I’ll admit it. Winnipeg was not high on my travel wish list. My knowledge before visiting was limited to the fact that the river freezes solid in winter and most people see the city as a launch pad to Canada’s North.
But recently I got the chance to see the city with fresh eyes. It changed my perception entirely.
My Winnipeg experience started, as most do, with an underwhelming drive from the airport to the city centre. Grey buildings, a flat landscape, not much to set the pulse racing. I remember thinking, “Is this really it?”
That feeling did not last long. Winnipeg quickly set out to surprise and impress, and I discovered the city offers so much more than meets the eye.
Winnipeg’s cultural side is both bold and unflinching. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is not just an architectural marvel. It is a place that does not shy away from tough truths.
Walking through its exhibits, I was struck by an honest and sometimes raw portrayal of human rights issues, including those in Canada’s own history. It is moving, thought-provoking and absolutely worth a visit.
Hoop Dancers inside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
A short walk away is the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Its WAG Qaumajuq wing is home to the world’s largest public collection of Inuit art.
The delicate carvings, powerful prints and immersive displays made me rethink what I thought I knew about Northern Canadian culture. If you only have a few hours in the city, this is where I would send you.
I also spent time at the Manitoba Museum, where I learned about the Northern Lights in the planetarium and stood beneath a full scale, seaworthy replica of the Nonsuch. This ship helped shape Manitoba’s fur trade history. Each exhibit added another layer to Winnipeg’s story.
Winnipeg is not just about galleries and museums. The Assiniboine Park Zoo offered an encounter I will not forget – an opportunity to see the polar bears that I had missed seeing in Churchill.
I stood in a tunnel under the polar bear pool, watching rescued bears from Northern Manitoba swim and even sit directly above my head. It is both playful and awe inspiring, especially when you realise the important conservation work happening behind the scenes.
The Leaf, also within Assiniboine Park, took me by surprise. Canada’s tallest indoor waterfall fills the air with cool mist while lush greenery climbs toward the skylights. It is easy to forget you are in the heart of a prairie city.
Outside, the park stretches out as a peaceful place to walk, rest and watch locals making the most of the summer weather.
A bit farther afield, Oak Hammock Marsh (about 40 minutes’ drive from the city) turned out to be one of North America’s top birding spots.
On our visit, we actually helped tag tiny songbirds and canoed through the marsh, spotting flashes of red winged and yellow headed blackbirds between the reeds. It was the kind of immersive, hands-on wildlife experience I will remember for years.
Accommodation in Winnipeg reflects its history and its modern, welcoming vibe. My stay at the Fort Garry Hotel was a step back in time. Think grand architecture and a sense of old-world glamour.
Later, I moved to the Delta, a comfortable and conveniently located four-star hotel next to the convention centre. Easy access, friendly service and perfect for anyone attending events or wanting a smooth base for city exploration.
Winnipeg is packed with surprises. I did not have time for everything, but I learned the city also boasts the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint and Thermea by Nordik Spa Nature for those who want to unwind in style.
Just 20 minutes away, FortWhyte Alive is an eco-tourism centre with North America’s largest urban bison herd. Yet another reminder of how much there is to discover here beyond downtown.
The Forks is where Winnipeg truly comes alive. On my visit, Winnipeggers were out in force. They strolled along the riverbanks, sampled food at the market and celebrated the sunshine.
The smell of fresh baked goods tempted me at The Forks Market, while Gusto North on Hargrave Street delivered one of my favourite meals of the trip.
What lingers most from Winnipeg is the feeling of unexpected warmth. From the 28-degree sunshine to the open, welcoming attitude of locals.
The lively hum at The Forks, the scent of coffee and pastries in the air, birdsong out at Oak Hammock Marsh and the echo of laughter in Assiniboine Park. Winnipeg engages all the senses.
Oak Hammock Marsh
What stood out to me almost as much as the attractions themselves was the pride of the people who call Winnipeg home.
Every local I met carried a real sense of ownership and enthusiasm for their city. It was not forced or superficial. It came through in the way they shared stories, recommended their favourite corners of the city and invited visitors to see Winnipeg through their eyes.
That kind of local pride is infectious. By the end of my stay, I found myself rooting for Winnipeg right alongside them. And, frankly, they are right to be proud.
