The Best Things to Do in Regina, Saskatchewan

Did you know that Regina is the sunniest capital city in Canada? How about the rumour that its one of the most haunted cities in Canada? Well, if neither of those unique and quirky facts have convinced you to come to Regina, perhaps this blog post will. After my first trip experiencing Saskatchewan’s capital city, I’ve come up with this list of the very best things to do in Regina.

I believed the “sunniest city” claim to fame after my week in Regina. Not only was it sunny, but the city was experiencing a summer heat wave.

This Regina itinerary might not have the most outdoor activities (it was a bit too hot to hit the trails), but there are enough attractions and activities to easily fill at least three days in Regina, if not four or five. You can also visit Regina after a trip to Saskatoon if you’re venturing across Saskatchewan.

I’ll showcase Regina’s walkable neighbourhoods, top museums, greenspaces and unique activities. In addition, I’ll be highlighting the best breweries, cafes and restaurants in the city. I’ll wrap up the article with the best place to stay in Regina. Feel free to use this Regina travel guide to plan your trip here, one of the best cities in Canada.

Things to Do in Regina: Cathedral Village

Named after the neighbourhood landmark, the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Cathedral Village is one of the coolest places to explore in Regina. There’s fabulous shopping at locally-owned boutiques, delicious food and drink at its cafes and restaurants, and it’s all totally walkable.

Cathedral is also home to the annual Cathedral Village Arts Festival. Every May, 13th Avenue closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only gathering place for a whole week. Enjoy live music, a film festival, performances, and art created before your eyes. Handmade arts and crafts are also for sale at booths up and down the street.

The following are my top picks for places to check out in the Cathedral neighbourhood. These are local shops, cafes and restaurants that I really enjoyed.

Succulicious Studio

Succulicious Studio is a beautiful plant shop in Cathedral Village. There’s a wide variety of houseplants, cacti, and of course, succulents. There’s also moss art for your home, colourful planters, terrariums, plant decor and so much more. It’s the perfect place for those looking to start their own succulent collection and learn how to properly care for houseplants.

BLAK Apparel

Are you like me and you love wearing black clothing? I swear that more than half of my wardrobe is black. At BLAK Apparel, I felt right at home. BLAK is a fashion boutique that only sells black clothing. I found the perfect long, black, flowy dress for the summer here that I adore.

Paper Umbrella

Paper Umbrella is a locally owned stationary and gift shop. Known for its unique and eclectic offerings, Paper Umbrella offers specialty pens, quirky greeting cards, beautiful stationary, art supplies, paper and more.

I love stationary shops and Paper Umbrella has curated so many items that I haven’t seen anywhere else. I picked up a book of gorgeous vintage stickers that I can’t wait to use in some upcoming crafty projects.

The Penny University Bookstore

The Penny University Bookstore is an independent bookshop showcasing indie authors and talented writers through their carefully selected collection. It’s also a small cafe where you can sip coffee as you browse the books. There’s a charming atmosphere with small rooms filled with bookshelves and bookish decor.

They also host many events like author readings, community discussions and book signings. The Penny University Bookstore frequently hosts a diverse range of authors speaking on important topics relating to feminism, decolonization and reconciliation.

Seed Sustainable Style

Seed Sustainable Style is a clothing boutique featuring eco-friendly wares, handcrafted accessories and wild crafted natural apothecary. The service is highly personalized and those working there will help you find the best clothing for your personal preferences and body type. They’re also committed to carrying local and Canadian clothing lines.

Filigree Chocolaterie

Filigree Chocolaterie is an artisanal chocolate shop with handmade chocolates, truffles, caramels, peanut butter cups, chocolate bars and macarons. Everything is created using high quality ingredients and often features innovative flavours. They’re also committed to sustainability in their packaging, as well as using local and organic ingredients when possible.

I love how some of their chocolates are vegan-friendly, and it goes beyond the basic square of dark chocolate. Try some of their vegan chocolate bars, hand painted chocolate hazelnut hearts, vegan peanut butter cups and more. Not only are their confections elegant in their design, but they’re melt in your mouth delicious!

13th Avenue Coffee and Food House

13th Avenue Coffee and Food House is a longstanding veg-friendly cafe in the Cathedral neighbourhood. They are known for their healthy and fresh dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Stop by for lunch or grab a coffee or tea on the go. Though not entirely vegetarian, 13th Avenue Coffee and Food House is a very plant forward establishment.

Try one of their bowls, veggie burgers, sandwiches, salads or bagels. My Lucky Bowl was really tasty, filled to the brim with marinated tofu, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, bean sprouts, grated carrot and peanut sauce. Though I’m usually a coffee girlie, I tried one of their berry iced teas that was ideal for a hot day.

Elle’s Cafe

While Elle’s Cafe is known for its food and coffee, I stopped by entirely for its outdoor ice cream window. Specifically, Elle’s Cafe serves up four refreshing flavours of Dole Whip. Two of these are vegan-friendly and they’re usually the fruit flavours. I had the pineapple watermelon swirl and it delivered summery tropical vibes. Pop by for a treat on a hot day!

Things to Do in Regina: Wascana Centre

Wascana Centre (Wascana Park) is a gorgeous landscaped greenspace around Wascana Lake, a 120-hectare lake in the heart of Regina. This 930-hectare parkland is bigger than NYC’s Central Park and Vancouver’s Stanley Park combined! There are numerous important buildings and museums here, as well as tons of meandering paved paths and protected areas for wildlife.

Visiting Wascana Centre is one of the best things to do in Regina. Between the park itself and its attractions, you could easily spend the whole day at Wascana Park. I’ll highlight a few must visit places at Wascana Park.

Wascana Hill

Wascana Hill is the highest point at Wascana Park offering wonderful 360 degree views of the surroundings. It feels as though the whole city can be viewed from this point, from the First Nations University of Canada to the MacKenzie Art Gallery. While the scenery from Wascana Hill are pretty at all times of the day, I’d love to return for the epic sunsets.

Wascana Hill is located beside Douglas Park. It overlooks some protected areas for natural habitats, as well as Goose Island and Tern Island. I even spotted a group of pelicans from this scenic lookout point.

Public Art

There are fascinating works of public art scattered around Wascana Centre that are free to admire whenever you’d like. I loved seeing “Mind’s Garden” by Joseph Fafard. This is a gigantic bronze sandcast work in eight panels. Each panel demonstrates elements of Saskatchewan’s cultural and natural history.

Be sure to walk in between the panels to discover the imagery. The outdoor public art at Wascana Park adds to the artistic characteristics and cultural richness of this community space. There are many more works of art to find on your visit, such as the Four Directions Sculpture, Fafard Cows, the Totem Pole and Oskana.

First Nations University of Canada

The First Nations University of Canada specializes in Indigenous knowledge and post-secondary education in a supportive environment for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike. The Regina campus is located on the atim kâ-mihkosit (Red Dog) Urban Reserve, Star Blanket Cree Nation and Treaty 4 Territory.

It’s possible to schedule a campus tour or you can visit the university on an individual tour anytime on your own. First, admire this amazing architectural work by Indigenous architect, Douglas Cardinal. Next, step inside the building to marvel at the art installations and cultural exhibits that illustrate Indigenous traditions.

Albert Memorial Bridge

The Albert Memorial Bridge is notably the longest bridge over the shortest body of water in the world. The bridge opened in 1930 as a relief project during the Great Depression. The bridge has undergone some recent refurbishments to maintain its decorative elements. These include Egyptian motifs, lamp standards, flag-staffs, glazed terra-cotta balusters and buffalo heads.

Bar Willow Eatery

For a scenic patio with glorious views, head straight to Bar Willow Eatery in Wascana Park. They’ve got the largest deck in Regina with scenery overlooking Wascana Lake. It’s the perfect place to dine while you watch the sun go down. Enjoy small plates, burgers, tacos, craft beer, wine and cocktails.

The vegan options are marked on the menu clearly, which I really appreciated. I ordered the avocado toast, which came with a heaping portion of fries. I also highly recommend the Aloha Mojito, a tropical spin on a classic cocktail.

Things to Do in Regina: Ride Scooters

Electric scooters are a fun and eco-friendly way to get around Regina. The city has a goal to become a renewable, net zero city by the year 2050, and this is certainly a step in the right direction. The shared e-scooter program runs from May to October.

There are two companies that operate in Regina: Bird and Neuron Mobility. Download one or both apps ahead of time as you’ll be using your phone to rent the scooter.

Renting a scooter works similarly to other cities if you’ve ever ridden one before. Check out the map on the mobile app to see the stations where you can pick up and drop off scooters. Ride to your destination and find the closest suitable place to park your scooter.

There are a few mandatory safety rules: you must always wear a helmet (there is one provided or you can bring your own), only one person may ride an e-scooter at a time, you must be aged 16+, and you can’t ride on the sidewalk. Please stick to bike lanes, multi-use paths and roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less.

There are scooters everywhere so it’s really easy to find one. We rode our scooters around downtown Regina, Cathedral Village and Wascana Park. There’s no need to drive your car when it’s easier and more convenient to ride on an e-scooter.

Things to Do in Regina: Royal Saskatchewan Museum

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is a museum to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Saskatchewan. Since its beginnings in 1906 as the “Provincial Museum”, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum aims to further the understanding of the province’s natural history and Indigenous cultures.

The T-Rex Gallery is the first exhibit I encountered upon entering the museum. It’s home to Scotty, the biggest Tyrannosaurus Rex in the world! Found in Saskatchewan, Scotty is the world’s largest and oldest T-Rex. The exhibition dives into many details about the T-Rex and showcases how Scotty lived to age 28 despite many injuries.

The fossilized remains of Scotty took two decades to be removed from the rock. As you can imagine, this is a very delicate and painstaking process. In total, 65% of Scotty’s bones were recovered and are on display at the museum.

In addition to the T-Rex Gallery, take the time to explore several more exhibits including the Earth Sciences Gallery, First Nations Gallery, the Life Sciences Gallery and Home: Life in the Anthropocene. There’s a short film projected onto a 3D globe about climate change and our effects on the ecosystem that is a must-watch.

Things to Do in Regina: MacKenzie Art Gallery

Visiting the MacKenzie Art Gallery is one of the best things to do in Regina. The MacKenzie Art Gallery is located in Wascana Park, so please feel free to include this on your trip to Wascana Centre. We rode out scooters around Wascana Lake and made a pit stop at the art gallery for a couple of hours, including staying for lunch there.

The Mackenzie Art Gallery strives to be an immersive centre for art that focuses on diversity, Indigenous culture, education and sustainability. They encourage experimental, playful and transformative experiences through their permanent collection and rotating exhibitions.

When I visited, my favourite temporary exhibition was Shary Boyle’s “Outside the Palace of Me”. It’s an exploration the construct of self: how we see ourselves and how we see others through costume, character, set design, and stage effects.

This multi-sensory exhibit includes sculpture, a coin-operated art piece, life-sized automatons, drawings, and an auditory component. This exhibit is super engaging and interactive, inviting us to reflect on the current state of identity and public persona in the age of social media.

Things to Do in Regina: Downtown Regina

Downtown Regina is home to local events, intriguing shops and beautiful street art and murals. When you travel to Regina, I’m sure you’ll find yourself wandering around downtown Regina at least a few times. While there are some restaurants that I’ll share under the heading “vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants” below, here are some other great things to do in downtown Regina.

Regina Farmers Market

While the Regina Farmers Market has a few locations depending on the day of the week, be sure to check out the Wednesday market at Victoria Park. It takes place from 9am to 1pm from the beginning of May until Thanksgiving in October. There are food trucks, farmers selling fresh produce and locally made products.

Street Art and Public Art

Downtown Regina is home to an impressive collection of public art and street art. There are a variety of sculptures, murals, painted alley doors and traffic boxes scattered throughout the downtown core. These bright and beautiful art displays add creative value and vitality to downtown Regina.

It’s fun to wander around and discover new works of art around every turn. One of my favourite murals is a colourful path down the middle of a pedestrian-only street. This is the Path to Reconciliation mural project. The mural was incorporated into the opening ceremony at National Indigenous Peoples Day and demonstrates Regina and Saskatchewan’s commitment to reconciliaton.

Mortise & Tenon

Mortise & Tenon is an eco and zero waste shop located in downtown Regina and Regina’s east end. They offer refillable and bulk supplies, a massive array of kitchen and household items, bath and body products, self care and wellness wares, and things produced locally in Saskatchewan. This shop is full of unique finds and fun gifts that you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

Hop Circuit: Regina’s Brew Trail

Regina’s Hop Circuit is a fun and exciting way to tour around the craft breweries in the city. There are six participating breweries: Rebellion Brewing Company, Pile O’ Bones Brewing Co, Malty National Brewing Corp, District Brewing Co, Bushwakker Brewing Company, and Regina Brewing.

Grab a Hop Circuit Map at the first brewery you visit. A stamp for that brewery will already be placed on the map. When you buy a beer at each brewery, you’ll get a stamp for that brewery. Follow this beer trail and collect all six stamps. When you do, collect an exclusive Hop Circuit glass at your final brewery.

Though I was only in Regina for a few days, I had the chance to sample the beer at three breweries on the Hop Circuit. Next time, I’ll have to stop at the remaining three breweries to try them all!

Rebellion Brewing Company

Located in the heart of Regina’s Warehouse District, Rebellion Brewing Company has been an important part of Regina’s craft brewing scene since 2014. They serve up everything from easy drinking lagers to beer made from Saskatchewan-grown lentils.

They’re also quite the innovative bunch, always coming up with new seasonal brews and beyond (like their refreshing boozy iced teas!). At the taproom, there’s a Mexican-inspired menu by Tropezon with shareables, tacos, quesadillas and more. I ordered some vegan tacos and guac & chips that paired so nicely with my beer.

Pile O’ Bones Brewing Co

Pile O’ Bones Brewing Company pays tribute in its name to the First Nations Peoples that once referred to these lands as Pile o’ Bones. Regina was a resting point for hunters and they literally left huge mounds of buffalo bones behind. Pile O’ Bones Brewing Co’s logo is the prairie bison to highlight the creature that supported those living here for thousands of years.

There are dozens of beers on tap at Pile O’ Bones, including their classics like the Red Ale and Scarth St. Blonde. I enjoyed some of the specialty pours, like the Raspberry Wheat Ale and Hibiscus Lime Gose. I suggest ordering a flight so you can try several different ones to find your favourites. Try your hand at some of the pinball machines while you’re there.

Malty National

Malty National is a small neighbourhood brewery and could easily be one of my favourite local hangs if I lived in Regina. With only a couple of beers and seltzers on tap, it makes choosing a pint easier than some other breweries. I totally did not regret my decision in trying the Pina Colada Seltzer as it was refreshing and delicious.

If it’s a hot day, there are misting machines on the patio out front. I recommend heading to the little beer garden in the backyard where there are quite a few tables beneath some shady trees. The patio is dog-friendly, too!

Things to Do Near Regina: Motherwell Homestead

Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site of Canada is one of the best things to do near Regina. Only about an hour from Regina, Motherwell Homestead is a heritage property where you’ll step back in time to experience life as a 1900s homesteader. Those working at this historic site are dressed in period clothing and will explain what life was like back on the prairies in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

As part of touring the property, I visited the home of William Richard Motherwell, a notable Canadian agriculturalist and politician. He helped develop modern farming practices in the country. Motherwell was Saskatchewan’s first Minister of Agriculture and the federal Minister of Agriculture. I learned stories about his family and life in this centuries-old home.

In addition to the 1897 house, there is an old barn dating back to 1907, as well as flourishing fruit and vegetable gardens. These are heritage crops that people grew at the turn of the 20th century, like gooseberries and rhubarb.

Vegan and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants

As someone who follows a vegan diet, I love how there are so many restaurants with plant-based dishes on the menu in Regina. While there’s only one 100% vegan restaurant, many establishments are mindful to include veggie meals in their offerings, which I truly appreciate.

Regina Coffee Shops

Getting Around

If you’re staying around downtown Regina, Wascana Park, and Cathedral Village, it’s easy to get around by foot or by renting an electric scooter. Uber also operates in Regina, making it easy to get from point A to point B.

I ventured a bit outside of Regina to Motherwell Homestead and to other areas of the city that aren’t close to the downtown. For this reason, I suggest renting a car in Regina to have the freedom to drive anywhere you’d like.

When I travel anywhere, I love renting cars with Discover Cars. They allow you to compare all car rental agencies to find the highest rated companies with the best prices. They’ve got great customer service, too. Compare car rental prices here and book your vehicle.

Where to Stay in Regina: The Hotel Saskatchewan

The Hotel Saskatchwan, Autograph Collection, is Regina’s premier place to stay. Located in the middle of the downtown city centre, The Hotel Saskatchewan is a convenient and luxurious accommodation that I was pleased to call home for four nights. This historic hotel opened in 1927 and has welcomed famous guests like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, the Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney and Justin Bieber.

I appreciated the elegance of this hotel from the moment I stepped into the lobby. Delicate chandeliers and a grand piano add to its opulence. An old mail chute for posting mail from any floor of the hotel is still fully operational (and Canada Post still collects letters and postcards from the mailbox in the lobby). The complimentary saskatoon berry iced tea in the lobby is also a nice touch.

My spacious room had a comfortable king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a huge walk-in closet. There’s a TV, mini fridge, desk, coffee maker, modern bathroom and complimentary Wi-Fi.