay any extra amount.

Table of Contents

Top 30 Tourist Places to Visit in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1. Canadian Museum of Human Rights

This museum focuses on human rights, their significance, and historical milestones in the movement. Some of the exhibits of the museum are considered controversial. But, they are worth exploring. The building housing this museum is a wonderful work of modern architecture. It is one of the most unique things to see in Winnipeg. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

2. The Aboriginal Center / Neeginan Center

This center is dedicated to the aboriginal community of Winnipeg and its culture. It is among the best places to visit in Winnipeg to explore the regional culture. You can take a guided tour of the center to learn about its history. You also get a visual representation of the culture at the center’s art gallery. People can also enjoy wonderful aboriginal cuisine at the center’s restaurant. You will need an hour or so to tour this center.

3. The Manitoba Museum

This museum tells the story of the Manitoba province. The exhibits explore both human and natural history. You will find artifacts about culture, politics, sciences, construction, zoology, geology, art, sailing, and more. It is one of the most popular Winnipeg attractions for its recreation of the Northern Lights phenomenon. You will need an hour and a half to tour this museum.

4. Statue Look / Portage Avenue

This street is known for a variety of statues and art installations. Stretching between Spence and Westbrook, this street is one of the most popular tourist places in Winnipeg for art admirers. These statues include animals, people, abstract art, and historical figures. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to check out various statues on this street.

5. The Forks Market

The market is developed inside a former railway repair facility. Though, the history of this land as a marketplace goes back 6000 years. The market sells fresh produce and organic products. It also has several food vendors. You get to try a variety of cuisines at this market. It is among the most popular indoor activities to do in Winnipeg. The market also sees several events and performances. You will need about a couple of hours to explore Forks Market.

6. The Royal Canadian Mint

During its lifetime, this mint has produced more than 55 billion coins. It is one of the most important historical Winnipeg tourist attractions. The museum of this mint showcases the history of currency and coins. You will see some fascinating coins from different cultures. It takes about an hour to tour this place.

7. Manitoba Legislative Building

This building is known for its colonial architecture and its historical significance. Although the “Golden Boy” statue perched is more famous. The statue was sculpted by Charles Gardet in Paris in 1918. The “Golden Boy” is said to embody the spirit of enterprise and eternal youth. The building itself was developed in 1919. The Italian marble work combined with Tyndall stone weaved the facade of this building. You will need 30 to 45 minutes from Winnipeg sightseeing to admire the Legislative building and the “Golden Boy” perched in front of it.

8. The Exchange District National Historic Site

This area is known for its Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings. The neighborhood got its name because of several financial institutions established here. You will come across a few historical buildings, art galleries, chic restaurants, and other Winnipeg tourist spots. The exchange district is decorated with street art and murals. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this area.

9. St. Boniface Cathedral

Founded in 1818, this is the oldest cathedral in western Canada. It is renowned for its French Romanesque architecture. The structure was damaged several times in fires. But renovations incorporated its historical facade quite beautifully. It is one of the finest places to see in Winnipeg. You will need half an hour or so to explore this cathedral.

10. Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site

The history of this fort goes back to the 1830s. It was first built by Hudson’s Bay Company. In the course of its history, this fort has served as a prison, penitentiary, mental asylum, and country club. It is one of the best things to do in Winnipeg, Canada for those interested in colonial and trade history. The fort played an important role during the fur-trade era. It is the only fort from that period standing today. You will need an hour and a half to tour this defensive complex.

11. Osborn Village

This area is known for its art scene, shopping, entertainment venues, and other fun activities in Winnipeg. Like the Exchange district, this area is also adorned with street art and murals. It is home to several art studios and galleries. Osborn village is also popular for its nightlife venues. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this area.

12. Arctic Glacier Winter Park

This park comes alive in winter and is full of adventurous activities. You can enjoy skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, ice hockey, and more. It is a happening venue for fun things to do in Winnipeg in winter. You can also see several ice sculptures throughout the park. There are horse-drawn carriages to tour the area. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying sports and activities in this park.

13. Winnipeg Art Gallery

This gallery has a collection of more than twenty-five thousand art pieces. These include both historical and contemporary artworks. The gallery exhibits works of Canadian, Inuit, American, and European artists. You will need an hour from Winnipeg travel to tour this gallery.

14. Manitoba Children’s Museum

This museum has 12 interactive galleries for children. It teaches children about history, art, science, culture, and technology. If you visit Winnipeg with family, you should definitely check this place out. You will have an hour or so to tour this museum.

15. Manitoba Electrical Museum

This museum focuses on the history as well as the future of electricity. It has several electrical equipments of different ages. It is one of the most interesting tourist places in Winnipeg. You will see electric cars, robots, household equipment, modern tech, and more. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this place.

16. Airforce Heritage Museum and Air Park

This is the largest airpark in Canada. The museum has several military aircraft from different periods. It also focuses on the history of aerial warfare. The aircraft are arranged in dramatic action poses. People love taking pictures with real planes in the museum. You will see fighter planes, helicopters, training planes, transport aircraft, and more. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

17. Assiniboine Park & Zoo

This zoo has a variety of animals, but it primarily focuses on animals of the snowy north. Some of the highlight animals in this zoo include Polar Bear, Snowy Owl, Arctic Fox, Siberian Tiger, Reindeer, Seal, Toucan, Yak, and Snow Leopard. It is among the top things to do in Winnipeg, Manitoba for families. You can enjoy interactive activities with animals and a few animal performance shows. One of the biggest attractions of this zoo is the miniature steam train which helps you tour the park. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this zoo.

18. Festival du Voyageur

This festival is held in February to celebrate the traditions of early French Voyagers. The festival features a variety of outdoor activities to do in Winnipeg. You get to enjoy music, dance, unique food, shopping, entertainment, winter sports, snow games, and more. The festival is also popular because several ice sculptures were created the festival. You can easily spend a few hours exploring various attractions of this festival.

19. Fort Whyte Alive

This nature reserve area comprises lakes, grasslands, and bog boardwalks. It is one of the most fun places to go in Winnipeg to explore nature and wildlife. The area is most associated with Bison safari. But, it also has an aquarium, nature exhibits, nature trails, birdwatching trails, and more. During winter, people come here for cross-country skiing, ice skating, toboggan running, and so on. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this place.

20. Corydon Avenue

This tree-lined street is among the best places to visit in Winnipeg for shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The street has trendy shops, music concert halls, and street art. There are 8 large metal figures representing Spain, Greece, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Scotland, Ukraine, and France. These art installations are among the most photographed things to see in Winnipeg. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this street.

21. Manitoba Centennial Center

The center is home to several Winnipeg attractions including Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Centennial Concert Hall, Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Theatre Center, and Manitoba Opera. If you are looking to catch a live performance experience, this is the place to be. You can enjoy musical concerts, theatre performances, ballets, opera, dance performances, comedy shows, and more. You will need a couple of hours for any of these experiences.

22. Riel House National Historic Site

This house used to belong to Louis Riel, the founder of Manitoba. The house has been restored to reflect life during the 1800s. The house museum also talks about his life and work. You will need half an hour from Winnipeg sightseeing to tour this house museum.

23. Kildonan Park

Spread over 99 acres, this recreational park is great for fun activities in Winnipeg. You can enjoy nature trails, green spaces, picnic spots, swimming, and more. The park is also home to the Rainbow Theatre which is a major Winnipeg tourist attraction. It is the longest-running open-air theatre in Canada. You will need an hour or so to explore this park.

24. Prairie Dog Central Railway

This restored steam train takes you from Winnipeg to Grosse Isle. The train has vintage coaches and gives you a wonderful classical travel experience. It also offers cool things to do in Winnipeg, Canada such as a train robbery experience, a Halloween train ride, and more. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this experience.

25. A Maze in Corn

This amusement farm has several fun outdoor activities to do in Winnipeg. The biggest attraction is its 2-hour zip-line tour. You get to explore the Manitoba Prairies and seven towers. The farm has the longest-running corn maze in Canada. You will find several animals on the farm. You can even pet some of them. You will need 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the different facilities of this park.

26. Living Prairie Museum

This museum spreads over 130 hectares. It is dedicated to preserving the tall grass of Manitoba. The museum has 150 species of grasses and wildflowers. The museum also has a few animals from the Manitoba prairie. You will need an hour or so from Winnipeg travel to explore this museum.

27. Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature

This Scandinavian-style spa has mineral pools, bathing routines, and several other wellness treatments. The spa is situated among snow-clad fig trees and is one of the most popular Winnipeg tourist spots. You will need an hour or so to experience this spa.

28. Leo Mol Sculpture Garden

This garden exhibits artworks created by renowned artist Leo Mol. The garden has more than 300 art pieces including sculptures, bronze installations, drawings, paintings, ceramic art, and more. It is among the most beautiful places to see in Winnipeg. The garden also showcases molds used by Leo Mol for some of his art pieces. You will need an hour or so to tour this garden.

29. Red River Mutual Skating Trail

This trail stretches for 9 km and is one of the longest skating trails in the world. You can explore the trail on ice skates if you visit Winnipeg during winter. The trail also facilitates several winter sports and activities aside from ice skating as well. You will need a couple of hours for this trail.

30. Lake Winnipeg

This lake is one of the best places to visit near Winnipeg. It is a popular day tour destination for swimming, hiking, picnics, and beach activities. You will need 2 to 3 hours to visit this lake.

If you are looking for more things to see in Winnipeg, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of attractions and activities in Winnipeg and around it.

Things to do in Winnipeg

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Winnipeg

Canadian Museum of Human Rights
The Manitoba Museum
Leo Mol Sculpture Garden
Legislative Building
Winnipeg Art Gallery
Royal Canadian Mint
St. Boniface Cathedral
St. Boniface Museum
Manitoba Children’s Museum
Riel House National Historic Site
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
Winnipeg Art Gallery
Forks National Historic Site
Manitoba Electrical Museum
Airforce Heritage Museum and Air Park
Fire Fighters Museum of Winnipeg
Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
Upper Fort Garry Heritage Provincial Park
Quamajuq Art Museum
Winnipeg Railway Museum
Dalnavert Museum and Visitor’s Center
Transcona Museum
Assiniboine Park Conservatory
Plug-in Institute of Contemporary Art
Naval Museum of Manitoba
Seven Oaks House Museum
Windsor Park Nordic Center
Ross House Museum
Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park
Center Cultural Franco Manitoba
Winnipeg Police Museum
C2 Center for Craft
Manitoba Electrical Museum
St. Norbert Provincial Heritage Park
The Historical Museum of St. James
Air Force Heritage Museum and Air Park
Saint Vital Historical Society and Museum
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
Costume Museum of Manitoba
Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art
Fort Garry Horse Museum & Archives
Grant’s Old Mill
Trappist Monastery Provincial Park
St. John’s Anglican Cathedral
Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center
La Maison Gabrielle Roy

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Winnipeg

Fort Whyte Alive
Living Prairie Museum
Lake Winnipeg
Assiniboine Forest
Harte Trail
Deer Meadows Farm
Bois des Esprits
Red River Floodway
Seine River Greenway Trail
Oak Hammock Marsh

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Winnipeg

Assiniboine Park and Zoo
Pantages Playhouse Theatre
Royal Manitoba Theatre
Manitoba Centennial Center
Kildonan Park
Rainbow Stage
Prairie Dog Central Railway
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Red River Mutual Skating Trail
Thermea Spa
Club Regent Casino
St. Vital Park
Tinkertown Amusements Park
Kings Park
McPhilips Station Casino
La Barriere Park
A Maze in Corn
Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park
Little Mountain Park
Gardens at the Leaf
English Garden
Fun Park Amusement Center
Grand Prix Amusement Park
Bunn’s Creek Centennial Park
Thunder Rapids Amusement Park
Springhill Winter Park
A Witches Hut
Vertical Adventures
Central Park
Lagimodiere Gaboury Park
Henteleff Park Foundation
Variety heritage Adventure Park
Kildonan Park Outdoor Park
Bourkevale Park
Active Games
Crescent Drive Park
Transcona Aquatic Park
Whittier Park
Stephen Juba Park
Buhler Recreation Park
Grand Beach Provincial Park
Boonstra Farms
Mayfair Farms

Shopping in Winnipeg

The Forks Market
Le Marche’s St. Norbert Farmers Market
Alleyways Market
CF Polo Park
Cityplace
Downtown Farmer’s Market
Garden City Shopping Center
Kildonan Place
Portage Place

Beaches & Islands in Winnipeg

Lake Winnipeg Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Winnipeg

Hiking
Camping
Bison Safari
Skiing
Cross Country Skiing
Ice Skating
Snowboarding
Bird Watching
Nature Trail

Sightseeing in Winnipeg

The Forks
The Exchange District National Historic Site
Old Markets Square
Corydon Avenue
Osborn Village
Portage Avenue
The Forks National Historic Site
Esplanade Riel Footbridge
Nestaweya River Trail
The Golden Boy

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Winnipeg

Feast Cafe Bistro
Amsterdam Tea Room
529 Wellington
Aroma Bistro
Neechi Commons
Bagelsmith
A Little Pizza Heaven
Bar Italia
East India Company Pubs
9 Below Ice Cream Bar
Copper Chimney
Aaltos
Cilantro’s
Across the Board Game Cafe
Charisma of India
Affinity Vegetarian Garden
Ivory
Alena Rustic Italian

Where to Stay in Winnipeg?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Winnipeg. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Winnipeg.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Winnipeg

How to Reach Winnipeg?

By Air

The city is served by Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. You can get direct flights to reach Winnipeg from Montreal, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Minneapolis, Ottawa, San Jose del Cabo, Halifax, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hamilton, and several other cities in North America.

You can get buses, shuttle buses, and cabs to get to the city from the airport.

By Road

You can get a direct train to visit Winnipeg from Toronto, Jasper, Edmonton, Churchill, Thompson, and a few other cities. You can get tickets for the trains from ViaRail of Canada. This track is also connected to the Amtrak network, so you can get a connecting train for Winnipeg travel from a few American cities.

The bus network is quite widespread, you can get direct buses to reach Winnipeg from several cities in Manitoba and surrounding states. You can also get connecting buses from several major cities in Canada.

If you are planning to get to Winnipeg by road, you should head for Trans-Canada route number 1 or Manitoba routes 7 or 59. If you are visiting Winnipeg from the USA, you can use US National route 29 and continue on Lord Selkirk Highway route 75 to reach the city.

By Water

There are no water routes for Winnipeg travel.

Image Reference

Canadian Museum of Human Rights – Jim Hoffman / Flickr
The Aboriginal Center –
The Manitoba Museum – aa440 / Flickr
Statue Look – AdolfGalland / Flickr
The Forks Market – Peter Macdonald / Flickr
The Royal Canadian Mint – aa440 / Flickr
Manitoba Legislative Building – Vincci / Flickr
The Exchange District National Historic Site – Agatha Barc / Flickr
St. Boniface Cathedral – Jeff Samsonow / Flickr
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site – Robert Linsdell / Flickr
Osborn Village – Wpg guy / Wikimedia Commons
Arctic Glacier Winter Park – Lorie Shaull / Flickr
Winnipeg Art Gallery – aa440 / Flickr
Manitoba Children’s Museum – aa440 / Flickr
Manitoba Electrical Museum – Wtshymanski / Wikimedia Commons
Airforce Heritage Museum and Air Park – Wtshymanski / Wikimedia Commons
Assiniboine Park & Zoo – Jimj wpg / Wikimedia Commons
Festival du Voyageur – aa440 / Flickr
FortWhyte Alive – Justin Ladia / Flickr
Corydon Avenue – AdolfGalland / Flickr
Manitoba Centennial Center – Wikimedia Commons
Riel House National Historic Site – Hans-Jürgen Hübner / Wikimedia Commons
Kildonan Park – Jimj wpg / Wikimedia Commons
Prairie Dog Central Railway – Robert Linsdell / Flickr
A Maze in Corn – Justin Ladia / Flickr
Living Prairie Museum – Jimj wpg / Wikimedia Commons
Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature –
Leo Mol Sculpture Garden – Al / Flickr
Red River Mutual Skating Trail – aa440 / Wikimedia Commons
Lake Winnipeg – Robert Linsdell / Flickr