A Guide to Winnipeg: From Festivals to Fine Dining

Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba, emerges as a compelling destination that warrants exploration, particularly for those seeking an authentic experience in Canada’s Prairie region.

This city, often affectionately dubbed "Canada's Middle Child," boasts an array of cultural festivals and culinary delights that will entice visitors. From the esteemed Winnipeg Folk Festival, which showcases renowned musical talents, to the vibrant Folklorama, celebrating diverse cultural identities, Winnipeg is a city rich in artistic expression.

Additionally, its culinary landscape is noteworthy, featuring acclaimed establishments such as Deer and Almond and Yujira, alongside beloved local fast-food joints. With its extreme weather variations, from record-high temperatures to unexpected snow, Winnipeg invites travelers to embrace its unique charm year-round.

Episode Transcript

(00:12):
Today on Go Nomad, we travelednorthwest to Manitoba's capital city,
Winnipeg.
This past April, TourismWinnipeg's Instagram account posted
a photo of a billboardemblazoned with the words Canada's
Middle Child.
You can't ignore us forever.
While this self deprecatingbid for visitors turned out to be
a photoshopped April Fool'sjoke, it has since launched a real

(00:35):
tourism campaign.
Perhaps this will be thesummer when you finally explore Canada's
underrated Prairie city.
Just one hour and north of the U.S.
border, Winnipeg's warmermonths boasts festivals for every
taste.
Each summer, the seeminglyendless flatlands surrounding the
city become home to belovedmusical gems like the Winnipeg Folk
Festival, which has hostedlegends like Joan Baez and Katie

(00:58):
Lange and electronic heavylocal favorite Bring youg Love.
Theater lovers would beinterested to know that Winnipeg
is home to the second largestfringe festival in North America.
Should you be regretting notchoosing a more exotic location for
your holiday or Augustfestival, Folklorama showcases the
food, dance and culture of 44different regional identities from

(01:19):
Metis to Punjab to UkrainianManitoba Theatre center and the Centennial
Concert hall offer plenty ofopportunities to catch a local play
or a touring Broadway musical.
Dance enthusiasts may prefer aperformance by the Royal Winnipeg
Ballet, widely regarded as thebest ballet in Canada.
On my trip to Winnipeg, I canvouch it was February.

(01:42):
It was the coldest night ofthe year and the theater was packed
where I went to a wonderfulproduction in the local Downtown
theater.
Cinema lovers will recognizeshooting locations from hits like
Run and the Haunting inConnecticut as they walk the streets
or maybe even encounter abuzzing film set.
The city's often used as astand in for Chicago, as the architecture

(02:02):
in Winnipeg center wasactually inspired by the Windy City.
Winnipeg is an underratedfoodie city.
Three of the city'srestaurants, Deer and Almond, Yujira
and Nola, recently made thelist of 100 best restaurants in Canada.
These are just a few ofWinnipeg's numerous options for fine
dining, which includesteakhouses like 529 Wellington and

(02:23):
authentic 1950s time capsuleRay and Jerry's.
That aside, Manitobans do lovea deal.
So if you want to truly eatlike a local, head to the divey fast
food joints like Junior's or Vijay's.
Drive in for a regionalclassic called the Fat Boy Sandwich.
Especially popular withWinnipeggers are beer gardens like
the Forks Market or the Beer Can.

(02:45):
Those who'd like to take in anoutdoor concert with their drinks
can head to Blue Note Park, asmall green space nestled among the
concrete in downtown Winnipeg.
The city offers many optionsfor nature lovers.
Urban nature reserves like theLeaf or Fort White Alive can be found
a short drive from the city center.
Journey just an hour or twopast the perimeter to enjoy provincial

(03:06):
parks like Hekla Grindstone,named for the famous Icelandic volcano
by the settlers who found theregion to be strikingly similar to
their homeland.
Locals particularly loveheading to the nearby town of Panaua
for a lazy float down the river.
Winnipeg is a good family destination.
It's family friendly.
Check out Assinibon Park Zoo,especially the polar bear exhibit.

(03:28):
Manitoba has a strongconnection to the Arctic animals,
and it's the only provincewith legislation in place for their
conservation.
Another staple is the ManitobaChildren's Museum, which features
several unique interactiveplay areas, including a real train
engine.
From the moment you spot asouvenir fridge magnet laden with
the Winnipeg skyline, you'velikely also spotted the iconic Canadian

(03:50):
Museum for Human Rights, anarchitectural marvel that houses
must see exhibits.
Other notable museums includethe Winnipeg Art Gallery, home of
the world's largest collectionof Inuit art, and the Museum of Man
and Nature, which boasts afull scale replica ship at a planetarium.
Our writer, Sarah Arkey, whowas born and raised in Winnipeg,

(04:10):
recommends neighborhoods justoutside the downtown, like Woolsey,
Osborne Village and Little Italy.
These local only gems are bestexperienced by booking an Airbnb.
If you prefer a hotel, checkout the Inn at the Forks or the Fort
Garry, both located in theheart of Winnipeg.
Winnipeg is a city of extremes.
The city's famously frigidwinters are paralleled by hot, Sunny

(04:33):
Summers.
On May 13, 2025, Winnipeg wasthe hottest city in the entire World
at 97.5 degrees, narrowlybeating out Managua, Nicaragua.
Naturally, by the followingSaturday it was snowing, so be sure
to check the forecast and pack accordingly.
Well, now you know the secretsalad Winnipeg could be your next

(04:54):
Canadian travel destination.