Winnipeg's Hidden Gems
Venture off the beaten track and explore some of Winnipeg's best-kept secrets for unique experiences you won't find anywhere else.
DAY 1
Immerse your group in French-Canadian culture by spending the morning in Winnipeg's French Quarter, St. Boniface to learn about the area's storied history.
Begin with a guided walking tour of the neighbourhood, where your group will learn about the people, the buildings and events that have shaped today's Old St. Boniface. Discover the unique architecture, atmosphere and charm of a vibrant community that reflects both the determination and joie de vivre of Franco-Manitobans.
Watch history spring to life during "In Riel's Footsteps," performed by Theatre in the Cemetery on the grounds of the iconic St. Boniface Cathedral. This vibrant tale chronicles 150 years from the arrival of the first explorers to the birth of the province led by the rebellious leader of Louis Riel.
Round out the St. Boniface experience with a visit to Le Musée de Saint-Boniface (Saint-Boniface Museum) is housed in Winnipeg's oldest building, built in 1844 for the Grey Nuns. Step back in time to see how pioneers lived through room displays typical of the era, and hear stories of courage and perseverance, revealing the colourful lives and culture of Manitoba's francophone and Métis communities.
Have lunch on site at Lower Fort Garry, North America's only restored stone fort from the fur-trade era. Costumed guides tell the inspiring tales of innovation, discovering and struggle at the fort. Meet the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company as he strolls through his garden, barter with the company clerk, grind grains in a quer and listen to metal being hammered in the Blacksmith Shop. Your group can experience the fur trade by participating in a butter-making workshop or taking a behind-the-scenes tour.
DAY 2
Rise and shine with a visit to Manitoba's largest farmers' market in the community of St. Norbert. Let your group browse dozens of stalls offering made-in-Manitoba produce, honey, jams, kettle corn, baked goods, meats, crafts and flowers, and nibble on food truck snacks from Filipino spring rolls to pulled pork sandwiches.
Stay in the area with a visit to the picturesque setting of St. Norbert Arts Centre. Here, your group can walk through ruins of the Trappist monk tyndall stone chapel and monastery on adjacent provincial park lands, along with an orchard, deciduous forest and several gardens.
Enjoy lunch at the picturesque Buffalo Stone Café at the 640-acre urban nature oasis, FortWhyte Alive. Marsh, meadow, forest and lakes up the the picturesque landscape. Your group will bond while taking in a back-to-nature farm tour, paddling voyageur canoes on the pristine lake, and viewing a herd of munching, grunting bison up close on a safari.
DAY 3
Take the morning to new heights with a visit to the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. On a guided tour, your group will view restored, one-of-a-kind aircraft that have been retrieved across Canada from mountainsides to the bottom of lakes. From a flying saucer to early passenger planes, you'll discover how Canada's aviation industry took flight.
Next, head to Assiniboine Park and grab a bagged lunch from Park Café and enjoy a picnic in one of North America's largest urban parks. Wander the paths of the English Garden to learn about its amazing annuals and perfect perennials. Take a guided tour through the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden; a serene garden brimming with flowers and tranquil pools, which features the magnificent work of internationally recognized Ukrainian-Canadian master sculptor Dr. Leo Mol.
Continue on to Assiniboine Park Zoo's newest development – Journey to Churchill. This state-of-the-art, 10-acre site features species such as Arctic fox and muskox. On a guided tour, your group will have the unique opportunity to get nose-to-nose with polar bears, and view them swimming overhead. Northern lights take centre stage in the 360-degree domed Aurora Borealis theatre, along with the culture of First Nations and Inuit people showcased in interactive exhibits. The adventure finishes with a visit to the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre – Canada's new hub of polar bear-focused research.