12 Best Things to Do in Winnipeg in Summer for Solo, Group, and Family Adventures
Winnipeg in fall is gorgeous and fun (think apple picking and scenic drives). Come winter—well, we survive it by skating, tobogganing, and wearing 20 layers of clothing. But Winnipeg in summer? It’s my absolute favorite.
Every summer, the city comes alive with awesome festivals, complete with live music and amazing local street food. Plus, I just adore patio season, especially at night—just chilling and vibing with friends, sipping cold beer under the stars.
And if you’re feeling active, you can go hiking, river paddling, cycling, golfing…I mean, you’re seriously spoiled for choice.
So, don’t be overwhelmed. I put together a master list of the best things to do in Winnipeg in summer—slap on some sunscreen and go have fun!
Explore Assiniboine Park
– Media credit: assiniboine_park
Website: https://www.assiniboinepark.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assiniboine_park/
Address: 55 Pavilion Crescent
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: (204) 927-6000
Assiniboine Park is the ultimate place to be during summer. You can have a picnic, go on hikes or bike rides, or just lay on the grass and soak in the sun—I swear, you can literally spend the entire day here without running out of things to do!
I always visit The Leaf and the English Garden. The Leaf is a beautiful indoor paradise, with waterfalls, exotic plants, and even a butterfly garden; just outside lies the English Garden, with walking paths and benches to sit and enjoy the view.
For families, don’t miss Assiniboine Park Zoo. Home to the Journey to Churchill exhibit, you can watch polar bears swim above you in the underwater tunnel.
Feeling famished? Grab a burger, salad, or some buttermilk pancakes at the Park Cafe.
| Pro Tip: During summer evenings, there’s always something to see at the Lyric Theatre. So, bring a blanket and catch a free outdoor concert, movie, or play as the sun sets over the park—and don’t forget your bug spray! |
Check out the Forks National Historic Site
– Media credit: theforkswinnipeg
Website: https://pc.gc.ca/forks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theforkswinnipeg/
Meetup Address: The Forks National Historic Site
Hours: Mon – Sun: 7 AM – 10 PM
Tour Length: 1.5 to 2 hours
Contact: [email protected]
I just love spending my afternoons and evenings at The Forks National Historic Site. Since it’s a central location, it’s very easy to get to, and you’d get to hang out with locals and tourists alike.
Just because school’s out doesn’t mean you can’t learn during summer! History buffs would love Parks Canada exhibits that tell the story of The Forks.
And don’t forget to check out the huge CN Stage and Field, which often hosts free summer concerts, festivals, and events. Families can also hang out at the Oodena Celebration Circle, and kids can play at the splash pad and playground nearby.
Of course, no visit to the Forks is complete without munching on delicious Forks Market fare—snag a slice of za at Red Ember or a vegan ice cream scoop at Neon Cone!
| Pro Tip: Make sure to catch the sunset at the Forks in style! Grab a spot on the riverwalk or the market’s outdoor patio and watch the sun set behind the Esplanade Riel Bridge while enjoying a cold drink. |
Have fun at FortWhyte Alive
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Website: https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/things-to-do/attractions/fortwhyte-alive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortwhytealive/
Address: 1961 McCreary Rd
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (204) 989-8355
FortWhyte Alive is a huge nature reserve packed with wildlife, hands-on activities, and outdoor adventures—sounds like a recipe for a great summer escape!
Kids typically go dipnetting with their parents here, and it’s so adorable to see their faces when they catch something. You can also bring them to Prairie Dog Town to see these adorable furry critters up close—a bonus: there’s no admission fee.
Now, if you’re looking for solo or group activities, you could rent a canoe or kayak and paddle around the lake. There are also a ton of summer programs for you to join, such as foraging workshops and baby bison walks.
After working up an appetite walking with baby bisons, we recommend going to Buffalo Stone Café and grabbing a big, juicy bison burger—yum!
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss FortWhyte Alive’s bison safari! You’d get an up close and personal encounter with these beautiful creatures (while sitting safely in the comfort of the safari bus), and guests are encouraged to take snaps. |
Hang out in Kildonan Park
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Website: https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parks/kildonan.stm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kildonan-park/
Address: 2015 Main St
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: +1 877-311-4974
Ah Kildonan Park, one of my city’s most beautiful green spaces. With its gorgeous gardens, playgrounds, and picnic areas, what’s not to love?
The little ones typically go nuts over the Kildonan Park pool and splash pad. They also love visiting the quaint Witch’s Hut inspired by Hansel and Gretel—don’t worry, there are no actual witches there (that we know of).
While it does have an onsite restaurant, I recommend just packing a picnic on a blanket while enjoying the views. You could even stick around to catch a show!
As a bonus, this park is even more gorgeous during sunset, with the golden light filtering through the trees. Maybe even a perfect spot for a romantic stroll?
| Pro Tip: Extend your visit and catch a show at the Rainbow Stage, Canada’s longest running outdoor theatre. Set under an open dome, it hosts musical productions during summer nights, featuring local and national performers. |
Attend the Winnipeg Folk Festival
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
Website: https://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winnipegfolkfestival/
Address: Office – 203 – 211 Bannatyne Avenue; Venue – Birds Hill Provincial Park
Hours: Second week of July
Contact: (204) 231-0096
Every July, music loving Winnipeggers flock over to Birds Hill Provincial Park to attend the Winnipeg Folk Festival—one of Canada’s most beloved summer events.
The lineup features folk, indie, roots, and global artists, and there are performances happening in several stages all around the park. If you’re lucky, you might catch an artist collaborating with the crowd on the spot!
Beyond music, we suggest taking a look at the handmade village. Here, local artisans sell charming handmade crafts like toys, clothing, houseware, jewelry, and bags.
Another must-do—visiting the food village, with over 20 vendors to choose from. Enjoy classical festival fare like poutine and pair it with an ice cold craft beer.
| Pro Tip: If you want the full folk festival experience, consider camping for the entire weekend. Feel the vibe of the folk festival as you catch late night jam sessions or join a lot of fun drinking games! |
Go to the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival
– Media credit: winnipegfringe
Website: https://www.winnipegfringe.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winnipegfringe/
Address: Office – 174 Market Avenue; Venue – Exchange District
Hours: Third week of July
Contact: [email protected]
Another must-do this summer is the Fringe Theatre Festival. Not to brag or anything, but it’s actually North America’s 2nd largest independent fringe theatre festival!
Here, you can check out hundreds of performances—from laugh-out-loud comedies to tearjerkers. And since it’s an unjuried festival, artists from all over the world are welcome, and you never know what you’re going to get.
We just love grabbing a seat on the grass—cold beer in hand—while listening to incredible live music. To save a few bucks, we even pack a couple of sandwiches, apples, and cookies.
As for families, Kids Fringe is free to visit, packed with puppet shows and fun activities for the little ones. After which, you and your little ones can grab pizzas, burgers, tacos, and even vegan fare from the surrounding food trucks.
| Pro Tip: Looking to catch multiple shows during this epic 12-day event? Then, grab a Frequent Fringer Pass to save money on tickets. |
Watch shows at the Folklorama
– Media credit: folklorama
Website: https://folklorama.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/folklorama
Address: Office – 2nd Floor – 183 Kennedy Street; Venue – Winnipeg
Hours: First two weeks of August
Contact: (204) 982-6210
Did you know that Folklorama brings the world to Winnipeg every August? Yep, this long-running multicultural festival’s goal is to give us a taste of different cultures via dance, food, music, and storytelling.
For two exciting weeks, dozens of pavilions will be cropping up all over the Peg, each dedicated to a different culture or country. Kids and adults alike would love watching colorful performances and traditional dances.
In addition to shows, you could also join scavenger hunts, try henna art, check out crafts, or play games.
And did I mention that this festival is a foodie’s dream? Feast on authentic cultural dishes like Filipino lechon, Jamaican jerk chicken, Portuguese custard tarts, and more!
| Pro Tip: If you’re going as a group, then we recommend buying a VIP Tour at Folklorama! You and your friends will skip the lines, get reserved seating, enjoy a multi-course meal, and ride hassle-free between pavilions! |
See Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet at the Lyric Theatre
– Media credit: rwballet
Website: https://www.rwb.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwballet/
Address: Assiniboine Park, 55 Pavilion Crescent
Hours: End of July
Contact: (204) 927-6000
If you’ve always wanted to go to the ballet, but your wallet is like “Nope,” then wait for Ballet in the Park. Watch Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet dance on the Lyric Theatre stage in Assiniboine Park without spending a dime.
This free three-day event takes place every last week of July, giving locals a chance to watch ballet under the lovely summer skies. But even though it’s free, if you register your ticket, you’ll get a chance to win a full season subscription to the RWB!
And it’s not just about ballet—they also feature performances with modern choreography from the RWB Company, Professional and Recreational Divisions.
Don’t forget to bring a huge blanket and a picnic basket full of goodies. All that twirling and pirouetting on stage could actually work up your appetite.
| Pro Tip: We suggest arriving early at Assiniboine Park’s theatre to snag a great spot. Plus, you can enjoy pre-show activities such as painting, crafts, and dance demos! |
Go paddleboarding and kayaking on the Red River
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Website: https://www.ijc.org/en/watersheds/red-river
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red-river-winnipeg-mb/
Address: Red River
Hours: Mon – Sun: open 24 hours
Contact: 311
Everybody knows it wouldn’t be summer if you didn’t go kayaking or paddling. And where better to start than on the Red River?
On a sunny day, nothing beats gliding on the water while a light breeze blows through the air—just don’t forget to bring a waterproof case for your phone! You could also check out wildlife such as herons, pelicans, and the occasional beaver.
You can rent paddle boards and kayaks from Kendricks Outdoor Adventures at the Forks. From there, paddle past landmarks like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights or the green spaces of St. Boniface.
If you’re feeling a bit peckish after all that paddling, we recommend grabbing a cup of matcha latte with oat milk and a cranberry orange doughnut from Fools & Horses.
| Pro Tip: New to paddling or kayaking? We suggest going for a morning session—that’s when the water is calmer and less busy—plus, there are fewer crowds too. |
Join boat tours on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers
Website: https://www.ijc.org/en/watersheds/red-river
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red-river-winnipeg-mb/
Address: Red River
Hours: Mon – Sun: open 24 hours
Contact: 311
Seeing Winnipeg from the water is a summer must, so we highly recommend joining awesome boat tours on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.
Winnipeg Waterways and Splash Dash River Tours, both located at the Forks, offer guided boat rides at affordable prices. Kids would love spotting ducks and pelicans, while adults would (hopefully) appreciate the stories and jokes of the tour guide.
Want to splurge? Go for a private river tour booking via Winnipeg Waterways, which is ideal when you’re with friends or family.
And if you’re craving delicious bites after the tour, simply choose casual fare and cold drinks at one of the Forks’ riverside patios, most of which are dog-friendly!
| Pro Tip: Try to go on an evening cruise for a stunning view of the city during sunset. Just make sure to book in advance since this is a prime boat tour slot. |
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
– Media credit: humanrights.ca
Website: https://humanrights.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanrights.ca
Address: 85 Israel Asper Way
Hours: Tue – Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: +1 877-877-6037
For me, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is one of the most breathtaking buildings in the city, with its cool futuristic design.
Inside, you’ll find powerful stories of human rights around the world, told through thoughtful exhibits, pop-ups, and interactive displays.
During summer, you can catch amazing special outdoor events such as cultural performances, art installations, and guided tours around the Forks area.
And if your stomach starts to growl, head over to Level 1, grab a burger and fries at Bistro Boréal, and dine on their lovely patio. Afterwards, you can grab a latte or cloud cappuccino at Cloud Coffee.
| Pro Tip: Time your visit on a Sunday when admission to Canadian Museum for Human Rights is totally free from 10 AM to 5 PM! |
The Manitoba Museum
– Media credit: manitobamuseum
Website: https://www.manitobamuseum.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manitobamuseum/
Address: 190 Rupert Ave
Hours: Tue – Sun: 10 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (204) 988-0576
Have you always wanted to go on a 17th-century trading ship? Well, here’s your chance—just visit the Manitoba Museum!
In addition to a full-sized replica of said ship (named Nonsuch), you could also check out the Planetarium or the Science Gallery.
Now, if you’re bringing your little ones, make sure to let them try hands-on workshops and pop-up displays. Sometimes, there are even scavenger hunts, so check their socials before visiting this spot.
Feeling snackish? We recommend going to Clementine for their famous fried chicken on toast and mocha latte (or if you’re feeling it, maybe even a breakfast cocktail—sshh!).
| Pro Tip: I know you love free stuff (just like me!), so hit up the Manitoba Museum on the first Friday of every month for free admission. Note that Indigenous visitors are always free to enter year-round. |