Winnipeg 
Spring in Winnipeg is the perfect time to step outside and reconnect with nature. As the snow melts away, parks and trails come back to life—flowers bloom, birds return, and the city feels refreshed.
Whether you’re after a scenic walk, wildlife spotting, or a relaxed afternoon outdoors, these spots are especially worth visiting in spring.
The Forks
One of Winnipeg’s most iconic destinations, The Forks truly comes alive in spring. Set at the meeting point of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, it offers scenic riverfront walks, lively markets, and inviting outdoor patios.
With over 6,000 years of history as a gathering place, it’s now a vibrant cultural hub filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Spring is an ideal time to sit outside and enjoy a drink from The Common or sample fresh, local food at the Forks Market. There are also plenty of green spaces for picnics, along with trails that connect to nearby landmarks like the Legislative Building and St. Boniface.
Public art installations add character throughout the area, and families can explore attractions like the Manitoba Theatre for Young People or the Children’s Museum.
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As the weather warms, The Forks also hosts live music, festivals, and seasonal events. Whether you want to shop, eat, explore history, or simply relax by the riverside, The Forks is a must-visit in spring.
Assiniboine Park & Zoo
Spring is one of the best times to visit Assiniboine Park, when its gardens, walking paths, and open spaces begin to bloom again.
The English Garden and Leo Mol Sculpture Garden are especially inviting, with early flowers adding colour to the landscape. It’s a great place for a quiet walk, photography, or simply enjoying the fresh air after winter.
Families will enjoy the Nature Playground and open picnic areas, while the park’s walking trails offer a relaxing way to explore. Also seen here is the famous statue of Lt. Harry Colebourn and Winnie the Bear. Spring also brings migrating birds back to the park, making it a great spot for birdwatching. With plenty of benches, picnic spots, and even a small train ride during warmer days (mid-May to mid-October), Assiniboine Park offers a mix of relaxation, adventure, and education.
Within the park, the Assiniboine Park Zoo is another highlight. Its Journey to Churchill exhibit lets visitors see polar bears swimming through an underwater viewing tunnel, alongside other Arctic species like muskoxen and Arctic foxes.
If you have little ones in your family or love animals, the Assiniboine Park Zoo is another highlight. The Journey to Churchill exhibit offers a close-up look at Arctic wildlife, including polar bears swimming through an underwater viewing tunnel. Other animals, such as muskoxen, seals, and Arctic foxes, can also be seen in thoughtfully designed habitats.
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The Pooh Gallery, located within Assiniboine Park at the Pavilion Art Galleries, features the exhibit “The Best Bear in All the World: The Many Sides of Winnie-the-Pooh.” It traces the story of Winnie—from a real bear adopted by Winnipeg veterinarian Lt. Harry Colebourn during WWI to the fictional character created by A.A. Milne. The exhibit includes archival materials, books, artwork, and memorabilia, offering a deeper look at this well-known story with roots in Winnipeg.
Another popular attraction within Assiniboine Park is the Gardens at The Leaf, a striking glass conservatory that opened in 2022. It features a range of plant environments from around the world, all under one roof. The Butterfly Garden is especially popular, with vibrant butterflies moving freely among tropical plants. Seasonal displays rotate throughout the year, so there’s often something new to experience.
FortWhyte Alive
For those looking to spend more time in nature, FortWhyte Alive offers a 600-acre urban nature reserve with a mix of forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
Spring is a particularly active time here. Thousands of migratory birds return, including Canada geese, ducks, and songbirds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. One of the most notable sights is the herd of bison grazing on the prairie—one of the largest urban bison herds in North America, a reminder of Manitoba’s rich natural heritage.
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The area includes a network of trails and boardwalks that allow visitors to explore different habitats, as well as small lakes where canoeing or kayaking is possible. It’s a quiet, immersive way to experience nature without leaving the city.
The Interpretive Centre offers exhibits focused on local wildlife, conservation, and sustainability. During spring, FortWhyte Alive also runs programs like guided nature walks and foraging workshops, adding an educational element to the visit.
Living Prairie Museum
The Living Prairie Museum preserves a rare piece of tallgrass prairie, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America.
The site is also active with returning songbirds and butterflies, making it a good location for birdwatching and nature photography. Walking trails are open year-round, providing a simple and accessible way to explore the area.
From May through September, the Interpretive Centre offers exhibits on prairie ecology, wildlife, and conservation. Educational programs, including guided tours and workshops, provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the prairie’s significance.
St. Vital Park
St. Vital Park is a popular choice for families, thanks to its extensive green spaces, well-maintained walking paths, and facilities.
The park features open fields, shaded picnic areas, and a playground, making it well-suited for a relaxed spring outing. Walking trails along the Red River offer scenic views and a quieter setting for a stroll or jog.
The duck pond is a highlight, especially for children, who can watch waterfowl up close. Chickadees and blue jays are also commonly seen throughout the park.
With plenty of seating and space for activities like frisbee or soccer, it’s an easy place to spend a few hours outdoors.
Birds Hill Provincial Park
Located about 30 minutes from Winnipeg, Birds Hill Provincial Park is a convenient option for a spring day trip.
The park’s mix of forests, meadows, and lakes makes it ideal for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Trails like Chickadee and Aspen are particularly scenic during spring, when the landscape begins to green up again.
Wildlife is abundant, and it’s one of the better places near the city to spot songbirds, deer, and other native species. Birdwatchers often visit during migration season, when activity is at its peak.
Picnic areas and open spaces throughout the park make it suitable for both active outings and more relaxed visits.
King’s Park
King’s Park, located in Winnipeg’s south end, offers a quieter and more laid-back outdoor experience.
The park includes winding trails through natural forest, a duck pond, and a 2.8-hectare lake with a waterfall and rock garden. One of its more distinctive features is a Chinese-style pagoda, which adds a unique focal point to the landscape.
There are about 2.6 kilometres of trails, making it a good spot for walking, jogging, or cycling. As the weather warms, birds return to the area, and the park gradually becomes more active.
Open green spaces allow for picnics or casual games, making it suitable for individuals, couples, or families.
La Barriere Park
La Barrière Park is a 323-acre space just southwest of Winnipeg, known for its mix of wooded areas and open fields.
In spring, the trails are ideal for a relaxed walk or light hike, while the La Salle River provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, or fishing—especially as water levels rise with the seasonal melt.
The park is also a good place for birdwatching, with migratory species returning to the area. Picnic tables and fire pits make it suitable for small gatherings or a quiet afternoon outdoors.
Recreational facilities include ball diamonds, a cricket pitch, and a 9-hole disc golf course, which is free and open to the public.
Kildonan Park
Kildonan Park, one of Winnipeg’s oldest parks, is located along the Red River in the city’s north end and is known for its large, mature trees.
In spring, the formal gardens begin to bloom with tulips and lilacs, adding colour around the walking paths and gazebo. The Witch’s Hut, a small Hansel-and-Gretel-style cottage, is a favourite among families and typically opens later in the season.
Walking paths and riverside trails make it a good option for those looking to get some fresh air, while picnic shelters and BBQ pits are popular for weekend gatherings.
Oak Hammock Marsh
About 30 minutes north of Winnipeg, Oak Hammock Marsh is a well-known destination for birdwatching and nature observation.
This large wetland area supports over 300 species of birds. In spring, it becomes a key stop for migrating birds, including geese, ducks, swans, and shorebirds. Large flocks can often be seen overhead or gathered on the water.
The newly renovated Wetland Discovery Centre is now open, featuring updated interactive exhibits on wetland ecosystems, migratory birds, and conservation. Large viewing windows overlook the marsh, offering a comfortable way to observe wildlife even on cooler days.
The marsh is also home to other wildlife, including muskrats and amphibians like chorus frogs, which add to the overall experience. Outdoor trails, boardwalks, and lookout points provide plenty of opportunities to explore the area up close.
Spring in Winnipeg brings a steady shift—longer days, milder weather, and a renewed energy outdoors. Whether you’re exploring within the city or heading just beyond it, these spaces offer plenty of ways to enjoy the season at your own pace.
