A short guide to a fun, social, and culturally enriching weekend with your partner or BFF in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (You can definitely do them all in one weekend).
Friday night
An evening à la francophone
Enjoy a new play every month during the winter season at Théâtre Cercle Molière. This is the oldest theatre company in Canada, a well established cultural institution within the French-speaking Manitoban community. My fellow francophones will absolutely enjoy kicking off the weekend with this one, although anglophones will find it culturally enriching as well.
Location: St. Boniface
Favorite restaurants and bars nearby: Stella's au CCFM, Chaise Cafe & Lounge, Resto Gare and Train Bar Bistro, Promenade Brasserie, Kilter Brewing Company.
Weekend Morning
Breakfast or Brunch Downtown
If you love to brunch on the weekend, you'll love EOB Breakfast Company. This is a very popular restaurant chain with a modern and stylish interior, offering an upscale and creative menu and a good selection of cocktails and mimosas, perfect for those looking for a boozy brunch.
If you prefer cute local cafés, then look no farther than Modern Electric Lunch just down the street. This place offers a fantastic all day breakfast and lunch menu, a quiet atmosphere and really good coffee. If you sit close to the windows, you'll enjoy a view of the busy street and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights - an iconic landmark in Winnipeg.
Location: Main Street
Favorite restaurants and attractions nearby: Earl's Kitchen + Bar, Millennium Library, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Forks, Hargrave St. Market
Saturday afternoon
Gallery hopping + drinks
The Exchange District is famous for its galleries, studios, and boutiques thanks to First Fridays, an activation project produced by the Exchange District BIZ to encourage a greater understanding, appreciation and promotion of the arts in Downtown Winnipeg. This district also boasts some of the best restaurants and bars in the city, to be enjoyed after touring as many art galleries as possible on a weekend afternoon.
Location: The Exchange District
Favorite restaurants and bars nearby: Cordova Tapas & Wine, Amsterdam Tea Room, Peasant Cookery, Deer + Almond, Kevin's Bistro, Across the Board Game Café, Clementine Café
Saturday Night
Dinner and a Comedy Show
Why not spend your Saturday night at the Fort Garry Hotel! The Oval Room Brasserie is not only an architectural gem, elegant and sophisticated, it also has one of the best bistro menus in town, and an excellent sommelier who curates the restaurant's extensive wine selection. After a delicious dinner, you can head directly to the hotel’s Club Room, on the lower level, for a Yuk Yuk's comedy show which always promises a superior quality of comics.
Location: 222 Broadway
Favorite restaurants and bars nearby: The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, Capital Grill & Bar, LOCAL Public Eatery, La Roca, Johnny's G's Restaurant & Bar
Sunday Activity
Skating or Shopping at the Forks
The Forks is a national historic site, and it is Winnipeg's top destination. In the winter time, the Forks transforms into a stunning winter wonderland with the Nestaweya River Trail -- a frozen path, up to 6 kilometers long, perfect for skating, walking, cross-country skiing, and sledding on a crisp morning, as you admire the city from this unique perspective.
If you’re not a big fan of the cold or are seeking a less physically demanding activity, the Forks Market and Johnston Terminal are home to a variety of local specialty shops where you can pick up antique pieces, local art, or select from casual and fine dining options offering cuisines from around the world.
Location: The Forks
Favorite restaurants and shops nearby: Pulse Gallery, Coal and Canary Candle Company, McNally Robinson Booksellers, Lennard Taylor, Johnston Terminal Antique Mall, Simon's Steak, Old Spaghetti Factory, Fusion Experience.