Planning a weekend getaway or a road trip stopover in Saskatoon? This beautiful prairie city offers an impressive mix of attractions and activities, from riverside walks to unique cultural experiences. And all of this is complemented by a food scene that’s innovative, diverse, and proudly local.
JR and I spent two weeks in Saskatoon this last June, primarily to attend the annual Travel Media Association of Canada conference. We were joined by our good friend Stephanie from The World As I See It. While we’d been to Saskatchewan before, it was our first time in Saskatoon.
Many Saskatonians were surprised we spent so long in the city and wondered what we found to do. But honestly, we ran out of time! This post will share all of our favourite experiences.
Speaking of the locals, we met so many kind people in Saskatoon. I lost count of how many folks told us how much they loved living here (at least in the summer months!) – there’s a real sense of city pride and it’s wonderful to see.
With all this in mind, read on to discover our recommendations for how to spend 48 hours in Saskatoon, the ‘Paris of the Prairies.’
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48 hours in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Day 1
Welcome to Saskatoon! Are you ready to explore this friendly prairie city, home to around 315k people?
The following activities are best enjoyed during the peak tourism season, from June to September. Many of the locations are also accessible at other times of the year but be sure to check first.
This itinerary assumes you have a vehicle but most recommended places are within walking distance of downtown Saskatoon anyway. I’ve suggested an alternative way to get around on the second day.
Not arriving in the morning? Simply adjust each day’s activities to suit your own schedule.
Morning
Start your Saskatoon experience with a hearty breakfast/brunch. My top pick is Hometown Diner in the Riversdale district but there are plenty of great options downtown as well (Poached Bistro, Living Sky).
Next, take a walk along the Meewasin Trail (or rent a bike from Bridge City Adventures). Stretching over 105km along both sides of the South Saskatchewan River, this multi-use path is a real treasure of Saskatoon. It also passes Saskatoon’s iconic bridges.
Explore the Meewasin Trail for the beautiful feature that it is or use it to access two great Saskatoon institutions – the Remai Modern and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (more info below). I would also check out the castle-like Bessborough Hotel.
If you choose to stay outside, I’d recommend heading towards the CPR Bridge to the north of downtown.
Nearby, there is a weir where pelicans love to hunt for fish. These huge migatory birds have nesting grounds in Redberry Lake, about one hour from Saskatoon.
Prefer to shop? Make a detour to the Gather Local Market in Riversdale. It has a ton of local vendors selling Saskatchewan made products. There’s a great food court too!
Afternoon and evening
The Remai Modern is a public museum specialising in modern and contemporary art. Located on the river’s west bank, the building is a work of art in itself, featuring stacked box-like levels, large windows and high ceilings. Entry is by donation – stay for half an hour or for the entire afternoon.
As hinted by the abundance of perogies and cabbage rolls around town, nearly 16% of Saskatoon’s population claims Ukrainian heritage (the highest anywhere in Canada).
Two museums celebrate the rich traditions and history of Ukrainian Canadians in Saskatoon – we visited the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, which is very close to the river.
The museum may be small but it cares for 12,000 artifacts, including the biggest collection of Ukrainian textiles in North America.
The exhibits are contemporary and regularly updated, showcasing the evolving stories of Ukrainian heritage in the city. Like the Remai Modern, entrance is also by donation.
Travelling with kids? The Nutrien Wonderhub and adjacent Nutrien Playland are a must.
The Wonderhub is a children’s museum with three floors of interactive exhibits, most centred around science and nature. The Playland has a train, carousel, outdoor play spaces and ferris wheel.
In the evening, I would suggest exploring downtown. Look out for the street art while walking between the pubs and bars around 2nd Avenue. There are some great pubs and bars around 2nd Avenue. There’s a large cinema and mall located very centrally as well.
Alternatively, the Broadway district across the river is pretty lively. For dinner recommendations, head to the ‘where to eat’ section of this guide.
48 hours in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Day 2
Ready for another day exploring Saskatoon? Yesterday was all about the downtown area, today we will move a little further out.
Morning
Enjoy another filling breakfast or pick up a coffee and a sweet treat (try Junior Cafe, Prism or Pique) before heading north to Wanuskewin. It’s about 15 minutes drive north of downtown Saskatoon. In the Cree language, wânaskêwin roughly translates to mean ‘being at peace with oneself.’
If you don’t have a vehicle, I would recommend renting a bike. Wanuskewin is connected to the Meewasin Trail (15km, plan for around an hour from downtown).
Wanuskewin is a 57 acre cultural park focused on preserving and sharing the heritage of the first peoples of the Northern Plains, including the Cree, Assiniboine and Blackfoot. A gathering place for thousands of years, it is also a National Historic Site.
There are lots of different experiences on offer at Wanuskewin. The highlights for me were the indoor exhibits (about the creation of the park, local Indigenous traditions and history), the walking trails and the chance to see the resident bison herd. The latter are part of the effort to restore the endangered native grasslands.
After arriving, be sure to check the programming schedule – guided walks, interpretive programs, workshops and performances all happen regularly. We were able to see some dancing, which was incredible to watch. The regalia worn by the dancers was so colourful and intricate.
There is a restaurant at Wanuskewin, so there’s no need to leave for lunch. Plan to stay at least two hours – we spent almost four hours there and could have stayed longer.
Afternoon and evening
What to do in the afternoon depends on your energy levels and the amount of time left in the day.
If you have kids and didn’t go to the Nutrien Wonderhub already, I’d head there. Or at least the Nutrien Playland next door.
History fans may want to check out the Western Development Museum. It offers a walk through time from 1910 to the present day, with agricultural displays and a walk through of a typical Saskatchewan town in the early 20th century.
A budget friendly, offbeat activity is to visit the beautiful campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Entry to the Museum of Natural Sciences is completely free and features dinosaur skeleton displays and some live animal exhibits. The nearby Museum of Antiquities is also open for visitors.
The Diefenbaker Canada Centre is also located on the university campus. The 13th prime minister of Canada, John Diefenbaker, studied his bachelor and masters degrees at the UoS. There is a entry-by-donation museum.
A short walk away from the Diefenbaker Centre is the Sculpture Garden, a fun collection of art works. The giant head is one of the best photo spot! The garden is right next to the river, so another walk on the Meewasin Trail is possible if desired.
Feel like chilling out? Tour some of Saskatoon’s local breweries! I really enjoyed the range of beers at Better Brother Brewing Co. For dinner, choose another one of Saskatoon’s excellent local restaurants and enjoy your last night in the city.
Where to eat and drink in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The most memorable part of our two week trip to Saskatoon? The food! It’s the first thing I mention whenever anyone asks me about Saskatoon.
This city has a truly awesome food scene, one of the best we’ve come across anywhere in Canada.
We were so impressed by the amount of independent, modern restaurants serving creative dishes made with local ingredients. The diversity of cuisine, ranging from traditional Ukrainian dishes to Afghanistani, was another highlight.
Our favourite spots were:
- Hearth Restaurant – The hype is well deserved, especially regarding the famous mushroom skillet. Beautiful vegetable-forward plates, amazing cocktails and an elegant location (the Remai Modern)
- Loqui – Small plates, big flavours are the name of the game at this relatively new restaurant. Like Hearth, it’s also very vegetable-forward. The lentil fries (made from local lentils) are killer. I also enjoyed trout from Lake Diefenbaker
- Primal – Handmade pasta and rustic Italian dishes with local, sustainable focus (local grains, whole animal butchery). The five course dinner is great value for the quality of food
- Dahlak Eritrean – I had never had Eritrean before and loved the warming, hearty dishes served with injera (fermented flatbread). Plenty of vegetarian options
- Hometown Diner – My favourite place for breakfast and brunch in Saskatoon! Lots of choice, the crispiest hashbrowns, perfectly poached eggs, house made hollandaise and more
- Poached Breakfast Bistro – So good I went twice. This cosy breakfast place becomes a bar in the evening. The brunch menu is large with plenty of customisation possible. Try the crab and shimp risotto cakes!
Other places we tried and enjoyed included Odla, Sure O’s (in Gather Market), Shelter Brewing Company, City Limits Brewing, Living Sky Café, Afghan Kabob & Donair and Better Brother Brewing Co.
Where to stay in Saskatoon
My top pick for a place to stay in Saskatoon is the Alt Hotel. This property sits right next to the South Saskatchewan River, providing easy access to the Meewasin Trail and the Remai Modern.
The hotel has 14 floors, with the upper levels offering truly incredible views across the city and river. We’ve stayed at a few Alt properties now, and I’m a big fan of their modern, well-designed rooms that have everything you need.
An alternative is the Hotel Senator, located in the heart of downtown Saskatoon. Built in 1907, the Senator is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the city.
The property retains many of its original features, from its stained glass windows to the grand foyer staircase.
For a 100+ year old hotel, we were surprised how big and well-equipped our ‘Standard Double’ was. Free parking is available in a secure lot in the back and a complimentary cold breakfast with yogurts, cereal bars and fruit is available for guests every morning.
If you like the idea of historic charm but have a little more money to spend, check out the nearby Delta Bessborough. With turrents and pointed gables, it almost looks like a French castle!
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One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Consider buying us a coffee if you have find any of our guides helpful!