I’ve written about several outstanding under-the-radar cities in my adventures tagging along on Steve’s business travel. However, until Expedia.ca asked me to collaborate on a post about Winnipeg, I hadn’t thought about what I would do on a tag-along trip to my own under-the-radar city. I was surprised at how hard it was to narrow down the options that could fit into the timeframe of the typical business trip.
Tagging along to a city with a lower profile is often perfect for exploring on your own while your spouse is tied up with work for the day. I often find loads of interesting things to see and do that the rest of the world has yet to discover.
WHERE TO STAY IN WINNIPEG
Tagging along on business travel often means having little choice regarding where you stay, but if you do have options, I’d recommend staying downtown so that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy my suggested activities. I always prefer walking when possible, but staying somewhere central also means you can take advantage of Winnipeg’s Downtown Spirit – a free bus that runs about every 15 minutes.
WHAT TO DO IN WINNIPEG
When I’m on a tag-along trip, I like a mix of activities. I want to experience the landscape, learn something about the region, and when I’ve had my fill of exploring solo, meet some people. Here’s how that could play out in Winnipeg.
Get Energized: Morning Walk or Run
You can’t beat the route I run regularly for scenery and pathways away from busy roads. Begin at either the Manitoba Legislative Building or The Forks to travel the path along the Assiniboine river.
From The Forks, you can extend your run to go past the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and over to the very picturesque Stephen Juba Park.
Grab Some Inspiration: Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The architecture of this museum is just as thought-provoking as its interactive exhibits.
Of course, any exploration of human rights is going to have heavy moments, but the CMHR does a great job telling the uplifting stories of human rights triumphs as well. The Tower of Hope offers stellar city views, and the indoor Garden of Contemplation is a serene spot to reflect on your visit. Learn more in this post about my first CMHR visit.
Experience History: The Exchange District
Featuring North America’s largest and best-preserved collection of heritage buildings, an Exchange District tour (foot, bike, food, photo) is perfect for meeting locals and other visitors.
Often used as a movie shoot location, the storied background of this thriving neighbourhood makes it a top pick. There are also some funky boutiques to poke into along the way.
Crack the Code: Manitoba Legislative Building Tour
The most popular tour among business travellers to Winnipeg is the Hermetic Code tour of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Local scholar, Dr. Frank Albo has uncovered century-old secrets concealed in the building by studying its architecture.
The story behind his research rivals a Dan Brown novel with some unexpected twists and turns. My review of this tour will tell you more about it.
Shop Local: The Forks Market
On tag-along trips, I tend to avoid the mall and opt to see what locally owned shops have to offer. At The Forks Market, you’ll find everything from local gourmet food items to unique crafts, artworks, and clothing.
It’s also the perfect spot to take a break for a bite to eat, feed the ducks by the river, or catch a busker performance.
That’s my shortlist. Have you visited Winnipeg? What was the best thing you saw or did?
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[…] Under-the-radar cities can be the best for tagging along on a spouse's business travel. Here's my shortlist of what to do in Winnipeg on your visit. […]