The Forks is Winnipeg’s premier destination for locals and tourists to shop, eat, meet, and play. It’s about a 15-minute walk from where I live, and I visit often. I’m not the only one—the multi-faceted hub boasts about 4 million visitors a year. For a city of 730,000, that’s impressive. If you have a short stay in the Peg, make time to get yourself to The Forks and then send me a thank-you email.

Short Winnipeg Visit? See The Forks.

The Forks Site

The Forks is located where Winnipeg’s two main rivers (the Red and Assiniboine) join, so it’s a natural centre of activity. It’s the spot where Indigenous bison hunters camped about 6,000 years ago. During the European fur trade, it became important as part of a transportation route and was a stone’s throw away from several forts and trading posts.

What makes The Forks a public hub today is its mix of green space, year-round access to the river, unique locally owned shops and restaurants, and a variety of events (big and small) that appeal to a broad range of demographics. It’s hard not to find something to love about the place.

The central focus of the site is The Forks Market and Johnston Terminal. These two buildings were once part of the infrastructure of the Grand Trunk Pacific and Northern Railway operations. The interiors have a funky loft vibe and are where you’ll find shops and restaurants.

Outdoor features I love

Two of my favourite outdoor spots on The Forks site are the Oodena Celebration Circle and the Prairie Garden.

The Oodena Celebration Circle was created in recognition of the Indigenous history of the area. Oodena means “heart of the community” in Ojibwe. It features a ceremonial fire pit, a sundial, sculptures and a naked eye observatory. The splendour of this space really shines through when it is host to a cultural celebration.

Photo Credit: AJ Batac via Flickr

When Steve and I go for a run through The Forks, I always make sure we hit the prairie garden. It’s a lovely bit of untamed nature with a remarkable display of 150 plant species. As I breeze by, I imagine how these grasses and plants once covered the prairie landscape.

All-season river fun

The best feature of The Forks is how it makes the Red and Assiniboine rivers accessible.

The Assiniboine Riverwalk runs from the Manitoba Legislative Building to the base of the Esplanade Riel bridge. A summer pleasure is to get an ice cream cone from the market and then stroll the Riverwalk to watch the ducks and boats as they pass. It’s a pleasant reprieve from city life.

We are also fortunate to live near one of the stops for the River Spirit Water Bus. The bus runs every 15 minutes to The Forks and through the centre of the city. Way more fun than travelling overland! An alternative experience is to hop aboard the Splash Dash Tour Boat, which offers half-hour tours and covers relevant Winnipeg history on its path.

As much as I love summer at The Forks, I think it’s at its best in winter. The site has been a key driver in transforming Winnipeg from a hibernating winter city into one that embraces the season’s frosty charms. The Red River Mutual Trail extends for several kilometres along the two rivers. It has a lane for skating and one for walking/running and skiing. Skating on the trail is a weekly pleasure for me. My favourite time to go is in the evening when the crowds are gone, the stars are out, and it’s quiet. All you can hear is the sound of your skates cutting into the ice and a CN train rolling by on the nearby overhead track. Magical!

Adding to the ice trail’s appeal are the many unique warming huts that provide skaters and walkers with a quirky spot to take a break. The huts are the result of an annual international design competition. Competitors from around the world submit proposals, and the winners travel to Winnipeg to bring their designs to life. If you’re visiting Winnipeg in winter, the huts are a you-gotta-see-this attraction.

Apart from river skating, an ice trail meanders through The Forks site, and there are also a couple of ice rinks, a snowboard hill, and a toboggan run. Didn’t pack your skates in your carry-on? No worries, you can rent them on site!

Food that reflects Winnipeg’s eclectic tastes

The Forks has always been a super place to either grab a reasonably priced bite or an upscale meal. Recently, the main food market underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. The space was reconceived as The Common and is now busier than ever. A revamped food hall, with a new wine and craft beer kiosk, has become a hip place to lounge away a Saturday afternoon or meet up for drinks and dinner.

Nuburger

We recently took in a sold-out event at a new restaurant within The Common called Red Ember. To punctuate the unveiling of its made-in-Italy Forza Forni pizza oven, it featured a pizza making workshop with Italy’s world-renowned pizzaiolo Franco Pepe. Steve and I went to the Saturday afternoon event and enjoyed a glass of wine, an engaging tutorial with Franco, and samples of his delectable pie.

Shop local

The Forks is my go-to spot for gifts we take abroad that represent Canada/Manitoba. Icewine, Indigenous art and handcrafted items, various maple syrup inspired goodies – you can find them all here. But the 75 shops at The Forks go beyond Canadiana. You can get artisanal foods and baked goods, produce, clothing, health and beauty products, toys, and even spiffy custom-built bicycles (every time I go by this shop I want one of those beauties so bad!).

The Almond Tree

the Forks Trading Company

Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique

White Pine Bicycle Co.

Kite and Kaboodle

Make a stay of it

If travelling for business or leisure, staying at or near The Forks will serve you well because aside from the above attractions, it is near many others. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Children’s Museum, Upper Fort Garry, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and the slightly farther away historic Exchange District are within easy walking distance.

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