Tourism Week in Canada runs April 24-30, making it a perfect time to celebrate all this important industry does for the local economy while experiencing some of the best that Winnipeg has on offer.
Pandemic years aside, in a normal year Winnipeg attracts approximately 3.5 million visitors, resulting in an estimated $609 million in direct expenditures. It’s a vital sector employing more than 48,000 people across 4,000 businesses in Winnipeg, resulting in $2.3 billion in GDP annually.
Plus, as you’ll read below, the tourism sector–be it attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops or performance groups–makes Winnipeg such a great place to be. If you're a local, act like a tourist this week and take it all in!
Here’s just five ways you can celebrate Tourism Week 2023 in Winnipeg.
Visit an attraction
This city is brimming with attractions, from world-class wonders that are on the money (a phrase that works for both the Royal Canadian Mint, and the $10-gracing Canadian Museum for Human Rights), cool spots for the kids, and quirky spots that are rightfully celebrated by publications like Atlas Obscura.
At a glance, our Top 10 will guide you to experiences that include polar bears swim over your head, admiring the world’s largest collection of contemporary Inuit art, and spa-ing under stars or sunny skies as your stresses melt away. If you’re looking to save while seeing top spots in the city, you can get the Winnipeg Attractions Pass, which includes the Manitoba Museum, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Mint, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada and FortWhyte Alive. That's up to five top-tier attractions in one convenient access pass, and you could save up to 35 per cent off regular admission rates if you're up to the challenge of visiting them all!
For even more action across the board, our Spring Top 50 showcases everything from climbing gyms and kid-centric playcentres, to performances for adults that will leave you in stitches.
Stay in a hotel
Whether you’re a returning visitor, making your first trip to Winnipeg, or in need of a staycation, booking a local hotel is great for the local economy. Plus, who doesn’t love putting on those robes, ordering room service, and being at the centre of it all when exploring certain spots of the city?
Our hotels website can help you both navigate and book your stay, all while showing you the city’s main properties–from chic local boutiques to international brands and quaint inns. Looking to save on your stay? Both The Fort Garry Hotel and Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg have packaged deals on our website right now that add some culinary delights to your downtown stay.
Parents looking for a pool and waterslide? Here’s a guide on how you can make a splash during your vacation.
Take in a performance
Our renowned performance groups always put on a good show, and Tourism Week itself offers a variety of options to see our talent take centre stage.
For plays there’s Burning Mom at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s John Hirsch Mainstage, Summer of Semitism at Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, and Volare at Prairie Theatre Exchange. For little ones, Manitoba Theatre for Young People is staging ZOOM.
Opera fans will be treated to a fun adaptation of Mozart’s comedy Così fan tutte (with performances on April 22, 25 and 28) by Manitoba Opera, while more laughs can be had at Yuk Yuk’s, Rumor’s and The Burt. For a list of events during the week, check out our Events Calendar.
Of course, there’s so much playoff hockey on now between The Jets, The Moose, and the Winnipeg Ice. Yes, that's right! All three of our city's hockey teams have made their league's playoffs and currently chasing Stanley Cup, Calder Cup and Memorial Cup glory.
Support a locally owned restaurant
With so many to choose from, it’s easy. And to make your search even simpler, we’ve created a new Best Eats website that lists some of our top spots categorically, while at Peg City Grub you’ll find hundreds of stories on the city’s chefs, seasonal guides to new and notable restaurants, and spotlights on hidden gems.
Shop local
Small businesses make a big difference in the community. Many tourists come to the city from surrounding rural areas with shopping high on their list, and we implore you to check out all these unique locally owned shops that can be found throughout our charming neighbourhoods. From The Forks, to Osborne Village, St. Vital, St. James, The North End, Saint-Boniface, The West End, Corydon, The Exchange District, Transcona, and Academy Road (to name but a few), there are quaint neighbourhoods throughout Winnipeg with many little shops showcasing our local artisans, makers, and clothing companies. You can also check out our own merchandise at Winnipegshop.ca which will also soon be available at Made Here.
By supporting these spots, you’re ensuring Winnipeg’s one-of-a-kind places continue to make Winnipeg a one-of-a-kind place. And that’s what it’s all about.
