A Magical Canadian Winter Staycation at Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel
Some of the best vacations are those where you can park the car and never think about it again until it’s time to head home. There’s a freedom that comes with knowing great food and entertainment are just steps from your comfortable suite. Have an effortless Canada staycation at The Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg’s ultimate winter destination for relaxation, food, drink, and cozy accommodations.
Whether you’re escaping from the other side of town, another province, or the States, we invite you to experience how a Winnipeg staycation can become an indulgent, effortless winter getaway.
The Fort Garry Hotel: A Winter Retreat
A cold-weather vacation is best with a cozy headquarters, and The Fort Garry Hotel delivers. Our property offers an ambience befitting a Hallmark movie, and its warm, historic architecture and robust amenities make staying in a treat. No need to worry about braving icy roads or planning routes around snowfall totals—you can slip into a slower routine, relaxing in our spa or listening to jazz in the Club Room. When you’re ready to explore the city, our hotel’s convenient location puts the best places to visit in Winnipeg in winter within easy reach.
Why Winnipeg Is the Perfect Winter Destination
There are few places more wintry than Winnipeg, and though temperatures often reach frigid lows, this frosty city is also magical and welcoming. Staying near the heart of the downtown area gives you a VIP pass to bundle up and join the locals in exciting snow-filled activities. Some of the best things to do in Winnipeg in winter are often worth braving the cold, and The Fort Garry Hotel is only a short walk away, so you can circle back to warm up anytime.
Plan your Canada staycation for December, when skating season begins, or to enjoy holiday-style festivities. January and February are the coldest months, but you’ll find plenty of activities to enjoy, even when the temperatures dip. Skating or ice bikes are available throughout the season.
Use these ideas to build an incredible itinerary in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this winter—or let our concierge help.
Treat Yourself to Wellness Experiences
You won’t find spa and wellness amenities as exquisite as ours just anywhere. Located on the 10th floor of Fort Garry Hotel, Ten Spa is the perfect sanctuary from the cold. Chase away winter’s chill with a Turkish hamam bathing experience featuring heated marble and ambient steam. Or book a revitalized skincare treatment at TenSkin Rx, an express facial and skin health studio located just down the street. The personalized services include options from laser treatments to manicures and pedicures, and the spa offers Contrast Therapy, a self-guided cold plunge and sauna experience.
For even more rejuvenation, guests of Fort Garry Hotel receive one complimentary class per night of their stay at Yoga Public, Winnipeg’s largest studio. This is located just down the street, a few minutes’ walk away. With a variety of classes featuring state-of-the-art infrared heat, you can find many ways to warm up, recharge, and unwind.
Savour Winnipeg’s Finest Dining
Fort Garry Hotel is a foodie’s destination, and offers a selection of restaurants just steps from guest rooms. You don’t have to bundle up to enjoy a delectable meal:
The Oval Room Brasserie at The Fort Garry Hotel serves elevated, locally inspired dishes that pair refined comfort food with bold flavours. The starters are designed to share, and the artisan main dishes — featuring salmon, lamb shank, and prime cuts — are worth savouring. You’ll be pleased to enjoy a romantic winter dinner here or start your day with their breakfast or lunch.
For a taste of Italy while in Winnipeg, let the talented culinary team at Vida Cucina Italia spoil your taste buds with authentic cuisine. The menu blends rustic classics with refined contemporary dishes. For dessert? Treat yourself to timeless Italian sweets, including tiramisù and gelato.
Explore the Winter Wonderland
The heart of downtown Winnipeg gives visitors plenty to explore in every season. One of the biggest advantages of staying at Fort Garry Hotel is how close you are to some of the most popular places to visit in Winnipeg in winter — no long drives or icy roads required!
Visit The Forks
A quick walk from the hotel, The Forks is a winter hotspot with local boutiques, artisan vendors, and stunning views. Bundle up and walk from shop to shop to browse handmade goods, or explore the festive outdoor spaces.
Skate the Nestaweya River Trail
When the temperatures dip, Winnipeg’s famous river trail becomes one of the world’s longest skating paths. The Nestaweya River Trail is open only when the weather permits, and it is tested for safety, so pay attention to signage to confirm the ice is ready. Rent skates nearby and glide over the moving river to see the sights; keep your eyes peeled for warming huts that double as sculptural installations. This trail is one of the most unforgettable highlights of winter in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and you can’t experience it any other time.
Wander Winnipeg’s Art Gallery and Local Museums
Keeping a few indoor adventures in your pocket in case of extreme weather can be a good idea for Winnipeg visitors. Thankfully, this city features some great museums and art galleries, including:
- Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG-Qaumajuq): WAG is a cultural campus, featuring the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world, and it’s located within a 20-minute walk or a few minutes’ drive from Fort Garry Hotel.
- Local Tip: If you’re short on time, consider at least checking out WAG’s first floor; the main hall features 5,000 stone carvings, and it’s free to visit.
- The Canadian Museum for Human Rights: This museum offers seemingly endless exhibitions across 10 galleries on 7 floors, and it’s just a 10-minute walk from Fort Garry Hotel.
- Local Tip: Bring a sweater or light jacket to wear in the galleries; indoor temperatures are kept on the cooler side to preserve artifacts.
- The Manitoba Museum: Walk 15 minutes from The Fort Garry Hotel (or grab a cab) to spend hours being entertained by this museum’s historic exhibits and science and nature galleries.
- Local Tip: Use the Alloway Hall to the right of the Manitoba Museum entrance to ditch your bulky jacket and hats.
Stay In and Lounge in Your Winter Retreat
One of the best aspects of a staycation at Fort Garry Hotel is our spectacular Winnipeg hotel rooms. You may not want to leave yours at all. Its luxurious comforts are perfect for staying wrapped in a robe or snuggled into your winter hideaway. Every detail of our suites is designed to make Winnipeg, Manitoba, winter getaways just right, whether you prefer to spend the morning sipping a Nespresso coffee and watching the bustling city from your window, or sleep late surrounded by plush linens.
The Fort Garry Hotel’s accommodations — including pet-friendly rooms, expansive suites, and connecting rooms — suit Canada staycations, solo getaways, couples weekends, or vacations with friends. High ceilings, fine bedding, and historic architectural details come together, welcoming you into a cozy winter retreat. Look for seasonal hotel packages to add extra indulgences to your stay.
A Three-Day Winnipeg Getaway
While winter activities could keep you busy in Winnipeg for a week or more, a quick trip after the holidays can sometimes be all you need to feel renewed and ready to finish the winter strong. We’ve curated a three-day itinerary to help you do just that. When you’re here, feel free to stop by our concierge for more on the best things to do in Winnipeg in winter near The Fort Garry Hotel.
Day 1: Settle In and Recharge
What better way to set the tone for a staycation than staying in? This self-care itinerary offers plenty of experiences without leaving the property:
- Check into The Fort Garry, unwind from travel, and soak in the historic charm of your room.
- Join Yoga Public for a Hot Yin therapeutic class or another restorative session.
- Enjoy a calming afternoon at Ten Spa (the hamam is a perfect warm-up).
- Savour a relaxed dinner at the Oval Room Brasserie.
- End the night with a quiet stroll to admire the hotel’s beautiful winter decor, or make plans to take in a comedy show or jazz performance at The Club Room.
Day 2: Explore Winnipeg’s Charm
While staying in is fantastic, several of the best things to do in Winnipeg in winter are just steps away from our hotel. Here are a few ideas for the second day of your Canada staycation:
- Start with a hearty breakfast at the Oval Room, and then lace up your boots and head out for a bit.
- Wander over to The Forks Market to browse local shops, find seasonal treats, and soak in the winter ambience.
- Enjoy a riverside walk or, if conditions allow, rent skates and give the Nestaweya River Trail a try.
- Warm up with an afternoon at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, or the Manitoba Museum.
- Return to The Fort Garry Hotel for a comforting evening of entertainment or relaxing in your suite.
Day 3: Last-Minute Local Highlights and Checkout
Say farewell to this frost-filled destination and enjoy a few last indulgences before you depart:
- Take the morning slow and lounge in your room, or head downstairs for a breakfast of buttermilk pancakes topped with Chantilly cream and maple syrup.
- Squeeze in a few final nearby sights and revisit a local boutique for those handmade goodies you’d been eyeing.
- Take a final walk around the neighbourhood to soak up Winnipeg’s charm, snap a selfie to commemorate your visit, or get in one last skate.
- Check out of your room feeling refreshed, restored, and ready to take on the rest of winter. When you stop by the reception desk, remember to book your return trip to Fort Garry Hotel.
Whether you’re savouring comfort food, exploring snowy sights, or unwinding in your luxe room, a winter staycation at Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg is one you’ll remember long after the snow melts. Book today and experience this frosty, fun escape for yourself.