Located in downtown Winnipeg, The Forks has been a meeting place for centuries. It is where the Assiniboine and Red rivers meet at The Forks (hence the name), and the indigenous people once traded fur at this spot.

Today, it offers visitors a taste of everything Winnipeg has to offer. The Forks Market, which was once a train station and horse stable, is an open-concept, have-to-try-a-little-bit-of-everything, eatery. There are numerous alcoves, which were once horse stables, that now house a large variety of food options. There are hot dogs, burgers, poutine, sushi, ice cream, beer, coffee, cinnamon rolls, empanadas and so much more. Visitors place their order at the eatery of their choosing and then grab a table situated in the center of the market.

But The Forks is not just about food. There are also unique shops featured on the second level of the building and ice skating rentals can be found inside during the winter months. Outside at The Forks is also a great spot to hang out. Families can hang out on the outdoor patio (where there are more traditional restaurants), on the banks of the river or walk out onto the river pier or take a boat tour.

In the winter, when the river freezes solid, The Forks is the place to ice skate. The rivers offer a long stretch of ice to skate on, but also the outdoor patio, closer to the market entrance, is frozen over and a rink is constructed for everyone to enjoy. The Forks is busy almost all the time, during any season with more than four-million people visiting each year, but the winter months are the most popular.

The Children’s Museum and Human Rights Museum are only a short walk away from The Forks, and the Winnipeg Trolley Tour also departures from The Forks, truly making it the meeting place of Winnipeg.

Hours

7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily

Parking

Several paid parking lots surround The Forks, but parking can be a challenge at times. While most of the parking spaces require payment at a kiosk, there are a very limited number of free spaces as well. However, read the signage because the free parking spaces are located right next to paid parking spaces, which we found to be confusing as well as competitive when trying to find the “right” spot. Drivers often circle the lots waiting for a free spot to become available.