I’ve been to every single Canadian province, but I have to admit I had only passed through Saskatchewan on a road trip and didn’t really stop. I knew I had to fix that problem when I was scheduled to attend a conference in Saskatoon. I extended my stay and spent nine days finding the best things to do in Saskatoon.
When I was planning my trip, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard that Saskatoon is sometimes called “Paris of the Prairies” since it has a river running through it with many bridges crossing it. After visiting, I’d say that the comparison to Paris is a bit of a stretch as far as looks go.
However, Saskatoon does have a few things in common with the French capital. It’s a very artsy and cultural city. I was surprised to find lots of public art and a world-class art museum with Picassos. And, like Paris, Saskatoon is also a foodie city. The culinary scene focuses on local ingredients – I was impressed.
The other thing I loved about Saskatoon was something that you won’t find in Paris – its proximity to nature. I biked, watched, and kayaked within the city limits. And, incredible bird-watching destinations are just a few minutes outside of town.
I’ve put together a quick guide to Saskatoon for you. I visited in June, so this guide is aimed at summer visitors. It includes:
- A map of Saskatoon that shows all the places I mention in this post.
- The best things to do in Saskatoon (in my opinion), including museums, biking, shopping, and more.
- Where to eat in Saskatoon: My picks for the best restaurants.
- Where to stay in Saskatoon: The places I stayed and recommend.
- Saskatoon Travel Tips: How to get there? How long to spend? What’s the weather like? And lots more.
Hey there: Thanks so much to Tourism Saskatchewan for hosting some of my experiences on this trip. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn
Map of Saskatoon
To help you plan your trip and find your way around, I created a custom Google Map of Saskatoon for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.
Best Things to Do in Saskatoon
Murals
I was surprised to discover that Saskatoon is a very artsy city. It was fun to wander around downtown to see what public art I could find. I loved the retro postcard-style Saskatoon mural on 21st Street E near the Delta Bessborough Hotel. Unfortunately it’s in a parking lot that’s gated at night, so it’s hard to photograph. The huge Prairie Lily mural on 20th Street East is also so beautiful.
You can find lots of other murals, sculptures, and public art around Saskatoon. It’s fun to wander around and see what you can discover.
Walk or Bike Meewasin Valley Trail
As an outdoorsy person, my favourite feature of Saskatoon was the Meewasin Valley Trail. Built and maintained by a conservation-focused non-profit, the Meewasin Valley Trail stretches for over 80 kilometres in and around Saskatoon. In most places, it follows the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.
The downtown Saskatoon portion is a pleasant paved riverfront stroll that goes through parks and reminded me of the Coal Harbour or False Creek Seawalls in Vancouver. I loved wandering along it in the evenings.
The trail is a wonderful place to bike since it is fully separated from traffic. There are even designated bike lanes on some of the bridges: The Gordie Howe Bridge even has a cool bike path that hangs under the bridge, and the historic wooden CPR bridge has a bike and pedestrian lane beside the train tracks.
A friend and I rented e-bikes at Life Outside Gear Exchange and spent an afternoon cruising around on the Meewasin Valley Trail. It was a great way to see the city and enjoy views of the river. And thanks to the e-bikes, we didn’t get sweaty!
University of Saskatchewan Sculpture Garden
I also spent some time exploring the University of Saskatchewan Sculpture Garden just across the river from downtown. It’s located next to the Meewasin Trail, so it’s easy to get there on foot or by bike. It also has the best views of downtown.
The sculptures represent a range of styles and time periods. There are no info plaques, so you’ll have to come up with your own interpretations of the art. The sculpture garden is open to anyone and is totally free.
Shopping in Riversdale and Broadway/Nutana
To really get a feel for a city, you have to explore its neighbourhoods. It’s worth devoting a few hours to browsing the cute boutiques in the Riversdale and Broadway/Nutana neighbourhoods.
Riversdale is located just west of downtown Saskatoon. It’s an older neighbourhood that is in the middle of a revitalization. You’ll find lots of up-and-coming boutiques and restaurants along 20th Street West.
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, I recommend the screenprinted shirts at Hardpressed Print Studio. Their designs are so good! For local food items, check out The Little Market Box. Their freezer had a map above it showing all of the lakes where they source their fish. I somehow missed Gather Local Market on 19th Street West. I’m really kicking myself because it looks so cool – it’s an indoor farmers market and showcase for local vendors.
I also loved wandering around the Nutana neighbourhood. It’s just south of downtown across the river. If you’re looking to shop, concentrate on Broadway between 8th Street and 12th Street. I loved looking at the locally made gifts and housewares at The Better Good, Handmade House, and Wren.
But by far my favourite spot was Bulk Cheese Warehouse. This place is an experience! It looks unassuming from the outside. Head inside (use the “in” door, not the “out” door), then wander through the assortment of fridges and freezers. They have a huge selection of local and imported meats and cheeses. They also have a great deli counter. I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were. I was contemplating bringing cheese back home to Squamish with me!
Remai Modern Art Museum
Until I visited, I had no idea that you could see Picassos on the prairies. Saskatoon’s Remain Modern museum has the world’s largest collection of Pablo Picasso linocuts.
But while I enjoyed the Picassos, I actually liked other aspects of the museum more. Firstly, the architecture is really interesting. It’s a modern building with lots of windows and sleek surfaces.
Secondly, the art was great! This isn’t a stuffy museum. They have lots of thought-provoking contemporary art and lots of Indigenous art that is easy to engage with. When you enter, Nick Cave’s Spinner Forest installation dominates the two-story atrium. It’s made up of thousands of colourful and lightweight wind spinners that move with the breeze.
Best of all, admission is by donation, so you can pay what you want.
Kayak the South Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River runs through downtown Saskatoon, dividing the city in half. But unlike other cities, it’s not an industrial river. Instead, it’s got grassy banks and is full of birds.
On my trip to Saskatoon, I took a kayaking tour with The Local Adventure Company, which is Metis owned and operated. We drove upriver out of town, then launched our kayaks on the sandy banks of the river amongst farms. From there, we paddled with the current downstream into Saskatoon.
The trip was gorgeous as we floated past sandbars and grassy islands. I even spotted a fox trotting along the shoreline. It was interesting to see the scenery change as we drifted into the city – the treelined banks gave way to houses and roads. We finished the trip by paddling under several bridges and then pulling up on the shoreline behind the Hotel Bessborough in the heart of downtown.
This kayak trip was such a unique experience to have in a city. It was one of the best things I did in Saskatoon. (But, it’s not a surprise that I liked it since I’m always looking for outdoorsy things to do when I’m visiting a new place!)
Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Saskatoon’s history and culture are intertwined with Indigenous history and culture. I try to learn about the Indigenous context of every place I visit, so on my trip to Saskatoon, I spent half a day at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. It’s located about 15 minutes outside of the city in grasslands near the South Saskatchewan River.
Wanuskewin has a cultural history that goes back thousands of years and is a National Historic Site of Canada. There are several archaeological sites on the grounds, including an important medicine wheel.
I recommend starting inside the museum, which has exhibits that explain traditional Indigenous life before and Europeans arrived in what is now Saskatchewan. Ask at the info desk to see if any dance performances are happening on the day of your visit. I regret not staying later on the day I visited to watch one.
Next, head outside. The grounds have six kilometres of trails and I spent a pleasant 1.5 hours walking most of them. The paths are a great place to watch for birds and enjoy views of the nearby river. There are also numerous interpretive signs with info about the landscape you are moving through. Don’t miss the 1500-year-old medicine wheel, a significant spiritual site.
You should also walk the short trail to the Bison Viewing Area. Bring binoculars – the bison are often quite far away from the viewing platform. Also known as buffalo, bison were a crucial part of the prairie ecosystem and a key part of Indigenous culture. Unfortunately, Europeans hunted bison into near extinction 150 years ago. Today, there are several bison reintroduction projects across the Canadian prairies.
I experienced one of the biggest bison reintroduction projects in Grasslands National Park, where a huge swath of the park is home to a giant herd of free-ranging bison. But I found visiting the smaller bison reintroduction at Wanuskewin quite touching. It’s a small herd, but its importance to the Indigenous peoples of the prairies is so important. The team at Wanuskewin worked so hard to be able to have this herd. Watching the video about the bison reintroduction project inside the interpretive centre had me tearing up a bit!
Coming from BC, I was familiar with the traditions of the Coast Salish, but I didn’t know much about Indigenous culture on the prairies. I learned so much at Wanuskewin, and it informed my visit to the rest of Saskatchewan.
Bird Watching
I got into bird watching a little bit during the pandemic, but I think it was this trip to Saskatchewan that really turned me into a birder! I had planned to go to Prince Albert National Park after attending a conference in Saskatoon, but that got cancelled due to forest fire smoke. Instead, I pivoted and joined some travel industry friends on a bird-watching tour instead. I’m so glad I did!
(My only regret is that I didn’t know I’d be bird watching when I was packing, so I didn’t have my big camera lenses with me. So sadly, I don’t have a lot of cool bird photos to share.)
Saskatchewan is located on several major North American flyways, which means it gets tons of migratory birds, most of which like to hang out in and near lakes and marshes.
I visited in early June and saw tons of shorebirds like Avocets and Greater Yellowlegs. I also spotted lots of pelicans. (They were so big! I couldn’t believe it!) It was also easy to see waterfowl like Western Grebes and Blue-winged Teals. My favourite were the songbirds, especially the Meadowlarks. Their call is so beautiful!
You can head out to see birds on your own, but on one of the days, I did a tour with Stan Shadick of Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours. This guy is such a gem! He knows all the best places to go and can identify birds so fast! We had planned to visit some birding spots, but half the time, Stan would just yell at the driver to pull over somewhere random since he had spotted something cool for us to look at.
If you’re going on your own, don’t forget your binoculars, camera, and bird ID app (I like Merlin). You might also want insect repellent.
I’m certainly not a birding expert on Saskatchewan (I’ll leave that to Stan), but here are a few places I visited near Saskatoon that had great birding.
Beaver Creek Conservation Area
Run by the Meewasin Valley Authority (the same group behind the Meewasin Valley Trail), the Beaver Creek Conservation Area is located about 20 minutes south of Saskatoon near the South Saskatchewan River.
The conservation area has several interconnected trails that loop through the valley bottom along the creek as well as on top of the surrounding hills and the nearby grasslands. It’s a great place to spot songbirds and water birds. The highlight for me was a bird house with several active pairs of purple martins who posted for me sitting on their front porches!
You can also sign up for guided walking tours with naturalists who can help you spot birds. Since I didn’t know much about prairie plants, I loved learning about the local bushes, trees, and grasses and how they support birdlife. Beaver Creek also has an active research program, and we were lucky enough to watch a researcher band a female tree swallow.
Redberry Lake
Redberry Lake is recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Region. The huge saline lake is about 1 hour northwest of Saskatoon. It’s an important breeding area for pelicans. The hills around the lake are also home to lots of songbirds.
The Biosphere Region organization recently built an interpretive centre on a hill above the lake and holds guided birding tours. On the day I visited, it was quite windy, so we didn’t see many birds, but it’s a gorgeous spot.
Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary
The Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary is run by the Government of Canada, but still seems to be a bit under-the-radar. It sits at the marshy end of Last Mountain Lake, about 2 hours southeast of Saskatoon.
The sanctuary is huge, with a gravel road running through it that connects to several nature trails. There is also an interpretive centre and a tall observation tower. It’s a great place to spot waterbirds like grebes and avocets. If you book in advance, guided programs are also available.
On my visit, we had a lot of smoke from wildfires in northern Saskatchewan, but we still managed to see lots of birds. My favourite encounter was with a killdeer that followed us along a grassy trail, pretending to be injured to distract us from its nearby nest.
Where to Eat in Saskatoon
I spent a week in Saskatoon and ate some incredible food while I was there. When I travel, my focus for food is on local produce and things I won’t be able to find anywhere else. Here are my picks for where to eat in Saskatoon.
Odla
I had one of the best meals of my trip at Odla, a farm-to-table restaurant in the Broadway/Nutana neighbourhood. They specialize in locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. They also make their own delicious bread. I had the pickerel, a white fish native to Saskatchewan’s lakes.
Loqui
Located in the Riversdale neighbourhood, Loqui is an upscale casual restaurant with a global menu that focuses on local ingredients. They have lots of options that will work for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. Instead of a main, I ordered a selection of small plates, including their pork belly bao. Don’t miss their lentil fries – we kept having to order more for our large group since they were so good.
Little Grouse on the Prairie
Little Grouse on the Prairie in downtown Saskatoon has a sleek but homey vibe. The menu is pasta-forward and showcases ingredients from Saskatchewan. I had the family-style four-course menu, which kept the homey vibes going. The ravioli with sage was incredible.
Primal
If you’re an omnivore, be sure to eat at Primal in Riversdale, which has a nose-to-tail whole animal butchery program. Their menu is heavy on pasta made with Saskatchewan heritage grains. Their meatballs were so good!
Poached Breakfast Bistro
If you’re looking for brunch in downtown Saskatoon, head to Poached Breakfast Bistro. They make great eggs Benedict. The narrow space has a vintage feel and doubles as a Flint Saloon cocktail bar at night.
Bagel Shop
If you’re shopping in Riversdale and get hungry, head to Bagel Shop. They make great bagels in-house and add a little bit of Canadian maple syrup for subtle sweetness. They also make their own schmears and smoke their own pastrami.
Beppi’s Gelato
Located just around the corner from Odla in Broadway/Nutana, Beppi’s Gelato serves handmade Italian-style gelato. The shop is named after the owner’s Italian Nonno (grandfather), Beppi. They change the flavours often, so you never know what you’ll find. I loved the classic hazelnut.
Where to Stay in Saskatoon
Alt Hotel
The Alt Hotel was my favourite of the places I stayed in Saskatoon. I was there for four nights while I was on a bird-watching tour that took me out of the city each day. But each night we returned to the Alt Hotel to freshen up, get dinner, and explore downtown.
The Alt Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Saskatoon, across from the Remai Modern Museum. My room had a great view of the museum and the South Saskatchewan River. It’s also right next to the Meewasin Trail, which follows the river.
The hotel is in a great location. You can walk pretty much anywhere downtown. It’s also an easy walk to the Riversdale and Nutana neighbourhoods, which have cute boutiques and good restaurants.
The hotel itself is modern with sleek furnishings, big windows, and a vaguely Scandinavian aesthetic.
Delta Hotel Bessborough
I also spent a few nights at the Delta Hotel Bessborough since it hosted the conference I attended. It’s a gorgeous old chateau-style hotel and dates back to 1935. It is one of the original grand railway hotels – you can find them in most Canadian cities.
The hotel backs onto parkland, the Meewasin Trail, and the South Saskatchewan River, so it feels like you are out in the country. But the front of the hotel faces downtown Saskatoon, so it is within walking distance of most things.
I booked a tiny room to save money, but it was still pretty decadent with sky blue velvet drapes, gold accents, and lots of classic white tile in the bathroom.
Airbnb and VRBO
If you want to stay somewhere a little more homey, there are lots of Airbnb and VRBO options in Saskatoon. On my first night in town, I booked an Airbnb in Nutana since I wanted access to a washer and dryer after spending a week hiking in Grasslands National Park. It was a cozy basement suite and came with lots of thoughtful touches like books about Saskatchewan.
If you’re going to book an Airbnb or VRBO, I recommend the Nutana, Buena Vista, and Riversdale neighbourhoods. They are close to downtown and have lots of shopping and restaurants nearby.
Saskatoon Travel Tips
How to Get to Saskatoon
Saskatoon is located roughly in the middle of the southern part of Saskatchewan. It has an international airport a few kilometres from downtown Saskatoon. If you’re flying in, you can rent a car at the airport or take a taxi into the city. I recommend renting through Discover Cars since it lets you compare prices. It’s a 15-minute drive from airport to downtown.
If you’re driving, Saskatoon sits at the crossroads of most of Saskatchewan’s major highways, so it’s easy to get to. It’s a straightforward drive from nearby cities like Regina (3 hours), Edmonton (5 hours), Calgary (6.5 hours), or Winnipeg (8.5 hours).
Canada’s long-distance public transportation isn’t great, but it is possible to take buses like FlixBus and Rider Express to Saskatoon from other major prairie cities.
Getting Around Saskatoon
It’s easy to get around downtown Saskatoon and the nearby Riversdale and Broadway/Nutana neighbourhoods on foot.
If you have a car, it’s easy to drive yourself pretty much everywhere. Close to downtown, you’ll have to pay for street parking ($2.50/hour), but it’s free after 6 pm and on Sundays. Parking elsewhere in the city is free.
Saskatoon also has Uber (but not Lyft) as well as a locally-owned taxi company called Riide that you can book via app.
How Long to Spend in Saskatoon
I spent nine days in Saskatoon in June, but some of that was spent attending a conference, and four of those days were exclusively for bird watching. So while I enjoyed spending that much time in the city, you don’t need to stay that long!
I recommend spending two days in Saskatoon. That’s enough time to explore the downtown, visit Wanuskewin, and hit up a museum or two. It also gives you enough time to try some of the city’s excellent restaurants.
Saskatoon Weather
Summer in Saskatoon is generally warm to hot. You can expect temperatures in the mid-20s °C to low-30s °C. While June, July, and August are the rainiest months of the year in the city, it doesn’t rain that much. If it’s not sunny and clear (most common), it’s likely going to be cloudy with a bit of drizzle. Afternoon thunderstorms are also possible.
What to Pack for Saskatoon in Summer
Saskatoon is a down-to-earth city, so you don’t need to bring anything fancy. If you plan to visit some of the nicer restaurants, wearing something a step more formal than a t-shirt and shorts will be fine.
Downtown Saskatoon and the nearby neighbourhoods of Riversdale and Nutana/Broadway are very walkable, so bring good walking shoes.
If you plan to bike or kayak, bring quick-drying athletic clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. I prefer to wear a long-sleeved sun hoodie that wicks sweat while protecting from the sun. Add in long pants and insect repellent if you plan to go bird-watching, since grassy areas can have ticks.
Indigenous Context in Saskatoon
Saskatoon is located on the traditional territory of the Treaty 6 (Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota (Assiniboine), and Dene) and Metis Nations. Today, Saskatoon’s population is approximately 10% Indigenous. If you want to connect with Indigenous culture, visit Wanuskewn Heritage Park just outside the city or book a tour with an Indigenous tourism operator, such as The Local Adventure Co.
Final Thoughts
Saskatoon really won me over. I had expected farmers and mining company office employees (and they have those, it’s true). But what I got was pride flags, murals, local food, art, Indigenous culture, leafy streets, and a river running through the middle of the city.
If you are in Saskatchewan, I encourage you to spend a day or two in Saskatoon. It’s worth visiting to connect with the residents who are (rightfully) so proud to all this place home.
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