Your Complete Itinerary for a Daycation in Downtown Winnipeg
There are so many things to explore in Downtown Winnipeg. You'd be surprised how much you can experience in a single day! To make the most of your downtown daycation, you'll need a solid guide to make sure you hit all the essential must-sees (and must-eats).
Bring your boots, your backpack, and your appetite—you've got an action-packed day ahead of you.
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the primary food group is coffee. Want a little history lesson with your morning meal? This famous Winnipeg spot, located in the iconic Fortune Building, was nearly forgotten in time. Luckily, during building renovations in 2020, the discovery of some lunch receipts dating back to the 1920s revived the spirit of this century-old diner, once touted as Winnipeg's first restaurant with an electric refrigerator. Grab a slice of pie and a cup of Joe—or if you're feeling a little extra, one of their decadent seasonal lattés—and sit in a cozy booth by the window, just like your Great Great Aunt Margaret did 100 years before you.
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A winter day in Winnipeg can be surprisingly bright! When that sunshine bounces off the crystal white snow, a pair of sunglasses is absolutely necessary. Forgot your shades at home? Not to worry—there's a vast assortment of vendors, shops, and artisans upstairs at The Forks Market. Find a stylish new pair of sunnies for a cool twenty bucks, then hop back into the elevator and head to the 6th-floor lookout. Dang... Downtown Winnipeg is looking all kinds of gorgeous today.
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What better way to take in the beautiful sights and sounds of Downtown Winnipeg than by gliding down the converging Red and Assiniboine Rivers on a pair of ice skates? If you don't have your own, Iceland Skate Rentals has you covered—you can rent a pair for the afternoon! Find them on the main floor of The Forks Market, get laced up, and revel in the frosty, silver splendour surrounding you. Check out the warming huts while you're at it—the designs are chosen from submissions by leading architects around the globe!
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Skating across a 10km river trail can really work up an appetite! Drop off those rental skates, then head into the centre of the market, where you can choose from over 20 locally-owned restaurants! Grab a gourmet hotdog loaded high with the fanciest fixings from Wienerpeg, a Hot n' Honey fast-fired pizza from Red Ember, or a Brazilian steak sandwich (with the crispiest French fries of all time) from Simon's Steaks. Or land on sushi, tacos, roti, or Sri Lankan curry—a walk around the Forks Market food hall is like a culinary tour of the globe.
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Facepalm. Okay, not to worry—there's an adorable shop at 246 McDermot Ave. that's bursting at the seams with unique and memorable gifts, from dangly earrings to pretty pottery and downright gorgeous art pieces. With so many spectacular things to stare at, it's easy to spend a full hour in Tara Davis Studio Boutique—and their ever-so-charming, pink-haired owner is always a delight to meet!
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Looking for a fun way to kill time that doesn't cost a dime? There are so many independent art galleries in Downtown Winnipeg, and you're welcome to pop in and peruse the artwork. Explore modern Indigenous art at Urban Shaman Gallery. Walk across the street and say hello to the Sasaki family, who have owned and operated Warehouse Artworks for over 40 years. Just a few paces away, Mayberry Fine Art Inc. has wall-to-wall paintings of stunning Canadian scenery.
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Think classic street food, but elevated. The fresh flavours of Merchant Kitchen bring to mind Mexican taco carts, Cuban sandwich shops, Korean noodle bars, and Thai snack shacks—all the best of Latin and Asian casual fare. Don't forget to save room for dessert! That Japanese whiskey-infused miso caramel chocolate tart is downright heavenly.
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The phenomenal assortment of local craft beer at Nonsuch Brewing Co. is matched only by their dazzling ambience! Seriously, this place is stunning. Winnipeg's own Fireside Design is to thank for the lavish fixtures, rich colours and luxurious textiles adorning every corner of this gem. Sink into the emerald velvet armchairs and soak in the warm glow from their fringe-embellished, full-ceiling light installation. And if you're not much of a beer drinker, you can try one of their fancy homemade seltzers with flavours like Peach & Rose and Lavender Spearmint.
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End the night on a high note and enjoy some live music at Winnipeg's beloved honkytonk hotspot. Known for their late-night events featuring everything from country to folk rock, blues, Latin jazz, and the occasional punk gig, Times Change(d) was recently honoured by the Canadian Live Music Association for its impact on live music. Grab a booth in the back, play a round of pool, or dance your cares away in front of the stage. We love how this club always draws a mixed crowd of all ages, so whether you're 18 or 78, you'll feel right at home in this cozy venue.
Whether you prefer your days to be action-packed or carefree and easy, there's no shortage of incredible places and things to explore in Downtown Winnipeg. Discover the rich history, the cuisines, the arts and culture, and the people who give Downtown Winnipeg its heart. Find it all Back Downtown.