Itinerary for Spending the Perfect Day in Winnipeg

Compiled by the Road Trip Manitoba team

Last updated October 30, 2024

While we believe that Winnipeg deserves many days (or weeks, even!) to explore, sometimes we have to make do with what we’ve got. And if you only have one day in Winnipeg, you’ll want to ensure it’s the perfect day!

We’ve crafted an itinerary showcasing some of Winnipeg’s highlights, even if you only have a limited time to explore the city. Read on for the best itinerary for spending one day in Winnipeg.

Practical Information

A note on getting around Winnipeg: while the downtown area is fairly walkable, Winnipeg’s main attractions are quite spread out. For this itinerary, we’ve recommended restaurants and attractions around the city, but all are within about a 15-minute drive. We recommend renting a car for the day, but ride-share options such as Uber and Lyft are also available (approximately $10-15 per ride).

The only public transportation in Winnipeg is the Winnipeg Transit bus system, which runs frequently to all major attractions listed here. If you want to keep your itinerary limited to the downtown area, check out our article on things to do in Winnipeg’s downtown.

And be sure to check out our article on the best hotels in Winnipeg so you know where to stay when you’re in the city! For this itinerary, we recommend staying downtown.

---

How to Spend One Day in Winnipeg

Morning

Winnipeg has an amazing culinary scene, so take advantage of it with breakfast at one of the city’s best spots! We recommend Clementine, which is found in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., the food here is extraordinary.

The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so we recommend going as early as possible, as it’s always busy!

After your meal at Clementine, you’re nicely located to begin part of The Loop walking trail. The Loop is a curated, self-guided walking trail that connects Winnipeg’s downtown, The Exchange District, and Old St. Boniface.

While the entire loop would take about 3.5 hours, we recommend exploring the Exchange District and then heading toward the Forks; from here, you can walk across the Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge to see Louis Riel’s Tombstone and the St. Boniface Cathedral in Old St. Boniface, and then head back across the bridge to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (which is our next stop).

The walk from the Exchange District to St. Boniface should take approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on stops!

While we usually recommend reserving a half-day for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, even an hour here is time very well spent. Wander through the excellent exhibits and make sure to go up to the top of the tower, where you’ll find stunning views over downtown. It’s one of the best museums in Winnipeg, hands down.

---

Afternoon

After a visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, it’s a short walk to The Forks, one of Winnipeg’s most famous attractions. We couldn’t create a one-day itinerary for Winnipeg and not include it! This historic meeting place has been integral to Manitoba for over 6,000 years.

Located at the meeting of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, The Forks has an indoor market that’s perfect for grabbing a quick meal and shopping for a few souvenirs. Choose from one of the many food stalls in the Common for lunch, and then wander through some of the stores to find locally produced food, art, jewellery, clothing, and so much more.

After a visit to The Forks, we have a few recommendations, and it all depends on what you feel like doing for the rest of your afternoon!

One option is to head to the Winnipeg Art Gallery – Qaumajuq. Home to more than 27,000 artworks in total and the largest public collection of Inuit art in the world, the WAG-Qaumajuq is world-class. You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring the various permanent and temporary exhibits.

Another option is to head to Assiniboine Park, one of Winnipeg’s most popular parks. Depending on the weather, you could walk around the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, head to the Assiniboine Park Zoo (where you’ll find one of the world’s best arctic exhibits featuring numerous polar bears), or make your way to The Leaf, a “horticular” attraction with outdoor and indoor gardens.

---

Evening

Whew! It’s been a very full day, and you’re probably hungry after all that walking. Thankfully, there are numerous Winnipeg restaurants to choose from, depending on what you’re after.

Feast Café Bistro specializes in modern dishes rooted in Indigenous food, while Nola has lots of innovative sharing plates (and is right next door to Bar Accanto, another favourite). Want to try a variety of foods? There’s always Hargrave Street Market.

Our top recommendation is Passero. It’s one of our favourite places to eat in the city and one of the top Italian restaurants in Winnipeg too. A reservation is recommended, and trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re just craving some good za, of course, there are a lot of great pizza restaurants in Winnipeg!

And if you still have energy after dinner, there are lots of great breweries in Winnipeg to try; we recommend

• Nonsuch Brewing Company
• Good Neighbour Brewing Company
• Sookram’s Brewing Company

If you’re after a cocktail, check out some Winnipeg bars, such as

• Amsterdam Tea Room
• Patent 5 Distillery
• The Roost on Corydon

---

After Supper

If you still have energy, there are a number of options for a night out on the town in Winnipeg.

Why not check out a live event? Catch a show at the Burton Cummings Theatre or the Canada Life Centre arena, or check out the Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, that’s a lot more laid-back (and often features local acts).

There’s also the option for a comedy show at Yuk Yuk’s or a variety of cultural productions at the Centennial Concert Hall. Whatever you decide to attend, we recommend purchasing tickets beforehand; events in Winnipeg sell out quickly!