Things To Do In Winnipeg: My Ideal 1-Day Winnipeg Itinerary

I visited Winnipeg in one day as a guest of Travel Manitoba. I was not required to write this blog post and all opinions are my own, honestly held. All prices are in Canadian dollars and are correct at the time of writing. This post may contain affiliate links.

Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba in Canada, doesn’t have the most magnetic reputation. 

Before I visited, I asked a few people who know the city if it was worth staying a few days to explore. 

Almost to a man (or woman) they told me no. “Winnipeg is pretty dull”, they said. “There are hardly any tourist attractions in Winnipeg. One day in Winnipeg is plenty”. 

So my expectations were pretty low, and although I only had a short time in the city prior to joining a group tour, I feared I would struggle to find any fun things to do in Winnipeg, even for just a day. 

Happily, I was wrong. 

Even locals will admit that Winnipeg is not as buzzing as other Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal or Ottawa. But it’s a warm and welcoming place, and there are enough things to see in Winnipeg to keep you busy for a full and packed one-day itinerary. 

About my one-day Winnipeg itinerary

I flew into Winnipeg to join a tour with Frontiers North Adventures. Their Canadian Big Five Safari takes you on an epic journey through the province of Manitoba, looking out for wildlife including polar bears, black bears, moose, bison, beluga whales and much more. 

If you’re visiting Manitoba, or heading up to Churchill, it’s likely your trip will start and end in Winnipeg, just like mine did.

Because I was travelling from London, I decided to fly the day before, to allow for possible drama like delays or missing luggage. 

This meant that I ended up with one day in Winnipeg before the tour started, and I also had half a day after the trip before my return flight.

Luckily, the lovely folk at the tourism board, Travel Manitoba, had my back. They devised me the perfect 1-day itinerary, making sure I saw all the main Winnipeg attractions – and that’s what I’m sharing with you here. 

So you can be confident that this is the expert way to spend a day in Winnipeg – compiled by the tourism board and tried and tested by me. 

Note that I visited in the summer, when it was warm and sunny. If you come in winter there will also be snowy options for you to discover.

If you’re joining a tour, like I did, or perhaps you’re visiting for work and only have one day to cover all the best things to do in Winnipeg, this itinerary is for you!

Note that I’ve packed a lot in here, and this is rather a whistlestop tour of Winnipeg’s highlights. You won’t get to spend much time at each location, but in theory this is all doable in a day if you’re efficient and organised.

However if you prefer a more a relaxing time, or if you have kids in tow, you might want to leave something out.

But first, a bit of an introduction and some background info.

Where is Winnipeg?

Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba, one of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. 

Manitoba is sometimes known as the ‘keystone state’ because it’s right in the very middle of the country. It’s very flat – known for its vast prairies – and enormous. We flew over it for over 2.5 hours without leaving the state. 

The most famous place in Manitoba is Churchill in the far north of the province – known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’.

Winnipeg, on the other hand, is 1000 km to the south, right at the bottom of the province about 100 km from the US border. 

What is Winnipeg known for?

Winnipeg sits at the point where two rivers merge – the Red and Assiniboine. Thanks to its history as a trading post and meeting place, the city has a diverse population, home to Indigenous peoples, European settlers, and immigrants from around the world.

Winnipeg has a thriving arts community, with numerous festivals, museums, galleries, theatres, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

If you’re more the outdoorsy type, Winnipeg has plenty to offer. The city is surrounded by parks and green spaces, perfect for hiking, biking, and picnicking. 

In winter, visitors can enjoy snow sports like skating, skiing, and snowshoeing. Winnipeg is sometimes nicknamed ‘Winterpeg’ due to its cold winters, and the way locals have adapted to embrace the long, dark, snowy season.

A brief history of Winnipeg

Thousands of years ago, Winnipeg was a meeting point for various Indigenous nations, including the Cree, Ojibwe, and Assiniboine, who travelled along the two rivers and met and traded here. 

The name ‘Winnipeg’ is a Cree word meaning ‘murky water’, a reference to the brown colour of the water where the rivers mix.

Europeans arrived in the 17th century, with French fur traders establishing a trading post. However, in the 18th century, the British took over the fur trade, and the area became part of the British North American colonies. 

In the early 19th century, settlers began arriving from Europe, attracted by the fertile prairie land and opportunities for farming.

Winnipeg was officially incorporated as a city in 1873 and quickly became a transportation hub. The city’s growth was further fuelled by the arrival of immigrants from Eastern Europe and the development of the railway.

Today it’s a busy working city which enjoys hot, bright summers (it was nearly 30°C or 86°F when I visited in August) and bitterly cold, snowy winters – giving you plenty to do no matter when you visit. 

Here’s what I recommend you do during your one day in Winnipeg.

Things to do in Winnipeg in one day: Morning

No lie-in for you – this is going to be a pretty packed day if you want to take in all the main Winnipeg tourist attractions. 

9 am – Explore The Forks

Start by wandering over to Winnipeg’s most famous area, visited by 4 million people every year: The Forks. 

Located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, The Forks has grown up on the site of that historic meeting place I mentioned earlier.  

Today, it’s still a central hub of Winnipeg life – a buzzing public space with a market, restaurants, parks, monuments and museums.  

Wander around, check out the displays and artworks, take a selfie in front of the Winnipeg sign, or if you’re feeling energetic, you could even start your day with a little jog around the footpaths and along the riverwalk. 

10 am – Breakfast at The Forks Market

The main building here is the Forks Market, home to a range of food stalls, bakeries, artisan shops, and craft breweries. 

It’s a great spot to grab breakfast, discover local products, or pick up some souvenirs. In the evening you can sometimes enjoy live music, or a cold beer on the riverside. 

Try the Tall Grass Prairie Bread co for a pastry, or bacon and eggs from Danny’s All Day Breakfast. I’m not endorsing ice cream for breakfast, but if the queue at Neon Cone is anything to go by, you’d be missing a trick if you didn’t at least sample a small portion for dessert… 

11 am – Winnipeg Waterways River Tour

After you’ve explored and grabbed a bite to eat, get your bearings by taking a river tour – a scenic way to explore Winnipeg.

Along the route you’ll pass landmarks like the Esplanade Riel Bridge, St. Boniface Cathedral, and the Manitoba Legislative Building, while your guide will tell tales from Winnipeg’s history and explain the sites you’re passing.

If you’re lucky, you might even see bird life including pelicans too.

Note that if you visit in winter, Winnipeg’s rivers freeze over, so boat trips aren’t possible.

Instead, the river transforms into the longest skating trail in the world, stretching over 8 kilometres, with food stands and cabins to warm up in along the way. 

Winnipeg Waterways river tours depart from in front of The Forks, and last 35 minutes.

Things to do in Winnipeg in one day: Lunchtime

11.45 am – Canadian Museum for Human Rights

After your river tour, it’s just a short walk from the boat jetty to one of the most popular and moving tourist attractions in Winnipeg.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a national institution dedicated to exploring the history and evolution of human rights.

It’s a visually stunning building with striking architecture designed to symbolize a human rights journey, starting from underground darkness and rising up towards the Tower of Hope at the top.

Inside, visitors can explore 10 core galleries covering themes such as genocide, slavery, and discrimination, with interactive displays and multimedia presentations bringing to life the stories of individuals who have experienced human rights abuses.

The museum also houses a collection of artifacts and artworks related to human rights. These include personal items of historical figures, such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as contemporary art pieces that address issues of social justice.

It’s not the most cheery or hilarious place to hang out on your one day in Winnipeg, but it is moving and fascinating. You could easily spend longer than an hour here, but an hour is probably enough. You’ve got a packed schedule after all!

From the museum it’s about a 10 minute walk to lunch. 

1 pm – Modern Electric Lunch

This is where the lovely folks at the Manitoba Tourism Board suggested I eat, and if it’s good enough for them…!

Modern Electric Lunch serves classic comfort food and brunch items including eggs Benedict, Shakshouka or a Lamb Burger. They also serve cocktails if you fancy a lunchtime pick-me up. 

It’s clearly a popular place and was full when I visited – at weekends you may need to wait to be seated.

Note that it shuts at 2 pm on weekdays (3 pm at weekends), so don’t be late! 

Things to see in Winnipeg: Afternoon

After lunch, hop in a taxi or Uber and drive 20 minutes out to Assiniboine Park. This is Winnipeg’s main outdoor attraction with plenty to explore. 

Spanning over 1,100 acres, it’s home to beautiful gardens, scenic walking paths, a zoo and a huge tropical conservatory.

If you don’t have a car, it’s best to see the sights in the following order, to save doubling back on yourself. 

2.30 pm – Assiniboine Zoo

Spanning over 80 acres, Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg is home to more than 200 species, offering visitors an opportunity to meet some top Canadian animals as well as species from around the world. 

One of the zoo’s highlights is the Journey to Churchill exhibit, a world-class facility that’s home to Arctic wildlife, including Arctic foxes, seals, caribou, and seven polar bears, all rescued and hand raised as cubs meaning they cannot be released back into the wild. 

One of the best parts is a glass tunnel allowing you an incredible underwater view of the bears swimming – at least, if they’re doing that when you’re there. Sadly at the time I visited, they were all just hanging out in their enclosure. 

If, like me, you’re checking out the top things to see in Winnipeg prior to travelling to Churchill, this exhibit is an excellent way to learn more about where you’re going, and whet your appetite for the adventures ahead of you. 

You can also learn about the Zoo’s conservation and research work, supporting endangered species and hosting educational programs to raise awareness about wildlife and environmental issues. 

4 pm – Explore Assiniboine Park 

If you have time after the zoo, head north across the Park to check out some of the other highlights, including: 

The English Garden and Leo Mol Sculpture Garden

On the north side of the park about a 15-minute walk from the Zoo, these two gardens are side-by-side and easy to visit together. The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden has stunning bronze and ceramic sculptures peeking out from a manicured garden setting. Meanwhile the English Garden is a typical ornamental garden bursting with colourful blooms – at least it was in summer when I visited!

The Pavilion Gallery Museum 

This is another must-see, showcasing artwork and photography by local artists. The highlight for me was the Winnie the Pooh exhibition dedicated to the famous bear. Why? Because he was named after the city!

Or, more precisely, during World War 1, a military vet named Harry Colebourn rescued a female black bear which he named Winnipeg (or Winnie) after his home city. 

Winnie later ended up in London Zoo, where she became a favourite of a certain Christopher Robin, who then named his bear after her. 

There’s a bronze statue of Winnie and Colebourn holding hands in the park’s Nature Playground, which you’ll pass on the walk over from the Zoo.

5.30 pm – Visit The Leaf

Last stop on your exploration of Things to Do in Winnipeg – Assiniboine Park edition, is The Leaf. 

It takes about 20 minutes to walk there from the English Garden – or you could call another Uber.

Opened in 2022, the Leaf is a state-of-the-art glasshouse enclosing 6,000 square meters and housing four different biomes, each representing distinct climates and ecosystems from around the world. 

The tropical biome, with its lush greenery, towering palm trees and magnificent indoor waterfall, creates a rainforest-like vibe, while the Mediterranean biome is home to plants native to warmer, drier regions. 

There’s also a Butterfly Garden, though when I visited the butterflies were shut in a protected area – apparently they kept escaping and getting hurt and keepers haven’t quite figured out how to solve this issue.

At this point you might be wanting a snack, so check out The Leaf’s coffee bar or the Gather Kitchen and Bar, which serves a lunch and dinner menu that’s far more impressive and delicious sounding than your typical tourist attraction café.

After you’ve explored The Leaf, hop back in a taxi and head back to the city.

Winnipeg itinerary: Evening 

You might have had enough by this point, in which case you could head into the city centre for a relaxed dinner back at the Forks –  or stay and have dinner at The Leaf.

However if you want to try the last of the top things to do in Winnipeg, grab your bathing suit and head over to Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature.

7 pm – Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature

This luxurious spa-nature experience is inspired by Nordic traditions and features a variety of thermal baths, saunas, and relaxation areas.

The centerpiece of Thermëa is the outdoor thermal baths, which are heated to different temperatures to provide a range of therapeutic benefits. There are also several saunas, including a Finnish sauna, a eucalyptus steam room, and an infrared sauna. 

If you just want to unwind after your busy day exploring Winnipeg. the relaxation rooms have comfortable loungers and a soothing ambiance.

The spa is also committed to sustainability and uses geothermal energy to heat the thermal baths and saunas.

There’s also a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city, and a restaurant serving healthy and delicious cuisine, where you can grab dinner either before or after your spa treatment experience.

8 pm – Dinner at Resto at Thermëa Spa

Resto restaurant at the Nordik Spa in Winnipeg offers delicious and healthy meals alongside the relaxing atmosphere of the spa. With a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the menu features light options like a smoked aubergine bowl, or if you’re hungry, try the bacon pesto pasta.

Winnipeg tours

If all this sounds like too much organisation and effort, another great way to spend a day in Winnipeg is simply to book a tour and have someone else show you round!

Here are some to choose from:

Where to stay: Best hotels in Winnipeg

BUDGET: Hampton Inn by Hilton Winnipeg Downtown

This budget-friendly hotel is centrally located, just steps away from the RBC Convention Centre and Canada Life Centre. It offers modern, spacious rooms with conveniences like a fridge and microwave, and a 24-hour fitness centre. With breakfast included and a really convenient location, this hotel is good value for money.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.6 | 💻 Click here to see reviews

MID-RANGE: Mere Hotel

Located on Waterfront Drive, Mere Hotel is something of a local landmark, combining eye-catching modern design with a central location. Its minimalist rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and rainfall showers, while the fitness centre and an eco-friendly approach make it a great midrange option​.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.4 | 💻 Click here to see reviews

LUXURY: Fort Garry Hotel and Spa

A luxurious downtown option, the Fort Garry Hotel is a historic landmark, offering a blend of traditional charm and modern luxury. It has everything you’d expect from a luxury hotel, including grand architecture, great service, and an on-site spa. Its prime location near The Forks and Exchange District makes it perfect for both business and leisure travellers​.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.4 | 💻 Click here to see reviews

LUXURY: Inn at the Forks

This is where I spent my first night in Winnipeg. Located opposite the historic Forks Market, this boutique hotel provides modern rooms with stunning views of the surrounding area.

There’s a spa, a fitness centre, and restaurant – though for both dinner and breakfast I just wandered over to The Forks. The best thing about this hotel was its central location and proximity to cultural landmarks and the river.  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.4 | 💻 Click here to see reviews

AIRPORT: Lakeview Signature by Wyndham

I spent three nights here, before, during, and after my Canada Big Five safari tour. This hotel is right by the airport, so super convenient if you have a flight to catch.

My room even overlooked the runway – great for plane geeks – but the windows are soundproofed so I was not bothered by the noise. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Booking.com rating 8.2 | 💻 Click here to see reviews

Is Winnipeg worth visiting?

Winnipeg is a long way from anywhere, so it’s probably not somewhere you’re going to make a special trip out of your way just to visit.

But there are plenty of reasons to go there: if you’re visiting for work, if you want to travel somewhere else in Manitoba, or if, like me, you’re starting a tour or heading to the world-famous town of Churchill to see polar bears.

And while there isn’t really enough to fill a week, I’d say it’s certainly worth extending your stay just a little and doing this one-day Winnipeg itinerary.

Just be aware that if you visit in the winter months it can be bitterly cold, so pack accordingly!

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Where to next?

If you enjoyed this, why not try some of my other Canada posts?

• The Canadian Big Five: The Most Iconic Animals In Canada
• A Canadian Safari Review: See Canada’s Big Five In Manitoba
• The Perfect Nova Scotia Road Trip In 5 days
• 18 Stunning Photo Spots In Jasper National Park
• Jasper In Fall: 10 Reasons Autumn Is The Best Time To Visit
• Inside The Luxury Rocky Mountaineer Train: My Full Review
• 4 Days In Jasper National Park: An Awesome Jasper Itinerary

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