A Step Back in Time
Begin your day, with an invigorating and awe-inspiring trip to Wanuskewin Heritage Park, where 6,000 years of Northern Plains Indians history is celebrated. Enjoy bannock overlooking a beautiful natural setting.
Continue your walk through history at the Western Development Museum. History comes alive as you are transported through 100 years of pioneer history in the museum’s representation of a typical Saskatchewan town: 1910 Boomtown. For lunch, stop in at the Boomtown Café for prairie style cooking!
Rich, colourful, cultural heritage on the prairies is displayed at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada: one of Canada's foremost cultural heritage museums. Afterwards, pay a visit to Saskatoon’s oldest building (1884) on its original site: the Marr Residence. Programming varies throughout the year and may include pioneer gatherings, storytelling and music, or even a rhubarb festival!
For a taste of Saskatchewan, have dinner at The Granary. Menu includes uniquely Saskatchewan interpretations of traditional dishes. For local cuisine, sustainably linking a local farm to fork, try Souleio downtown.
Festivals & Events
Saskatoon’s festivals alone can keep you busy during your entire visit to the region.
Start the year by celebrating Saskatoon’s cool culture at WinterShines! Check out the festival’s ice and snow carving, and parade of snow homes. Other events include kiteboarding, cultural performances, cross country skiing and ice skating.
As the temperatures rises, so does the music in the air. The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is a favourite with over 65,000 hungry music fans devouring the sounds of jazz, blues, funk, pop and world music each summer.
Saskatoon’s annual “flavourite" event is A Taste of Saskatchewan – a premiere festival featuring 30 of Saskatoon’s finest restaurants serving their house favourites. Musical entertainment and scenic setting included!
In the middle of summer, staged in a country setting, is the John Arcand Fiddle Fest. For people of all ages – particularly popular with old-time music lovers – this is a four-day multi-cultural music festival with workshops, artist presentations and showcases, dances and competitions.
Folkfest is a popular three-day cultural festival showcasing incredible entertainment, delicious cuisine and wonderful displays, exhibits and demonstrations from around the world. Taking place in venues across the city, use your festival passport for free transit rides to each pavilion.
As Saskatchewan's only outdoor Ukrainian festival, Ukrainian Day in the Park is an annual celebration which takes centre stage in downtown Saskatoon. Festival-goers return each year for the Ukrainian dancing, music, food, beer garden, cultural displays and children’s activities.
Saskatoon festivals… not only what you see here will keep bringing you back, it’s what you’ll feel… relaxed and alive.
For the Love of Arts
Calories is a great spot for a leisurely coffee and bagel, or light lunch before you visit the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery on Broadway. Stroll the avenue and stop in at the many unique shops that make up the Broadway District. You'll be glad you did!
Head a few blocks off Broadway, to Pacific Gallery. You’ll be happy to discover the gallery is connected to the Fine Art Café. Sit inside or outside. Either way, you will find the atmosphere cozy and relaxing.
Explore the shops downtown. Many wonderful artisans’ works can be found at The Trading Post. As you move through the area, you will see many sculptures by local artists. Enjoy a leisurely luncheon at any one of many downtown eateries.
Located along the riverbank, at the Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory you will find an impressive fine art collection and temporary visiting exhibitions. Stop by the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival (seasonal) box office to pick up your tickets for an entertaining evening performance.
Or you may wish to consider a French theatre performance by La Troupe du Jour or a short 25 km drive north of Saskatoon to like the Barn Playhouse and Craft Barn. If you’re in the mood for music, TCU Place is home to the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and hosts other major performance throughout the year.
Tour the Riversdale District and view the amazing wall murals and interesting sculptures that accentuate this culturally diverse area. While there, visit the new Saskatoon Farmers' Market to pick up some fresh produce and home-made crafts.
Head back to the hotel and get freshened up for an entertaining evening out.
The Great Outdoors
Boasting hundreds of acres of riverbank parks and trails to explore, Saskatoon is a nature-lover's delight.
Start with a visit to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Go early and catch feeding time for the animals, many of which are native to Saskatchewan.
Stop at Saskatoon’s Bus Stop Refreshments – the bright red bus in front of the Delta Bessborough – and pick up lunch. Make sure to get ice cream before taking a leisurely walk along the Meewasin Valley trails that follow the South Saskatchewan River. Cross either the University or Broadway bridges for a signature view of the landmark "Castle on the River:" the Delta Bessborough.
In summer, board the Saskatoon Princess or the Meewasin Queen docked behind the Mendel Art Gallery for a relaxing river cruise. In winter, pick up skate rentals at the Cameco-Meewasin Skaters' Lodge and take to the ice beside the Delta Bessborough and across from the Sheraton Cavalier.
Enjoy a light dinner at the Berry Barn (seasonal). The garden-like setting overlooking the South Saskatchewan River is a must-visit. Save room for a piece of Saskatoon Berry Pie!
Wanting more? Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails at Beaver Creek Conservation Area. Don't forget your binoculars; it's a great bird watching spot.
Winter Wonderland
Winter is a special time in Saskatoon; beautiful white landscapes, sundogs and hoar frost are a few of the marvels to share. Dress up warmly, and off to enjoy winter in Saskatoon! View the spectacle of Canada’s largest outdoor drive through Christmas light display at the Enchanted Forest (end of November - mid January). Be filled with the wonders of the holiday season: presents, snowmen, reindeer, candy and more!
View lavishly decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and more at The Festival of Trees (end of November) at the Western Development Museum.
To get a jump on your holiday shopping, be sure to stop in at the Artisans and the Sundog Arts and Entertainment fairs (end of November to the first weekend in December). Or take a stroll downtown or along Broadway Avenue. These areas are bursting with eclectic, unique, and high-end shopping.
Take the kids skating at the Meewasin Rink beside the Delta Bessborough. Or if you want to relax a bit, enjoy a leisurely horse drawn cutter ride in Kiwanis Park. Warm up with a cup of rich hot chocolate at Windows Café at The Sheraton Cavalier, or at the Four Seasons Dining Room at the Park Town Hotel as you enjoy a view of the river bank.
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