Winnipeg City Guide

Winnipeg offers local favorites like 'Fat Boy' burgers and perogies alongside strong international options. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Late-night eats are mostly fast food and some diners.

The nightlife centers on the Exchange District and Osborne Village with pubs, bars, live music, and clubs.

Winnipeg has a mix of chains and local third-wave cafes with specialty roasters. The scene values cozy community spots, especially in winter.

Tipping is expected in restaurants (15-20%) and for services like taxis and hairdressers (10-20%). Small tips or rounding up is common in casual settings.

SIM cards can be bought at the airport or malls from providers like Bell, Rogers, and Telus. eSIMs are available but depend on your device. You usually need a government ID to buy and activate a SIM.

The city is generally clean, especially downtown, with regular waste and recycling services and few issues.

Some pharmacies and convenience stores operate 24/7. Emergency rooms are always open but late-night clinics are rare. Food options are mostly fast food or diners.

Supermarkets like Sobeys, Safeway, Superstore, and Save-On-Foods serve Winnipeg. Fresh markets and ethnic stores offer produce and specialty goods. Stores open from early morning to late evening and usually operate on Sundays with reduced hours. Prices are fixed; bargaining is not common.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you rarely need cash for daily purchases.

ATMs are easy to find in banks, convenience stores, and malls. Using ATMs outside your bank's network may cost $1.50 to $3 per transaction.

Winnipeg has strong public school divisions and notable private schools but no specific international schools. Teaching is mainly in English with widespread French immersion.

The community is growing with some meetups and tech events. Coworking spaces and cafes serve as hubs, but co-living and nomad-focused events are limited.

Excellent access to large parks and riverside paths, many shaded for walking and running.

Good running routes in parks and along rivers. Running groups exist, and the Manitoba Marathon is an annual highlight. Generally safe and scenic.

Plenty of gyms and community centers offer fitness options, including private and public facilities.

Public tennis courts exist in parks, with private clubs offering memberships and coaching. Courts are mainly hard surfaces.

Padel is not commonly available in Winnipeg.

Several studios offer a range of yoga styles, meditation classes, and wellness treatments, with both drop-in and memberships available.

Many gyms teach BJJ, Muay Thai, boxing, karate, and more, with English-speaking instructors and frequent competitions.

Small ski hills nearby offer mostly beginner to intermediate slopes with rentals available. Ski season is December to March, with some artificial snow.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing are popular on local rivers and nearby lakes with rentals at The Forks and other spots.

No surfing opportunities due to lack of ocean or large surfable bodies of water.

No significant diving or snorkeling near Winnipeg.

Hospitals and clinics have English-speaking staff. The public system (Medicare) offers good quality care; private clinics provide some faster or extra services. Pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall provide OTC meds and advice.

Tap water is safe to drink, treated and meets health standards.

The city offers many playgrounds, family-friendly cafes, and baby supplies. Key attractions include The Forks, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Manitoba Children's Museum, and FortWhyte Alive.

The city is welcoming and inclusive with safe spaces like Osborne Village and a large Pride Festival. Legal protections are strong.

Winnipeg is pet-friendly, with off-leash dog parks, pet-friendly hotels, and many vet clinics. Dog walking areas are common.