Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/130257
Winnipeg in 4 Days tdoors and into some Get ou -the-century class turn-of l & Chipman Photography; Pura; Moulé: Campbel (l-r) FortWhyte Alive: John Day 4 Fresh air and nature are the order of the day, starting with a filling breakfast of huevos rancheros loaded with black beans, corn and tomatoes or eggs Benedict with crispy Canadian back bacon at Prairie Ink, the bustling eatery inside McNally Robinson Booksellers on Grant Avenue. After breakfast, peruse the aisles of this expansive bookstore, a favourite among local bibliophiles. With a new bestseller in hand, take a drive to FortWhyte Alive, a 600-acre nature centre and preserve in southwest Winnipeg. It's also home to North America's largest urban herd of bison. Take a guided bison safari and get face-to-face (from the comfort and safety of a passenger van) with Charlie and Twisty, the dominant male and female in the local pack. Take a walk through the centre's myriad trails crisscrossing the property. Visit Cree Plains tipis and check out a circa-late-1800s settler's sod cabin. FortWhyte Alive also has an interpretive centre with a touch-and-feel exhibit of wild animals. Summer brings paddling on the lake and biking on the trails, while winter offers snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Have a bison burger with all the trimmings at Buffalo Stone Café, located inside the main reception centre. Daily soup and stews also warm and nourish the body. Pick up a keepsake at The Nature Shop, which stocks outdoorthemed gifts, like bird feeders and garden accessories. In the afternoon, take a drive through one of Winnipeg's most established and posh neighbourhoods. Grand riverfront mansions dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s and expansive modern abodes populate Wellington Crescent, which runs along Assiniboine River. The avenue's wide, park-like setting has become a hot spot for dog walkers, runners and cyclists who take over the street every Sunday. www.tourismwinnipeg.com The Palm Lounge: Fort Garr y Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre Make sure to stop on Academy Road. There, you'll discover boutiques and designer shops. For a taste of Manitoba summer living, stop by Lake Life, a home decor, gift and clothing boutique. Across the street at Moulé, find divine dresses, dapper duds for urban dudes, hip kiddie gear and objets d'art for discerning tastes. At European Shoe Shop, peruse the wide selection of designer shoes for men and women. Make trails to Bernard Callebaut, an artisan chocolate boutique. For dinner, head to the Palm Lounge inside the Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre, Winnipeg's original railway hotel which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2013. Upscale comfort food, like hearty meatloaf and brickroasted chicken with innovative and creative sauces and sides, will delight. Finish with the divine chocolate dome cake, a mini-masterpiece that replicates the high-ceiling inside the Palm Lounge. winnipeg in 4 days i 13