Just a 90-minute drive north of the Canada-U.S. border, Winnipeg, Manitoba is a pleasantly surprising prairie city. By sitting unassumingly in the middle of Canada near two intersecting rivers, our city brings cultures together, so everyone feels at home. Winnipeg rewards curiosity and creativity, making every season count.
Friendly in a few ways
Putting friendliness into practice
“Friendly Manitoba” isn’t simply a cliché slogan written on our license plates but a mantra we try to live by. Winnipeggers are friendly by nature and are part of a tight-knit community that immediately shows up with shovels if your car gets stuck in the snow. If you accidentally bump into us on the street, chances are we’ll be the ones apologizing. We love lighthearted conversations while waiting in line for poutine, chili oil wontons and cinnamon buns at The Forks Market or grabbing a drink at Times Change(d): High and Lonesome Club. We somehow generate excitement talking about the weather and if you’re not in a chatty mood, a warm smile usually does the trick.
Photo: William Au
Not to be rude, but let’s talk about money
Although Winnipeg is close to the border, your wallet might feel like it has travelled farther than you. American currency goes the distance, since your dollar is worth $1.42 Canadian!
If you still prefer to carry physical coins around, we won’t judge. Most Canadian coins circulating today have been manufactured here at The Royal Canadian Mint. Call us biased, but who doesn’t want to keep a few cute shiny loons and polar bears tucked away in their pockets?
Photo: Kristhine Guerrero
Permission to be curious
A kind Canadian exchange rate helps eliminate infamous time crunches often acquainted with travel. With affordability worries behind you, you’re free to be curious and explore the city at your own pace. Winnipeg is energetic but never overwhelming, and nature is always within reach. Whether you’re wandering neighbourhoods like the historic Exchange District with its creative cafés hidden in 20th century warehouses, or the eclectic Osborne Village with its vibrant shops, expect prairie skies and other local discoveries to keep your days full of fun surprises.
Photo: Mike Peters
Peeling back Winnipeg’s cultural layers
Winnipeg is located on Treaty One Territory, and its story began more than 6,000 years ago at The Forks, where the Assiniboine and Red Rivers meet. For generations, this junction served as a meaningful Indigenous meeting place used for trading, hunting and exchanging stories.
Between the 17th to 19th century, fur traders began building forts near the rivers, alongside French and Métis communities who established the Red River Settlement, a hub for commerce and culture. The Canadian Pacific Railway rapidly brought new settlers as it regularly chugged its way through Winnipeg.
Today, Manitoba’s capital city holds onto its deep-rooted diversity and resiliency, with waves of immigration bringing new voices to shape businesses, restaurants and neighbourhoods. More than 100 languages are spoken here, so creativity becomes our universal language.
Creativity isn’t a fluke
Winnipeg pushes its artistic boundaries. You can catch a play at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and see the Nutcracker at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet come to life with elegant costumes and dance moves. Walk around a three-storey glass vault at WAG-Qaumajuq that houses thousands of carvings and statues making up the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art.
Photo: Lindsay Reid
Creativity doesn’t only exist on stage or in galleries—you’ll also run into it spontaneously. Discover murals dispersed around the city, especially in Winnipeg’s West End, and pop-up markets that energize the community.
Many Winnipeggers believe the slower pace of winter carves out extra time and space to test out ideas at studios, writing desks and rehearsal spaces. Winnipeggers are natural sounding boards who help offer up something meaningful to share with our city.
Our arts scene extends beyond our city, too. If you’ve ever adored the honey-loving bear Winnie-the-Pooh, witnessed the espionage of James Bond, or watched Bugs Bunny, then you might know more about Winnipeg’s quiet creative influence than you think.
The city’s secret strength: embracing every season
No matter the month, festivals fill the calendar. During winter, Festival du Voyageur honours French and Métis culture with snow sculptures, jigging contests and the taste of sweet maple taffy poured on top of snow. Fall hosts Manito Ahbee Festival, an uplifting Indigenous-led celebration with one of the largest powwows in the country. Spring fills streets with jazz music, and summer welcomes Folklorama, the world’s largest and longest running multicultural festival.
Photo: Abby Matheson/Tourism Winnipeg
Even outside of festivals, Winnipeggers embrace all four seasons. We’ve been crowned the Slurpee Capital of the World for over 25 years, and you’ll spot locals sipping on this frozen drink as snow still clings to the ground. The moment temperatures hit +10°C (50°F), shorts emerge from hibernation and stay in the wardrobe rotation until early winter.
Truth be cold (whoops, sorry, truth be told), the city’s “Winterpeg” nickname is somewhat appropriate from November to February, although with a jacket, scarf and toque (that’s Canadian for a beanie), you’re all set for adventure. While many people recognize Winnipeg by its winters, our summers carry just as much character. Most days, you’ll find us enjoying 15 to 16 hours of sunlight on patios or at vibrant parks.
Canada’s Middle Child
If you’re looking to personify our city, Winnipeg would be Canada’s middle child. People may initially underestimate our prairie city, but our grit, humour and adaptability have helped us reinvent this underdog narrative. We’re fiercely loyal, the kind of fans who ride it out with the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers right until the very end. We may not come off as flashy, but we’ll win you over after a visit.
Photo: Cameron Bartlett / Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Lasting impressions are more our thing
Winnipeg is a short distance from the Canada-U.S. border, and we’d love to host you for a neighbourly check-in. We might not be the most recognized city on the map, but Winnipeg is all for making a lasting impression.
Think Winnipeg might be your kind of place? They’d love to tell you even more. Stop by the Winnipeg booth during TBEX Summit America in Fargo to chat with their team, pick up insider recommendations, and discover why the prairie city has a way of exceeding expectations. They look forward to meeting you—and hopefully welcoming you to Winnipeg soon.
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