City Centre

The semi-famous intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street at the head of the Exchange District was the original site of commercial development in the city. It is still a main trade area, with the major banks holding offices in the city's many skyscrapers. Urban renewal is rampant in this city, with many of the historical buildings preserved; most are within walking distance of the downtown attractions and hotels.

The Exchange District

This is where commerce first developed in Winnipeg; it is the area housing the original grain exchange and Old Market Square. While the market has since moved to The Forks Market, the Exchange is still a gathering and learning place. Artspace, the Manitoba Arts Council and Manitoba Writer's Guild are all located in the centre of the Exchange at Albert St. There are also several clubs in the area, such as the old British-style pub, King's Head Knight's Pub Club, and the Coyote Cafe.

The Forks Market

This is THE gathering place for both locals and tourists looking for a good time. This place has everything. Sports fans will appreciate the close proximity of CanWest Global Baseball Park, where Winnipeg's Goldeyes play pro-ball but leave the pro-ticket prices to the Majors. Pasta lovers will find the Old Spaghetti Factoryenjoyable, and Branigan's has a raised deck, where visitors can have an exotic drink and enjoy the panoramic view of the Historic Port. More artistic travelers will find that the Manitoba Theatre for Young People provides excellent entertainment, and the Manitoba Children's Museum and Explore Manitoba Centre are great stops for the family. Also found at The Forks is the Assiniboine River Walk, a paved walk along the luscious banks of this historic river. The Paddlewheel River Rouge Tours depart from here, as well as at the Paddlewheel docks, just a jaunt away at the base of the Provencher Bridge.

Old Saint Boniface

Spanning the Red River going east on Provencher takes the traveler into Old St. B, as it is known locally. This is the largest French-speaking community in western Canada. Just beyond the bridge is St. Boniface Basilica and adjoining stone archway. These make a very pretty sight, especially from across the river. A short distance further up Provencher visitors will find the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobaine, a hall dedicated to the promotion of French entertainment arts.

Transcona

Moving further from the downtown area, one can visit Transcona, an older area at the eastern limits of town. This area became part of the city in the early 1970's, and planners there promptly set up the Transcona Historical Museum. Here you will find the Club Regent Casino, numerous bars and clubs, and the highly rated, yet affordable, Transcona Inn. About twenty minutes out of town, visitors can enjoy such exciting outdoor amusements as Fun Mountain Waterslide Park, Grand Prix Amusements and Tinkertown Family Fun Park. TC, as Transcona is locally known, also has the longest auto sales strip in the city, where car shoppers can find anything from a Porche to an RV.

North West

Just north of the Airport are several attractions including the Western Canada Aviation Museum. McPhillips Street Station Casinois a great destination for the gambler who is a railway buff. Nearby is the Prairie Dog Central Living Museum; this historic locomotive takes tours west of the city with stops at Grosse Isle, where tourists are regaled with local hospitality. McPhillips is the highway one would take north to the wilderness adventure, Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, and farther north to the beaches of Manitoba's vast inland lakes.

St. James/Assiniboia and Unicity

These areas cut a swath along Portage Avenue from just beyond downtown all the way out of the city. Along the way, travelers will find the Winnipeg Arena at Polo Park. This vast shopping complex is even bigger than downtown's Portage Place and is located right by the Arena and Bomber Stadium, home of the ‘Peg's pro football team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Winnipeg International Airport is nearby, as is Air Force Heritage Park & Museum. Across from Polo Park is the historic footbridge across the river into Assiniboine Park Zoo. At the western limit of town are the areas known as Unicity and Charleswood. Attractions include Assiniboia Downs Horse Racing Track and the Odeon Drive-in Theatre.

South

Moving south from Confusion Corner, the confluence of Osborne and Donald Streets, Pembina Highway and Corydon Ave—where is found the area known as Little Italy. Little Italy, like Osborne Village, is filled with al fresco cafes, ice cream parlors, galleries and specialty shops. Pembina Highway moves south through Fort Rouge, Fort Garry, Fort Richmond, and finally St. Norbert, at the southern limit of town. Just south of here visitors can view the Provincial Heritage Park and the Red River Floodway, where gates can divert floodwater into a sluiceway flowing around Winnipeg. Going farther south will get you to Victory Lanes Speedway, and the Morris Stampede.

South West

St. Vital and St. Boniface do not have a lot in the way of attractions, but one can find some spacious recreational parks along the Red River and some well-appointed shopping malls, such as St. Vital Centre. These areas are on fast-moving highways with easy access out of town on the east side. A couple of these routes take you past the Royal Canadian Mint (at Fermor and Lagimodiere), where all of Canada's coins are made.

North

Heading out Main Street, visitors can see the Holy Trinity Ukranian-Orthodox Cathedral, a beautiful historic church that is of interest to those of theological, historical or architectural bent. Kildonan Park is a great picnic area and rest stop, with outdoor pools and plenty of park area along the Red. This park houses Rainbow Stage, which hosts all manner of theatrical troupes. Main Street can be taken north to the lakes, and a quick jaunt east on the Perimeter Highway will connect you with the highway to Bird's Hill Provincial Park and Campground, where the internationally acclaimed Winnipeg Folk Festival is held every year.