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Standing proudly as the capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg is a flourishing city filled with beautiful parks and rivers. It is also rich in history and home to a thriving arts community. Most importantly though are its people. Winnipeg's great communities are eager to share all that this great city has to offer.

The buildings in Winnipeg have a real Chicago feel to them and were referred to as the Chicago of the North when construction first began. A well-known spot in Winnipeg is actually an intersection. Portage and Main, which is near the Exchange district and downtown Winnipeg is often called with windiest corner in Canada. Wear a hat there and you will soon find this claim to be true. Another popular intersection can be found at the Forks. The connection of the Assiniboine River and Red River has set the stage for people to come together for centuries. Today you will find the Forks and nearby Johnston Terminal a great place to enjoy fantastic meals, shop unique stores, enjoy a cup of java and learn about Winnipegs history. This scenic area is also home to the amazing Childrens Museum, where both adults and kids alike get lost in an imaginary world.

Those interested in learning a bit of Canadas French population tend to make their way to the province of Qubec. Winnipeg though has a large Francophone population and the St. Boniface area is filled with great bistros, stores and historic buildings. The St. Boniface Museum was built in 1846 for the Grey Nuns, making it the oldest building in Winnipeg. Another building definitely worth visiting is the Basilica. A fire destroyed most of it in the late 1960s but the architecture that survived is one of the most photographed sites in the city. One of its famous crypts is of Louis Riel, who played an important role in Canadian history. The city has many ethnic communities. Two of the better-known areas though include Chinatown and Little Italy. Little Italy, found along Corydon Avenue, is hopping during the summer months when locals and tourists alike make the most out of the warm weather. Chinatown has some of the very best Asian cooking Canada has to offer.

Winnipeg has a thriving arts community. Some would say it began when a soldier from Winnipeg took a bear cub along with him to Europe and called him Winnie. This honey loving bear put Winnipeg on the map. There are a wealth of festivals held throughout the year but the Fringe and Festival du Voyageur are definitely two of the more popular ones. The Fringe is held during the summer months and is a launching pad for local and touring groups eager to showcase their talents. Concerts, plays, comedy acts and much more bring out people by the thousands. Festival du Voyageur is held during the winter. Although the weather can be quite cold you can dress appropriately and enjoy this incredible event. Huge snow sculptures, dog sled races, fantastic food and other great activities make this one of the best events Winnipeg has to offer.

Shopping in the peg is another great reason to come. The boutiques found along Corydon Avenue and the Exchange district, the malls such as Polo Park and St. Vital make it a great place to find sales and the latest fashion trends. Winnipeg plays an incredibly important role in Canadas currency as well as the many other countries that rely on the Mint to produce their monies. Make sure you take a tour and learn more about this process. Whether you are a coin collector or coin spender it is worth your time. After you see how the money is made get ready to win some at the local casinos. Gaming opportunities, delicious meals and entertainment make them a great place to enjoy an evening.

Most sports fans know Winnipeg for being the former home of the Jets. Although the locals still hope, and pray, that an NHL team will soon return the Manitoba Moose provide fantastic entertainment during the winter months. Other sports teams include the Blue Bombers (CFL) and the Gold Eyes, a minor league baseball team. Both the Gold Eyes and Manitoba Moose have great venues to watch the athletes perform. The Moose play at the MTS Centre that also acts as the venue to watch major headliners perform. INXS, Aerosmith, Brian Adams, Black Eyed Peas and Brooks and Dunn are only a handful of the concerts they have had. Those who would rather play outside will love the Plaza. This fantastic skate park, located at the Forks, is one of the largest in Canada.

The Assiniboine Forest located right in the city is a massive nature preserve filled with local wildlife and great walking paths. Another beautiful forest worth exploring can be found at the Fort Whyte Centre. Whether you visit during with summer or winter there are great activities for you to enjoy. Those who enjoy bird watching will want to visit Oak Hammock Marsh. Not enough nature for you? Take a short drive north of the city and you will see one of the finest beaches Canada has to offer. The powder white sand and massive lake found at Grand Beach bring out the crowds on those hot, summer days.

Winnipeg has many wonderful hotels but a few that stand out include the Fairmont, Hotel Fort Garry and the Clarion Hotel and Suites. Although not as large as other Canadian capitals, Winnipeg continues to stand out as a city filled with exciting opportunities. This is definitely one Canadian city proud of its heritage whose exciting events and venues make it a great destination to explore.