Cross Canada Road Trip:
Goin' to Winnipeg

You know that old airline ad about the guy who thinks he's heading to Hawaii, ends up on a plane to Winnipeg instead? It's a classic and kind of a joke around here. We all love to chase the sun during winter, trying to escape the cold, especially those of us from Western Canada. The idea of "Goin' to Winnipeg" has become a funny way of saying you're heading into the cold instead of away from it.

Well, I ended up in Winnipeg at the end of March, during what I hoped might be the start of spring, but it was still full-on winter there. We stayed at a hotel right by the Red River, and even though it was chilly, walking along the river with the snow and the clear blue skies was pretty nice.

walking along the Red River in Winnipeg

The best part, though, was this place called The Leaf. It's this big, green, and warm indoor space that feels like you're somewhere tropical and it didn't exist last time I was here.

The Leaf in Winnipeg

The building looks cool, and it's a great spot to warm up and forget about the cold outside. It includes a restaurant called Gather. Super cozy and the food's great—a perfect way to warm up after being out in the Winnipeg cold.

Fun Facts about Winnipeg

  1. Heart of the Continent: Winnipeg is often called the "Gateway to the West" and is quite literally at the heart of Canada. It's one of the country's most accessible cities, located at the geographical center of North America. This unique positioning has historically made it a critical hub for trade and transportation.

    From my perspective, the "center of Canada" looks alot like a grain field! lol
    Leanne and Darren in the center of Canada

  2. Winnipeg Jets and the "Whiteout": The return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL in 2011 reignited the city's passion for hockey. The team's fans are known for the "Whiteout," a tradition where fans wear all white during playoff games, creating an electrifying atmosphere that's become famous across the league.

  3. Gateway to the North: Winnipeg is the launching point for travels to northern Manitoba and beyond, offering unparalleled access to some of Canada's most stunning natural landscapes and wildlife. From here, adventurers can head to Churchill, known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, where they can witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, along with the breathtaking northern lights. Darren and I have been to see the polar bears in Churchill. It was everything we hoped it would be and more and is the last time we were in Winnipeg about a decade ago.

So, "Goin' to Winnipeg"? It turned out to be a bit better than the joke makes it seem. Sure, it's cold, but there are some cool spots that make you forget about the winter outside.

Having said that, I'm ready to get back in the Jeep, grabbing a coffee at Tim Hortons and start driving!
Leanne

Leanne going for a walk in the winter