Summer in the city

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/06/2022 (915 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s time to throw on your sun hat, fly out the front door and get into summer in the city. Summer days, though few, are long — and there’s so much to do to fill them up.

Two major attractions are back in action and waiting to welcome everyone — tots, teens and adults — to come, have fun and learn some.

Winter-weary Winnipeggers can look forward to a busy summer at Assiniboine Park with the Summer Entertainment series, which fires up mid-June and runs to the end of August with live concerts at the Lyric Theatre, Friday night movies in August — and much more!

Assiniboine Park’s Summer Entertainment series fires up mid-June and runs to the end of August.

“We plan to host some concerts in the new Performance Garden in the southeast corner of the park, which is one of six new themed areas in the Gardens at The Leaf that opened last summer. The Leaf, an indoor multi-seasonal attraction, is set to open in late 2022,” says Laura Cabak, director of communications and public relations.

The Performance Garden features a stage area surrounded by a gently tiered, landscaped seating area. Folks are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair for comfort.

Watch the website for details to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Canada Day.

Further west over at the zoo, you’ll find Dinosaurs UnCovered with an outdoor trail “alive” with big animatronic dinosaurs and an indoor display to boot.

Llamas and goats and even some pot-bellied pigs will be frolicking at Aunt Sally’s Farm. This charming family favourite has two sets of colourful play structures — one for the “four-legged kids” inside the enclosure and one for the “two-legged kids” on the outside.

For a little more depth, you can advance book a specialty tour at the zoo.

“Guided by our experienced educators and animal care professionals, our Behind the Scenes experiences bring visitors up close with some of the zoo’s most charismatic creatures — including polar bears, seals, tigers and snow leopards,” Cabak says.

And don’t forget to hitch a ride on the free Domo Trolley, which loops around the park with stops at all the key attractions.

“We’re just really excited to be welcoming everyone back to Assiniboine Park for a warm and wonderful summer.”

For details and schedules on entertainment, events and zoo tours, go to the Assiniboine Park website at assiniboinepark.ca.

For another exciting option, the brand spanking new Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is ready to take off on its inaugural summer flight!

“It’s a totally brand new building located on the Winnipeg International Airport Campus at 2088 Wellington Ave.,” says Brent Phillips, vice-president of marketing.

“The museum has a new focus on telling the stories of aviation featuring some of the heroes, pioneers and innovators of aviation in Western Canada.”

The museum has also made a strong commitment to truth and reconciliation, and Phillips says the story of the impact of aviation on Indigenous people is woven throughout the exhibits.

“The museum has a new focus on telling the stories of aviation featuring some of the heroes, pioneers and innovators of aviation in Western Canada.” – Brent Phillips

The new 86,000-square-foot, two-storey building is a state-of-the-art destination with 17 exhibit zones featuring more than 20 aircraft, including bush planes, military aircraft, commercial aircraft and more than 70,000 artifacts. Some airplanes, including a Snowbird, are suspended from the ceiling.

The second-floor observation lounge overlooks the airport runways for some “plane-spotting.” And the walkway will give you a bird’s eye view of the entire museum.

The building has banquet space, large multi-purpose classroom areas and a coffee kiosk adjacent to the Galaxy Exploration Zone for children (toddlers up to 10 years old). And the new gift shop, Landing Zone Boutique, is open for business.

Visitors can look forward to getting busy in the science of flight interactive exhibits, visiting the mechanics’ workshop in the engine room and trying out interactive features that demonstrate effects like engine noises.

And they definitely won’t want to miss the immersive exhibit called The Ghost of Charron Lake.

“When you step into the exhibit, the lighting effects and soundscape make you feel like you are at the bottom of the lake with the aircraft while a video tells the story of the recovery of the aircraft from the lake,” says Phillips.

“It’s very cool.” 

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is for all ages and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free guided tours start at 2 p.m. daily and group tour bookings are available by arrangement, while self-guided tours can take place anytime. For more information, including about admissions and passes, visit royalaviationmuseum.com.