The Forks, located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, has played many roles in Manitoba's shared history - a meeting place for over 6,000 years for Indigenous peoples, a hub for European traders, a key site of early railroad development on the Prairies - and today, one of the most popular tourist attractions and public spaces in Winnipeg.

How to Get to The Forks

By bike: Biking is a great way to get to The Forks! Be sure to drive past the Cycle Tracker and then bring your bike to the Bike Check - which is free or by donation.

By car: Paid parking is available on site, or take a cab or Uber. Consider signing up for a Peg City Co-op membership if you're a resident or will be staying awhile.

By bus: Winnipeg's BLUE rapid bus line stops directly outside The Forks grounds on Main Street. For other bus information, plan your trip with Navigo.

Ways to Explore

Make your way around The Forks site with these fun tour and transportation rental options.

On a self-guided tour: Grab your headphones and download a self-guided audio tour. Hear from elders about the significance of where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet and learn about the Oodena Celebration Circle. The tour lasts about an hour but take your time to explore over 6,000 years of history at The Forks.

On a guided tour: Parks Canada offers two daily tours during the summer. The Where Our Stories Meet tour will tell the story of the First Nations people who traded at The Forks for thousands of years and the Red River Métis, who shaped the land that would become Manitoba during the fur trade era. The Unpacking the Past interactive tour explores the story of The Forks through games, stories and the contents of three suitcases. Plus, on Saturdays throughout the summer, the Knowledge Sharing Series at The Forks invites guest speakers to share their experiences.

Walking along the river: When river levels stay low, take a stroll down The Riverwalk path to find interpretive plaques on area history and a water's eye view of Winnipeg.

On novelty bike: For something even more memorable, rent unique tandem and novelty bikes at Bee2gether Bikes. Bee2gether Bikes operates from May to September, seven days a week!

On the water: Get on the water with Winnipeg Waterways tours. Departing daily from The Forks Historic Port, the tours take 40 minutes and features historical insights into the city's vibrant past. The boats are wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly! Additionally, Winnipeg Waterways provides an awesome water taxi service that connects various docks in the city - which is another unconventional way to arrive to The Forks!

Where to Eat

Arrive hungry. The Forks offers a huge and diverse range of food options to satisfy every palate!

At The Common, you can enjoy a wide selection of 20 craft beers, 20 wines and non-alcoholic options on tap, curated by in-house experts. Can't decide what to try? Grab a wine or beer flight to sip inside the market or on the gorgeous outdoor patio (which is also dog-friendly).

Within the Forks Market Food Hall, find an array of options that reflect Winnipeg's diverse population:

BASTA! Filipino Kitchen - Enjoy authentic Filipino dishes with a modern twist.

Bindy's Caribbean Delights - Savour Caribbean flavours in a variety of dishes.

Crafted Crust - Go classic with pressed sandwiches or salad and soup.

Danny's All Day Breakfast - Relish all-day breakfast options, including the kids' favourite, chocolate chip pancakes.

Fergie's Fish 'n Chips - Taste some of the best fish and chips in Winnipeg, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Fools & Horses Coffee Company - Sip on expertly brewed coffee and specialty drinks.

Fro-gurts - Treat yourself to frozen yogurt with a variety of toppings.

Fusian Experience - Explore a fusion of innovative dishes, including rice bowls, ramen and sushi.

Habanero Sombrero - Enjoy spicy and flavourful Mexican cuisine with mix n' match tacos.

Jenna Rae Cakes - Located on the second floor, indulge in beautifully crafted cakes and sweets. Don't miss trying their famous macarons!

Mini Donuts Factory - Not just for festivals and midways! Try melt-in-your-mouth mini donuts made to order.

Neon Cone - Satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade ice cream and soft serve​​.

Nuburger - Enjoy gourmet burgers and hearty salads.

Red Ember - Feast on wood-fired pizzas cooked in a traditional stone oven.

Simon's Steaks - Savour mouthwatering steak sandwiches.

Tall Grass Prairie Bread Co. - See what everyone's raving about with their iconic cinnamon buns, cheese croissants and other baked goods.

Taste of Sri Lanka - Dive into the rich flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine - like the incredible eggplant curry.

Wienerpeg - Delight in gourmet hot dogs with creative toppings.

Zorba's Greek + Italian - Choose from Greek, Italian and Canadian dishes. This is the place to go to try honey dill sauce. Take it to the next level with the honey dill poutine!

Pro tips: Water bottle refill stations are found around The Forks grounds. You can skip the lines and order food online!

Shopping

Looking for something special? The Forks is full of shopping treasures. Here are just a few of the shops to check out:

Coal and Canary Candle Company - Hand-poured luxury candles.

Forks Trading Company and Maker Faire - A mix of local crafts and souvenirs, with new arrivals in the Maker Faire every week.

Manitobah - Indigenous-designed footwear and accessories.

McNally Robinson Booksellers - Books, stationery, and gifts.

Sweet City Candy - Nostalgic candies and sweets.

Teekca's Aboriginal Boutique - Indigenous art and crafts.

Two Rivers - Manitoba and Winnipeg-themed souvenirs

Don't forget to head over to Johnston Terminal for even more shops: like the underground antique mall, the whimsical toy store Kite & Kaboodle, and the eco-friendly Planet Pantry.

Things to See

From public art and nature to photo ops and cool views, here's a snapshot of the must-see spots to find around The Forks:

Alloway Arch - This arch commemorates banker William Forbes Alloway and symbolizes community spirit and generosity.

Winnipeg Sign - A popular photo spot for your visit to Winnipeg!

Public Art - The Forks is home to over 20 pieces of public art. Don't miss "Niimaamaa" by KC Adams, Jaimie Isaac, and Val T. Vint, "Totem Doodem Murals" by Jordan Stranger and "Education is the New Bison / Chi-kishkayhitamihk Si Te Li Neu Biizon" by Val T. Vint, to name just a few.

The Forks Historic Port - This historic site allows visitors to dock their canoes, kayaks or motorboats where York boats and sternwheelers once brought goods to forts and settlements.

The Forks Market Tower - Venture up this six-storey tower for panoramic views of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, enhanced by heritage interpretive panels.

Oodena Celebration Circle - This natural shallow amphitheatre near the river convergence is a serene space for reflection and cultural events. Along the outer ring, check out the armatures that identify stars within constellations.

Rail Cars - Explore two restored rail cars that pay homage to the area's railway history, located outside The Forks Market​.

Urban Garden and Prairie Garden - These green spaces showcase native plants and provide a peaceful retreat within the bustling market area.

Public Orchard - Home to 61 fruit trees and numerous fruit-bearing shrubs, the orchard is a testament to sustainable urban agriculture.

Things to Do and Events

There's always something going on at The Forks. Here are just a few things to do:

Stay active and have fun: Bring your board to The Plaza at The Forks Skatepark, Canada’s best and largest urban skate plaza and bowl complex. Head to the CN field and stage weekly for programming. Elevate your ping pong skills with free sessions every Thursday from 5 to 7 pm, join into free drop-in basketball camps from 6 to 8 pm on Mondays or work up a sweat on Wednesdays during a free workout from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. To beat the heat, head indoors to the Phantom Amusement Arcade and enjoy a wide variety of retro arcade games.

Learn something new: Take part in fun Ojibwe and Cree language programming on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Or, learn a new hands-on skill with Square Peg Tours, who will be offering fishing lessons and gear equipment rentals on weekends throughout the summer

Join an event: The Forks hosts a number of events throughout the summer including Kidsfest, Pride Winnipeg, Indigenous Peoples Day, Canada Day, StrEAT Feast and more!

Visit a Museum: You can't miss the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which pairs learning with incredible architecture. Ramps of glowing alabaster criss-cross galleries that will challenge, educate and inspire you on the topic of human rights. For those with children in tow, plan a few hours at the highly interactive Manitoba Children's Museum, which is designed to spark your child's creativity and curiosity.

Pro-tip: Washrooms found in Johnston Terminal and at several locations in the main Market building.