Top things to do near Winnipeg Airport
Have fun with the local flora and fauna
Assiniboine Park Zoo is just 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers) from the airport and is home to nearly 200 different species of animal. Located within the picturesque grounds of Assiniboine Park, the zoo features numerous exhibitions across its 80 acres (32.4 hectares) of land, as well as interactive games and educational facilities, unique events and, of course, hundreds of beautiful creatures to fascinate the whole family.
Treat yourself to a tipple
The heart and soul of Winnipeg’s brewing community, Capital K Distillery is just 0.8 miles (1.2 kilometers) from the airport and sits right at the center of the city. Capital K is fresh on the scene as the first family-owned company creating handmade spirits in Winnipeg and produces all of its famous Tall Grass Vodka and Tall Grass Gin using locally sourced ingredients and traditional techniques.
Visit Capital K for an interactive and educational tour of their site with their master distiller, followed by an informative question-and-answer session. You can head to Capital K for a tasting session during your layover at YWG or even use their space for a private event or party with one of their exclusive packages.
Go bargain hunting at the market
The Forks is Winnipeg’s hottest meeting place and most popular tourist attraction, offering a unique shopping experience, delicious dining options and a packed calendar of events and entertainment.
In operation since the early 1900s, originally as two stables owned by rival rail companies, The Forks Market has an array of shops and is divided into two sections. The ground floor, known simply as 'The Market', is the food emporium, abuzz all-year-round with shoppers in search of drinks, baked goods, organic food and gourmet cheeses. The first floor, otherwise known as 'The Market Loft', houses 75 unique shops stocking everything from aboriginal art to clothing, jewelry and toys. The Forks Market is just 3.6 miles (5.7 kilometers) from the airport.
Learn about life in Winnipeg
Among the buildings that stand out on Winnipeg’s distinctive skyline, the strikingly modern architecture of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is one of the most eye-catching. The first museum of its kind and the only one in the world to focus solely on the development and existence of global human rights, this museum was first established in order to engage its visitors in a life-changing experience - one that could have a positive and inspirational impact on getting people involved in human rights work.
Packed with galleries, exhibitions, interactive learning apparatus and educational programs, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has something for everyone and is located just 3.6 miles (5.7 kilometers) from the airport.
See the city's artistic side
The Winnipeg Art Gallery is not your typical art gallery. Boasting unusual architecture, fascinating history and an ethos that strives to promote peace and recognize the history of the indigenous peoples of North America, the gallery reflects many facets of life in the city.
Built on lands that originally belonged to the Ininiwak and Anishininiwak peoples, among others, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is made of Manitoba Tyndall stone and is designed to look like the prow of a ship. It contains an auditorium, a sculpture garden, meeting and lecture rooms, a research library and eight galleries replete with artwork of national and international acclaim. It is just 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers) from the airport and promises an educational day for all who visit.
Take a stroll through the sculpture garden
The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is a peaceful and picturesque haven in the center of Winnipeg, where the artworks of world-renowned sculptor, Dr Leo Mol, are on display in a lush, green setting. Just 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) from Winnipeg International Airport, the garden's grounds are also home to an art gallery and the Leo Mol School House Studio.
If you're at YWG and need a place to get away from the noise and crowds, you can make the short journey to the sculpture garden and gaze upon works of bronze and plaster cast or just enjoy the beautifully maintained landscape.
Explore Western Canada’s aviation history
The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is just 0.6 miles (one kilometer) from the airport and houses a massive collection of passenger aircraft, bush planes and Canadian innovations in aviation.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours, hold their own private events, browse the extensive collection of aircraft or visit the museum’s library and archives. There is a gift shop packed with souvenirs and prints from some of the exhibitions that can be seen at the museum's Airborne Art Project.
The museum is committed to celebrating, maintaining and showcasing Canada’s fascinating history of aviation and makes for a great couple of hours of entertainment within walking distance of the airport.
