Welcome to Winnipeg, Manitoba!
We are proud to host the 2009 Public Service Commissioners' Conference in Winnipeg, the capital city of the province of Manitoba, Canada. Located at the geographical centre of Canada, Winnipeg is a transportation centre, with extensive rail and air links, as well as the head offices of several major Canadian trucking firms. Its major industries are transportation, aerospace, agribusiness, finance and furniture manufacturing.
Home to over 700,000 people, Winnipeg is known for its lush open spaces, world-class entertainment, famous festivals and eclectic dining experiences. Winnipeg has a diverse economy and is also a multicultural city where more than 100 languages are spoken.
The name 'Winnipeg' comes from the Cree Indian words 'Win' (muddy) and 'nipee' (water) and is named after the lake located about 40 miles north of the city. In the mid 1600s, Winnipeg was one of the major North American fur trading centers of the Hudson Bay Company.
Winnipeg sits at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. It is the capital city of Manitoba and located 62 miles from the U.S. border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Winnipeg is bordered by Ontario to the east and Saskatchewan to the west.
On this page you will find information about Winnipeg and links to some of our favourite Winnipeg websites.
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Maps of interest
From the airport to the Fort Garry Hotel
Leaving the airport, travel East on Wellington Avenue. Turn right on King Edward Street (Route 90). Travel South on Route 90 and exit onto the Portage Avenue East exit (Route 85). Follow the Highway #1 signs on Portage Avenue East. Watch for the Broadway exit on the large, green overhead signs. You will exit to the right then continue along Broadway to The Fort Garry Hotel. The hotel is on the right-hand side.
Google directions from the airport to the Fort Garry Hotel
If you have any questions, or require further clarification, please contact the Fort Garry Hotel at 1-800-665-8088.
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The Fort Garry Hotel and surrounding area
The Fort Garry Hotel is conveniently located on Winnipeg's most attractive downtown avenue, providing easy access to shopping, arts, entertainment, major sports venues, and the financial and historic districts.
Just a short walk from The Fort Garry is The Forks. With museums, theatre, unique shops, diverse dining--it is one of Winnipeg's most popular, leisure-time destinations.
Google Map of Fort Garry Hotel & Downtown Winnipeg
If you have any questions, or require further clarification, please contact the Fort Garry Hotel at 1-800-665-8088. |
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General Tourist Information
The following are some of our favourite tourist information websites for Winnipeg:
Destination Winnipeg: www.destinationwinnipeg.ca
Canada Online:canadaonline.about.com/od/manitoba/a/winnipeg.htm
Travel Manitoba: www.travelmanitoba.com/
Discover Winnipeg: www.discoverwinnipeg.ca/
Downtown Winnipeg Profile: www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning/pdf_folder/dwntwnprofile.pdf
Winnipeg Weather: text.weatheroffice.gc.ca/forecast/city_e.html?mb-38
Things to do in Winnipeg
 
Website: www.folklorama.ca
For Conference Participants:
Special arrangements have been made for conference participants (and guests) to partake in a VIP tour of several Folklorama pavilions on the evening of Thursday, August 6th.
What to expect:
Expect to taste delicious ethnic dishes and exotic beverages, meet friendly volunteers dressed in their traditional ethnic attire, learn about cultures and countries from around the world, and experience dynamic shows that feature world class entertainment.
How Folklorama works:
- Folklorama is a two-week multicultural festival that features more than 40 pavilions each August.
- Half of the pavilions operate in week 1 of the festival and the other half of pavilions operate in week 2
- The festival is mostly an evening festival though there are some matinee shows on the weekends.
- There are pavilions located throughout the city of Winnipeg - the locations are all mapped out in the centre of the Folklorama Travel Guide.
- The official Travel Guide is your most important tool (available in pdf and in individual pavilion descriptions.)
- Hard copies of the Travel Guide are available at 20 Western Union locations as well as Manitoba Liquor Marts, leading Manitoba hotels and attractions, as well as Travel Manitoba tourism offices.
The Forks Market
 Website: www.theforks.com
Six thousand years ago someone thought this would be a great place to meet. Centuries later, it still is. In fact The Forks has played an integral role in the history of our city for many centuries.
One of the loveliest public spaces in Winnipeg and a "must see" for any visitor, The Forks is an expanse of riverside property in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. A meeting place for thousands of years, it is the city's most popular gathering place, attracting nearly four million visitors each year.
Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball
 Website: www.goldeyes.com
Professional baseball returned to Winnipeg in 1994 when the Northern League welcomed the Goldeyes. The city has been home to baseball on-and-off since 1902.
The modern-day Goldeyes were league champs in their inaugural season, drawing more than 212,000 fans (avg. 5,314 per game) to Winnipeg Stadium, a facility far more suited to football than baseball.
Following five successful years at Winnipeg Stadium, the Goldeyes moved into state-of-the art Canwest Park to start the 1999 season. Located downtown near the confluence of the Red & Assiniboine Rivers, the 6,140 seat facility has continued to be a hit with fans.
There are a string of home games on while you are visiting our lovely city:
Wednesday, August 5 - 7:00 PM - Winnipeg Goldeyes vs. Joliet JackHammers |
Thursday, August 6 - 7:00 PM - Winnipeg Goldeyes vs. Joliet JackHammers |
Friday, August 7 - 7:00 PM - Winnipeg Goldeyes vs. Schaumburg Flyers |
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The Manitoba Museum
 Website: www.manitobamuseum.ca
The Manitoba Museum is the province's largest heritage centre renowned for its combined human and natural heritage themes. The institution shares knowledge about Manitoba, the world and the universe through its collections, exhibitions, publications, on-site and outreach programs, Planetarium shows and Science Gallery exhibits.
The Museum's collections reflect the heritage of Manitoba and other regions of the world. Eight interpretive galleries explore the history and environment of the province from its northern Arctic coast to its southern prairie grasslands. The Museum is noted for its Urban Gallery, which recreates Winnipeg in the 1920s, and the full-size replica ship Nonsuch, whose voyage in 1668 led to the founding of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Winnipeg Art Gallery
 Website: www.wag.mb.ca
Established in 1912, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada's oldest public art gallery, mandated to develop and maintain Manitoba's visual arts heritage. As one of Canada's leading galleries, it collects and exhibits works of art by Manitoba, Canadian, and international artists.
Extending beyond just the visual arts, the WAG also offers readings by Manitoba writers and poets; lectures by internationally known critics, writers, and filmmakers; summertime jazz concerts in the rooftop garden; films; giant parties like Art & Soul, and many other exciting events.
Downtown Shopping
We've selected a few downtown shopping locations within walking distance of the Hotel Fort Garry. For more information check out the websites.
Downtown Winnipeg Biz: www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/home
 cityplace
333 St. Mary Avenue 989-1817
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, optional Sun Noon-5pm
www.cityplacewinnipeg.com
Portage Place
393 Portage Avenue 925-4636
Mon-Wed 9am-6pm,Thurs-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun Noon-5pm
www.portageplace.mb.ca
Shops of Winnipeg Square Concourse
360 Main Street 957-7866
Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, some stores open Sat
www.winnipegsquare.com
Lombard Place Concourse
1 Lombard Place (Richardson Building) 956-0272
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, some stores open Sat
www.lpl.mb.ca/html/building.html
The Forks Market
1 Forks Market Road 942-6302
Sat-Thurs 9:30am-6:30pm, Fri 9:30am-9pm
www.theforks.com
Johnston Terminal
25 Forks Market Road 956-5593
Sat-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 9:30am-9pm, some open later
www.theforks.com/202
The Bay
450 Portage Avenue 783-2112
Mon-Wed 10am-6pm,Thurs-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun Noon-5pm
www.thebay.com
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