If you are looking for something to do with a whole group, or if you are an individual traveller who’s up for a little adventure and tranquility, Winnipeg’s options are near endless in the summer.
This river city makes the most of its balmy temperatures with all things sporty and serene, as you’ll read below.
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Natural beauty that’s made to be explored
Birders flock to FortWhyte Alive and Oak Hammock Marsh, while these nature reserves/eco-tainment centres also flaunt an abundance of activities that will get you moving.
At FortWhyte you can hike through kilometres of aspen forests, spying countless bird species along with North America’s largest urban bison herd. If being on water is your thing, set sail on its small Lake Devonian, with lessons available onsite via the Winnipeg Sailing Centre which makes its home base on the lake. To hit the water even easier, there are canoes available onsite (included in cost of admission), with options of regular sized two-person canoes, and large voyageur canoes that can accommodate a group of paddlers. They also have cruiser bikes onsite for rent to explore the vast trails, along with Nordic walking poles for those of you really looking to hike it. Plus, FortWhyte is located right within the city.
Just north of Winnipeg, Oak Hammock Marsh provides a setting brimming with wildlife. This important wetland is an integral home for so many bird species, many you’ll see as you hike around the marsh on its trails, or as you glide through the wetland in canoes. Like FortWhyte, canoes here range from standard recreational to large voyageur-style, providing a great way to spy species through the cattails. If you want to get even more intimate with the marsh, you can get right into it on a guided hip wader tour where you’ll spy even more species in the water around you.
Both locations offer guided group tours that will see you doing everything from launching an atlatl as you learn about the bison and its importance to the Indigenous people (FortWhyte), to banding birds and releasing them by hand back into the wild (Oak Hammock)––all led by naturalists who work here.
Find it all at The Forks
Given its Manitoba’s most-visited tourism destination, The Forks provides countless ways to experience nature throughout the summer.
For something leisurely, take a river tour onboard Splash Dash River Tours, which disembark regularly from The Forks Historic Port up and down the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Saucy captains paint a historic picture as you watch the city slide past on the banks, offering sights for both nature lovers and architecture buffs. The port itself is surrounded by one of Western Canada’s largest patios, affording a spot to sip interesting beer and wine from The Common under the shade of trees as the boats go by. The whole area is connected by a Riverwalk, alone with multiple pathways. Cross the Historic Rail Bridge and enter the Indigenous-led area called Niizhoziibean, where you’ll behold awe-inspiring works of public art like the 30-foot-tall sculpture Niimamaa, along with a wigwam and native plant species. Another option for exploration is to rent a novelty bike––that can hold anywhere from one to six people––from Bee-2-Gether Bikes, who has an assortment of vehicles right beside The Forks Market.
Something sporty
Pickleball, disc golf, golf, tennis, basketball and soccer––you name the game, and Winnipeg has a venue for you throughout summer.
Outside of FortWhyte Alive and Oak Hammock Marsh, there are also ample other ways to go paddling in the Peg on our various rivers, with several outfitters that can quickly get you sorted on short notice.
Park Life
Summer is when Assiniboine Park, the city’s largest greenspace, truly shines. Throughout summer, you can catch a live performance at the Lyric Theatre (featuring everything from free performances from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, to local music acts), or take a stroll through its ample gardens––including the formal English Garden and the enchanting Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. When you enter, you’ll be drawn to the large conical Leaf building that is surrounded by the Gardens at The Leaf. This near 30-acre area features multiple thematic gardens too, including an Indigenous Peoples Garden, the Kitchen Garden (which supplies ingredients to Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, located inside), and the Performance Garden where free live entertainment is often on the agenda. If the weather turns foul, you can always head into the Pavilion to admire its many galleries, including one dedicated to the story of Winnie-the-Pooh and that famous bear’s connection to the city.
Kildonan Park too provides a marvelous setting for a stroll amongst its old elm and oak trees. Many of its paths are connected via charming little foot bridges that cross small streams, while the park is also home to Rainbow Stage, Canada’s largest and oldest outdoor theatre, where two impressive musical productions are staged each summer. For all you Instagrammers, you’ll relish seeing the Witch’s Hut (of Hansel and Gretel fame), plus the park’s Peguis Pavilion is a great spot to grab lunch or dinner on the patio that overlooks the picturesque duck pond.
