Winnipeg, Manitoba
The city at the center of the continent
Winnipeg is the lively capital of Manitoba and the geographic centre of both Canada and North America, located at the juncture of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. The largest city of the Prairies, it is the northern extension of North America's Great Plains region, and is surrounded by forests, marsh, lakes and rivers including Lake Winnipeg, the third largest lake in Canada.
Winnipeg offers historic architecture and great arts and entertainment such as the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Manitoba Opera and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Popular attractions include the Forks National Historic Site of Canada, the grand Fort Garry Hotel and the Royal Winnipeg Mint. Do not miss Winnipeg's "French Quarter" of St. Boniface, the annual Red River Exhibition or the Paddlewheel River Rouge tour for a unique view of the city.
Outdoor adventures in Manitoba start in Winnipeg. Canoeing is very popular in the province, and with over 100,000 lakes and thousands of rivers and streams, you can canoe almost anywhere. Begin your journey in Winnipeg at the Forks Market, then paddle north on the Red River to Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, the oldest intact stone fur trading outpost in North America. Thousands of miles of trails crisscross Manitoba offering hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Trails run alongside rivers and marshes, across sub-arctic tundra, through dense forest and over high dunes, and range from easy to rugged.
Winter in Winnipeg is classic Canadian, with cold weather and lots of snow. There are dozens of cross-country ski areas nearby with networks of groomed trails, and downhill skiing and snowboarding can be had at local resorts.
