You’ll find Winnipeg packed with surprises, from watching polar bears swim overhead at Journey to Churchill to skating 10km of frozen river trails past innovative warming huts. Explore The Forks’ 6,000-year history, climb the 100-metre Tower of Hope for panoramic views, and wander through 300+ bronze sculptures at Leo Mol Garden. Catch outdoor musicals at Rainbow Stage, spot 300 bird species at Oak Hammock Marsh, and discover street art in the Exchange District’s heritage warehouses for experiences that’ll transform your expectations.
- Explore The Forks Where Two Rivers Meet
- Get up Close With Polar Bears at Journey to Churchill
- Climb the Tower of Hope at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Wander Through 300+ Sculptures at Leo Mol Garden
- Catch a Show Under the Stars at Rainbow Stage
- Lose Yourself in Assiniboine Forest’s Trail Network
- Skate The Forks’ Winter Trails Between Warming Huts
- Spot 300 Bird Species at Oak Hammock Marsh
- Discover Street Art Walking Routes in the Exchange District
- The Sum Up
Explore The Forks Where Two Rivers Meet
Where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers converge in downtown Winnipeg, you’ll discover The Forks—a National Historic Site that’s been drawing people together for over 6,000 years. You can explore this cultural crossroads where Indigenous peoples, fur traders, and railway workers once gathered.
Browse The Forks Market, housed in converted railway stables, for local foods and crafts. Let kids explore the Manitoba Children’s Museum in restored railway buildings.
Stroll the nine-acre riverside park with its tree-lined walkways and public art. You’ll find interpretive displays highlighting the site’s Indigenous heritage, including stone pictographs and ceremonial bronze gambling sticks.
During winter, skating trails often connect to the riverfront. Year-round, restaurants and seasonal markets keep this historic meeting place vibrant and welcoming. This place name represents one of several locations sharing the same designation across different regions.
Get up Close With Polar Bears at Journey to Churchill
At Assiniboine Park Zoo’s Journey to Churchill exhibit, you’ll experience one of Canada’s most impressive wildlife encounters without traveling to the Arctic. This 10-acre Canadian Signature Experience recreates northern Manitoba’s tundra and coastal habitats, featuring polar bears, Arctic foxes, muskoxen, and seals.
The highlight is the Sea Ice Passage tunnel, where you’ll watch polar bears swim directly overhead through acrylic viewing panels. Multiple viewing levels let you observe natural behaviors like hunting postures, foraging, and social interactions from ground, elevated, and underwater perspectives.
The on-site Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre combines research with education, explaining climate change impacts on Arctic ecosystems. Interactive displays and guided tours provide insights into polar bear biology and conservation efforts protecting these magnificent creatures. For the ultimate polar bear experience, consider taking the scenic VIA Rail journey from Winnipeg to Churchill, where you can observe these magnificent animals in their natural Arctic habitat.
Climb the Tower of Hope at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
While polar bears offer a glimpse into Canada’s Arctic wilderness, Winnipeg’s commitment to important causes extends beyond wildlife conservation to human rights advocacy. You’ll find this dedication embodied in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ Tower of Hope, a stunning 100-metre glass spire that’s become an iconic part of Winnipeg’s skyline.
Your journey begins in the Great Hall, where you’ll descend into the earth before ascending dramatic backlit alabaster ramps through thought-provoking galleries. This architectural progression mirrors humanity’s journey from darkness to enlightenment. The museum features eleven permanent galleries that guide visitors through diverse human rights themes and stories.
The climb culminates at an elevated viewing platform offering expansive views over downtown Winnipeg and the historic confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Visit during evening hours to experience the tower as an illuminated beacon, creating perfect photo opportunities while providing a moment of reflection and hope.
Wander Through 300+ Sculptures at Leo Mol Garden
Three hundred bronze sculptures await your discovery at Leo Mol Garden, a tranquil artistic sanctuary nestled in the northwest corner of Assiniboine Park. You’ll wander through winding paths past lily ponds and fountains, discovering approximately 35 outdoor bronzes showcasing animals, biblical themes, and Ukrainian-Canadian heritage pieces.
The garden’s open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk with free admission and wheelchair access.
Don’t miss the adjacent Leo Mol Gallery displaying smaller ceramics and paintings, plus the preserved School House Studio where you’ll see original molds and plaster casts. Ukrainian-born artist Leo Mol used the lost-wax casting method to create these masterpieces before gifting his collection to Winnipeg. Note that the Gallery and School House are closed during winter for seasonal maintenance.
Park near the English Garden at 2355 Corydon Avenue for easy access.
Catch a Show Under the Stars at Rainbow Stage
From art to entertainment, Winnipeg’s cultural offerings continue to impress at Rainbow Stage, Canada’s largest and longest-running outdoor theatre nestled in historic Kildonan Park. You’ll enjoy professional musical productions under a distinctive triodetic dome that protects performers from weather while maintaining that magical “theatre under the stars” atmosphere.
The 2,400-seat venue has been entertaining audiences since 1954, showcasing family-friendly classics like The Wizard of Oz and Kiss Me Kate during summer seasons. You can catch multi-week runs of recognizable musical theatre titles in this unique semi-circular setting surrounded by mature parkland. The theatre was inspired by Vancouver’s Theatre Under the Stars in Stanley Park, bringing the successful outdoor performance concept to Manitoba’s capital.
Beyond the show itself, you’ll appreciate the brutalist-influenced concrete amenities, permanent washrooms, and easy access to Kildonan Park’s walking paths and picnic areas for a complete evening out.
Lose Yourself in Assiniboine Forest’s Trail Network
Just minutes from downtown Winnipeg, you’ll discover one of Canada’s largest urban forests at Assiniboine Forest. Here, 18 kilometers of maintained trails wind through 700 acres of old-growth aspen-oak woodland.
You’ll find crushed-limestone, woodchip, and paved surfaces suitable for walking, cycling, and jogging year-round.
The 2-kilometer Preston Trail connects northward to Assiniboine Park, while the 3.5-kilometer Sagimay Trail loop takes 45-60 minutes on foot and features boardwalk sections over wetlands.
Access the network from Chalfont Road and Grant Avenue, where you’ll reach Eve Werier Memorial Pond‘s observation area.
Watch for white-tailed deer, waterfowl, and songbirds as you explore restored prairie openings and constructed wetlands. The forest represents a typical aspen-oak ecosystem that supports a wide variety of rare plants throughout the preserve.
The forest offers a genuine wilderness experience within city limits.
Skate The Forks’ Winter Trails Between Warming Huts
When winter temperatures drop below freezing, you’ll discover one of North America’s longest naturally frozen skating trails at The Forks, where the Nestaweya River Trail stretches up to 10 kilometers along the Red and Assiniboine rivers.
This groomed skating path connects multiple Winnipeg neighborhoods through a unique “trail of rooms” experience, punctuated by architect-designed warming huts that serve as wind shelters and rest stops.
You’ll encounter experimental structures selected through international design competitions, featuring bold colors and sculptural forms that showcase climate-responsive design.
The trail follows natural river contours with gentle curves and long sightlines. Many trails in this region hold cultural significance for Indigenous communities, offering deeper connections to the land and its history.
Check daily condition reports before visiting, as ice thickness varies on this moving body of water.
Access skate-change facilities at The Forks, and always obey closure signage for safety.
Spot 300 Bird Species at Oak Hammock Marsh
Located just 34 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Oak Hammock Marsh stands as one of Manitoba’s premier birding destinations. Here, you’ll have the chance to spot nearly 300 recorded bird species across 36 square kilometers of pristine wetlands, grasslands, and aspen parkland.
You’ll find the best viewing during spring migration when Tundra Swans and American Avocets arrive. Summer brings nesting Black Terns and Blue-winged Teal. Fall transforms the marsh into a staging ground for thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. The site supports over 5,500 pairs of Franklin’s Gulls, representing more than one percent of the global population.
The award-winning Wetland Discovery Centre provides species checklists and identification aids. Meanwhile, 30 kilometers of boardwalks and viewing platforms offer 360-degree views. Plan dawn or dusk visits for peak activity, and bring binoculars for ideal wildlife photography opportunities.
Discover Street Art Walking Routes in the Exchange District
Why settle for ordinary sightseeing when you can explore Canada’s most concentrated collection of heritage warehouse murals in Winnipeg’s Exchange District? You’ll discover large-scale artworks covering entire building sides within this 20-block National Historic Site, featuring themes like the Winnipeg General Strike, railway history, and immigrant communities rendered in photorealistic and Indigenous art styles.
Start your self-guided adventure using Exchange District BIZ’s free audio tours or follow “The Loop” trail connecting 60 points of interest. Focus your route around Old Market Square, Main Street, and Bannatyne Avenue for the best murals. Look for notable works like the Solar System Mural by Kenneth Lavallee at the Deer + Almond parking lot, which was expanded during the 2014 Nuit Blanche festival.
Summer guided tours depart from 492 Main Street, while winter’s “Lights on the Exchange” festival adds projections to static artwork. Most walks take 75-90 minutes through this compact, walkable district.
The Sum Up
You’ll find Winnipeg offers way more than you’d expect from a prairie city. Whether you’re bundling up for winter skating trails or catching summer theater under the stars, there’s something here that’ll capture your interest. Don’t just stick to one season – each brings its own unique experiences. Pack comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and you’ll discover why locals are so proud of their underrated city.