Winnipeg, 2014 version

June 4, 2014 2:24 PM

Yearly or semi-annually I travel to Winnipeg to visit family, and as each year passes I get more and more out of touch with the city. Please help me figure out what to do, where to eat, where to shop. 1. Eating. On this trip I have gone to Boon Burger, Affinity Restaurant and some sushi place on Corydon. Any other suggestions for moderately-priced eats with pescatarian/vegetarian options? 2. Shopping. I used to love to cruise around Eaton's and the Bay in downtown. But that era is over. Where do people in Winnipeg shop? Surely not just Polo Park and St. Vital malls? 3. I have been to WAG, the Forks and may visit the Manitoba Museum, where else should I go?
posted by nanook to Travel & Transportation around Winnipeg, MB (4 answers total)

Best answer: I haven't been back to Winnipeg in 6 years so my information may be outdated, but shopping-wise all the interesting stuff was either in Osborne Village, Tuxedo/Academy Road or the Exchange district.

Can't help you for food because I pretty much only went to Vietnamese or Korean restaurants and just knew them by location.

The Manitoba Museum is great. Definitely worth going to at least once.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:27 PM on June 4, 2014

Best answer: Ok, for vegetarian eats, you really can't go wrong with Stella's. Great food, lots of locations, very popular and always busy. Reasonable prices.

Another vegan option is a little co-op named Mondragon. Good food, comfy and I believe there's a little bookshop attached.

Down in the South Osborne area, there's Bistro 7 1/4. Not strictly vegetarian but there is some seafood on the menu. A bit pricier but worth it for a special evening out. Great little spot. Best to make reservations.

Mid to late June is when the Jazz Festival is on, with free shows in Old Market Square and at other venues around the city.

If you're into quirky, weird history why not take a tour of the Manitoba Legislative Building? Lots of hidden daVinci code type stuff hidden in the architecture.

To really appreciate the unique old warehouse district with some fabulous old painted signs and architecture, you could take a walking tour. While you're in the neighborhood, visit Toad Hall Toys. Totally unique stuff and great for grownups too. Also in this area is King's Head Pub for some good beer and pub food. There's often live music.

There's also Riverboat tours, Assiniboia Downs for horse racing, or in early July there's the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

For an old-timey, totally cool hardware store (with some really great stuff), visit Pollock's Hardware Co-op on Main Street.

Anyway, these are some suggestions. For non big-box shopping, what any portmanteau said above is your best bet.
posted by SpecialSpaghettiBowl at 4:51 PM on June 4, 2014

Best answer: Quick note: Bistro has gone seriously downhill recently.
posted by Kreiger at 8:57 PM on June 4, 2014

Best answer: Absolutely do the Manitoba Legislative Building -- it is far more interesting than you might think.
posted by liquado at 6:41 AM on June 5, 2014