Our neighbor to the North has a lot to offer in terms of fun cities to explore – Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, all major Canadian epicenters for culture. But you might be surprised to learn that there’s so many things to do in Winnipeg!
Nestled in Manitoba, Winnipeg is a hip urban oasis in this Prairie Province. We found so much culture, rich history and amazing food in the ‘Peg! With such a wealth of local indigenous representation as well as LGBTQ+ inclusivity, Winnipeg should definitely be on your travel bucket list. Check out our YouTube travel vlog detailing also!
Here are ten surprising things to do in Winnipeg:
1. Enjoy a Cesar and Fried Chicken at The Tallest Poppy
Situated in the colorful neighborhood of North Main, The Tallest Poppy is a hip grub joint for artists and families alike. Serving low brow high end recipes with an unwavering commitment to locally sourced ingredients, is a must visit.
The menu is diverse, with twists on familiar classics like chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, and all day breakfasts. The fan favorite is the fried chicken. Succulent, crispy, and decked out with sides, this is a meal you won’t want to miss.
You can’t have a dinner out without Canada’s National Drink. Up North, Canadians call their Bloody Mary a Cesar! In my opinion, the Cesar is far superior to the Mary. While the Cesar has the hallmark classics of vodka, tomato juice, spices and Worcestershire sauce, the addition of clam juice just puts it over the top.
The Tallest Poppy also offers community events like First Fridays dance parties and drinks to celebrate the local art scene and monthly drag brunches.
2. Soak off your Stress at Thermea
Relaxing in nature when in Winnipeg is a must. With beautiful forests and waterways, there is still a best kept blissful secret. Just a short drive from downtown sits Thermea, a Nordik style wellness haven. Take time to unwind in the world-class thermotherapy facility inspired by some of the best Scandinavian traditions.
Revitalize and re-energize with hot and cold cycles. For the first 10-15, luxuriate in the hot tub, sauna, or steam room to work up a sweat.
Then, cool down with an ice scrub or take dip in the polar pools. The polar plunge pool is 15°C / 60°F. There’s an option to wade through it up to your knees or walk through up to your shoulders. One pass through and your body is tingling and ready for the next phase: relaxation.
Spend the next 20-30 minutes in a warm nap room or pool to bring your system back to neutral. Repeat at your leisure, and leave feeling centered.
This was such a special and relaxing experience. The no phones policy provides a much needed respite. I only made it through one cycle before taking a relaxing 40 minute nap in the nap room. Don’t judge me y’all – the cycles did their thing and I was RELAXED!
Thermea also offers massage and body treatments as well as comforting meals at the restaurant. While you won’t find fried foods on the menu, you won’t miss them. The chef crafts comforting classics and puts a spin on Scandinavian dishes.
3. Take a Walking Tour of The Exchange District
Winnipeg is an extremely walkable city in the downtown area. There are so many vibrant shops and restaurants as well as street art. is one of the most iconic and vibrant neighborhoods in Winnipeg. It is a National Historic Site and a collection of heritage buildings built between 1880 and 1920.
The architecture of this district is stunning. Brick facades, cobblestone streets, and brilliant street art make for a stunning backdrop for local artisan goods, offbeat eclectic shops, art galleries, museums, and so much more.
If you are looking to get to the heart of Winnipeg, head to the exchange district. With so much to do, you will for sure never be bored with so many attractions just steps away.
To really get a taste of what The Exchange District has to offer, book a walking tour with knowledgeable local guides and mosey the streets of The Peg. Tours include tour will include a mix of historical information, ghost stories and queer history, complete with an LGBTQ+ guide!
4. Sip a Queer Beer at Little Brown Jug
Need a refresh after a thrilling tour of The Exchange District? One of Winnipeg’s most popular breweries calls the district home. Formerly a stable building, Little Brown Jug has been brewing good things in The Peg since 2016. 1919 Belgian Pale Ale, their signature ale, can be found on taps throughout the city.
The open concept tasting room and brewery offers a welcoming space to kick back, enjoy some good sips, and they even have a patio to enjoy some fresh air. With the stunning open concept, you can see the brewers at work creating their tasty offerings.
LBJ too has a commitment to the environment. All the heat created during the brewing process is captured and used to heat the room in the winter, while the inverse will happen with regards to the brewing cooling equipment that will be converted to air conditioning in the summer.
The draw for us was the Queer Beer. This crisp and crushable lager is hoppy and fruity, a perfect sip to get the Pride party started. Little Brown Jug brews many other tasty beers like Saison, Hefeweizen, Black Lager, and English Brown Ale. If beer isn’t your fancy, they also brew some delicious ciders.
5. Try the Chef’s Tasting Menu at Nola
Winnipeg is a foodie town. So many interesting bites to be had in The Peg. One of the arguably best bites comes from a finisher on the latest season of Food Network’s Top Chef Canada.
Chef Emily Butcher joined forces with Chef Mike Del Buono to create Nola, a buzzworthy small plates restaurant. The fun, unique, elegant environment highlights the chefs upbringing in the Pacific Northwest through bright and interesting culinary fare.
We got the royal treatment upon our visit and had the opportunity to indulge in the chef’s tasting menu. We noshed on corn and nori fritters, fresh baked sourdough with caramelized onion butter, halloumi waldorf salad, the food just kept coming out.
The combinations of ingredients were very unique and very delicious with plentiful vegan options. No great meal is complete without dessert and Nola definitely didn’t disappoint. Try the black sesame cheesecake. One food critic loves it so much, he flies back home with it any time he is in Winnipeg.
6. Get Lost in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
There’s a reason the the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is on the new Canadian ten dollar bill. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the only museum in the world dedicated to human rights education and awareness. Their commitment is apparent as soon as you step in the door.
With rotating highlighted exhibits like the current running exhibit on racial bias, the museum offers hands on experiences to really engage with the content in a thought provoking manner.
It’s all too easy to spend the entire day in the museum, so make sure to budget yourself enough time to take it all in. The flow of the museum easily lends itself into each gallery and the amazing interactions and latest technologies make it easy to stay engaged all day.
Each and every exhibit is will researched and harnesses the power of storytelling and art, weaving experiences into a rich tapestry that relays the importance of human rights.
The museum has some really exciting exhibits coming up soon. The Purge, a mass firing of LGBTQ+ government personnel during the Cold War for fear of them being easily manipulated into giving up government secrets, is one of the coming attractions at this vibrant museum that will be a very interesting one to experience.
7. Check out The Forks
The Forks is Manitoba’s number one tourist destination, attracting more than four million visitors annually can be found in Winnipeg. The Forks Market is steeped in 6,000 years of history. Traditionally, it was a historic site and meeting place located at the confluence of the Red River and the Assiniboine River where Indigenous peoples traded, followed by European fur traders, Scottish settlers, railway pioneers and tens of thousands of immigrants.
Now, The Forks keeps the tradition alive by offering an array of dining, local makers, and retailers, fun and vibrant entertainment and events, all encompassed in the site’s 56-acre green space.
Refresh with a lavender latte from Fools and Horses, nosh on a mini donut from Mini Donut Factory, or indulge in the best cinnamon roll you’ve ever had from Tall Grass Prairie Bread Co. You’re sure to find a bite for whatever strikes your fancy.
Stock up on local Winnipeg made goods from artisans like Coal and Canary Candle Company, dconstruct Jewelry, and Grass Roots Prairie Kitchen. There is so much to explore at The Forks.
8. Explore Winnipeg Art Gallery
As you can tell by this list, Winnipeg is home to a host of amazing museums for you to get lost in. One of the coolest is the Winnipeg Art Gallery. It is one of Canada’s leading art museums housing the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art.
WAG is now home to Quaumajug, an innovative new museum dedicated to Inuit art and culture, led by Inuit voices. The art and culture tapestry woven in these exhibits is stunning. Seeing through the eyes of the native people of Canada is an opportunity not to miss.
Also on exhibit of local, national, and international art, innovative educational programs, a gallery shop, and rooftop sculpture garden. All elements in WAG contribute to Manitoba’s visual arts heritage.
One piece that really stuck with me was portraits of Inuit LGBTQ+ folks and how they felt about being queer in their community. The stunning portraits combined with words from their own perspectives was really inspiring and impactful.
9. Brunch at Clementine Cafe
What’s a queer trip without brunch? Touted as one of the best brunch spots in the city, Clementine Cafe hits the spot. Nestled in The Exchange District, this light contemporary open concept kitchen cooks up brunch classics with a modern upscale twist.
Indulgent classics like a brussel style waffle is paired with berries, hibiscus syrup, lemon curd, cream, and lemon poppyseed milk crumble. Talk about indulgent. Everything on the menu boasts the same kind of creativity and comfort.
Just take a look at the menu and you will easily see the creativity of the chefs. The combinations and uses of ingredients are so inventive. Clementine definitely lives up to the hype. Don’t forget to try a Cesar or one of the many mimosa options.
10. If Visiting in June, Check out the Pride Festivities
We visited Winnipeg in early June, and if you’re there at the same time be sure to check out the Pride festivities.
The Pride Parade in Winnipeg was full of immaculate vibes. As any Pride parade, Dykes on Bikes kicked it off and really got the crowd going. What was particularly nice about this parade was the temperature in June in Winnipeg is in the 50s, not over crowded, and the parade was just about two hours long. A perfect experience all around.
The Fierta Canada Pride Festival, Pride HQ hosted on the grounds of The Forks, boasted multiple beer gardens, stages performances with varied and colorful entertainment, Taste of Canada food vendors, and booths of artisans, makers, charities, and outreach.
The festival also offers substance free zones and a KidsZone, making spaces for everyone in attendance. What was really unique about the festival was the Indigenous 2 Spirit Field, home of the largest dedicated Indigenous festival grounds in Pride Winnipeg history.
2 Spirit is a term coined in Winnipeg meaning a person who identifies as a having both a masculine and feminine spirit and is used by some Indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity.
Winnipeg also offers a whole host of LGBTQ+ nightlife including drag shows, queer DJs, clubs, and the like. There’s a little something for everyone no matter how you choose to celebrate.
It’s truly a unique experience traveling in Winnipeg. From the Indigenous culture to LGBTQ+ inclusivity to the commitment and respect of the land and environment. With something for everyone, Winnipeg is an easy going town stepped in history. If you’re headed North, consider a stop in Winnipeg.
Tourism Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba brought us in town but all thoughts and opinions are our own!