5 Best Gardens in Winnipeg
Gardens don’t only help with the environment’s sustainability, but also play a big role in their visitors’ overall health. This is because walking exercises while surrounded by greenery help with lowering blood pressure, enhancing the mood, and strengthening the immune system.
Gardens also make it possible for us to bridge our city life with green spaces. With that, we listed the best gardens in Winnipeg that will surely give you inspiration, environmental wonders, and relaxation!
How much do garden entrance fees cost in Winnipeg?
Most facilities in gardens are free, however, some do offer activities that require fees. We have listed them below for you.
Although, take note that these prices may still vary depending on your age, size group, and membership benefits.
Best Gardens in Winnipeg
Before we get to it, here are the criteria that we used to make sure that you are getting the best experience as you stroll around the garden.
1. FortWhyte Alive
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Facilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Garden Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Landscape | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Looking for a perfect outdoor getaway to take a break from the bustling city? Then FortWhyte Alive is exactly what you’re looking for — a serene place within the city that you can visit all year round.
It provides a place for people to connect with nature and discover a variety of species in their natural habitat.
It has many well-marked trails with benches to sit on and relax while surrounded by greenery. Exploring the place is definitely worthwhile considering the nice walking trails, lakes, and even a tree house!
There’s also a vegetable garden located inside where you can buy fresh vegetables and support local businesses. This is the perfect place for those who want to experience the countryside without leaving the city.
Plus, it offers a wide range of exciting activities for all ages. If you’re in the mood for fishing, paddling, or skiing but don’t have the appropriate gear, worry not because it has gear rentals to equip you to try all these new activities.
If you’re seeking to learn more about wildlife and their habitats, then you might want to join the highly recommended guided tours and programs.
Once you get hungry and exhausted from all the activities, you can grab a snack at the Buffalo Stone Café while enjoying the scenic view. Luckily, parking is free if you’re going to dine in.
Surprisingly, the ultimate nature experience does not end inside FortWhyte Alive. You can also purchase eco-friendly and locally made products from The Nature Shop if you wish to connect with nature even at home.
Due to the diverse range of wild animals, visitors are not allowed to bring any pets inside. As sad as it may seem, you might have to leave your fur friends at home in the meantime.
Most importantly, bear in mind that programs may be canceled or postponed if the assigned staff or volunteers are unavailable. But there’s no reason to worry because all visitors registered for the program will be notified in advance.
We just have a few suggestions before you embark on your nature experience here.
There are a few complaints about the lack of water drinking stations and shade throughout the area, so it’s highly advisable to bring your own water and hat, especially during summer.
Make sure to bring enough cash as well, since there is no ATM on site.
Although FortWhyte Alive is located within the city, keep in mind that taking a bus would require you to walk approximately 30 minutes from the nearest bus stop.
Pros
- Numerous trails and benches
- Gear rentals
- Diverse wildlife
- Guided tours and programs
- Has a restaurant and gift shop
- Free parking (for dine-in)
Cons
- Not pet-friendly
- No ATM on-site
- Lack of water drinking stations and shade
- Location is slightly inconvenient for commuters
Customer Reviews
Great experience overall
“Great experience overall, didn’t look too much into what was offered going into it. was pleasantly surprised by the amount of features including the bison hill, board walks, and the tree house was a really cool thing to check out! Recommend coming here alone or with family and making a day of it!” — Mark Jaques
Best location
“At the best location. Parking available at some spots. i feel this place is very relaxing. Stay there for a while. You’ll find trees, animals like bisons etc and other creatures very much into the nature. you can see people boating and sailing. you can also see vegetables garden and solar panels. I personally believe it is great setup.one must go there. i feel like spending more time. you can buy fresh vegetables etc and support local business. i think they post updates about the same.” — Relak with Aay
2. Assiniboine Park
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Facilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Garden Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Landscape | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you’re looking for a place to spend a lazy weekend with your loved ones, then you might want to check out Assiniboine Park, which is only a few minutes away from downtown Winnipeg.
Everywhere you look, Assiniboine Park is rich in open green spaces made perfectly for family picnics and outdoor activities.
Everyone can enjoy a nice summer stroll through the English Garden and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden filled with visually striking plants, water features, and a stunning array of sculptures.
This place is also where you can find the Pavilion Art Galleries — one of Winnipeg’s most recognizable and beloved landmarks. The Pavilion has served as the heart of Assiniboine Park for over 100 years.
It is pleasant for family outings since there’s a variety of facilities available for all ages, including a child-friendly playground, zoo, numerous restaurants, food carts, and most importantly, the Gardens at the Leaf.
If you’re looking for an extreme garden oasis, this is where you need to be. Here, you’ll see Canada’s tallest indoor waterfall, Wollemi Pine, and different kinds of gardens like the Sensory Garden, Performance Garden, and The Indigenous Peoples Garden.
Not only that, but it has something that other parks don’t have: a trolley that offers free rides throughout the park so you can easily jump from one attraction to another.
There are also plenty of parking spaces that are completely free of charge near the restaurants and attractions. However, during large events, parking spaces might be hard to find.
The public green space is open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year. As for the zoo, garden, and other attractions, you may check out its website for further details.
Since it is free and opens 24 hours a day, it gets a little bit too crowded sometimes, but we assure you that this just proves how many of its visitors enjoy everything it has to offer.
Also, lately, there has been major construction on some parts of the park so be wary of the possible obstructions in the entrances and exits.
Pros
- Spacious
- Variety of gardens
- Child-friendly playgrounds
- Lots of restaurants and food carts
- Open 24/7
- Free ride (trolley)
- Free admission
- Free parking
Cons
- Too crowded
- Major constructions
Customer Reviews
Many interesting sights
“Probably the best park in Winnipeg, with pleasant walking paths, gorgeous ponds, and stunning flowers in the English Garden. The trolly can be ridden to get around for free, and there are many interesting sights hidden around the park.” — Kris Engel
Has everything you could need
“This park is truly amazing! It has everything you could need: forest, riverwalk, prairie, wetland, art museum, garden statue, bike paths, parking, children’s playground, sledding hill, and soon to be “leaf” botanical garden. They take really great care of their trees thanks to awesome arborists” — Kristina Elkins
3. King’s Park
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Garden Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Landscape | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Living among the hustle and bustle of the big city can be draining sometimes. Going out for a walk, appreciating nature, and being by ourselves are what we need in times like this.
King’s Park is a beautiful hidden gem located in South Winnipeg that’s perfect for everyone who seeks solitude within the city. It’s a public garden with paved pathways ideal for walking and spending quiet time with nature.
It’s pleasant and relaxing to stroll around this beautifully landscaped park with numerous trails and benches to sit on while admiring the scenery. The picnic tables and little nooks are also perfect for snack breaks.
Not only that, but the flower garden, man-made waterfall, pagoda, wooden bridge, and the adjacent river are an absolute feast for the eyes.
There’s also an interesting labyrinth inside the park dedicated to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carol Shields. It’s nicely done and well-maintained even after a decade so it’s definitely a must-see.
And if you plan to take your dog along with you, then this place is the right choice. There’s a lot of room for your pet to explore, including a vast off-leash area that they will surely enjoy.
For those who love birdwatching, you might consider visiting particularly during the spring migration because it’s a common spot for warblers.
If you get lucky, you might even encounter other wildlife such as groundhogs, beavers, raccoons, and chipmunks.
Since King’s Park is only a few kilometers away from the University of Manitoba, it’s completely accessible for students and everyone within the area.
We can say that it is definitely a good picnic spot with your loved ones considering the spacious and relaxing environment. But unlike other large parks, keep in mind that there are no playgrounds here.
Another downside is that the parking is limited and there are no food stalls and water drinking facilities inside.
Pros
- Open for public
- Spacious
- Not crowded
- Dog-friendly
- Numerous trails
- Lots of benches and tables
- Diverse wildlife
- Near the river
Cons
- Small parking
- No playground
- No food stalls and drinking water facilities
Customer Reviews
Beautiful park
“Beautiful park with a mix of open and shaded paths; little garden plots; a waterfall fountain; slide; wooden bridges; off leash dog park.” — Jo D
Lots of flower gardens
“It’s really awesome there are two loops of walking trails. Kids love it so much as there are lots of flower gardens and very nice landscapes.” — Amv Bochok
4. Maple Grove Dog Park in St. Vital
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Garden Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Landscape | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Looking for a place within the city that can be enjoyed by both people and dogs alike? Then we’ve got the right spot for you!
Maple Grove Dog Park is an off-leash dog park situated on 12.92 hectares of land with a good mix of forest trails and open fields.
People and their dogs can freely wander around in the fields, forest, and riverside areas that can be easily accessed through numerous trails.
Since the park is along the Red River, a variety of wild plants and grass also grow around the area, which makes it a good place for everyone who wants to be around nature.
Lots of people are also impressed by the fenced-in area that was solely created for puppies and smaller dogs who may be intimidated by larger dogs.
Plus, owners don’t have to worry about their pet’s hydration since there are plenty of water bowls scattered around the area with a friendly staff who regularly checks on them. There’s also a river nearby where dogs can swim, drink, or cool off.
It’s truly a dog paradise with lots of wide spaces to run and mingle. At the same time, their owners can sit back and relax under the shade of trees.
To maintain the beauty of the place, garbage bins are situated along the trails to ensure proper waste disposal. And if you ever lose your belongings, don’t worry because it has a lost and found station inside.
What we can recommend before your visit is to go early if you need parking space and make sure to bring your own food and water since there are no food stalls or drinking stations inside.
Most importantly, we included this place in this list because it is located just around the St. Vital Park — home of the most loved nature destinations, which we recommend for you to visit.
So, after spending time at the dog park, you can also drop by and take a stroll around the lovely flower gardens or even enjoy the ponds and picnic spaces to make the most out of your day.
Pros
- Open for public
- Spacious
- Numerous trails
- Dog-friendly
- Lots of benches
- Plenty of water bowls
- Friendly staff
- Garbage bins all over the place
- Lost and found station
- Near the river
- Located within St. Vital
Cons
- Small parking
- No food stalls and drinking water facilities
Customer Reviews
Nice way to get back to nature
“I have been coming here for years! With and without a dog! Nice way to get back to nature too. Great updates done with fenced entrance and enclosed puppy run.” — Da Beach
Trail leads
“Take my dog here every weekend. This is our favourite dog park. There is an open area when you enter the park and the trail leads in to a small forest (which can get little bushy and shrubby in summer). Behind the forest, there is another open field. The park is heavily trafficked during weekends which is great if you want your dog to socialize as there is a lot interactions.” — ML
5. Henteleff Park Foundation
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Garden Maintenance | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Location Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Landscape | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Henteleff Park is another hidden gem that is probably the most beautiful park that Winnipeg has to offer. It’s the perfect sanctuary for people who seek solace in the bustling city.
This 40-acre park used to be the City of Winnipeg tree nursery that has been converted into an idyllic park right in the middle of the city. The wide variety of trees, wildflowers, and species are proof of its rich history and origins.
There are many paths to choose from and it’s all up to you to explore and indulge yourself in its breathtaking forest and gardens. It is perfect for long walks, bike rides, birdwatching, and even photoshoots.
It also has a great view of the Red River and Normand Creek, which makes it the ideal place to sit down and listen to the sound of nature.
And of course, the impressive biodiversity will leave you in awe: birds galore, lots of vegetation, riparian forest, natural prairie grassland, deer, rabbits, and many more!
Most importantly, the park is 100% family-friendly, and there’s a lot of space for the young ones to safely run around. It even has a play park at the end of the trail so children of all ages will surely enjoy their time here.
What makes this park so incredible is the dedicated volunteers that lovingly maintained the beauty and biodiversity of the place. They make sure that the trees are well-taken care of and that the surroundings are always clean.
It is relatively small compared to the other parks on the list and exploring it takes about an hour at a leisurely pace.
Since it’s located along St. Mary’s Road, students and everyone within the area can easily reach it.
However, what we don’t like about this place is that there are no food stalls inside, so you might consider grabbing a meal before visiting.
Also, the parking space is limited, and it might be difficult to find a spot later in the day.
Pros
- Open to the public
- Numerous trails
- Wide variety of trees and other species
- Great view of river and creek
- Family-friendly
- Good maintenance
Cons
- Small parking
- No food stalls and drinking water facilities
Customer Reviews
With natural and locally found plants
“A passive park with natural and locally found plants. Great to go for a walk, bird watching, and just relax. The paths are packed gravel or wood chips, with some open skies or partially shaded from trees. Smaller parking lot that can fill up quickly, so car pool if going with larger groups.” — Bryce Desender
Relaxing experience
“Always a relaxing experience at Henteleff Park. Each visit we see deer and hear the songs of many birds. There are over 300 trees and shrubs planted this year to grow its natural beauty.” — BToutant
FAQs about Gardens in Winnipeg
Now, you can start preparing for your short break from city life and enjoy the calming experience with nature!
But if you wish to bring that same greenery to the comfort of your own yard, you can check out our list of the providers of the best lawn care in Winnipeg. After all, nothing is better than coming home to a beautiful and relaxing view!