Fall: the crunch of leaves, the season of merlot and shiraz, the arrival of wooly scarves. Fall is also knit with crisp air and a fresh start and linked to cozy thoughts of Thanksgiving dinners and Halloween happenings. But to many, fall is nothing more than short days nipped with a big reality: the signal that summer’s over.
But fear no more — fall isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.
It’s the beginning of health if you’ve been shackled into summer’s routine-less distress and it’s consent if you’re ready to slip into something a little more comfortable.
Fall doesn’t have to be a flashing sign reading ‘fun’s over’, and especially so if you’ve got even 24 hours to appreciate Winnipeg in all of its autumn glory.
Sometimes it’s fun to explore a new place, and sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist in your own city. And sometimes its fun to hit the trendy hot spots and sometimes it’s fun to appreciate tried and true. Eventbrite is a platform I just discovered that allows you to find new places to explore in your area! They also have event management software for any local events you would like to plan yourself, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Regardless of your native locale, here’s your 24-hour, 6-stop Winnipeg itinerary that will help welcome the mood of fall:
1.) The Forks
Crawl out of bed nice and early and head to The Forks, Winnipeg’s most culturally diverse, and loveliest spaces. The Forks is where the Assiniboine River and the Red River meet — a historic, Winnipeg favourite for big reasons. Grab a coffee and take a stroll by the water and hit the Smoothie Bar if you’re hungry. The Forks has an eclectic array of shops and vendors from 300 local artisans with everything from fresh fruit and cheese to wine and cigars. And fudge. The best fudge ever.
Photo by AJ Batac
While you’re at The Forks, it’s time to check out Tall Grass Prairie Bakery. They’re famous for their decadent, whole wheat, made-from-scratch cinnamon buns. Now you know why you only had a smoothie for breakfast — you’re going to want two.
Photo by pegcitygrub.com
3.) Yoga Public
Slip onto a mat at Yoga Public and burn off those buns at Winnipeg’s — and Canada’s— largest, most gorgeous yoga studio.
YP is an environmentally conscious center that offers over 100 yoga classes per week, in all its forms and levels.
Beginner or expert yogi, there are classes here for everyone taught by some of the best teachers in Manitoba. They’ll leave you rejuvenated, blissed out and definitely wanting a membership.
This studio has Ashtanga, Hatha, Meditation, Restorative, Vinyasa and Yin yoga classes in either regular temperature or hot rooms. And there’s TRX Suspension Training classes if the burn from athletic training’s more your thing. Warning: you WILL be sore the next day. Good sore.
Photo by Bryan Scott
4.) Underground Café
You’ve got a good start on the day, but you’re hungry again. Don’t load up on empty hardly-worth-it calories; try something healthy, vegan and with locally grown ingredients. Check out The Underground Café in the Exchange District. This cozy little basement eatery famous for ‘The Fabulous Sun-Burger’ and its savoury chai tea lattes will leave you satisfied, refuelled, and anything but hungry. This will be the tastiest (and healthiest) lunch you’ll ever have.
Photo by adventuresinfinite.com
5.) Tiny Feast
If you’re into journaling, prints, calligraphy or have an affliction for organizing your workspace in style, you’ll want to stop in to Tiny Feast. Enjoy the fall air and walk right over from the Underground café. It’s Winnipeg’s cutest stationary and gift store and it’s right smack in the heart of the Exchange District. This boutique has the most adorable little goodies and objects with the highest level of craftsmanship — it’s basically a candy shop for creative-type adults. This shop is also so much more than just cute stationary accessories and notebooks with gorgeous covers, it’s the epitome of office-chic. It’s true that journaling and free-writing is one of the best ways to unwind and de-stress, so, while you’re at it, you might as well do it in style.
Despite where you live, you’ll need a Winnipeg souvenir. You’ll fall in love with the newest print in the shop, “Golden Boys,” designed by Ty Johnston. This 50x70cm screen print art commemorates Winnipeg’s iconic golden boy who peers down from our historic Legislative building.
Photo by Emily McCormick Flare.com
Photo by tinyfeast.com
6.) Thermëa
Arguably the city’s most heavenly spot year-round, Thermëa is where you’ll want to visit last.
And you’ll see why. Fast.
You’re going to want to to lounge here for the rest of the afternoon — you’ll have a tough time parting from this state-of-the-art haven famous for its relaxation techniques from the nordic countries. You’ll go from warm to cold to warm again and as lovely as they are, you’ll forget your anywhere near the prairies.
Melt away, and wine and (healthfully!) dine in luxury.
Oh, and this is a must-visit Winnipeg attraction that also takes pride in its green, environmentally conscious policies. Such a win.
Photo by TripAdvisor.ca
And that’s how you shake the fall blues and gracefully welcome the season in style.
Enjoy your healthy, relaxing, 24-hour Winnipeg excursion.
T
Champage Sunday 