Be a Hometown Tourist!

I wish I remembered what it was like to see The Forks for the first time — the greenery, the cobblestone, and all the smiling people. The out-of-towners get the chance to be a tourist in our hometown and to see this place with fresh eyes. They see as much as possible, take the tours, eat amazing food, and learn about our history. 

While you’re making your summer plans to vay-cay at the cabin or dance at a music festival, you might want to find time to be a tourist and experience The Forks like it’s the first time (again). 

Here are some of my favorite tourist-approved things to do: 

 Find some hidden gems in the Johnston Terminal Antique Mall

The Johnston Terminal Antique Mall is definitely a throwback. It will take you back to a time when cameras were loaded with film, and fancy hats were serious business. About 35 antique dealers fill up the 7,000 sq. ft. space with jewelry, toys, collectables, and SO much more.  

Shop local at the Forks Trading Company 

The Forks Trading Company is the place to go for a piece of memorabilia from your ‘trip’ to The Forks. Upstairs in the Market Loft, the Forks Trading Company specializes in Canadian Handmade products, and a large selection of their goods are handcrafted right here in Manitoba.  

Now, when it’s your turn to visit a different city, and a local compliments your necklace, you say, “Oh thanks! It was made in my hometown,” and beam Winnipeg pride.  

Grab lunch in the new Food Hall 

You’ll never have to debate where you’re going to eat because The Forks Market has a huge variety of tasty food. Find a spot at a reclaimed-wood table in the Food Hall, and enjoy your meal while being serenaded by the buskers.

The Forks Market has gotten a serious makeover. And soon (VERY SOON), It will also be getting new food vendors and a Craft Beer and Wine Kiosk. #winewednesday is about to have a whole new meaning.

Wander around and learn about the history  

Take a walk! The Forks is filled with monuments, statues and homages to this city's rich history. Visit the Public Orchard, Prairie Garden and Archeological Preserve, and South Point. 

Check out the Oral History Tour Wednesday at 10 a.m., July 6, 13, 20, 27. It’s free and will give you a picture of what life at The Forks was like hundreds of years ago. And, you will be a much better tour guide when you do have family and friends in town. 

Take in the view from Market Tower 

Market Tower has one of the best views of the mighty rivers, The Forks, and Winnipeg’s downtown. I suggest going at sunset to get the best out of the gorgeous view.  

Take the stairs, read about the history, and immortalize your day with a picture at the top of Market Tower. Don’t forget to #MeetMeAtTheForks 

Check out the Calendar of Events for a full list of summer fun! 

Blog post by: Laurie Brand

Laurie is a first-year Creative Communications student at Red River College. She's usually wandering around, snapping photos of anything in pretty lighting for her Instagram (@lorbrand) and answering to, "Woah, is that a film camera!?" Her favorite thing to do at The Forks is to grab some ice cream at Neon Cone (black cherry, duh) and find a comfy spot in Festival Field with a book by Miranda July. 

Here's to the Best Long Weekend!

It's looking to be a bright and beautiful long weekend, BUT you might be wondering- what is there to do?! Well, we've got a bountiful list of brilliant things at The Forks - and in honour of our new urban beehive, we thought this list would beeee brought to you by the letter B.

Boating

Splash Dash Tours is open and ready to for the season. Experience Winnipeg like you've never seen before and enjoy a half-hour guided down the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Boat captains share fun facts and historical tidbits while you get a unique view of the city. Boats depart from The Forks Harbour every 15 minutes.

Bikes

Bring your own or rent one here! There's no better way to travel around The Forks site than in a bike (especially if it's built for two). Bee2gether Bikes has single, tandem, and other unique pedal-powered novelty bikes, and their shop is located at the corner of Forks Market Road and Waterfront Drive. Or check out White Pine Bicycle Co. in Johnston Terminal for single-speeds, beach cruisers, unicycles or fat tire bikes.

Young or old 🚴 biking is the best! Great 📷 @rscrams #wellnesswednesday #MeetMeAtTheForks #targetzerowpg

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The Forks (@theforkswinnipeg) on May 11, 2016 at 2:46pm PDT

Beach

Who says you can't go to the beach when you're in downtown Winnipeg?! Bring your blanket or sit on the sand and enjoy the sunshine on our very own beachfront. Originally part of Cool Gardens, the Beachscape transformed The Forks Historic Port with the addition of a sandy beach area along the Assiniboine River. You can sit for a bit or stay all day, but we'd recommend that you wear sunscreen either way.

A photo posted by Bria Colleen (@studiobriacolleen) on May 5, 2016 at 12:05pm PDT

Beverages on the Patio

There's nothing more refreshing than a drink in the shade! So gather your friends and grab some-  lemonade. There are more than enough options for drinks with your pals- there's The Beachcomber, Muddy Waters Smokehouse, ERA Bistro, SMITH, and  Old Spaghetti Factor  too.

A photo posted by Old Spaghetti Factory Winnipeg (@osfwin) on May 17, 2016 at 9:12am PDT

No matter how you break it down, this long weekend will be the best. And they're all right here in your local "backyard".
Hope to beeee seeing you soon!

We're Buzzzzzzzing with Excitement

Flowers are blooming and the bees are now buzzing at The Forks as we launch the first urban bee project in Winnipeg’s downtown this spring. Thanks to our friends at BeeProject Apiaries, two honey beehives have been installed on top of the Caboose near The Forks Market.

As part of our Target Zero initiative, we’re really excited about having honey bees at The Forks. They play a huge role in our ecosystem, and globally their population is on the decline. We're hoping that we can be good stewards of our environment and use it as an educational tool for people to understand bee importance too.

The two hives each have approximately 10,000 honey bees and one queen, and are now secured on top of the Caboose.  This area was selected because it's out of public reach, close to flowers and the Public Orchard, and offers the honey bees a clear flight path above the people below.

Chris Kirouac, co-owner of BeeProject Apiaries, says that typically bees get a bad rap, but they are actually very docile and won’t sting unless they feel threatened. The urban setting is ideal for honey bees as they're shielded from many pesticides, predators, and harsh elements from the outdoors.

                                                    

By adding the two hives, the honey bees will help pollinate surrounding trees as well as The Forks Public Orchard. This will help the Public Orchard to produce more fruit that is more flavourful. The honey from the hive will also be more flavourful because of the variety of plants and flowers available to the bees.

The lovely folks at BeeProject Apiaries are going to be taking care of the colonies over the season. They expect the hives will produce 20-25 kilos of honey this year, with the first batch possibly ready as early as July.  The honey will be made available for sale with proceeds going to support The Forks Foundation. 

More information coming soon on when honey will be available- until then, we'll beeeeeee seeing you around 
  

Spring Has Sprung: 20 min Workout

Spring is finally here! The snow has melted and the green is reappearing. It’s the perfect time to get outside and move! People often don’t know where to start, so I’ve put together a fun little workout for you to try on your next visit to The Forks:

The 20 minute Forks Workout

Warmup:

25 high knee marches on the spot
25 jumping jacks
15 giant arms circles in both directions



1. Inchworm
This can be done on the grass around the museum. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, reach hands down onto the grass, walk hands out as far as you can. Then walk your feet toward your hands. Repeat. Good for: arms, shoulders and core muscles.

How many?
Beginner: 3 sets of 3-5 walkouts
Intermediate: 3 sets of 10 walkouts
Pro: 3 sets of 20 walkouts

Now: walk, skip or jog over to the Variety Heritage Adventure Playground!

2. Canoe Pushups
Place hands on the canoe bench about shoulder width apart. Curl your toes under. Pull your belly button in toward your spine. Hold your body as straight as you can. Bum down! No pointy or saggy bums! Bend elbows and lower your chest toward the bench seat. Then raise. Good for: arms, shoulders and core muscles.

How many?
Beginner: 3 sets of 5
Intermediate: 3 sets 15
Pro: 3 sets of 25

Great! Now, dance your way over the Oodena Celebration Circle! It’s time for a wee bit of cardio!

3. Stoney Stairs
Start at the bottom of the stairs. Hustle your way to the top as fast as your can. Pump your arms. Engage your core muscles! Good for: legs, bum, core muscles and your heart and lungs!

How many?
Beginner: 3 sets of stairs
Intermediate: 5 sets of stairs
Pro: 10 sets of stairs

Phew, amazing! Feel that? That’s your heart and lungs coming alive! Good for you! Now, sprint on over to the bridge, we’re going to work those legs a bit more!

4. Bridge Lunges
Start with your hands on your hips. Feet are shoulder width apart. Take a step forward and drop your back knee. Both knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle. Making sure your knees don’t extend past your toes. Alternate legs walking forward. Good for: legs, bum, core, balance and coordination.

How many?
Beginner: 2 sets of 10 lunges
Intermediate: 3 sets of 20 lunges
Pro: 3 sets of 30 lunges

Excellent! Almost done. Let’s head on over to The Forks beach!

5. Beach Planks
Find yourself one of these handy yellow tables. Place your elbows directly under your shoulders. Curl your toes under. Pull your belly button towards your spine and lift your knees up off the bench. Don’t forget to breathe! Bonus: can you spot the girl doing a handstand behind me? Good for: core, arms and shoulders

How many?
Beginner: 3 sets of 5-10 seconds
Intermediate: 3 sets of 30-45 seconds
Pro: 3 sets of 1 minute

Holy smokes! That was awesome. 20 minutes. You did it! Give yourself a pat on the back. Relax on the beach bench, enjoy the endorphin rush, the sunshine and stretch out all those muscles. Don’t forget to tag me @lindsayhsomers in your workout pics, I love seeing sweaty happy faces!

Lindsay Somers is a Lifestyle Health Coach based in Winnipeg. Follow her adventures on {Instagram} and {Twitter}.

Need a bird's-eye view of where you're working out? Here's a map of where you're going -