by The Winnipeg Sun
There’s not enough to do in Winnipeg. The bugs are bad. It’s too cold.
We’ve heard all the complaints about the city we call home over the years. Heck, we’re guilty as much as anyone of joining in on the negativity sometimes.
But you know what? Winnipeg really is a terrific city, unlike any other, and we wouldn’t trade it for any other city in the world — especially Toronto. Man, that place is terrible.
Anyway, we here in the newsroom at the Sun have spent some time coming up with all the unique things we love about Winnipeg. We came up with hundreds of ideas, then narrowed it down to what we feel is a fairly comprehensive list of 100. The first 50 reasons appear today (in no particular order), with the rest saved for tomorrow.
Enjoy!
1. Legislature building. How many other cities have government buildings whose design is tied to the occult?
2. Dancing Gabe. He’s the life of the party at every pro sporting event in the city, getting the home crowd going with some slick footwork. And hey, we even heard about the guy crashing a wedding awhile back, too.
3. Corydon Avenue patios. There are few better places to people-watch while sipping a beer than a table by the sidewalk at one of the many restaurants and lounges along the busy street.
4. Nachos at Carlos and Murphy’s. Taco chips. Salsa. Lots of melted cheese. ‘Nuff said.
5. Pic-a-Pop. What once was an only-in-Winnipeg discount pop of choice for many in the 1970s is now a high-end premium cola, complete with the old-school glass bottles, sold at locations throughout the country. Anyone else suddenly have a craving for an orange cola?
6. We’re the first major city in Canada to elect an openly gay man to be mayor. Sure, Glen Murray was less than perfect, but it was nonetheless a pretty cool moment when we made the guy our leader in 1998.
7. We’re the birthplace of Monty Hall. Is it any wonder why Winnipeggers have a reputation for always looking for the best deal?
8. Proximity. We’re only a 90-minute drive (or less) away from Grand Beach, Falcon Lake, Gimli, Birds Hill Park, and the Emerson duty-free shop. Sweet.
9. Proximity, v2.0. All these fancy new suburbs means you can live next to a lake full of wildlife and yet be only 10 minutes from downtown. How cool is that?
10. We love Slurpees. 7-Eleven has crowned us the Slurpee capital of the world for years now, but we still seem to get excited about it.
11. OK, it gets cold here. We get it. But Winnipeg is probably the only major city in North America whose citizens consider a January day where temps hit a high of -10 C to be a heatwave.
12. Esplanade Riel. Sure, it may have cost a lot to build, but it sure looks pretty on postcards. Plus, how many other cities can boast about having a million-dollar toilet?
13. Spongee. Is there anywhere else in the world that enjoys playing hockey on ice without skates as much as we do?
14. Summer festivals. Whether it’s Folk Fest, Fringe Fest, Folklorama, or Jazz Fest (and that’s just naming a few), there’s no shortage of events to fill your social calendar on warm summer nights.
15. James Bond was born here ... sorta. Sir William Stephenson, the famous spy whose life inspired the 007 movies, was a ‘Pegger. Pretty cool stuff, no?
16. Confusion Corner. We defy you to find an intersection anywhere in the world that is more perplexing.
17. Fort Garry Dark. For our money, there isn’t a better ale on the market, and it’s made right here in Winnipeg. Now that we’ve given the beer a free plug, any chance of getting a free case sent to the newsroom, Doug Saville?
18. The greasy spoons. Whether it’s Mrs. Mike’s, Blondies, Junior’s, the Whistlepig, or Dairy Whip, there’s nothing better than indulging in some great take-out grub
19. Western Canada Aviation Museum. Who doesn’t like looking at really old planes?
20. Taz Stuart. He’s the general in our annual war against skeeters. Plus we dig his long, curly hair.
21. A smog-free existence. Suck on that, Toronto.
22. K-Tel International. Without this Winnipeg-based company, no one in the world would have ever had the chance to use The Micro-Roast while listening to a Mini Pops tape on our Tote-a-Tune portable stereo.
23. The Forks. Shopping, food, drinks, and a great place for a scenic stroll or skate.
24. Canwest Global Park. We’re not aware of any place in Canada that’s better to watch a ball game.
25. Sunday night cruise. Cruising the ‘Peg at the Tavern United every Sunday night during the summer is an absolute must for the classic and special-interest car nut, of which there are many in this city.
26. The Blue Bombers. When you consider how passionate this city is over a team that hasn’t won a title in almost two decades, you know they’ve got to be something special.
27. Portage and Main. Arguably Canada’s most famous intersection, not to mention its windiest. It’s also the place we’ll go to celebrate winning the Grey Cup ... if we ever win another one of those, that is.
28. Winnipeg Wine Festival. Getting spirited around the world in the cozy confines of the convention centre. What could be better?
29. Osborne Village. As long as you don’t mind the squeegee kids, it’s a great place to eat, drink and be merry.
30. Assiniboine Park. There’s the zoo, the Lyric Theatre, the duck pond, the conservatory, the pavilion ... and attractive women suntanning. So many attractive women.
31. Socials. Cubed cheese, kubasa and dried out bread could only be a delicacy when you’re drinking rye out of a plastic cup.
32. Clodhoppers. Winnipeg is home to the guys who came up with the delicious crunchy, fudge-covered graham clusters that are sold across the continent.
33. We really are a friendly crew. So friendly, in fact, that visiting motorists stranded on the side of the road probably only have to wait no longer than five minutes for someone to pull over with jumper cables in hand, ready to lend a hand.
34. The sign near the Slaw Rebchuk Bridge. We’ve never seen a sign anywhere else like the one that says, “Welcome to the North End. People over profit.”
35. Rivertrail. High water levels limit the time it is open during the year, but Winnipeggers definitely make the most of it when it is open.
36. M.S. Paddlewheel Queen. It’s a Winnipeg tradition. Sure, the decor is dated, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to show your kids something that hasn’t changed since you were their age.
37. Lunch on Broadway in the summer. One of the best places to people-watch in the city, and you can do it while chowing down on a hot dog. Sweet.
38. MTS Centre. One of the nicest and busiest arenas in North America. How was there ever a controversy over whether this should be built?
39. Duff’s Ditch. If not for the floodway, a third of Winnipeg would be underwater every year. Plus it’s a haven for snowmobilers and ATV’ers when not full of water.
40. Manitoba Museum. More than two million artifacts, the planetarium, and the full-size replica ship the Nonsuch. Pretty cool.
41. We’re a diverse crowd. This is one of the only cities where you can go into a Greek restaurant and order Ukranian and Italian food from a Chinese waiter.
42. Rainbow Stage. Canada’s longest-surviving outdoor theatre.
43. Stella’s Cafe. Their breakfasts at the Osborne Street location are definitely worth waiting in line for to place your order. And if you insist on having a waitress, then there’s the short trek to the one at the corner of Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard.
44. Oodena Celebration Circle. A gathering place for 6,000 years.
45. Charleswood Forest. Let’s hope it never gets plowed into the ground.
46. Manitoba Theatre Centre. The third-best attended theatre in Canada, behind only the Stratford and Shaw Festivals.
47. St. Boniface Cathedral. An important feature of our city, Louis Riel’s remains are buried on the grounds.
48. Manito Ahbee. A celebration of aboriginal culture and artists.
49. The Winnipeg Sun. Sure, it’s a shameless plug, but we’ve been around for 29 years now. Plus, we’re the only newspaper that still delivers on Sunday! (To subscribe, call 632-6506!)
50. We’re the city that gave the world Neil Young and The Guess Who. Sorry about the Crash Test Dummies.
51. The Exchange District. Stunning turn-of-the-century architecture, some funky shops, and a bustling nightlife. See ya there.
52. The great music scene. Nevermind the legends who came from here, bands and performers like Nathan, the D Rangers, Andrew Neville and Scott Nolan continue to make this city a living roots rock powerhouse.
53. The 10th hole at Kildonan Golf Course. It’s a touch of mini-golf on the public links, as you have to decide whether to shoot over or under a train bridge to get to the green. Take that, Bethpage Black.
54. Homer Simpson is from here. In 2002, Simpsons creator Matt Groening noted his father, also named Homer, was born in Canada, making the lovable cartoon character a Canadian, too. But from where? “Uh, if you went straight north from Kansas, where would that be? Winnipeg? Yes, Winnipeg!” Good enough for us.
55. Being a homeowner isn’t just for the rich. For the price of a tiny condo in a mediocre Toronto neighbourhood, you can buy a house by the lake in Royalwood. And bonus: you don’t have to cheer for the Leafs, either.
56. Salisbury House. There’s nowhere else in the world where you can sit down for a Nip.
57. Big city look, small town vibe. There may be 700,000 of us here in the capital region, but you can’t go far in this ‘burg without bumping into old pals, relatives, and friends of friends.
58. Tavern United’s rooftop patio. There’s no cooler place to sip cocktails while checking out the opposite sex than Tavern United’s rooftop patio downtown.
59. Frozen river trail. It’s the world’s longest ice skating trail. Suck on that, Rideau Canal.
60. Kelekis. If the hot dog and shoestring fries are good enough for Anne Murray — one of several celebs to dine at the North End institution over the years — then it’s good enough for us.
61. Ikea. Our love of cheap Swedish furniture is unrivalled, and the chain hasn’t even opened a store here yet.
62. Sylvia Kuzyk. CTV’s longtime “weather specialist” is so beloved in these parts that she doesn’t even need to use her last name anymore, like Cher or Prince.
63. Wolseley. A beautiful neighbourhood that becomes ground zero almost every summer as the environmentally-friendly hippies defend the dreaded mosquito from fogging.
64. Great ice cream. Doesn’t matter if it’s BDI, Sargent Sundae, or a multitude of other places throughout the city, there are few better treats to be had than ice cream on a warm summer day.
65. Festival du Voyageur. The snow sculptures, sled dog races, Fort Gibraltar, and caribou. So much caribou.
66. Go Jets Go. It has been 13 years since they left town, but fans of our former big-league hockey team still wear its merchandise and pine for the NHL’s return.
67. We give and we give. Our city (and province) regularly ranks as the most charitable in the country.
68. Cruz In Downtown. For 10 years, it has been attracting thousands downtown for an awesome car show that has raised thousands of dollars for charity.
69. Half Pints. The company’s rally cry is to “stop the evil spread of lite beer.” You can’t help but love that. Plus, they actually make good beer.
70. Flatlanders Beer Festival. Did somebody say beer? There are few better ways to wind down the summer than sampling suds from around the world. 71. Gunn’s Bakery and City Rye bread. There’s bread, and then there’s bread. These duelling bakeries are among the city’s elite.
72. The Bay downtown. Going into the venerable old building — which first opened way back in 1881 — is a trip back in time. Plus, the clubhouse special at The Paddlwheel Restaurant is still top-notch.
73. Sandbagging. Is there any better example of our volunteer spirit than the yearly efforts from Winnipeggers eager to help out complete strangers trying to protect their homes?
74. The casinos. It’s our answer to Vegas. Plus, the aquarium at Club Regent is kinda neat to look at.
75. Furniture/mattress pitchmen. Somehow, we have fond thoughts of Nick Hill’s “Come on down!” or David Keam’s “You’ll find us!”
76. St. Boniface. It’s the largest concentration of people who are likely to understand — and get offended — by the word “tabernac.”
77. Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. A garden filled with pieces of work from one of the world’s great sculpture artists? Sounds good to us.
78. Palomino Club. A chance to look at wildlife looking for young prey in its natural habitat.
79. Assiniboia Downs. Who doesn’t love to spend a day at the track betting on ponies?
80. Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. A city staple since 1948.
81. Maple Grove dog park. No better place to let Fido run loose than here.
82. The Star Grill. A St. James gem whose specialities never disappoint.
83. Costume Museum of Canada. Made the SPC Travel Network’s list of Winnipeg’s 10-best attractions.
84. Red River Ex. Corn dogs. Stomach-turning rides. Midway games and concerts. Everybody loves a good fair.
85. We think it’s ridiculous if our morning commute to work takes more than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, motorists in Toronto spend years of their life stuck in traffic on the 401.
86. Fort Garry Hotel. A staple of Winnipeg’s downtown for the past 96 years, it has been a place where everyone from Queen Elizabeth and Liberace to your cousin Eddie has slept.
87. Faron Hall. The homeless hero risked his life not once, but twice by diving into the fast-moving Red River to rescue two people in two different incidents. Not too shabby.
88. Kildonan Park. Unquestionably a jewel of North Winnipeg, complete with walking trails, the Witch’s Hut, ample room for suntanners, and one of the more popular stops for Sunday night cruisers.
89. Winnie the Pooh. Our gift to the world. You’re welcome.
90. Assiniboine Park’s monkey trails. Great for walking — and surprisingly good for mountain biking, too.
91. Hi Neighbour Sam statue. Normally, we’d use this opportunity to take a cheap shot at our friends in Transcona. But there’s something endearing about driving past Sam.
92. Jeannie’s Cake. No tourist’s visit to our city is complete without sampling the venerable marble cake and its trademark crust.
93. The story behind Valour Road. Three young men on this street originally called Pine Street, won the Victoria Cross in the First World War.
94. St. Vital Park. Like the city’s other parks, it’s a jewel where you can go to watch and be watched.
95. University of Manitoba. Shaping the minds of our future leaders since 1877. A great school despite what you might read in Mclean’s.
96. University of Winnipeg. Also doing the shaping thing. And it’s changing the face of the downtown.
97. Garbage Hill. Who says Winnipeggers don’t recycle? We’ve turned trash into a tobogganing hotspot. Plus, the view of the city skyline from the hilltop is hard to beat.
98. Manitoba Children’s Museum. Sparking our little one’s imaginations for more than two decades now, the museum at The Forks is a great way to kill a day with the family.
99. Golden Boy. Other than the bison, is there anything more distinctively Winnipeg than the gold-plated statue of a naked guy on top of the province’s most important building?
100. Anti-Regina bias. We may share different cultures, ethnicities, religion, and political beliefs, but we can all agree on one thing: Regina sucks.
There’s not enough to do in Winnipeg. The bugs are bad. It’s too cold.
We’ve heard all the complaints about the city we call home over the years. Heck, we’re guilty as much as anyone of joining in on the negativity sometimes.
But you know what? Winnipeg really is a terrific city, unlike any other, and we wouldn’t trade it for any other city in the world — especially Toronto. Man, that place is terrible.
Anyway, we here in the newsroom at the Sun have spent some time coming up with all the unique things we love about Winnipeg. We came up with hundreds of ideas, then narrowed it down to what we feel is a fairly comprehensive list of 100. The first 50 reasons appear today (in no particular order), with the rest saved for tomorrow.
Enjoy!
1. Legislature building. How many other cities have government buildings whose design is tied to the occult?
2. Dancing Gabe. He’s the life of the party at every pro sporting event in the city, getting the home crowd going with some slick footwork. And hey, we even heard about the guy crashing a wedding awhile back, too.
3. Corydon Avenue patios. There are few better places to people-watch while sipping a beer than a table by the sidewalk at one of the many restaurants and lounges along the busy street.
4. Nachos at Carlos and Murphy’s. Taco chips. Salsa. Lots of melted cheese. ‘Nuff said.
5. Pic-a-Pop. What once was an only-in-Winnipeg discount pop of choice for many in the 1970s is now a high-end premium cola, complete with the old-school glass bottles, sold at locations throughout the country. Anyone else suddenly have a craving for an orange cola?
6. We’re the first major city in Canada to elect an openly gay man to be mayor. Sure, Glen Murray was less than perfect, but it was nonetheless a pretty cool moment when we made the guy our leader in 1998.
7. We’re the birthplace of Monty Hall. Is it any wonder why Winnipeggers have a reputation for always looking for the best deal?
8. Proximity. We’re only a 90-minute drive (or less) away from Grand Beach, Falcon Lake, Gimli, Birds Hill Park, and the Emerson duty-free shop. Sweet.
9. Proximity, v2.0. All these fancy new suburbs means you can live next to a lake full of wildlife and yet be only 10 minutes from downtown. How cool is that?
10. We love Slurpees. 7-Eleven has crowned us the Slurpee capital of the world for years now, but we still seem to get excited about it.
11. OK, it gets cold here. We get it. But Winnipeg is probably the only major city in North America whose citizens consider a January day where temps hit a high of -10 C to be a heatwave.
12. Esplanade Riel. Sure, it may have cost a lot to build, but it sure looks pretty on postcards. Plus, how many other cities can boast about having a million-dollar toilet?
13. Spongee. Is there anywhere else in the world that enjoys playing hockey on ice without skates as much as we do?
14. Summer festivals. Whether it’s Folk Fest, Fringe Fest, Folklorama, or Jazz Fest (and that’s just naming a few), there’s no shortage of events to fill your social calendar on warm summer nights.
15. James Bond was born here ... sorta. Sir William Stephenson, the famous spy whose life inspired the 007 movies, was a ‘Pegger. Pretty cool stuff, no?
16. Confusion Corner. We defy you to find an intersection anywhere in the world that is more perplexing.
17. Fort Garry Dark. For our money, there isn’t a better ale on the market, and it’s made right here in Winnipeg. Now that we’ve given the beer a free plug, any chance of getting a free case sent to the newsroom, Doug Saville?
18. The greasy spoons. Whether it’s Mrs. Mike’s, Blondies, Junior’s, the Whistlepig, or Dairy Whip, there’s nothing better than indulging in some great take-out grub
19. Western Canada Aviation Museum. Who doesn’t like looking at really old planes?
20. Taz Stuart. He’s the general in our annual war against skeeters. Plus we dig his long, curly hair.
21. A smog-free existence. Suck on that, Toronto.
22. K-Tel International. Without this Winnipeg-based company, no one in the world would have ever had the chance to use The Micro-Roast while listening to a Mini Pops tape on our Tote-a-Tune portable stereo.
23. The Forks. Shopping, food, drinks, and a great place for a scenic stroll or skate.
24. Canwest Global Park. We’re not aware of any place in Canada that’s better to watch a ball game.
25. Sunday night cruise. Cruising the ‘Peg at the Tavern United every Sunday night during the summer is an absolute must for the classic and special-interest car nut, of which there are many in this city.
26. The Blue Bombers. When you consider how passionate this city is over a team that hasn’t won a title in almost two decades, you know they’ve got to be something special.
27. Portage and Main. Arguably Canada’s most famous intersection, not to mention its windiest. It’s also the place we’ll go to celebrate winning the Grey Cup ... if we ever win another one of those, that is.
28. Winnipeg Wine Festival. Getting spirited around the world in the cozy confines of the convention centre. What could be better?
29. Osborne Village. As long as you don’t mind the squeegee kids, it’s a great place to eat, drink and be merry.
30. Assiniboine Park. There’s the zoo, the Lyric Theatre, the duck pond, the conservatory, the pavilion ... and attractive women suntanning. So many attractive women.
31. Socials. Cubed cheese, kubasa and dried out bread could only be a delicacy when you’re drinking rye out of a plastic cup.
32. Clodhoppers. Winnipeg is home to the guys who came up with the delicious crunchy, fudge-covered graham clusters that are sold across the continent.
33. We really are a friendly crew. So friendly, in fact, that visiting motorists stranded on the side of the road probably only have to wait no longer than five minutes for someone to pull over with jumper cables in hand, ready to lend a hand.
34. The sign near the Slaw Rebchuk Bridge. We’ve never seen a sign anywhere else like the one that says, “Welcome to the North End. People over profit.”
35. Rivertrail. High water levels limit the time it is open during the year, but Winnipeggers definitely make the most of it when it is open.
36. M.S. Paddlewheel Queen. It’s a Winnipeg tradition. Sure, the decor is dated, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to show your kids something that hasn’t changed since you were their age.
37. Lunch on Broadway in the summer. One of the best places to people-watch in the city, and you can do it while chowing down on a hot dog. Sweet.
38. MTS Centre. One of the nicest and busiest arenas in North America. How was there ever a controversy over whether this should be built?
39. Duff’s Ditch. If not for the floodway, a third of Winnipeg would be underwater every year. Plus it’s a haven for snowmobilers and ATV’ers when not full of water.
40. Manitoba Museum. More than two million artifacts, the planetarium, and the full-size replica ship the Nonsuch. Pretty cool.
41. We’re a diverse crowd. This is one of the only cities where you can go into a Greek restaurant and order Ukranian and Italian food from a Chinese waiter.
42. Rainbow Stage. Canada’s longest-surviving outdoor theatre.
43. Stella’s Cafe. Their breakfasts at the Osborne Street location are definitely worth waiting in line for to place your order. And if you insist on having a waitress, then there’s the short trek to the one at the corner of Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard.
44. Oodena Celebration Circle. A gathering place for 6,000 years.
45. Charleswood Forest. Let’s hope it never gets plowed into the ground.
46. Manitoba Theatre Centre. The third-best attended theatre in Canada, behind only the Stratford and Shaw Festivals.
47. St. Boniface Cathedral. An important feature of our city, Louis Riel’s remains are buried on the grounds.
48. Manito Ahbee. A celebration of aboriginal culture and artists.
49. The Winnipeg Sun. Sure, it’s a shameless plug, but we’ve been around for 29 years now. Plus, we’re the only newspaper that still delivers on Sunday! (To subscribe, call 632-6506!)
50. We’re the city that gave the world Neil Young and The Guess Who. Sorry about the Crash Test Dummies.
51. The Exchange District. Stunning turn-of-the-century architecture, some funky shops, and a bustling nightlife. See ya there.
52. The great music scene. Nevermind the legends who came from here, bands and performers like Nathan, the D Rangers, Andrew Neville and Scott Nolan continue to make this city a living roots rock powerhouse.
53. The 10th hole at Kildonan Golf Course. It’s a touch of mini-golf on the public links, as you have to decide whether to shoot over or under a train bridge to get to the green. Take that, Bethpage Black.
54. Homer Simpson is from here. In 2002, Simpsons creator Matt Groening noted his father, also named Homer, was born in Canada, making the lovable cartoon character a Canadian, too. But from where? “Uh, if you went straight north from Kansas, where would that be? Winnipeg? Yes, Winnipeg!” Good enough for us.
55. Being a homeowner isn’t just for the rich. For the price of a tiny condo in a mediocre Toronto neighbourhood, you can buy a house by the lake in Royalwood. And bonus: you don’t have to cheer for the Leafs, either.
56. Salisbury House. There’s nowhere else in the world where you can sit down for a Nip.
57. Big city look, small town vibe. There may be 700,000 of us here in the capital region, but you can’t go far in this ‘burg without bumping into old pals, relatives, and friends of friends.
58. Tavern United’s rooftop patio. There’s no cooler place to sip cocktails while checking out the opposite sex than Tavern United’s rooftop patio downtown.
59. Frozen river trail. It’s the world’s longest ice skating trail. Suck on that, Rideau Canal.
60. Kelekis. If the hot dog and shoestring fries are good enough for Anne Murray — one of several celebs to dine at the North End institution over the years — then it’s good enough for us.
61. Ikea. Our love of cheap Swedish furniture is unrivalled, and the chain hasn’t even opened a store here yet.
62. Sylvia Kuzyk. CTV’s longtime “weather specialist” is so beloved in these parts that she doesn’t even need to use her last name anymore, like Cher or Prince.
63. Wolseley. A beautiful neighbourhood that becomes ground zero almost every summer as the environmentally-friendly hippies defend the dreaded mosquito from fogging.
64. Great ice cream. Doesn’t matter if it’s BDI, Sargent Sundae, or a multitude of other places throughout the city, there are few better treats to be had than ice cream on a warm summer day.
65. Festival du Voyageur. The snow sculptures, sled dog races, Fort Gibraltar, and caribou. So much caribou.
66. Go Jets Go. It has been 13 years since they left town, but fans of our former big-league hockey team still wear its merchandise and pine for the NHL’s return.
67. We give and we give. Our city (and province) regularly ranks as the most charitable in the country.
68. Cruz In Downtown. For 10 years, it has been attracting thousands downtown for an awesome car show that has raised thousands of dollars for charity.
69. Half Pints. The company’s rally cry is to “stop the evil spread of lite beer.” You can’t help but love that. Plus, they actually make good beer.
70. Flatlanders Beer Festival. Did somebody say beer? There are few better ways to wind down the summer than sampling suds from around the world. 71. Gunn’s Bakery and City Rye bread. There’s bread, and then there’s bread. These duelling bakeries are among the city’s elite.
72. The Bay downtown. Going into the venerable old building — which first opened way back in 1881 — is a trip back in time. Plus, the clubhouse special at The Paddlwheel Restaurant is still top-notch.
73. Sandbagging. Is there any better example of our volunteer spirit than the yearly efforts from Winnipeggers eager to help out complete strangers trying to protect their homes?
74. The casinos. It’s our answer to Vegas. Plus, the aquarium at Club Regent is kinda neat to look at.
75. Furniture/mattress pitchmen. Somehow, we have fond thoughts of Nick Hill’s “Come on down!” or David Keam’s “You’ll find us!”
76. St. Boniface. It’s the largest concentration of people who are likely to understand — and get offended — by the word “tabernac.”
77. Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. A garden filled with pieces of work from one of the world’s great sculpture artists? Sounds good to us.
78. Palomino Club. A chance to look at wildlife looking for young prey in its natural habitat.
79. Assiniboia Downs. Who doesn’t love to spend a day at the track betting on ponies?
80. Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. A city staple since 1948.
81. Maple Grove dog park. No better place to let Fido run loose than here.
82. The Star Grill. A St. James gem whose specialities never disappoint.
83. Costume Museum of Canada. Made the SPC Travel Network’s list of Winnipeg’s 10-best attractions.
84. Red River Ex. Corn dogs. Stomach-turning rides. Midway games and concerts. Everybody loves a good fair.
85. We think it’s ridiculous if our morning commute to work takes more than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, motorists in Toronto spend years of their life stuck in traffic on the 401.
86. Fort Garry Hotel. A staple of Winnipeg’s downtown for the past 96 years, it has been a place where everyone from Queen Elizabeth and Liberace to your cousin Eddie has slept.
87. Faron Hall. The homeless hero risked his life not once, but twice by diving into the fast-moving Red River to rescue two people in two different incidents. Not too shabby.
88. Kildonan Park. Unquestionably a jewel of North Winnipeg, complete with walking trails, the Witch’s Hut, ample room for suntanners, and one of the more popular stops for Sunday night cruisers.
89. Winnie the Pooh. Our gift to the world. You’re welcome.
90. Assiniboine Park’s monkey trails. Great for walking — and surprisingly good for mountain biking, too.
91. Hi Neighbour Sam statue. Normally, we’d use this opportunity to take a cheap shot at our friends in Transcona. But there’s something endearing about driving past Sam.
92. Jeannie’s Cake. No tourist’s visit to our city is complete without sampling the venerable marble cake and its trademark crust.
93. The story behind Valour Road. Three young men on this street originally called Pine Street, won the Victoria Cross in the First World War.
94. St. Vital Park. Like the city’s other parks, it’s a jewel where you can go to watch and be watched.
95. University of Manitoba. Shaping the minds of our future leaders since 1877. A great school despite what you might read in Mclean’s.
96. University of Winnipeg. Also doing the shaping thing. And it’s changing the face of the downtown.
97. Garbage Hill. Who says Winnipeggers don’t recycle? We’ve turned trash into a tobogganing hotspot. Plus, the view of the city skyline from the hilltop is hard to beat.
98. Manitoba Children’s Museum. Sparking our little one’s imaginations for more than two decades now, the museum at The Forks is a great way to kill a day with the family.
99. Golden Boy. Other than the bison, is there anything more distinctively Winnipeg than the gold-plated statue of a naked guy on top of the province’s most important building?
100. Anti-Regina bias. We may share different cultures, ethnicities, religion, and political beliefs, but we can all agree on one thing: Regina sucks.
— Compiled by Kevin Engstrom, Stephen Ripley, Mark Hamm, Doug Lunney, Joyanne Pursaga, Chris Kitching, Ross Romaniuk, Dean Pritchard, Paul Turenne, Ed Feuer, and Tim Happychuk
Last edited by grumpy old man on Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:05 am; edited 1 time in total
