| Overview |
The province of Manitoba is geographically located in the center of Canada and North America with 1.14 million residents. Its capital city, Winnipeg, is the gateway to Canada's west and is the economic, social and cultural hub of Manitoba.
Located at the confluence of the Red and the Assiniboine rivers (known locally as "The Forks"), downtown Winnipeg requires many bridges and has been a Canadian crossroads for more than 6,000 years.
The Forks National Historic Site and adjoining lands are still a meeting place, attracting thousands with beautiful scenery, interpretive displays, boutiques, restaurants, an indoor food market, a children's museum and many other attractions for the entire family.
Winnipeg is Manitoba's cosmopolitan capital and Canada's seventh largest city. It is known for its blue skies and sunshine year round, for its beautiful parks, its rivers and its warm hospitality.
Manitoba’s capital city of 680,000 still has functioning cast-iron warehouses, stockyards, railroad depots, and grain elevators that testify to its historical role as a distribution and supply center, first for furs and then for agricultural products.
Visitors can hit the jackpot at one of two casinos; see the largest collection of modern Inuit Indian art; photograph exotic northern wildlife; walk by some of the finest examples of turn-of-the-century architecture; see how coins are made; meet at The Forks, a waterfront activity center; and discover the adventurous history of the fur-trading voyageurs. Afterwards, they can dine indoors or out in charming multicultural neighborhoods.
The city also supports several professional sports teams including hockey, basketball, football and baseball. Outdoor enthusiasts from around the world come to Winnipeg to enjoy outstanding fishing and hunting. Golf is a favorite spring and summer activity as are hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, golfing and camping.
Winnipeg is a major head office location, particularly in the financial services sector and is home to Canada's largest life insurance company, Canada’s largest mutual fund company, and its only commodities exchange. The city actively supports its team in the Canadian Football League, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
It is also a city which has produced a symphony orchestra that was enthusiastically received in New York City, the first Royal ballet company in the British Commonwealth, and a magnificent theater and arts complex.
This lively city is a meeting place for the finest aspects of the cultures represented by the languages spoken there: English, French, Russian, Chinese, and others blend melodiously within the commerce, the arts, the festivals, and the cuisine of Winnipeg. Its cultural offerings include ballet, theater, symphony, opera, and more than 130 days of entertaining festivals year round. Now is the time to plan the vacation of a lifetime, its time to discover the rugged beauty and warm hospitality of Manitoba and its capital city, Winnipeg.
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| City Information |
Population: 630,000
Elevation: 763 feet
Time Zone: Manitoba borders the states of North Dakota and Minnesota to its south. Winnipeg is in the Central Time Zone and observes Daylight Savings Time. When it is Noon in New York City, it is 11:00 AM in Winnipeg.
Location: Winnipeg is located half way across the province of Manitoba in the center of Canada. It is 1,300 miles west of Toronto. It is Manitoba's only major city.
Average Temperatures by Month
High, Low
January 7, -13
February 12, -9
March 27, 5
April 48, 27
May 65, 39
June 74, 50
July 79, 55
August 76, 51
September 65, 43
October 51, 31
November 30, 13
December 15, -3
When to Go
Spring, summer, winter or fall, Manitoba is one of the sunniest spots in all of Canada. Experience beach-weather warmth on a typical afternoon in July (average temperature about 79? F) and the snowy crispness of a cold winter's day (average temperature 7? F). When to go depends on the visitor's preference for winter or summer activities. Winnipeg has the perfect weather for any season.
Getting There:
Regular flights to and from the Winnipeg International Airport, with connecting flights to destinations through the world, are available. Via Rail Canada, serves Winnipeg and many of Manitoba's smaller communities. The two major bus lines, Greyhound Canada Transportation and Grey Goose Bus Lines, plus several local companies, offer daily transportation throughout Manitoba.
By Plane: Winnipeg International Airport
2000 Wellington Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3H1C1
(204) 925-6625
(204) 774-2940 (fax)
is only about 20 minutes west-northwest of the city center (allow 30 to 40 min. in rush hours). You can get from the airport to downtown by taxi for or by city bus on Winnipeg Transit (204) 986-5700; www.winnipegtransit.com). Buses run to Portage and Garry about every 15 minutes during the day and every 22 minutes during the night.
For information, contact City of Winnipeg Transit, 421 Osborne St. (204) 986-5700; www.winnipegtransit.com). Call for route and schedule info, or visit the information booth in the Portage and Main concourse, open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Car-rental companies in Winnipeg are numerous.
Taxis are readily available at the downtown hotels.
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| Events |
February
The 10-day Festival du Voyageur, Le Rendez-Vous at 768 Tach? Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2C4 (204) 237-7692. Held in mid-February, it celebrates the adventures of the original French voyageurs, or fur traders, the first Europeans to settle in Canada; as well as French M?tis culture. The festival is marked by winter activities, including a huge outdoor party and a gala ball.
Late February-early March
The National Screen Institute of Canada's FilmExchange film festival, runs for over a week from late February into early March. Screening only Canadian films, this festival is often compared to the Sundance festival in the U.S. For more information, contact the National Screen Institute, Canada, 206-70 Arthur St., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G7. (204) 956-7800
June
Red River Exhibition, 3977 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3K 2ES (204) 888-6990, usually starts the third week of June and celebrates the city's history, showcasing agricultural, horticultural, commercial, and industrial achievements. There are also a midway, a photography show, and other themed features like a lumberjack show.
Manitoba Summer Fair in mid-June features a rodeo, midway, tribal village and family entertainment in nearby Brandon.
Jazz Winnipeg Festival hosts international, national and local jazz artists at several venues throughout Winnipeg in mid-June.
July
The Winnipeg Folk Festival, 264 Tach? Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 1Z9 (tel. 204/231-0096), held over the first weekend of July, is the oldest and one of the largest folk music festivals in the world. There are 200 concerts, a craft village and an international food area, all at Birds Hill Provincial Park.
Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival
Some 100 troupes gather for ten days of innovative theater annually.
Lyric Theatre (204) 888-5466 provides free entertainment in summer with performances by the Winnipeg Symphony, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, local jazz combos, and others.
August
Folklorama, a Festival of Nations, is a 2-week cultural festival in August featuring more than 35 pavilions celebrating ethnic culture, with traditional food, dancing, music, costumes, entertainment, and crafts. It attracts more than 400,000 guests yearly. For more information, contact the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg, 2nd Fl--183 Kennedy St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1S6 (tel. 800/665-0234 or 204/982-6210
Canada's National Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of Ukrainian traditions in Dauphin, with plenty of music, dance and food in early August.
Steinbach Pioneer Days is a celebration of Mennonite pioneer life held in early August
Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Festival of Manitoba) offers Icelandic cultural events in Gimli, the largest Icelandic community outside Iceland.
Late August
The Lyric Theater hosts the annual Winnie the Pooh Festival
A local bear named Winnipeg, who was taken to London during World War I as a military mascot, inspired the famous A.A. Milne character.
This Other Eden: Canadian Folk Art Outdoors Exhibition, runs to Sep 3.
Late November-early January
Canada Inns' Winter Wonderland (204)888-6990, a drive-through Christmas and winter-themed light show at Red River Exhibition Park; on Portage Avenue west of the Perimeter Highway, next to the Assiniboine Downs Race Track.
December
Dalnavert
61 Carlton St
Winnipeg Manitoba
(204) 943-2835
Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun noon-4:30 pm. Admission charged. Call for tickets.
See how the city's upper class lived at the restored home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald, former Premier of Manitoba. Dalnavert is adorned in festive splendor throughout December.
Capture the spirit with three festive Christmas events.
1. The first week in December: discover traditions of Scottish Christmas and Hogmanay (New Year).
2. Experience an old fashioned Christmas during the Festive Celebration of Christmas. Holiday baking and apple ambrosia will be on hand as carolers break out favorite holiday tunes.
3. The annual dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol by actor Richard Hurst runs during the third week of December at 7:30 pm.
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