What to Know, See, and Do During Your Winnipeg Visit
Winnipeg is a city built to be enjoyed by everyone, and we locals want you to enjoy it too. Whatever your budget or your goals, we’ll hold your hand through the hassle of preparing for travel.
We’ll give you an overview of what to prepare, where to go, how to get around, and share some budget tips just for you!
When to Visit Winnipeg
The best time to visit Winnipeg would be in the summer because it’s when the city holds the most festivals. Some of these are Folklorama, Manitoba Ahbee, The Red River Exhibition, and Winnipeg’s Pride Festival.
Canadians love the cold though, so there’s still plenty to do in winter. It’s not as much as in summer, but you can find the Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade, Nuit Blanche, Canada Inns Winter Wonderland, and so much more during this season.
Winnipeg Weather
Winnipeg has a cold continental climate, with short, very warm summers and long, very cold winters. July is the hottest month, reaching an average of 20°C, while January is the coldest, reaching an average of -15.5°C.
The skies here are the clearest you’ll ever see in Canada though, thanks to the many green spaces the city has. We find it hard to even go outside of Manitoba just because of the big differences in air quality.
Health and Safety Tips for Winnipeg Visitors
Winnipeg is a very safe place for travelers, so you only need to pack for small injuries and mild injuries and illnesses.
Before you head to Winnipeg, you should set up a first aid kit containing the following:
- Antibacterial wipes
- Instant cold packs
- Pain relievers
- Thermometers
- Disinfectants
- Gauze
Canada is one of the many great nations with free healthcare, but only for Canadian citizens. If you’re a foreigner though, you may want to double-check your kit.
These items should be enough to cover anything from fevers and headaches to small open wounds. Winnipeg is a very safe city though, so the chances of more serious injuries are low.
Packing Essentials
Even during the summer, there can be sudden dips in Winnipeg’s temperature. Just so you’re prepared for anything, here’s what you should bring:
- Thin clothes (summer)
- Layered clothes and boots (winter)
- Heated gloves (winter)
- Warm jacket (summer and winter)
- Moisturizer
- Lip balm
- Reusable water bottle
- First aid kit
- Powerbank
- Walking shoes
Among these essentials, we’d say that walking shoes and moisturizers are the most important. Trust us, you’ll be walking a lot during your visit and your lips and hands can quickly dry up from the harsh cold.
Transportation
Winnipeg is a very well-thought-out place when it comes to accessibility. You don’t really need to walk anywhere since the buses pass through everything, but it’s worth doing anyway because the city’s so pretty.
Regardless, you still have plenty of options for getting around.
How You Can Get to Winnipeg
The best way to get to Winnipeg is by plane via the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and Winnipeg International Airport.
By road, Winnipeg is accessible by car through the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Winnipeg can also be reached by train via VIA Rail Canada.
Riding the train, you can board at the stations in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Prince George, Hornepayne, and Burnaby.
Winnipeg’s Public Transportation
Winnipeg has a well-planned public transportation system that covers every corner of the city. Bus tickets can be bought as individual tickets or as passes.
Passes come in the form of e-passes and paper passes, but e-passes offer more bundle options than paper.
Winnipeg buses cover pretty much every corner of the city, so you won’t really need a car when you visit. There aren’t a lot of dedicated bus lanes though, so you’ll have to face mind-boggling traffic during rush hours—sometimes, it’d be faster to walk!
Buses are pretty affordable too, especially if you buy a Peggo card (e-pass) since you get a ton of options. Paper tickets are available if you don’t want a card, but your pass choices are limited.
Car Rental and Driving
Winnipeg car rentals are easily accessible, with dozens of services planted throughout the city. Private parking spaces aren’t a necessity either, and renters can park along the streets for $1-2 per hour.
We get it, public transportation isn’t for everybody. Whether you want the privacy of a car or need something to transport your kids, car rentals can be found everywhere in Winnipeg.
If you’re coming over by plane and need a car right away, we recommend checking out National Car Rental since it’s located inside Winnipeg International Airport. Other than that, these are the best car rentals in the city:
Biking and Walking in Winnipeg
Winnipeg offers bike lanes and spacious sidewalks along every road. Bike rental services are also available throughout the city, with each usually within walking distance of the other.
Winnipeg isn’t really a car-centric place, and you can easily bike and walk your way to wherever you wanna go. The drivers here know how to give way too, so it’s safe!
If you want to pedal your way through Winnipeg, here are some great bike rental places we’ve tried:
Must-See Attractions and Hidden Gems
History, nature, and art—all can be found in our great city. We’ll guide you through some of the usual tourist attractions along with some of our favorite hidden spots.
The Forks National Historic Site
The Forks National Historic Site is a park that goes along the Red River, featuring tons of local history and art exhibits.
It’s got just a bit of everything for everyone: a playground, an amphitheater, sculptures, a prairie garden, and a splash pad for the kids. The best part is it’s all free!
Bois-des-Esprits
Bois des Esprits is known for its tree face carvings, which can be either cool or spooky. It’s one of Winnipeg’s hidden gems, so you won’t find many people here aside from hikers and dog owners.
Speaking of dog owners, you’ll love this place if you’re an animal person since it’s also an off-leash dog park!
Assiniboine Park
Assiniboine Park is the pinnacle of tourist hotspots. This park is known for its many annual festivals, as well as its zoo and garden.
Regardless of when you choose to go, there’s always going to be something going on—whether it’s a festival, garden light show, or a live performance.
Manitoba Museum
The Manitoba Museum is a great place for tourists like you to learn more about Winnipeg and Canada’s history. Each gallery is fun in its own right, but the Science Gallery and the Planetarium steal the show.
These two museum attractions are very interactive, so they’re engaging for both adults and kids. Check them out if you want to know what fun learning feels like!
Immaculate Conception Church
Cooks Creek’s Immaculate Conception Church is another hidden gem that doesn’t get many visitors. We recommend checking it out because of how creepy the place feels despite looking well-maintained.
The church itself is closed on weekdays, but you can still roam around the outer part and take some Instagrammable shots.
Budget-Friendly Tips and Deals
Winnipeg is a fun place, and it’s easy to lose track of your spending. We know some ways to help keep your wallet full without skipping on any fun you may want to have while you’re here!
Low-Cost Attractions
Winnipeg is a considerate place with plenty of budget-friendly activities to offer. Lots of events each year are free, with some being held all year.
Accommodation
There aren’t a lot of places in Winnipeg you can stay in for less than $100 a night without cockroach infestations. Regardless, here are some great places that cost just a little over $100 that are well worth the price.
Budget Dining
Generally, buying groceries and making your own food is a lot cheaper than eating out. With groceries, a single person would need to spend about $14.84 daily for all three meals, while restaurants usually charge about $17 per meal.
Local Cuisine and Dining Experiences
Winnipeg doesn’t have its own special cuisine; it’s a food hub that fuses food from all over the globe. Italian, French, Asian, Middle Eastern—we’ll show you where you can find them.