Experiencing a different side of Saskatchewan

Many people know Saskatchewan for the beautiful nature that calls it home. But there are two sides to the province. In addition to the wonderful outdoors, Saskatchewan is home to urban centers filled with entertainment, cultural landmarks and great dining.

From festivals to fine dining, here’s how to experience urban Saskatchewan to the fullest.

Eat and drink your way through the big cities

The Riversdale neighbourhood in Saskatoon is a dining destination. Here you will find Primal, an experience that fuses Italian culinary tradition with Saskatchewan farm-to-table ethos. Chefs Kyle Michael and Christie Peters craft handmade pasta using locally grown heritage grains. Be sure to check out their other restaurant just down the street, Pop Wine Bar.

Down the street is Odd Couple. Andy Yuen and his family own and operate this innovative restaurant blending traditional Asian flavours with a contemporary Canadian flair. Their new downtown restaurant SULU is Andy’s take on an Asian-Irish pub.

Odla Restaurant is a unique, farm-direct restaurant located in the vibrant Broadway neighbourhood. Chef Scott Dicks creates seasonal menus inspired by the fresh ingredients, showcasing Saskatchewan’s best produce, meat and grains.

Located in downtown Regina in the historic Assiniboia Club, Crave Kitchen + Wine Bar has brought fine dining and Saskatchewan ingredients to restaurant goers since 2006.

100 grams of deli meat. 50 grams of provolone. Feta cheese, basil pesto, banana peppers, spicy house-made bomba spread and fresh, locally made bread. Put them together and you get Italian Star Deli’s “legendary” sandwiches, a Regina classic that is not to be missed.

Bar Willow, located on the shore of Wascana Lake, boasts the best view in the city. From the restaurant’s expansive outdoor patio, enjoy the sunset, sample the extensive wine menu and snack on elevated casual fare.

For over thirty years Bushwakker Brewpub has served up craft beer and has nurtured the industry in Regina which is evident by the number of craft breweries in the city. You can try some for yourself on the annual self-guided Hop Circuit tour. Grab a map, order a beer at the participating breweries, get a stamp and claim the limited edition Hop Circuit glass. It’s an easy walk between breweries, making it a fun way to discover the neighbourhood.

Wall-to-wall arts and culture, with a sprinkle of the outdoors

In the time between meals, Saskatchewan's cities house an array of worthwhile arts and culture landmarks and experiences to keep you busy.

In Regina, spend a day roaming the Wascana Centre. This 2,300-acre park allows you to enjoy nature in the city, from walking trails to dragon boat races, picnics to birdwatching. But the real draw of the park is all the cultural institutions that sit around its edges. Visit the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for a dose of provincial history, the MacKenzie Art Gallery to see works from across the globe, the Saskatchewan Science Centre for 180 hands-on exhibits, or the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, which covers the province's biological diversity, rich Indigenous history, and dinosaur-filled roots.

You shouldn't leave the city without paying a visit to the RCMP Heritage Centre. The centre neighbours the RCMP Training Academy, known as the ‘Depot’ Division, where members have been trained since 1885. The Heritage Centre tell the rich history of the legendary Royal Canadian Mounted Police. You can explore exhibits and galleries, take a tour of Depot or see what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a police car in the driving simulator.

And, if you like performing arts, take in a play at the newly renovated Globe Theatre, Canada's only professional theatre in the round.

Saskatoon has its own little oasis in the city. The Meewasin Valley follows the South Saskatchewan River corridor contains over 65-miles of walkable, joggable, bikeable, or even skiable trails through conserved land full of parks and wildlife.

For a dose of culture, you're going to want to head into downtown Saskatoon. Located on River Landing, you will find the Remai Modern, Saskatchewan’s largest art museum. The gallery features thought-provoking exhibitions and houses the most comprehensive collection of Picasso linocuts. There you can also find Hearth Restaurant, where the food is a celebration of Saskatchewan flavours. Next door is the Persephone Theatre that’s been entertaining patrons for over 50 years. They take a break over the summer but Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan fills the live theatre void.

Venture to the southern edge of town for a visit to the Saskatoon Western Development Museum, the largest human history museum in the province, and experience life as it was 100 years ago in a boomtown. Or venture north, to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park, to go even further back in time, exploring 6,000-year-old archeological digs while learning the story of the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples.