Tourism Winnipeg

www.winnipeggroups.com 2018 TRAVEL TRADE PLANNER 9 top of that, the Indigenous Perspectives gallery contains numerous artifacts, works of art, and a 360-degree theatre that both educates and honours the stories and beliefs of Turtle Island's (North America's) original peoples. By special appointment you can also take your group on the Mikinak-Keya Spirit Tour, where Indigenous guides reveal how the sacred teachings and oral histories of the region's Indigenous peoples have been presented in the Museum's architecture. In the afternoon, head over to Oak Hammock Marsh, which is truly a birder's paradise. Over 300 species of birds — along with countless mammals and amphibians — can be found at this important wetland and migratory stop at various points throughout the year. During The Bird in Hand experience (late Spring-Fall), a Canadian Signature Experience, your group can take part in important research by banding a live songbird before releasing it back into the wild (the feeling of its tiny wings fluttering in your hand before being released is pretty magical). You'll then head out on the marshlands in large voyageur canoes and go wading through the bulrushes in hip waders, all while experienced guides and naturalists tell you about the wonders of the wetlands. POST-CHURCHILL After an unforgettable time in Churchill, spend a final day unwinding in Winnipeg and enjoying the city's local food scene. The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) is home to one of the world's largest collection of contemporary Inuit Art. Over 13,000 pieces will soon be showcased in the architecturally stunning $65-million Inuit Art Centre, which is currently under construction. For the time being, you can find pieces of this staggering collection throughout the WAG, where guided tours will reveal how nearly every northern community in Canada is represented in the collection. In the afternoon, head to Thermëa by Nordik Spa Nature, where your group can relax under the open prairie skies. Thermëa is home to numerous outdoor thermal pools, cold pools, and lounges, along with Finnish saunas, cleansing steam rooms and relaxation chambers, all of which are meant to be used in a hot-cold-hot cycle that promotes rejuvenation. It's also home to an excellent restaurant that specializes in local and holistic dishes where — get this, dining in your robe is mandatory. They've truly turned relaxation into an art form here. In the evening, head out for some excellent group dining at one of Winnipeg's nationally acclaimed restaurants. For example, Promenade Café and Wine offers French fare and exceptional views of the city from historic St. Boniface. Or try Peasant Cookery, a handsome bistro housed in a heritage building and known for charcuterie, oysters, and meat sourced from local heritage stock. Winnipeg Art Gallery: Eric Au Studios Thermëa by Nordik Spa Nature: Mike Peters

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