Tourism Winnipeg

IT'S A DATE! AN EASY COUPLES' WEEKEND RETREAT Show your better half the best things about being in love in Winnipeg. Start with brunch—and a fancy one at that Winnipeg's castle, The Fort Garry Hotel, is home to several restaurants and is anchored by the opulent-yet- inviting Oval Room Brasserie, which catches your eye from the historic lobby. The menu has all the classics— house-cured salmon, stuffed brioche French toast, eggs Benedict—all served on or with house-baked breads and English muffins from the hotel's celebrated bakery (including gluten-free toasts). Mimosas are a must as you drink in the century-old room with its intricately restored roof and plush mint furniture. Couple up at The Forks The province's most-visited public area offers plenty of ways to get close. Rent tandem and novelty cycles from Bee2Gether Bikes and explore the ample river-running pathways and bridges. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer on the massive Common patio, along with lunch from one of the many international kiosks and cap it all off with a couples massage from Inn at the Forks' Riverstone Spa. In winter, hold hands while you skate the Nestaweya River Trail then warm up around a firepit with a cup of hot chocolate (or perhaps a glass of Petit Sirah, ohh la la). Melt at Thermëa The city's celebrated outdoor spa is a temple to relaxation. Once you're in your robes, you're good to go—including inside the delicious Restö for comforting plates and craft cocktails. Start with a little thermal bath, followed by a splash under the ice-cold waterfall before a trip to a sauna or steam room. There's a beach with a delightful mist area in summer, while winter's deepest cold can only add to this steamy oasis' ambiance. Warning: you've never relaxed this hard, so prepare to be drained afterward. Dinner with a deer one When the latest Canada's 100 Best Restaurants publication described chef Mandel Hitzer's deer + almond, it used: "imaginative cooking," "the mood indulgent and convivial," and "Hitzer is clearly having fun—and it works for everyone." How would you not want to spend a date night here? The prix fixe in the dining room always brings massive flavours and some sexiness, while you can occasionally slip in without a reso at the bar where à la carte dishes allow you to choose your own adventure. Ticket for two to the Theatre District After taking in a performance from Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra or Manitoba Opera, be sure to explore the area's handsome century- old buildings. Within them, you'll discover dimly lit restaurants, charming little galleries and the area's best neighbours—Patent 5 Distillery and La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewery, both of which have libations and rooms that are sure to seduce. Oval Room Brasserie, photo by William Au 20 tourismwinnipeg.com ITINERARIES

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