Winnipeg is the capital city of Manitoba and the largest city in the province. In its early years, Winnipeg’s location as the geographical centre of Canada and the convergence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers made it an important fur trading post and meeting place. A maze of trails led in and out of the city, many of which were later turned into streets. Knowing this bit of history will help you understand Winnipeg’s seemingly random current street layout. With the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Winnipeg became an important economic and transportation hub as well as the symbolic gateway to Western Canada. Although Winnipeg’s economic boom was short lived, much of the city’s period architecture remains intact and on display for visitors, especially in the city’s Exchange District. Today, Winnipeg is a much different city but there are a few aspects that remain the same. The Forks, the place where the Assiniboine River meets the Red River, is just as important now as it was back then but for much different reasons. Now it is one of the city’s top tourist attractions offering shops, bars, restaurants and beautiful parks. The other feature that remains the same is the spirit of the people. Winnipeggers are among the friendliest, most welcoming and accepting Canadians you will ever meet and this is reflected in the numerous ethnic and religious groups who call this city home from Aboriginal peoples to Chinese, French Canadian to Ukrainian.

Now that you have a little background on Winnipeg, you can appreciate all that it is today. There is so much to see and do that you will be hard pressed to fit it all in. For first time visitors there is no better place to start your holiday and get a true feel for the city than at The Forks. The Forks Market is a great place to sample or pick up gourmet foods and there are over 50 specialty shops where you will find just about everything including that perfect souvenir. There are also some delicious ethnic restaurants, lively patio bars, museums, playgrounds, outdoor concert venues and more. For entertainment, culture, nightlife and shopping, visit Osborne Village. Many of the city’s most popular, trendy bars and restaurants are located here. Winnipeg also plays host to a number of annual festivals celebrating everything from the fur trade to jazz. Festivals you won’t want to miss include Folklorama in August, a two week celebration of the city’s ethnic diversity, Le Festival du Voyageur in February - a 10 day fur trade themed celebration and western Canada’s largest winter festival, and The Winnipeg Fringe Festival in July - North America’s second largest Fringe Festival.

The city is full of attractions, historic sites and museums as well. The Royal Canadian Mint is a must see. This is where all Canadian coins are produced as well as coins for more than 60 other countries. Take the guided tour and learn how coins are made. Then visit the coin museum where you will have the opportunity to hold a 99.99% gold bar worth upwards of $200,000. You don’t get to do that everyday. The Manitoba Museum is another great place to spend the afternoon. The museum focuses on the province’s cultural and natural history. If you are travelling with the little ones, you won’t want to miss the Manitoba Children’s Museum where you can enjoy hours of interactive and educational family fun. Riel House National Historic Site was the family home of the Metis leader Louis Riel, a legendary figure in Canadian and Aboriginal history. After he was hanged for treason in 1885, his body lay in state here before he was buried at St. Boniface Basilica. The Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Western Canada Aviation Museum are worth a visit as well. Whatever you see, whatever you do, your vacation to Winnipeg is sure to be much more than you ever expected. During the summer months, Winnipeg enjoys an average temperature of 26˚C. If you are planning on visiting in early summer, make sure you pack lots of bug repellent as Winnipeg is known to have a very high population of mosquitoes during this time. Late summer to early fall is a great time to visit. The winter is long and cold with temperatures dipping to nearly -20˚C on a fairly regular basis. Snow can be expected as early as October until as late as April. Winter in Winnipeg does have its appeal though so don’t let the temperatures scare you.