This week get outside and connect with nature or stay home and participate in a variety of virtual events from musical performances and art workshops. Here are 10 things to do this week in Manitoba...
1. Visit the new Aunt Sally’s Farm
Assiniboine Park Zoo
One of the zoo’s most beloved attractions is back! The new Aunt Sally’s Farm is now open to the public. The original version of Aunt Sally’s Farm opened in 1959. Now it has been updated but still encourages children and adults to make connections, learn and play with animals and nature as they wander through the outdoor space. The area will house goats, pigs, llamas and chickens.
2. Vist FortWhyte Alive
Immerse yourself in the wilderness without leaving the city. Winnipeg’s urban nature oasis is the perfect place to explore, wander and discover something new. Whether it’s by foot or bike, experience the restorative power of time in the forest. If you’re new to getting outside or want to try something different, FortWhyte Alive is the perfect place to do it. You can shop locally-made, environmentally-friendly gifts at the Nature Shop to help you and your loved ones connect with nature and take it home with you.
3. Watch a virtual play
Online April 8 to 25
Watch the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s most recent theatre production in the comfort of your home from April 8 to 25. The one-woman musical centres around a postmistress in a small town who sees all the comings and goings through the letters in the mail. Playwright Thomson Highway says his show The (Post)Mistress is about “love, love letters and love of life.” Purchase tickets for the virtual show on MTC’s website.
4. Learn to play an instrument with the West End Cultural Centre
The West End Cultural Centre hosts yearly music lessons for kids as part of the Tune-In Youth Music Program. This year the lessons are all online and accessible to anyone for free. Each video lesson in the 27-lesson series is between 15 and 45 minutes and covers techniques for guitar, bass and drums. Find the lessons on the WECC’s YouTube or Vimeo.
5. Head out for a hike
The trails are drying and opening up all the wonderful hiking opportunities in Manitoba. Go outside, breathe in the fresh air and take some time to appreciate this beautiful place we live in. Check out this blog post and start exploring these 20 amazing trails that you may have never heard of.
6. Visit the new Qaumajuq museum
If you’re interested in Inuit art, definitely visit Qaumajuq — an innovative museum that is home to the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. This newly opened first-of-its-kind 185,000 sq. ft. centre connects to the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) on all levels and holds in trust close to 14,000 pieces of Inuit art. Qaumajuq means “it is bright, it is lit” in Inuktitut.
7. Take a road trip
Take a drive to explore the incredible natural beauty, roadside attractions and delicious dining options around Manitoba. Start by choosing the area of the province you want to explore then check out this blog post for bakery stops along the way and this blog post for incredible drive-ins where you can grab a bite on route, all outside of Winnipeg.
8. Learn about the history of the Exchange District
Exchange District, Winnipeg
From City Hall to Banker’s Row to Stephen Juba Park, there is so much history to be explored in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. Now it’s easier than ever to learn the basics of that history with self-guided audio walking tours created by the Exchange District Biz. Enjoy the four 10-minute audio tours separately or combine them to create one longer loop. Find the free audio tours on the Exchange District Biz’s website.
9. Get outside with a fat bike rental
Get outside and enjoy the warming weather with a fat bike rental from Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures. Ride easily over that last bit of snow or along some of the muddier trails of Winnipeg. Located centrally at The Forks, it’s easy to get out and ride along many of the city’s trails right from Kendrick’s. Book your rental online.
10. Learn how to make campfire bannock
Join George Ducharme as he teaches you to make bannock over an open fire. Get everything on the short list of ingredients, start a bonfire in your yard and try the recipe and technique for yourself. Watch the lesson on YouTube as part of Safe at Home MB programming.
Wherever you travel in Manitoba, please remember to stay safe by keeping six feet of physical distance from others, gathering in group sizes in accordance to public health guidelines, avoiding crowds, and staying home if you’re sick.
— For more Manitoba travel ideas please visit www.travelmanitoba.com