Winnipeg walking tour & city guide

The Forks

The Forks, where the two rivers meet, is Winnipeg's favorite gathering place. Old railway buildings now house a busy market and food hall, and there are riverside paths, a skate park and, in winter, one of the longest natural skating trails in the world on the frozen river.

Next to it, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights rises in a spiral of glass and stone, with a tower offering views over the city.

The Exchange District

The Exchange District is a National Historic Site of early 1900s warehouses, banks and theaters from the years when Winnipeg was the fastest-growing city in North America. Its brick and terracotta buildings are often used as film sets, and today they hold galleries, boutiques and restaurants.

A classic walk from The Forks to the Exchange

Start at The Forks Market and walk to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Cross the Esplanade Riel footbridge for views of the rivers, or follow the riverwalk toward the Manitoba Legislative Building, a grand neoclassical building topped by the Golden Boy statue.

Then head north along Main Street to the Exchange District and Old Market Square. The walk is about 4 kilometers. Saint Boniface, the French-speaking neighborhood across the river, has a historic cathedral facade and museum.

Visiting tips

Summer is warm and full of festivals, including Folklorama, a celebration of world cultures. Winters are very cold, but the February Festival du Voyageur and river skating make the most of them. Assiniboine Park has a zoo with a large polar bear exhibit.