Decorating & Design
The City Column: What To Do In Winnipeg
Published on June 25, 2026
A culturally dense city with world-class Inuit art, a one-of-a-kind human rights museum and an ambitious restaurant scene, Winnipeg rewards the curious.
Where to Stay
Classic: Inn at the Forks
At the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, this hotel puts you at the doorstep of one of Winnipeg’s central hubs. Contemporary and understated, the inn offers river-facing rooms with serene views. Explore The Forks Market next door, packed with local finds, and The Forks National Historic Site, a riverside park that’s perfect for a summer stroll.
75 Forks Market Rd.
New: The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre
A Winnipeg landmark since 1913, The Fort Garry is one of our country’s grand railway hotels. This spring, it unveiled the new Vice Regal Floor, a “hotel within the hotel,” featuring grand suites with luxe, renovated rooms and a private lounge with snacks and cocktails. Save time for the Ten Spa, with its Turkish hammam.
222 Broadway
Where to Eat
New: BabyBaby
This restaurant is all about fun. The decorating is chic-meets- cosy, with a playful art piece taking centre stage: a painted snake crawling along the floor and right up to the kitchen pass. Creativity is on the menu: try the Pickerel Beignets appetizer, then the Whole Sea Bass with passion fruit beurre blanc for your main, and finish with a Creamsicle Parfait. BabyBaby doesn’t take reservations, so plan on an early dinner to get a table.
137 Osborne St.
Classic: Deer + Almond
One of Winnipeg’s most celebrated restaurants. Start with a cocktail, then try the four-course tasting menu, a showcase of Prairie-grown ingredients combined with global delights — order Grilled Marinated Mussel Pie and Wild Shrimp Dumplings served with kimchi butter sauce, and more. The mood is intimate, the ambience warm and welcoming, and the team, led by chef Mandel Hitzer, is constantly innovating, so prepare to be surprised.
85 Princess St.
What to See
New: Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq
Opened in 2021, Qaumajuq, an arts centre connected to the Winnipeg Art Gallery, is the world’s first museum devoted to contemporary Inuit art. Check out the Visible Vault, a three-storey-tall glass repository of almost 5,000 Inuit carvings, and don’t miss this summer’s feature exhibition, Ningiukulu Teevee: Stories from Kinngait, a showcase of the graphic artist’s evocative drawings.
300 Memorial Blvd.
Classic: Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a must-visit if you’re looking for a thought-provoking and emotional experience. The museum’s design is also striking; architect Antoine Predock created a series of alabaster walkways connecting gallery spaces that almost seem to float. This summer, see Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present, exploring Palestinians’ forced displacement over generations, and Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge, an examination of injustice and those who fought for change.
85 Israel Asper Way
Where to Shop
New: Two Macaws
Owner Noor Anmol brings India and Peru’s craft cultures to her shop, which just opened last year. She sources from fair-trade organizations and acquires limited editions to offer unique pieces not easily found elsewhere. Discover fine art prints and paintings, gourmet goodies and boho-inspired accents.
68 Albert St., Suite B
Classic: Soul Gallery
Founded by designer Julie Walsh, this gallery and art shop is nestled in the Exchange District. Find works from more than 25 artists, many of them Canadian. Julie also has a by-appointment-only second location — a house turned art gallery — so visitors can see pieces in a home environment before buying.
65 Albert St.
House & Home