Daniel_Williams

Hi

I was thinking of coming back from Vancouver area to Toronto by train and, I thought it might be fun to split up the journey by staying 2-3 nights in Winnipeg (summer).

I hate having the responsbility of renting a car on vacation. Would it be possible to have a pleasant visit to Winnipeg without renting one? I don't care that I "see everything", just that there be some enjoyable activites (for example: museums, music venues, antique stores, parks, historical sites or river viewing places (bike routes and bike rentals would be great too)) within a walkable radius (or accessible by public transit).

Any suggestions of areas of the city to stay in (I enjoy older neighborhoods and areas with a bit of artistic flair) with these thoughts in minds? I love homey B&Bs at an affordable price.

All thoughts welcome.

D. Williams

BAK

Sure.

If I understand Via properly, you'd gt off the train and then not be able to get on for a cou0p-le of days, until the next train comes through.

Winnipeg's got some nice parks, including where two rivers meet, a good art gallery, some fine restaurants, and some buses. With good shoes, a few bus tickets, and a couple of twenties reserved for taxis, you'll relax, see some intereting sights, and generally have a good time.

I used to be there over weekends from time to time, and it was OK.

BAK

ltt

i haven't done it for a couple of years but i remember their bus system being pretty good

Karenp28

Winnipeg is a great place to visit- we moved back from BC here in part because there is so much to do. Most weeks in the summer there is some kind of festival going on (Folk, jazz, Folklorama....). You do not need a care to get around unless you decide to rent one for the day to drive out to Grand Beach (one of the 10 best fresh water beaches in the world by report). Lots of walking, sightseeing, good eating, and museums, art gallery etc. if you are interested. The downtown bus shuttle is free. If you are getting off at the train station you may even wish to see if the Hotel Fort Gary still has their $99 special rate (includes a really good breakfast and use of facilities) as it is only a 3 minute walk from the train station. Also in the same area is The Forks, a good place to walk, meet people, and soak up some sun. Winnipeg is usually hot and sunny in the summer. The independent music scene is exceptional so there are many many music venues to choose from. The sporting scene is pretty good tool. I would "highly recommend" winnipeg as a good way to break up your train trip. Make sure you take a few days to stop off and enjoy the Rockies enroute.

MissBude

We recommend the Hotel Fort Gary. We stopped in Winnepeg on our train trip across Canada a few years ago. As Karenp28 said, it is a short walk from the train station (walk straight ahead of the exit for three blocks or so). The rooms are large albeit a little dated. The food is good. There is a shopping mall within easy walking distance. There was a casino a short cab ride away. The town is a good walking town.

Jed

We stayed at Hotel Fort Garry for 2 nights. We did a lot of walking, took a few cabs.

Many restaurants were in walking distance, as was the place where we saw the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, which was a wonderful treat.

You can see my report at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34455306

cnuck_becky

Hi Daniel,
I grew up around that neighbourhood, so am very familiar with it. Summer in Winnipeg is fantastic! So much to see and do. If you want to stay by the train station, Hotel Fort Gary is a great historical hotel. It’s been there for ages, and there are rumours that one of the floors is haunted! It is basically kitty corner to the train station, but it is pretty up scale. If you are looking for a better deal in that area, you can go south down the street to the Norwood hotel. Very nice, and at a good rate. (I have booked rooms there for my wedding guests in August!) $89/night.
If you go North down the street you are downtown. Too many hotels to name individually. If you do not want to rent a car, I will suggest you definitely stay in this area, everything you mention is in easy walking distance. ( I would also suggest going down to Assiniboine Park and the Zoo, but you will need a bus to get there) Winnipeg Transit covers the whole city, but the downside of the system is that most trips require some transfers, and therefore can take a while.
Definitely go to the Forks (it is located where the 2 rivers meet, as posted) it is actually right behind the train station. Lost of history, great restaurants, antique stores, and the river path starts/ends there, so lots of opportunity for river viewing! There are also water taxis that run along the river throughout the day.
I can go on and on about things to do in Winnipeg, and this reply is already running long, so let me know if you have any other specific questions. I will be happy to answer!

SeasonJoy

For only a couple of nights, probably stay downtown. There are water taxis on the river. See what's playing at the Centennial Concert Hall, Pantages, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, visit the Museum of Man and Nature and the Art Gallery, see the city from the revolving restaurant which is above the Fort Garry Hotel (food not great but nice revolving tour).

Daniel_Williams

Hello all,

Funny enough, I had a vague memory of writing this request for info about Winnipeg 7 years ago. As it turned out, I ended up not stopping for 2 days in the 'Peg and instead taking the train all the way through. Now, some 7 years later (in fact in less than 3 weeks), I'll be spending 2 days in Winnipeg before taking the train to Churchill and will have a day in Winnipeg after returning from Churchill. My first time ever spending the night in Winnipeg (my only visits to Winnipeg have been the hour stop one gets on the VIA Rail train cross-country).

My plan is generally as described below. If there's something I've not mentioned that you think would be worthwhile given my interests as described in the original post, let me know.

Other than just general meandering, visit:
1. Legislative Building
2. Manitoba Museum (formerly Museum of Man and Nature)
3. Art Gallery (the WAG)
4. Osborne Village
5. Assiniboine Park and Zoo

Any favorite vegetarian or healthy restaurants downtown or in Osborne Village?

I realize I was very rude to not thank everyone for their terrific advice in 2007, so if anyone is still listening: "thank you!". I did listen to you though because I'm staying at the Fort Garry Hotel.

Best wishes, Daniel

tomfuller

Glad you can afford the Fort Garry. The Queen and other Royals have stayed there. I stayed at the HI Hostel.
I do remember a memorable meal on a rotating restaurant not far from the Fort Garry.
On the trip north to Churchill you will have an afternoon break at Thompson. Share a cab into town from the station.
Behind the station in Winnipeg, take the time to walk around "The Forks".
Just to the north of the station is a small rail museum.
There is an interesting "French Quarter" on the east side of the Red River.

Daniel_Williams

Thanks Tom,

I've actually walked around "The Forks" and over to Saint Boniface (the "French Quarter") when the cross-country train stopped in Winnipeg for an hour in the past. Thanks for the suggestion regarding Thompson (did you enjoy the town?).

The Fort Garry actually isn't as expensive as a lot of places (you can get a room between $100 and $150); I decided to go with it since I'll probably never ante up and pay for any of the other more expensive Canadian railway properties like the Empress, Chateau Frontenac, Chateau Laurier or Chateau Lake Louise and I thought it would be an experience.

Best wishes, Daniel Williams