I went to Winnipeg in order to get to Churchill to walk with the Polar Bears. Click here to see my articles and videos about that bucket list experience. I was not expecting to discover a city full of treasures! It is located in the center of Canada with a population of 800,000 and was the third largest city during the height of the Railroad. What did I see and do? Watch my video: Exploring Wonderful Winnipeg
What to see and do in Winnipeg?
International Polar Bear Research Centre is located at Assiniboine Park Zoo and houses rescued polar bear cubs from Churchill. I met with Dr. Stephen Petersen to talk about the Polar Bears and how we can help the environment. Read about what he told me in Ms. Magazine.
The Inuit Art Centre will open its own new building at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in 2020 and will have the world’s largest collection of public Inuit art to share with the world.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened in 2014 and is inspiring change with human rights stories from around the world. https://humanrights.ca
Who inspired the character of James Bond 007?
Sir William Stephenson was a solder who was from Winnipeg and his code name was Intrepid.
Where to relax?
I had my first Scandinavian Spa experience at Thermëa – Winnipeg. It is very close to the city but feels 1000s of miles away. As they say, “Discover Thermëa: The ultimate relaxation experience!” There are 4 outdoor baths, 4 saunas including one with Eucalyptus and an indoor/outdoor restaurant. You can make s’mores and relax in a hammock.
Where to see art and meet the artists?
First Fridays in The Exchange
Where to stay?
I loved Inn at the Forks and was lucky enough to have drinks with local writer, Shel Zolkewich at SMITH.
Read Polar Bears Can’t Vote, So You Have To! on Ms. Magazine
Do you want to walk with the Polar Bears?
Read and watch all of my Churchill Wild Adventures:
Part One: Do You Want to Walk with Polar Bears?
Part Two: Are You Ready for an Adventure? Walk with Polar Bears
Part Three: How Do You Get To Churchill Wild?
From my video:
Are you wondering what there is to do in Winnipeg? I have some great ideas for you:
* Have breakfast at Clementine Cafe
*Go on the Winnipeg Trolley Tour —it starts and ends at The Forks and will tell you so much at the history and locations of Winnipeg
*Eat a meal at The Forks—it used to be a horse stables and is now the place to meet, greet and eat!
*Stroll along the water
*Visit Journey to Churchill exhibit at Assinboine Park Zoo to learn more about Polar Bears and other arctic creatures.
*I interviewed Dr. Stephen Petersen from the Leatherdale Polar Bear Conservation Centre for an article about Polar bears for Ms. Magazine
http://msmagazine.com/blog/2018/11/05/polar-bears-cant-vote/
*Have lunch at Stella’s
*Shop at the Bay! Did you know that the Hudson Bay Company is the oldest corporation in the world?
*Visit WAG: the Winnipeg Art Gallery and its many exhibits. In 2020, the Inuit Art Centre will open with the largest collection of Inuit Art on the globe! I was invited to view the artifacts in the vault! My first time in a museum art vault. It was AWESOME!
*See the statue that honors women veterans from two World Wars
*See the statute to Sir William Stevenson who was the inspiration for James Bond 007. His code name was Intrepid.
*See the Manitoba Legislative Building and take a tour
*Visit or stay at the Historic Fort Garry hotel
*Ride the train from Union Station which was designed by the same architect as NYC’s Grand Central Station
*Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened in 2014 and is a must-visit spot!
*See where Nia Vardalos studied and wrote My Big Fat Greek Wedding
*I loved my dinner at Passero at The Forks
*Want to meet local artists? Explore First Friday’s in the Exchange. Thanks to Cheryl for taking me to meet the team where her photographs are in the gallery at Warehouse Artworks. I also got to meet designer, Lennard Taylor.
*After my walking tour with the Polar Bears at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, it was great to relax and renew at Thermea.
Where did I stay? Inn at the Forks! It is lovely and I had the best view of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Thanks to Shel for meeting me for outdoor drinks at SMITH.