Reading · Road Trip Ontario

About two weeks ago, I was back in Winnipeg, followed by a road trip around Lake Winnipeg for a campaign. Yes, I know this is Road Trip Ontario, but Manitoba being our neighbouring province, we get a lot of questions in our Facebook Group regarding road trips out of the province, too! So, in the next few editions, Gordana and I are sharing some epic trips we did in our closest provincial neighbours: Manitoba and Quebec.

The first time I was in “The Peg,” I was just getting my bearings, exploring the popular spots like The Forks, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Exchange District, while gaining some unwanted pounds with this city’s incredible food scene. I shared my list of 20+ things to do in Winnipeg for a weekend getaway, and I still stand by every single one of those recommendations.

But on my most recent trip back, we wanted to look for something different. More specifically, we were interested in learning more about the Indigenous and Métis culture. And gladly, it isn’t tucked away in a museum exhibit and left there. It’s alive in the hotel where you rest your head, the beer you drink, the food on your plate, the path under your feet, and the person paddling next to you down the Red River.

Winnipeg’s roots run deep. The name itself comes from the Cree words for “muddy water,” and for over 6,000 years, the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers—now known as The Forks—has been a gathering place. When you stand at the Oodena Celebration Circle looking at the ceremonial fire pit and the sculptures, you can really feel it.

Again, we hit the pavement to explore the local neighbourhoods. We grabbed a couple of hot dog combos and cold lagers at Kilter Brewing Company, which honestly felt like sitting in a lush cabana. We also stopped by Good Neighbour Brewing Co.—Manitoba’s first all-female and 2SLGBTQ+ owned brewery—for a crisp Czech-style pale lager and some tempura pickerel from Next Door!

Every conversation we had was an education. It was about learning, unlearning, and learning again. It was about eating, walking, drinking, and experiencing the living, breathing culture of the First Nations and Métis people who built this province

Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport (Odeakiing) & Manoomin Restaurant: Owned by Long Plain First Nation on the Madison Urban Reserve, this hotel features front doors that face east to greet the sun, and every sign is written in English, Braille, and Ojibwe.

Over at their Manoomin Restaurant, you can fuel up with a Bison Skillet loaded with seasoned bison meatballs, or grab the house-fried Bannock Taco. You will need plenty of napkins for this!
👉🏾 If you want to hear the story behind this incredible menu, check out my interview with Chef Jennifer Ballantyne on Episode 23 of the Rudderless Travel Podcast. (October 27, 2026)
Turtle Tours & The Moccasin Walk: In addition to the Parks Canada Tour, I took last time and these guided walking tours by Turtle Walking Tours and Saint Boniface Museum (Moccasin Walk) are the absolute best way to understand the ground you’re standing on.

Turtle Tours uncovers thousands of years of Indigenous history at The Forks, while the Moccasin Walk takes you through Saint-Boniface to learn about the Red River Métis, even showing you Louis Riel’s grave and the extreme lengths (like digging decoy graves) his people went to protect it.
👉🏾 You can hear more of those raw, powerful stories with our guide Chris Barrett on Episode 22 of the Rudderless Travel Podcast (October 13, 2026)
Feast Café Bistro: Run by Chef Christa Bruneau-Guenther, this West End spot is one of the only Indigenous-owned and operated First Nations restaurants in the country. Her braised bison short rib with smoked wild blueberries and juniper maple demi-glace is so ridiculously good that I literally refused to leave Winnipeg without eating it again. Fair warning: you may need to be rolled out the front door.
Wild Loon Adventure Company: Garrett Fache runs this outdoor adventure company, which was recently named Sustainable Tourism Business of the Year. We launched a canoe from St. Vital Park and paddled upstream on the Red River while Garrett teaches you how to treat nature like a close friend through his Métis heritage.
La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewing Co.: This Métis-majority owned spot in the Exchange District is named after a historic 17th-century ship. With its gorgeous green interior and fantastic, higher-ABV Belgian-style brews, the vibe here is so chill it was the other place i was excited to return too!

👉🏾 Indigenous & Métis Experiences in Winnipeg: A Rudderless Guide to Culture, Food & Tradition

👉🏾 20+ Things To Do In Winnipeg Canada On A Weekend Getaway

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Winnipeg

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Winnipeg is a city that doesn’t just invite you to visit; it challenges you to connect, listen, learn and unlearn. If you’ve been putting off a trip to The Peg because of an old reputation, it’s about time you go see what you’ve been missing in the heart of Canada.

If you’re heading to Winnipeg for a weekend getaway, are you more excited to dive into the history on a guided walking tour, or are you heading straight to the Exchange District to sample the local craft brewery scene?

Winnipeg Road Trip: Bannock Tacos, Decoy Graves, & Paddling Along The Red River 🛶

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