The Forks

The Forks is a riverside gathering place in the middle of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the Assiniboine River flows into the Red River. The meeting of the two rivers made this ground a natural crossroads long before the city existed. Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe, Cree and Oji-Cree, camped, traded and met here for at least six thousand years, and the site later became a base for fur traders and a point of arrival for settlers heading up the Red River. Parks Canada protects part of it as a National Historic Site, and interpretive signs and monuments tell that layered story across the grounds.

Today the area is a public space that mixes history, shopping, food and recreation. Forks Market occupies a pair of converted railway horse stables joined by a central hall, and inside are food stalls, bakeries, shops and a food hall where you can pick up lunch from many small vendors. A tall tower rising from the market gives a view over the confluence, and nearby Johnston Terminal, a former warehouse, holds more shops. Visitors who prefer to stay outdoors can follow riverside walkways, cross to the stone-lined shoreline, or sit on the lawns of the open plaza known as The Common, where festivals, concerts and markets are held through the year.

The site is also home to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, whose tower and sweeping ramps are a landmark on the skyline and a separate visit in their own right. The rail yards that once covered the land have given way to paths, gardens and amphitheatres, including Oodena Celebration Circle, an open circle aligned to the movement of the sun that is used for ceremonies and gatherings. A skate park, a playground and a boat landing add to the mix, and in summer you can take a river cruise or paddle on the water.

Winter changes the character completely. When the rivers freeze, a long skating trail is cleared along the ice, and it is one of the most distinctive things to do in the city. Warming huts and stalls appear along the way, and the market and plaza stay busy even in deep cold. In spring and autumn the riverbanks are quieter, and the light on the water is good for photographs.

The Forks suits families, history enthusiasts and anyone looking for a relaxed afternoon of strolling, eating and people-watching. Entry to the grounds is free, and it is easy to reach on foot from the downtown core. Allow a couple of hours for the market and walks, and add time if you plan to visit the museum next door.