Winnipeg Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Winnipeg, Manitoba - MB, Canada)

Although Winnipeg is a big city and the province capital, it has a very homely feel, with visitors always being made to feel welcome. Full of friendly communities, often lined with old oak trees, life in Winnipeg is led at a fairly relaxed pace. Many locals in Winnipeg frequent the nearby beaches, which are just a short trip from the city, and are particularly popular during the summer months.

The largest and most important city in Manitoba, Winnipeg offers a number of tourist information centers, where you will find endless travel tips and leaflets. Guided walking tours of Winnipeg's Exchange District are also available and always popular with tourists.

Tourism and Tourist Information

Travel Manitoba Center
Address: 1 Forks Market Road, Johnston Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), R3C 4L9, Canada
Tel: +1 204 945 3777
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00

Travel Manitoba Office
Address: Legislative Building, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), Canada
Tel: +1 204 945 5813
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 16:30; summer, daily - 08:00 to 19:00

Tourism Winnipeg
Address: 279 Portage Avenue, Johnston Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), Canada
Tel: +1 204 943 1970
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 16:30

Exchange District Guided Walking Tour
Address: 314-63 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), R3B 1G4, Canada
Tel: +1 204 942 6716
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations

Johnston Terminal
Address: 25 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), R3C 4S8, Canada
Tel: +1 204 956 5593
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 21:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00

Old Market Square
Address: 314-63 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), R3B 1G4, Canada
Tel: +1 204 942 6716
Open hours: daily - 24 hours

Winnipeg International Airport - Tourism Winnipeg
Address: 2000 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), R3H 1C2, Canada
Tel: +1 204 987 9400
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 21:45

Language

In excess of 300 languages are spoken throughout America and Canada, with English and French being the main languages in Winnipeg. Most highway signposts and tourist brochures in and around Winnipeg generally display both languages. Canadian English is widely spoken in Winnipeg and strongly based upon British English, featuring many distinctive expressions and phrases, although French is the most prominent language here. In Canada's provinces of Quebec and Manitoba, Canadian French remains the main language. Winnipeg contains numerous different nationalities and most people are bilingual or at the minimum, understand basic English.

Currency

Currency in Winnipeg, Manitoba and throughout Canada is structured in a similar way to the USA, with Canadian dollars. Noteworthy denominations include:

• 1c - penny
• 2c - quarter
• 5c - nickel
• 10c - dime
• $1 dollar - loonie
• $2 dollars - twoonie / toonie

Paper notes in Winnipeg comprise $5, $10 and $20 notes, which are used as currency each day, with higher notes such as $50 and $100 dollar bills being less usual. Tourists staying in Winnipeg can use their credit and debit cards at the city's numerous ATMs, providing a handy and convenient way to exchange currency. Also, travel agent companies in Winnipeg, such as American Express and Thomas Cook, together with local banking branches provide useful alternatives. Most banks in Winnipeg are open Monday to Friday, although opening hours are slightly shorter than regular stores in Winnipeg city. A number of banks in downtown Winnipeg are also open during the evenings and on Saturday mornings.

Visas and Documents

Visitors to Winnipeg and other cities around Canada need to have photo identification, together with at least two or three types of formal ID. Passports are always essential when visiting Winnipeg, except for those who are traveling from the USA and Greenland. A driver's license is no longer enough ID for US citizens arriving in Winnipeg and should be used jointly with a valid birth certificate or similar, such as an official certificate of citizenship. Persons visiting Winnipeg from Commonwealth and Western countries do not require visas, although visitors from most other countries do, excluding Mexico. Visa applications for travel to Winnipeg and throughout Canada should always be made at least one month in advance. All inquiries should be directed to Canadian Immigration Centers, who will be happy to assist.

Driving

Motorists looking to drive in the city of Winnipeg must first obtain a 'Canadian Nonresident Interprovince Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card' or 'Visitor to Canada Insurance', which is issued by most US insurance companies. Nearly all the car hire agencies in Winnipeg require you to be at least 21 years of age when renting a car, although for some rental companies this is 26 years. In Winnipeg, Manitoba and all over Canada, cars always drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Tipping

Tipping in Winnipeg is normal and many restaurants expect around 10% to 15% of the bill as a tip, although a number of restaurants now include service charges on the bill. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, barbers and hotel staff in Winnipeg also expect tips.

Smoking and Alcohol

All through Canada you can only purchase alcohol from shops that are operated by the local government, although in the provinces of Alberta and Quebec, many privately owned outlets are able to sell a range of alcohol. The current legal drinking age in the country is 19 years old, with the exception of Alberta and Manitoba, including the city of Winnipeg, where the age is only 18. Smoking is now banned at many places in Winnipeg, including public transportation.