The Ultimate 3 Days in Winnipeg Itinerary

Winnipeg is such an underrated Canadian city. Referred to as "Canada's Middle Child" due to its geographic proximity and propensity for being overlooked, Winnipeg is well overdue for its day in the sun.

Justin and I have had the opportunity to visit Winnipeg on two separate occasions now and we'd love to travel there again and again. We're excited to share our 3 days in Winnipeg itinerary to help you plan your trip.

3 Days in Winnipeg Itinerary: Day 1

It's the first day of our Winnipeg itinerary. We're going to explore The Forks, a historic meeting place and greenspace at the confluence of the Red River and the Assiniboine River.

Turtle Tours

I always think that it's best to start a trip with a walking tour. It can help you learn more about a place from the outset of your visit, plus help you understand your surroundings.

In this 3 days in Winnipeg itinerary, let's begin our first day with a guided walking tour by Turtle Tours. Embark on their small group tour: Rivers, Trails & Trade, Indigenous Guided Walking Tour at The Forks.

This is an Indigenous-led walking tour where you'll learn more about the history of the land, its people, and insightful stories. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, and led a thoughtful and interesting tour.

The Forks Market

A trip to Winnipeg wouldn't be complete without visiting The Forks. It's located at the point where the Red River meets the Assiniboine River, and it's been a meeting place for 6000 years.

The Forks Market is a centre for dining, shopping, events, entertainment, recreation, and community. There are numerous restaurants and fast dining options. We enjoyed some veggie burgers from Nu Burger.

The second floor of The Forks Market has some fantastic shopping, in many instances highlighting products made locally in Winnipeg. And if you go to the very top floor, you'll be treated to views of the river and surroundings.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

One of the most important museums in Winnipeg is the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The messaging and stories conveyed at this museum should be mandatory learning materials for all Canadians.

There are many enlightening exhibitions where marginalized groups of Canadians struggled to maintain their rights.

For instance, Canada's LGBT Purge details how the Government of Canada investigated and fired 2SLGBTQI+ members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the federal public service (this took place right into the 1990s!).

Reclaiming Power and Place explores the harsh reality that Indigenous women, girls and Two‐Spirit people are 6 times more likely to be murdered than other women in Canada.

This is a very powerful museum with many stories that we can learn from in order to grow as a community and society. It inspires us to learn from our past and be better people, collectively, moving forward.

Nola

For dinner, Nola is an elegant and delightful choice. It's a collaboration between two culinary personalities in Winnipeg: Chef Emily Butcher of Top Chef Canada fame and Mike Del Buono, local restauranteur.

Nola is a small plates restaurant that's unpretentious with an international flair. I love that there's a separate vegan menu. It's also quite thoughtful in that it mirrors the flavours found on the main menu, so you don't lose the original essence of the dishes.

We tried the corn and nori fritters, sourdough with olive oil, shaved golden beet salad, kimchi tempura and grilled broccoli, crispy tofu and Japanese karaage fried mushroom. Every meal provided so many tasty bites. I only wish I could experience this restaurant's food all over again!

Bridge Drive-In

Bridge Drive-In, known as BDI to locals, is an ice cream hut at the edge of the historic Elm Park Bridge. After dinner, enjoy an ice cream and a stroll across the bridge. It's a great place to watch the sunset.

BDI has an extensive menu of frozen treats, like cones, sundaes, milkshakes, flurries, floats and classic sweet treats. We opted for vegan Biscoff flurries, which was the perfect choice.

Where to Stay in Winnipeg

Justin and I spent three nights at the Norwood Hotel in the Saint Boniface area of Winnipeg. This is a comfortable and conveniently located hotel. We walked around St. Boniface, over to The Forks, and around downtown Winnipeg with ease.

Upon our arrival, the staff member at the front reception was warm and welcoming. She went above and beyond to assist us with an earlier check-in.

Our room was elegant and modern with a king-sized bed. The bathroom was spacious with a large shower. We enjoyed restful nights of sleep without any noise or disturbances.

Book your stay at the Norwood Hotel for your next trip to Winnipeg.

More Places to Stay in Winnipeg

Looking for more hotels and accommodations in Winnipeg? Use the handy map below to find the perfect overnight stay. Enter your dates of travel for more accurate details. Click each property to learn more and book your stay.

3 Days in Winnipeg Itinerary: Day 2

For the second day of our Winnipeg itinerary, we'll start off the morning with some delicious pastries and rejuvenating moments at the Nordic spa. Then, we'll explore a unique neighbourhood and admire works and exhibitions at the art gallery.

Gâto Bakeshop

Gâto Bakeshop is a local bakery that not only focuses on delectable pastries, but also sustainability and reducing carbon footprint. The owner, Laura, sources local ingredients and also ensures that many of the baked goods are vegan as it's better for the environment.

You'll find sourdough loaves and baguettes, as well as sweet treats like croissants, cronuts, tarts and other desserts. We couldn't resist sampling some vegan croissants and cronuts to start the day off right.

Thermea Spa Village Winnipeg

Thermea Spa Village is a Nordic spa right in the middle of Winnipeg. It's pretty rare to have a Scandinavian spa in the center of town as usually you'll need to drive a distance away from the city.

At the same time, you still retain the sense of being in nature. Thermea Spa Village Winnipeg is a peaceful retreat offering a restful and rejuvenating experience.

Alternate between hot and cold pools. Spend time in the sauna and steam room, and don't forget to try their salt scrubs after your steam. I love that there are two options for steam rooms: one is eucalyptus and one is orange scented.

There are numerous places to relax. Sit by one of several wood burning fireplaces with a good book. There are relaxation rooms that even have headphones playing soothing spa music. Sip on a cup of hot tea or refreshing fruit water.

Let the hours drift away as you gently swing in a hammock, gazing up at the tall trees overhead. There are meditative experiences in the saunas throughout the day that aren't to be missed.

If you're feeling hungry or thirsty, there's a cafe and restaurant onsite. I grabbed an iced coffee in the morning, and Justin and I also had an early lunch there. The dishes are healthy and many are plant forward.

Saint Boniface Neighbourhood

Did you know that Winnipeg is home to one of the largest francophone communities west of the Great Lakes? Saint Boniface was founded in 1818 by Bishop Provencher and it was also the birthplace of Louis Riel.

Our hotel, the Norwood Hotel, is located in St. Boniface. It's also quite a charming neighbourhood to discover. There are some picturesque streets lined with boutiques and cafes, and there are even 35 designated historic sites here.

Pop into Cafe Postal, a cozy coffee shop for a beverage and a baked good. Then, walk down the Tache Promenade for pretty scenery of the Red River, Esplanade Riel Footbridge, and The Forks.

Thyme Cafe and Books is a mainstay in Winnipeg for plant-based eats and their collection of second-hand books. Next door, Frenchie's Records is a popular spot to shop for vinyl and music with rows upon rows of records. You could spend hours here!

Fortify Foods

Also in St. Boniface is our lunch spot for day two of our Winnipeg itinerary, Fortify Foods. We had pastries to start the day and a late breakfast/early lunch at Thermea, so we weren't too hungry.

That was perfect because Fortify Foods serves healthy, light bites and invigorating smoothies. We ordered some avocado toast and smoothies, which was the perfect amount of food to tide us over until dinner.

Fortify Foods also has a fantastic selection of personal care products, skincare, haircare and wellness products. They're also home to a wellness and complementary medical clinic.

Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq

Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq is a world class attraction in Winnipeg. It's home to 27,000 works of art, including the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world.

In total, there are 14,000 pieces of Inuit art, such as carvings, drawing, prints, textiles, and new media. In the front lobby, there's a three-storey glass vault filled with Inuit carvings called the Visible Vault. Discover thousands of works before your eyes, and then use the monitors to look up more details about each piece.

There are numerous exhibitions and artworks in their permanent collection. When Justin and I visited, we admired an exhibition of works by Abraham Anghik Ruben. He is a master sculptor with his art showcased in Qaumajuq's flagship Qilak gallery, the largest exhibition space for Inuit art in the world.

Spend at least a couple of hours at WAG checking out the exhibits, which include contemporary art, multimedia and video works, and an outdoor rooftop sculpture gallery. The exterior and interior architecture of the building is quite impressive, too.

James Avenue Pumphouse

James Avenue Pumphouse is a downtown Winnipeg restaurant inside a historic building that was once a feat of engineering. It was once the James Avenue Pumping Station, built in 1906 to combat frequent fires in Winnipeg.

The original architecture and equipment is maintained and displayed at the restaurant. Look through the massive glass windows to see the old gears and machinery that drew water from the Red River to supply the area's fire hydrants.

I was really pleased to discover that the menu of the James Avenue Pumphouse is really vegan-friendly. The two of us ordered several dishes to share: the Kapow Bites (spicy tofu), plant-based poutine, vegan perogies, the crispy tofu parm sandwich, and a chocolate peanut butter brownie for dessert.

3 Days in Winnipeg Itinerary: Day 3

Day three in Winnipeg is all about nature. In the morning, come discover The Leaf and Assiniboine Park. In the afternoon, we're off to Fortwhyte Alive for the bison safari and the nature trails. These attractions are a must for any Winnipeg itinerary.

Modern Electric Lunch

Modern Electric Lunch is a lovely restaurant with an intriguing story behind it. As it turns out, the location of the restaurant (232 Main Street) was once the home of Winnipeg's first restaurant with an electric refrigerator.

It was called "Electric Lunch No. 2" (a pair of local restaurants) and this was only discovered from a receipt found in the wall during renovations. Modern Electric Lunch was born and continues to serve up delicious food on The Fortune Block.

They have a separate vegan menu with tons of excellent dishes. I ordered the vegan avocado toast, topped with a vegan egg and cashew cheese. It's often difficult to find vegan breakfast options in the wild, and Modern Electric Lunch has a whole menu of choices!

The Leaf

I was really excited to finally visit The Leaf in person after seeing photos for years. It's an indoor horticultural attraction at Assiniboine Park with four distinct biomes. The Leaf is also home to Canada's tallest indoor waterfall!

The areas of The Leaf include the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome, the Mediterranean Biome, Babs Asper Display House, and the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden.

Not only that, but there are six outdoor gardens among 30 acres of greenspace around The Leaf. The outdoor gardens to visit are the Indigenous Peoples Garden, Kitchen Garden, Sensory Garden, Performance Garden, Seasonal Garden, and The Grove.

If you're checking out The Leaf in the wintertime, it's a great way to escape the cold weather. The temperature is always pretty warm inside the Tropical Biome, and the Mediterranean Biome has an ideal, temperate climate. There are lush plants growing everywhere and even a koi pond inside the Tropical Biome.

Inside the Butterfly Garden, watch in wonderment as colourful butterflies fly between the plants and flowers. If you stand still enough, a butterfly might even land on you (it's good luck!). The Butterfly Garden is located on the third floor. Before you enter, be sure to admire the waterfall and the Tropical Biome from high up above.

Assiniboine Park

After visiting The Leaf, spend some time wandering around Assiniboine Park. Justin and I happened to visit Winnipeg during the FIFA World Cup. We gathered with thousands of locals to watch the Canada v Qatar game in which Canada won the match and scored several goals.

As this special event won't be happening when you visit, I suggest walking around the English Garden to view some bright and beautiful blooms.

The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is home to a brilliant collection of bronze sculptures by Dr. Leo Mol, a Ukranian-Canadian artist. It's free to visit.

There's also a Nature Playground for kids and the Journey to Churchill exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Stella's

Stella's is an institution in Winnipeg, beginning with their first establishment in 1999 (Stella's Cafe & Bakery) and eventually expanding to several locations, including a spot at the Winnipeg Airport.

It's only fitting to have lunch at Stella's when in Winnipeg as it's so woven into the fabric of the restaurant scene there. While the menu varies by location, there are quite a few plant-based offerings.

There's an expansive all day breakfast menu with tofu scramble or a vegan Mexican food dish. There are grilled veggie sandwiches, veggie burgers and vegan tacos. Be sure to pair your meal with one of their refreshing smoothies, or even add a vegan chocolate cupcake for dessert.

Fortwhyte Alive

FortWhyte Alive is an urban natural environment that's an escape to nature without leaving the city. The Wildlife Foundation of Manitoba reclaimed this former industrial site and transformed it back into a natural habitat for native flora and fauna.

From wildlife conservation to environmental education, FortWhyte Alive's goal is to support nature education, outdoor recreation and continually protect this urban natural refuge.

Go for a walk through 7km of forest trails and listen to songbirds. There are five manmade lakes available for paddling.

There's also a bison safari ecotour that's a must when you visit Fortwhyte Alive. A small bus transports you to view the bison herd from the safety of the bus. The tour lasts about an hour and I recommend booking your tickets in advance.

Back Alley Arctic

Some of the best street art in Winnipeg lies down the alleyway between Canora and Ethelbert Streets, affectionately known as Back Alley Arctic. This is a walkable and bikeable laneway lined with rows of painted garage doors.

Created and painted by artist Kal Barteski, this is a public art installation that anyone can visit anytime. There are images of animals from the Arctic splashed across large garage doors, as well as fences, posts, walls and curbs.

Barteski was inspired by her visits with Debby, the world's oldest polar bear, who once lived at Assiniboine Park Zoo (Debby passed in 2008). She then visited Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the World.

The murals took her over 400 hours to complete and they depict wildlife from the Arctic. These are not limited to polar bears, but also include wolves, seals, narwals, caribou, foxes and more.

Bonnie Day

Just a short walk from Back Arctic Alley is Bonnie Day, a nourishing comfort food restaurant. Bonnie Day is a play on words for the French, bonne idée, and it is a good idea to dine here. For the owners, it's also a nod to their Scottish roots by using the word "bonnie", meaning beautiful.

We love how Bonnie Day is inclusive to special diets, like vegan and gluten-free. The vegan offerings are labeled as such, like the Persian olives and bar nuts that we ordered to start.

For main courses, any pizza can be made vegan or gluten-free. I really loved the sweet potato gnocchi, served with pesto and a lemon cream sauce.

Winnipeg Festivals

If you can swing it, be sure to time your trip to Winnipeg during one of its memorable festivals. Check out a complete and up to date listing of festivals and events at the Tourism Winnipeg website.

I'm going to highlight two different festivals that we've had the opportunity to attend in recent years.

Winnipeg Jazz Festival

Music lovers, you don't want to miss the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. It's often thought as the kickoff to summer as the Jazz Festival happens every June.

There's a great combination of local artists and international talent delivering top notch performances. While there are many ticketed events, there are also free shows to enjoy at Old Market Square.

Whether it's jazz, blues, swing, Latin grooves or global vibes, there's something for everyone. It's a great chance to discover your new favourite artists or even a new style of music entirely.

Folklorama Festival

Folklorama is the largest and longest running multicultural festival in the world. The Folklorama Festival features 45 unique ethno-cultural Pavilions across the city.

It's an opportunity to experience the vibrant culture, traditional music, dance performances, delicious food, and intriguing art from many different nations. It's like travelling around the world, all in one place!

The Folklorama Festival takes place across two weeks in August annually. It's a great time of year to visit Winnipeg, and we highly suggest you plan a summer trip to Winnipeg during the festivities.