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Custom tours can be developed through most of Winnipeg's tour companies, as well as through the government tourism offices. For assistance call Tourism Winnipeg at 1 800 665 0204 (local 943 1970); e-mail wpginfo@tourismwpg.mb.ca or visit www.tourism.winnipeg.mb.ca. Travel Manitoba, located in the Explore Manitoba Centre in The Forks Market, is a favorite first stop for many travelers here. Contact numbers here are 1 800 665 0040 (local 945 3777, 24hr line 942 2535), or visit www.travelmanitoba.com. Winnipeg also has a general Visitor Information line at 1 800 214 6497 (local 945 6784).
Boat excursions are widely available here, too. Paddlewheel River Rouge Tours offers scheduled cruises as well as custom charters, and also operates a fleet of double-decker buses with a wide range of tours available. Splash Dash Water Services operates out of The Forks; they offer regular water transit departing every 15 minutes, a many tours, as well as custom charters and boat rentals. Everything from peddle-boats to outboards can be rented. Serious boaters will find a variety of rental services 20 minutes north of the city in Selkirk. This town, the home of the historical Lower Fort Garry, is the base for most of the areas fly-in services. Prospective boaters will need to be aware of Manitoba's new boating regulations; call the Visitor Info line for details.
What to see
The Forks Market is an excellent place to start. The confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers is a historical landmark and the birthplace of this city. Its location in the centre of town makes it a convenient starting point for both planned and unplanned itineraries. Get on a boat and see the sights riverwise, or just wander about and take in the rich history of the area. The Historic Port is a picturesque little harbor that has seen traffic for hundreds of years. The Assiniboine River Walk, when not flooded, provides walkers with a paved path along this River, where visitors can take their time to enjoy the sights; bike trails and tours are also available here. Aside from this more pastoral aspect, The Forks is a thriving market and meeting place. The Explore Manitoba Centre offers an overview of local history and culture; the Manitoba Children's Museum promotes education through activities; and Johnston Terminal, a converted distribution warehouse, has numerous boutiques for the souvenir minded. Hungry? There is an astounding array of edibles on offer. Not only are there several major restaurants on site, but also the market has produce this writer has never even seen before; and it hosts a food court where cuisine from nearly every ethnic background can be enjoyed. The Forks has a hotline at 1 204 957 7618.
Within a half-hour walk of The Forks are numerous attractions considered a must-see for visitors to Winnipeg. Go south on Main St to Broadway, and then west, and you'll encounter the Manitoba Legislative Building. There are beautifully groomed grounds and fountains that make this a great picnic spot, or you can take the in-house tour and see the cupola from the inside. Perched atop this historical building is the Winnipeg standard, the Golden Boy statue.
Walking north on Main, from the Forks, visitors will find the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature/Planetarium/Concert Hall complex. The museum showcases natural and local history and houses a full-size replica of the Nonsuch, the historical sailing vessel used by Hudson's Bay fur traders. The Touch the Universe centre is a hands-on area where kids can develop their love of science. Be sure to check out one of the spectacular laser-lighted performances in the Planetarium.
Now go west on Portage Ave to Memorial Blvd to find the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This space has no permanent exhibitions; so regular visitors to the city can expect to find something different nearly every time they come back. Incidentally, while touring around downtown visitors will encounter numerous galleries and shops with an amazing variety of artworks and trinkets. This is especially true for the Exchange District, Osborne Village and Little Italy.
Visitors coming into the city by air will find some excellent attractions near the Airport. The Western Canada Aviation Museum is one of the world's leading historical aircraft restoration facilities. It has a kid's activity centre and a flight simulator, making it a great stop for aircraft buffs both young and old. About five miles south of the Airport is Assiniboine Park Zoo. There is much to see here, so taking one of the Park's tours is advisable. Aside from the picnic grounds and sports fields, the zoo has a Discovery Centre, Petting Zoo, and mini-train ride for the kids, a Botanical House and Conservatory for botany enthusiasts, and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden for art lovers.
Winnipeg has much to offer in the peripheral areas, as well. The Red River Floodway and Corn Maze, both at the southern limit of town, are good examples. The locks at Lockport, about 15 minutes north of the city, are another. The Floodway and Lockport don't give tours but are public spaces of great interest to those who love engineering marvels. Good fishing at these spots, too.
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