by Donna M. Houston

Created on: May 05, 2008   Last Updated: June 12, 2009

Come To Winnipeg!

"Unum cum virtute multorum", One with the strength of many. Nicely put. Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba, Canada is home to an ethnically diverse population. The words of their motto express this manifoldness well. Whatever brings you to this 'gateway to the west', the rich blend of cultural influence and history is sure to make a lasting impression. Built on the rich sediment of a prehistoric lake, Lake Agassiz, the city spans some 179.2 sq. miles and provides the perfect setting for business or pleasure. Ready to explore? With a dizzying array of sightseeing and entertainment choices at your fingertips (or footsteps, as the case may be) it's hard to know where to start.

The visual impact of architecture and art as you stroll through The Exchange District, a National Historic Site located downtown, north of the illustrious junction known as Portage and Main will delight and inspire you. It is here that you will find some of the finest examples of pre-1913 architecture in all of North America. And finding what you like' has never been easier with the vast number of art galleries and museums housed here. All art forms are represented. A can't miss is The Manitoba Museum in the East Exchange. Awarded the highest Worth the Trip' rating in the Michelin Green Guide this museum contains several important art galleries. One, The Nonesuch Gallery, boasts a full size, two-masted replica of the namesake ketch that sailed from England in 1668.

For thousands of years people have gotten together at The Forks, a 56-acre site at the geographical center of the downtown area. Nowhere is the spiritual pull of time more evidenced than at The Oodena Celebration Circle, (Ojibwa for "Heart of the City"). Using a natural amphitheater as its setting and sculpture, interpretive signs, a traditional fire pit and a telescope-free observatory as media this treasure seeks to honor the 6,000-year presence of the aboriginal people in the area. Nature, astronomy, and legend are thematic throughout the exhibit.

While at The Forks you'll also want to check out:
Balance of Spirit Within, this deeply symbolic granite stone weighs in at an impressive 10tons.
The Prairie Garden, where you'll find over 10,000 plants representing 150 indigenous plant species.
And Peace Meeting. Stop here for a moment of rest and reflection and you'll be rewarded with one of the best views of the cities skyline. You may even witness a gathering thunderstorm

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