20 BEST Things to Do in Assiniboine Park in Summer and Winter

Compiled by the Road Trip Manitoba team

Last updated August 20, 2024

Home to some of Winnipeg’s finest attractions and over 400 acres of land in the heart of the city, Assiniboine Park is often cited as the best park in Winnipeg. Even better, there’s almost always an event or something special happening within the park, no matter the season! From outdoor adventures to cultural evenings to everything in between, Assiniboine Park has it all.

Perfect for families, couples, picnics with friends or a solo walk, we’ve outlined all of the essentials of the park and all the things to do throughout the year. Here is your guide to all the best things to do in Assiniboine Park.

Need To Know About Assiniboine Park

Location

Assiniboine Park is located about a 15-minute drive from downtown Winnipeg, depending on where you are in the city. Sandwiched between the neighbourhoods of Tuxedo and Charleswood, the park is in the city’s west end.

Technically, Assiniboine Park’s address is 2355 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg, R3P 2N6, but numerous entrances and buildings within the park have more specific locations.

You may need a more specific address depending on where you’d like to go in the park. Popular locations include:

• The Leaf: 145 The Leaf Way
• Leo Mol Sculpture Garden: 375 Assiniboine Park Drive
• Assiniboine Park Conservancy: 55 Pavilion Crescent
• Qualico Family Centre/The Park Cafe: 330 Assiniboine Park Drive
• The Pavilion: 55 Pavilion Crescent
• Assiniboine Park Zoo: 2595 Roblin Boulevard
• Assiniboine Park Zoo Special Events Entrance (no public access): 54 Zoo Drive

Thankfully, many signposts around the park will help you navigate where you need to go.

Parking

There is extensive parking in Assiniboine Park, and all of it is free. Both the Assiniboine Park Zoo and The Leaf have their own parking lots with plenty of spots. At the same time, you’ll find a few other lots throughout the park (including next to Nature Playground, southeast of the Pavilion, and west of the Qualico Family Centre, by the old zoo entrance (note: There is no zoo entry at this location. A footpath connects this lot to the main zoo lot).

Additional parking is located in smaller parking areas and along roads throughout Assiniboine Park. Restricted parking areas are clearly posted; make sure to follow all signposts, as you can get parking tickets or even towed for parking in the wrong areas.

There are a few electric vehicle parking spots available in the park, including nine in The Leaf parking lot, a single charger in the Assiniboine Park Zoo parking lot, and a double charger located near the entrance to the English Garden across from the Qualico Family Centre and Riley Family Duck Pond.

Opening Hours

The public greenspace of Assiniboine Park is open 24/7, 365 days a year, which means it is always open for walking, cycling, picnics, etc. However, many of the attractions within the park have separate hours, sometimes also depending on the season. Opening hours of some of the main attractions are as follows (but we always suggest you check in advance, as some – like The Leaf – have temporary closures or change hours/close on holidays):

• The Leaf:
  • Indoor biomes are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m
  • Outdoor gardens vary (some are open 24/7, others close at dusk; always check before visiting)
• Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar: daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Assiniboine Park Zoo:
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer
  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter (gates close half an hour before closing time)
• Leo Mol Sculpture Garden: 9 a.m. to dusk year-round (gallery closed in winter)
• Nature Playground: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer. Many portions of the nature playground are closed in winter.
• The Park Café: daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Pavilion:
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer
  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter

Main Attractions in Assiniboine Park

Assiniboine Park Zoo

Perhaps one of the most famous aspects of Assiniboine Park, the Assiniboine Park Zoo is considered one of the best things to do in Winnipeg. With thousands of species living at the zoo, you can expect to see many Canadian animals and numerous creatures from the global animal kingdom. At over 80 acres, it’s common to see wolves, bison, polar bears, muskox, reindeer, seals, arctic foxes, goats, horses, llamas, ocelots, monkeys, camels, tigers, snow leopards, meerkats, cougars, and more.

Perhaps the most famous aspect of the Assiniboine Park Zoo is the Journey to Churchill exhibit. This award-winning exhibit is cited as the “most comprehensive northern species exhibit of its kind in the world” and features the animals you’d find in Northern Manitoba. Walk through the underwater viewing tunnels, watch the polar bears splash and play in the water, and make sure to grab a snack at the café where you can potentially have a polar bear pass right in front of the window.

Although the zoo is open in winter, it’s vastly different; you won’t see nearly as many animals as you will in summer. That being said, it’s still good to wander and explore the indoor exhibits. Also, keep an eye out for the Zoo Lights, which take place every year! It’s one of our favourite things to do in Winnipeg in winter.

And remember, there is an admission fee to the Assiniboine Park Zoo.

The Leaf

One of Winnipeg’s newest attractions, visiting The Leaf is one of the highlights of Assiniboine Park. This huge indoor horticultural building is home to four distinct biomes that showcase plants and flowers worldwide, including the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome, the Mediterranean Biome, the Babs Asper Display House, and the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden. The Leaf also has nearly 30 acres of outdoor gardens and greenspace, including the Indigenous Peoples Garden, Kitchen Garden, Sensory Garden, Performance Garden, Seasonal Garden, and The Grove.

Remember, there is an admission fee to the indoor biomes at The Leaf.

Leo Mol Sculpture Garden

The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden was created due to Dr. Mol’s generous gift of many of his fantastic bronze pieces and works of art. Wander through the peaceful garden to spot many of Dr. Mol’s pieces and, in summer, take in some of Manitoba’s finest greenery. There’s also the Leo Mol Gallery to explore.

Cargo Bar

Built from a shipping container, Cargo Bar is a pop-up bar adjacent to the Riley Family Duck Pond. In summer, head here for cocktails featuring local ingredients as well as beer from some of the best Winnipeg breweries. In winter, Cargo Bar is open for hot chocolate, cider, and other offerings.

Regardless of the season, always make sure to check that Cargo Bar is open; in general, it is always closed on Mondays and only operates on weekends in winter.

Pavilion Art Galleries

Free to enter, the Pavilion is home to the largest collections of works by renowned Manitoba artists Ivan Eyre, Walter J. Phillips, and Clarence Tillenius. You’ll also find many rotating exhibits in partnership with the Winnipeg Art Gallery. We think it’s one of the best art galleries in Winnipeg, so make sure to check it out!

Assiniboine Forest

Assiniboine Forest is not technically located within Assiniboine Park. In fact, it’s considered a park on its own. That being said, it’s only a short distance from Assiniboine Park and is definitely worth checking out.

Located at 2595 Roblin Blvd, there’s a small parking lot with free parking. From there, there are numerous hiking and cycling trails within the forest, including a few signposted loops. While all seasons are beautiful in Assiniboine Forest, autumn is when the trees really pop, and it’s an excellent place for a stroll if you’re in the area!

Summer Activities in Assiniboine Park

Summer Entertainment Series

Every year, you’ll find music, theatre, dance, wellness classes, movies, and more at various locations around the park. For example, you might find musical performances at the Lyric Theatre or the outdoor Performance Garden at The Leaf, Jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, or Movies in the Park. Keep an eye out for what the Assiniboine Park Conservatory puts on, as there’s always something fun to attend! You can find the schedule here.

Pro tip: These performances get very busy, especially regarding parking. Head to the park as early as possible, or consider carpooling or taking public transportation.

Lyric Theatre

Lyric Theatre is a large outdoor stage that features free entertainment every summer. With performances that appeal to all ages, you’ll often find jazz, the symphony, Ballet in the Park, or the highly popular Movies in the Park.

Flower Gardens

Located adjacent to the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, the English Garden is a beautiful sight to behold every summer. Filled to the brim with flowers, it’s the perfect place for a stroll. You’ll also find a lot of other flower beds around the park, and remember: most of the outdoor gardens at The Leaf are free!

Steam Train

Take a ride on the steam train in Assiniboine Park! Located west of The Pavilion just across from the Nature Playground parking lot, the steam train has been running in the park for over 60 years. Summer hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, while in September until mid-October, it runs on holidays and weekends. Tickets are $4 cash or $4.25 debit per person.

Nature Playground

Run, jump, climb, swing, and explore at the Nature Playground, where you’ll find sand and water play areas, slides, tunnels, basket swings, colourful rubber mountains, net bridges, the Streuber Family Children’s Garden, and so much more. There are also a few wheelchair-accessible additions, including a swing with a spacious entry deck and ramp for easy roll-on access.

Biking Trails

There are many cycling trails throughout the park, but most are for a leisurely ride (so don’t expect any significant mountain biking here). A fun ride is the Assiniboine Park – Wellington Crescent – Wolseley Loop, which takes you through the park, down beautiful Wellington Crescent, and around the charming neighbourhood of Wolseley.

Another really fun idea is to rent a bike from Bee2gether Bikes. With tons of novelty bikes to rent, including tandem bikes and more, it’s a great date idea or perfect for a family day out.

Walking Trails

You’ll find numerous walking trails throughout the park, and we suggest walking and seeing where the trails take you. One of the most famous trails in the park is the Terry Fox Fitness trail, which is perfect for jogging; the trail also features modern outdoor fitness equipment plus instructional signage.

Picnic

The park has so many wide-open green spaces that it’s the perfect place for a picnic in Winnipeg. Despite it being a city park, you’ll feel very much connected to nature! Don’t want to bring your own food? You can always pick up a meal or snacks from the Park Café.

Winter Activities in Assiniboine Park

Zoo Lights

As mentioned above, the Zoo Lights take place every year and is a great event to attend in winter. It’s also one of our favourite things to do at Christmas in Winnipeg! Bundle up and head to the Assiniboine Park Zoo to observe thousands of light displays… and make sure to grab a hot chocolate along the way!

Skating

We believe the Riley Family Duck Pond offers some of the best ice skating in Winnipeg. The skating shelter (with warm-up areas and washroom accessibility) is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in winter. Please note that hockey sticks and pucks are not allowed on the pond.

Don’t have your own skates? The Winnipeg Trails Association offers skate rentals and services from a facility near the Riley Family Duck Pond shelter. The hours are limited – typically only Friday evenings and weekends – so always check before visiting.

Cross-Country Skiing

With approximately four kilometres of maintained cross-country skiing trails in winter, the park is ideal for a snowy day out on the skis. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., trails are groomed for freestyle and classic skiing approximately twice a week, weather permitting. Check out one of the three loops in the park: the Eagle / Migizi loop, the Rabbit / Waabooz loop, or the Turkey / Mizise loop. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the groomed trails.

There are ski racks at Cargo Bar and at The Leaf.

Don’t have your own skis? The Winnipeg Trails Association offers ski equipment rentals and services from a rental facility near the Riley Family Duck Pond shelter. Services will include ski waxing, ski and kicksled rentals, and skate rentals. The hours are limited – typically only Friday evenings and weekends – so always check before visiting.

Tobogganing

It’s no secret that Manitoba is a fairly flat province. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some incredible toboggan runs! Toboggan Hill is located near the Riley Family Duck Pond and the Nature Playground.

Bring your own sled or toboggan, and proceed cautiously; the hill can get quite busy in winter!

Snowshoeing

With so many wide open spaces and walking trails, Assiniboine Park is ideal for snowshoeing! That being said, the cross-country skiing trails are off-limits to snowshoes, so make sure you stay clear of those.

Where to Eat in Assiniboine Park

Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar

Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar, sometimes called Gather at the Leaf, is a wonderful restaurant with a menu featuring many local Manitoba ingredients. In their words, they serve “Globally Inspired Modern Prairie Cuisine.” For a fun date idea, head to The Leaf and then go to Gather for a delicious meal. Open daily for lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

We highly recommend making a reservation before visiting!

Park Café

One of our favourite spots for breakfast or brunch in Winnipeg, Park Café, is located on the banks of the Riley Family Duck Pond. This large, airy space has an all-day breakfast menu and many meals featuring local Manitoba ingredients. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. there’s also a Park Treats window on the side of the building for ice cream and other snacks.

Accessibility at Assiniboine Park

Thankfully, Assiniboine Park is very wheelchair accessible. There are numerous accessible parking spots and every building has ramps and/or elevators as well as wheelchair-accessible washrooms.