Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors
Fun Stuff
There are lots of fun things to do in Winnipeg; many of them are free or very reasonably priced. Many neighbourhoods are very interesting to simply wander about in. Winnipeg has a world class zoo, the historic Forks, a Children's Museum and Festivals galore. The following list is of some of the more affordable or free things to do in Winnipeg.
Art City
616 Broadway
775-9856
Email: programs@artcity.com
www.artcityinc.com
Art City is a community art centre located in the West Broadway neighbourhood but is open to all. They provide high-quality, free art programming to participants of all ages.
The Community Artist Series accepts proposals from artists and creative individuals who want to provide workshops. Proposals are accepted on an on-going basis.
Professional Artist Series is open to artists from anywhere and AC accepts proposals in June of every year. During workshops, guest artists run workshops alongside staff and volunteers.
Check out their calendar of events, workshops, masks, textiles, pottery, comics, etc on their website.
The Sunshine Fund
302-960 Portage Avenue
784-1130
www.mbcamping.ca
Provides summer camp opportunities for low-income families. Includes day camps for children 4 to 12 years of age and overnight and week long camps for children over the age of 8. Applications are accepted beginning in March of every year and request that parents pay a portion of the costs, usually about 25%. Those unable to pay may make other arrangements.
Assiniboine Park
2355 Corydon Ave
The jewel of Winnipeg, the park boasts a miniature railway, world class zoo, gardens, picnic areas and extensive walking and biking trails. In the winter, you can enjoy cross country skiing, skating and a toboggan slide. In addition, there is the Assiniboine Forest with more than three kilometers of nature trails. No admission fee.
Assiniboine Park Zoo
927-6001
Admission Costs: Change with season
Royal Canadian Mint
520 Lagimodiere Blvd.
1-800-267-1871
See how money is made: Tour the mint!
Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature
190 Rupert Avenue
Call 956-2830 for seasonal admission rates
www.manitobamuseum.mb.ca
Seven large galleries explore the history and geography of Manitoba from the Arctic coast to the southern grasslands. The new Hudson's Bay Company gallery is a tribute to the role of the fur trade in Manitoba's history and is a wonderful display. The museum also boasts a replica of the Nonsuch, the ship whose voyage in 1668 led to the founding of the Hudson Bay Company.
Planetarium
190 Rupert Avenue
Call 956-2830 for admission rates
www.manitobamuseum.mb.ca/sg_info.html
Located in the same building complex as the museum, the planetarium offers multimedia shows unveiling the wonders of the universe and many excellent children's shows and astronomy programs.
Science Centre
190 Rupert Avenue
Call 956-2830 for admission rates
Located in the same complex as the Museum and Planetarium, this place is lots of fun for kids and grown-ups alike! The Science Centre is a hands-on exploration of science, technology, are and illusion. Almost 100 exhibits encourage exploration in a fun, interactive environment. you can operate a robot, enter the Matrix, and talk to a computer that will talk back, or ride a stationary bike to generate enough electricity to see yourself on TV! Very cool.
The Forks National Historic Site
Located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, the Forks has been a gathering place for thousands of years. The Forks is host to more than 100 festivals every year, many of them free. The Forks has canoe rentals, a large market, a pedestrian bridge and a six story high tower for a spectacular view of the rivers and Winnipeg skyline. As well, there are several miles of riverside walkways leading to and from the Forks and in winter, skating and skiing trails are cleared on the river ice. Watch for Aboriginal Day Celebrations June 21st.
Manitoba Children's Museum
Located at The Forks
924-4000
www.childrensmuseum.com
The only Children's Museum in Western Canada, it features a turn of the century train, the chance to sit inside a beaver lodge, drive a car, broadcast the news, or climb into an oak tree. Lots of fun for the whole family. Reasonable admission cost.
Louis Riel's Tomb
190 avenue de la Cathédral
The founder of Manitoba and famous Métis leader, Riel's tomb is located at St. Boniface Cathedral Cemetery.
Riel House National Historic Site
330 River Road
257-1783/233-4888
The Riel family home, restored to its 1886 appearance. Open May 15 to September 5, 10 am to 6 pm. Call for seasonal admission costs.
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
Highway 9, 32 kilometers north of Winnipeg
1-888-773-8888
Original and intact, this stone fort has been restored to its 1850 appearance when it was a supply fort for the Hudson's Bay Company. Staff in period costume recreate the fur trade era when the fort was the social centre of the Red River settlement. Open everyday, 9 am to 5 pm. Call for seasonal admission costs.
Western Canada Aviation Museum
958 Ferry Road
786-5503
www.wcam.mb.ca
Lots of neat old bush planes, an interactive children's exhibit and Spaceways, a simulated trip to Mars. Also has an observation tower to watch planes come in to Winnipeg International Airport. Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 12pm to 5pm. Call for admission costs.
Fort Whyte Centre
1961 McCreary Road
989-8355
www.fortwhyte.org
200 acres of forest, lakes, walking trails, wildlife, and marshland. A 100,000 square foot interpretive centre features the "Touch Museum" and the "Aquarium of the Prairies". Open year round, it offers snowshoe rentals in the winter as well as ice fishing facilities and toboggan slides. Call for admission costs.
Oak Hammock March Interpretive Centre
Located 15 minutes north of Winnipeg on Hwy. 67 and 220
467-3300
www.oakhammockmarsh.ca
One of North America's finest bird viewing areas in a 36 acre marsh and tall grass prairie setting. Open year round, it offers an observation deck, exhibits, canoe rides, hiking trails, theatre, guided programs and more. Call for seasonal hours of operation and costs.
Fun Mountain Waterslide Park
Hwy. 1 East at Murdock Road
255-3910
www.funmountain.ca
Lots of fun with 10 waterslides, bumper boats, miniature golf, play structure, picnic area, gas barbecues, paddle boat rentals and concession stands. Please not that they do not take Interac. Call for seasonal rates and hours.
Tinkertown
Hwy. 1 East at Murdock Road
257-8095
www.tinkertown.mb.ca
A great way to spend the day! Has a miniature train, over 20 rides and attractions including an arcade, mini-golf, bumper cars, food concessions, picnic are (no barbecues allowed) and Western Canada's only "antique Tin Lizzie" car ride. Look for their coupon in the front of the Yellow Pages. Call for seasonal hours and prices.
Walking Tours
942-6716
For exchange district walking tours at reasonable prices.
Grand Prix Amusements
Hwy. 1 East at Symington Road
254-3644
www.grandprixamusements.com
Super-exciting fun! Three tracks of go-carts, kiddie carts, Formula and Sprint carts. Also has mini-golf, batting cages, bumper cars and boats, a haunted house, concessions and lots more. Open daily (in season) from 10 am to 10 pm.
Community Centres
Community Services Department
475-5008
www.gcwcc.mb.ca
Leisure Guides
311
Community Centres are a good place to go for recreational and leisure activities. They are also a good place to meet people. The Leisure Guide is delivered to every home in Winnipeg three times a year so check out the courses offered. There are small fees for some of these courses but you can make a formal request for reduced fees. Maybe you want to consider teaching a course in your local community centre. Or just walk into your nearest community centre and see what is happening. Visit the City of Winnipeg web site at www.winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/leisureguide.stm or call 311 for further information on activities, locations, schedules, fees, etc.
GAP INC. Graffiti Art Programming Inc.
Stephen Wilson, Coordinator
109 Higgins Avenue
667-9960
www.graffitigallery.ca
A very exciting place where you will feel welcome and be able to express your artistic talents. GAP INC. offers FREE visual arts instruction. GAP INC. is a great way to get connected to the Aboriginal Art and Cultural community in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Public Library
Phone 311 with enquiries about branch locations
visit www.winnipeg.ca/library
The library is more than just books! Every branch has children's programs. You can get free Internet access, videos and much more. If you're looking for work ask the folks at the Reference Desk for the section on job-finding. The Native Studies Collection is housed at St. John's Library at 500 Salter Street.
