Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba

Winnipeg is the gateway to further exploration of Manitoba. Before my recent adventure in Churchill, I learned more about the province via the city’s dining and cultural scene. My base was The Forks area at the intersection of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers.

I traveled to Winnipeg, and from there to Churchill, in collaboration with Travel Manitoba and Travel Mindset. I am being compensated for sharing this post but opinions and all images are my own. Thank you for supporting my blog’s partners.

Summer was in full swing when I visited Winnipeg in early August. In fact, it was so hot I had to go shopping for clothes that wouldn’t have me overheating from the high temperature! Right there I learned something: Just because Canada is north of the USA, it does not mean it is cold all the time! (I did already KNOW this but I didn’t really KNOW it since most of my exploration of Canada actually has been during colder months of the year!)

Winnipeg is full of parkland where live music can be heard echoing in the trees, the sound of children laughing is a frequent occurrence and, because of where I was staying, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was almost always visible.

Eating My Way Through Winnipeg

The Common and The Forks Market — located within converted warehouse buildings next to The Inn at the Forks. I really enjoyed tasting local Manitoba brews at The Common. My beer flight paired well with empanadas and garlic herb fries from Simon’s Cuisine.

Clementine Café – beneath street level in The Exchange District. Cozying up with hip details and a dynamite espresso-drinks menu was a hit with our whole group. However, the Turkish Eggs were SO GOOD that I am still dreaming about that dish weeks later and wondering how I can recreate it at home. I don’t actually think I have had a more yummy dish during brunch in my life. Simple in looks, incredibly complex flavor-wise. The menu listed just poached eggs, hummus, chili butter, zhoug and sourdough toast.

Amsterdam Tea Room – has the best matcha cocktail I’ve ever had anywhere. I’d return over and over again just for that without a second thought!

The Roost – is a great bar and restaurant with limited seating. Their sharing plates were great and I really loved the cocktails.

Feast Café Bistro – is an Indigenous café. Ingredients are sourced locally and the recipes have been handed down through generations. I loved the taco and pizza-style dishes made with Bannock!

Cocoabeans Bakeshop – has gluten free and vegan baked goods that are better than any I’ve ever had in that category anywhere else in the world. I recommend a slice of their cake and a lemon bar.

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Exploring Arts & Culture of Winnipeg

We took a tour of The Exchange District with Zephyra from Design Quarter Winnipeg. The customized walking tour of the city’s ghost signs, street art and local businesses was really enjoyable and helped me fall in love with the neighborhood.
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten AlanaI’ve wanted to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights since I got the press release about its opening, and it didn’t disappoint. Just as Gandhi said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world,” so too is the Canadian Museum for Human Rights asking all who visit it to acknowledge that, while mistakes have certainly been made in the past, now we have a chance to change things. If we each take personal responsibility for the protection and advancement of human rights here in Canada and around the world…maybe we will see the better world we all hope for. It starts within us and we each hold a portion of the power that is needed to make a difference.

I found the museum really enjoyable but also very thought provoking. My only regret in visiting is that I didn’t have one entire day to spend inside. I think that’s the minimum that is required in order to truly take in, and be changed by, all you can learn within the walls of the museum.
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Where to Stay in Winnipeg

The Inn at the Forks is ideally located to explore the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It is situated within sight of the museum, as you can see from this photo that I took from my window. Room sizes are generous, staff is friendly and the on-site restaurant had great food and fantastic cocktails.
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

A last note about visiting Winnipeg

…the particular trip during which I took all these images included a visit to Assiniboine Park Zoo. This isn’t something I would normally be happy about since I have mixed feelings about zoos in today’s society. However, my feeling after a few hours there is that they’re trying to educate not entertain. I certainly learned a lot about polar bear behavior as well as the level of danger they can represent when or if you come between them and a food source because of our visit. This information was helpful during my visit to Churchill and I can’t help but be thankful for the way I learned the information, in a very engaging manner, as you can hopefully see from these photos.
Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana
I also loved all the peacocks freely roaming the zoo grounds. They’re one of my favorite birds.Winnipeg: Gateway to Adventure in Greater Manitoba - Kirsten Alana

  • September 26, 2018
    roberta

    great idea

    • September 26, 2018

      Haha thanks! Glad you liked the post.

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