The Exchange District

This neighbourhood is a national historic site because it features an outstanding collection of 150 heritage buildings within 20 city blocks, straddling both the west and east side of Main Street. These buildings are the reason Winnipeg was nicknamed the "Chicago of the North" at the turn of the 20th century because of the similar architecture. Once housing financial institutions and factories, these buildings have since become Winnipeg’s cultural hub filled with independent boutiques, restaurants, cafes and galleries. It’s also a popular spot for movie sets thanks to our busy filmmaking industry!

Embark on a heritage walking tour with the Exchange District Biz to learn the fascinating history and mysteries of the cobblestone and tree-lined streets. The Exchange is also home to some of the city's most acclaimed kitchens including deer + almond, Clementine Cafe for innovative breakfast and Nonsuch Brewing Co for a pint in their gorgeous taproom. Pop into Corriente’s Pizzaria for pizza, calzones and a dulce de luce rolled crepe.

Grab a latte from 529 Coffee or Parlour Coffee and browse boutiques for locally made goods at Tara Davis Studio Boutique and Boutique Anya. Save time to pop into a gallery like Urban Shaman to admire contemporary Indigenous art and be sure to stop for a pic at The Cube at Old Market Square, which plays host to top summer festivals like the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival and the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival.

Looking for family activities? Kids will love the 1920s Winnipeg boardwalk and the life-size Nonsuch at the Manitoba Museum.

Downtown Winnipeg

Wander around downtown for the day and find yourself surrounded by Winnipeg’s famed architecture, a mix of turn-of-the-19th-century and early 20th-century masonry and modern glass buildings. Take a tour with Square Peg Tours to visit historic landmarks like the VIA Rail Station, the Fort Garry Hotel and the famous Golden Boy, who looks over the city from his perch on top of the majestic Manitoba Legislative Building.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq is a cultural institution that can't be missed when visiting downtown. Home to the world's largest public collection of Inuit art, Qaumajuq is a site to behold with its visible vault spanning multiple levels and massive gallery space featuring contemporary Indigenous artists from around the globe.

You can’t mention downtown without talking about the Winnipeg Jets and their home arena Canada Life Centre which hosts many A-list concerts when hockey is not in town. Next door is True North Square, where it's worth an evening out to dine at the chic food hall Hargrave Street Market and sip on local suds at Lake of the Woods Brewing Co.

Other charming culinary haunts across downtown include contemporary sandwiches at Modern Electric Lunch, big bites at Primo’s Deli and brunch classics at Stella's Cafe at Plug In ICA, a trendy downtown art institute and gallery. For more classic tastes, try a fat boy at VJ's Drive-In or order off the street from the food trucks lined up along Broadway.

The Fort Garry Hotel with its historic charm and Delta Hotel with its popular rooftop outdoor pool are great downtown stays in summer.

The Forks

Located between the Exchange District and downtown is an area known as The Forks, a National Historic Site of Canada. This sacred piece of land at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers has been significant for over 6,000 years to Indigenous Peoples who used the meeting place for trade, ceremony and settlement.

Today, The Forks is Manitoba's most visited tourism attraction, yet it easily feels like a neighbourhood because of the countless shopping, dining and attractions that you can easily spend a day exploring. Take a guided walking tour with Turtle Tours to learn more about region with an experienced Indigenous guide or explore on your own with a self-guided audio tour.

Venture into The Forks Market to find a number of unique vendors and shops as well as an amazing array of eateries at The Forks Market Food Hall. Aroma Bistro, Colleen, Habanero Sombrero, Simon’s Steak and Sharecuterie are just a few of the options. For coffee and desserts, check out Fools & Horses, Harrison Coffee Roasters, Jenna Rae Cakes and Milksmith Ice Cream.

The Forks Market Food Hall is also home to The Common, a trendy bar with both indoor and outdoor service and a curated selection of craft beer and wine on tap. Grab a spot on the licensed patio for and soak up the sun and suds.

Other attractions at The Forks include the skyline piercing Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Inn at the Fork’s Riverstone Spa, The Children’s Museum, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, plus the Oodena Celebration Circle and many other works of Indigenous public art.

Seasons of Tuxedo

With big brand names and big box stores such as Bass Pro Shops for the outdoor adventurer, IKEA for the home decor lover and SAKS OFF 5th for the fashionista, the suburban neighbourhood known as Seasons of Tuxedo in southwest Winnipeg has become the shopping destination in Winnipeg.

Outlet Collection is Winnipeg's only pure outlet shopping destination. This sleek mall offers all the stores to meet any family's tastes: Under Armour, Kate Spade and Banana Republic are just a few stores worth the visit. Once the kids tire of strolling aisles of clothing, head over to The Rec Room, where they play in the aisles at Winnipeg's largest indoor arcade. The Rec Room also features a bowling alley, axe throwing and a virtual reality arena to make it a full evening of entertainment.

FortWhyte Alive is a four-season natural oasis, literally out the backdoor of Seasons of Tuxedo. At this nature preserve, walking trails that take you through prairie, aspen forests, around lakes and across boardwalks are a great way to get fresh air and burn off steam. Visitors can rent a canoe to explore the area from a different perspective. Cruiser bike rentals are also available. Reserve your spot on a signature bison safari for a chance to get a little closer to these prairie giants.

Hyatt House Outlet Collection and Hilton Garden Inn Winnipeg South are both walking distance to all the shopping in the neighbourhood and are two inviting hotel options that make a great home base.

St. Boniface

When you visit Winnipeg’s St. Boniface neighbourhood, you'll find its francophone history, architecture and culture lining the streets. Cross the striking Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge that links The Forks and downtown Winnipeg to St. Boniface and find food kiosks here run by local French entrepreneurs. Start at the information centre inside the former St. Boniface City Hall building on Provencher Boulevard. Here, you can book a walking tour, get information or watch a documentary about the history and passion of Manitoba’s francophone community. Visit the art gallery, the La maison des artistes visuels francophones – the only French-run gallery in western Canada. Down the street at Centre culturel Franco-Manitobain is Théâtre Cercle Molière that brings French-speaking performance art to the stage.

Next, check out le Musée de Saint Boniface, the oldest building in Manitoba. Built more than 170 years ago, the building was originally a convent. Today, it is full of francophone history and art, including a permanent exhibit on Louis Riel, the Métis founder of Manitoba. The main location of the museum is temporarily closed to the public for renovations. You can find the giftshop and Louis Riel exhibit at 219 Provencher Boulevard. The museum also offers curated walking tours about the neighbourhood in summer.

A block away is the Saint Boniface Cathedral. The current church was built in 1971 after a fire burned most of the previous church. The old facade from 1894 still stands tall in front of the modern building, making it a must-see for photographs. Louis Riel's tombstone sits in the cemetery in front of the cathedral, where a plaque informs visitors about his life and legacy. Round out your visit to St. Boniface with a selection of rustic baking from La Belle Baguette paired with a latte from Café Postal. Check out Bar Accanto for excellent bites and big vibes. Nola and Roasted Nomad join long-time favourites like InFerno’s Bistro.

Plan Your Adventure

Winnipeg is a city of neighbourhoods, each one offering its own story, flavour and unforgettable experiences. Ready to explore it for yourself? Start planning your Winnipeg getaway today and discover even more inspiration, itineraries and hidden gems at Travel Manitoba.

Original blog by Jillian Reckseidler.