Canada Guide
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
The Forks
Redevelopment has turned the former railway yards of The Forks into Winnipeg's most visited sight due to its Explore Manitoba Centre, half tourist information point, half museum, with six reasonably interesting themed displays covering the province's tourist areas. It's worth a quick visit, if only to pick the brains of the very helpful staff and admire the magnificent stuffed polar bear from Churchill, a persistent and dangerous marauder of the town's dump who came to a sticky end. Just east along the river from here is The Forks National Historic Site, bearing plaques to celebrate the role of the fur traders and pioneers who first settled here.
A couple of minutes' walk away, The Forks Market (July & Aug Mon– Sat 9.30am–9pm, Sun 9.30am–6pm; rest of year daily 9.30am–6.30pm Fri until 9pm) and the Johnston Terminal, both old railway buildings, house shops, food stalls, bars and restaurants. Paths from the two buildings lead down to the Assiniboine River via an outdoor amphitheatre, where buskers entertain the gathered crowds with anything from hard rock to bagpipe music. Nearby is The Wall Through Time, a curving brick barricade covered with plaques and inscriptions recording the historic events of the area.