Saskatoon Hotels

The nickname “Paris of the Prairies” is partly the product of that most famous Canadian export - wry humour - and partly a consequence of a lively arts and culture scene that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the mid-sized city punches above its weight. Indeed, the birthplace of such Canuck luminaries as Gordie Howe and Joni Mitchell envelops a bevy of standout attractions for inquisitive visitors to explore.

A Saskatoon tour must include such highlights as the Mendel Art Gallery, Western Development Museum, Meewasin Centre, Saskatoon Railway Museum and University of Saskatchewan campus. Festivals abound in the city throughout the brief summer season and range from Shakespeare to avant-garde theatre. Saskatoon is within range of several extraordinary provincial and national parks as well.

Saskatoon’s Top 10

Saskatoon History

• Delta Bessborough Hotel – A 10-story historic landmark built starting in 1928 by the Canadian National Railway.
• Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Visitors to this small museum and historic re-enactment site can learn about the Northern Plains Indian culture.
• Marr Residence – A two-level home that was once a Northwest Resistance field hospital in 1885 and is the oldest building in Saskatoon.
• Saskatoon Western Development Museum – A place where visitors can see what life was like from the late 1800s through 1910.

Saskatoon Art & Culture

• Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan – Summer event where the local professional theatre performs Shakespeare’s classics under large awnings.
• SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival – A mid-June through early July jazz fest here in Saskatoon centred on beer, jazz and friends.
• Folk Fest – An August festival offering more than 20 culture-themed pavilions with art, plays, food, song and dance.
• Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory – Both fine art and contemporary offerings are located in this small, permanent collection.
• Broadway Theatre – A great place to view independent films in a vintage setting.

Saskatoon Shopping

• Midtown Plaza – A large mall with more than 130 typical stores including department stores, eateries and specialty shops.
• 8th Street Area – Quaint shops, eateries, bookstores and a great selection of boutiques can be found on the East side.
• Saskatoon Farmer’s Market – Operating every Saturday, this indoor market offers homegrown food, art and a variety of items.
• The Trading Post – Traditional aboriginal crafts, beads, moccasins, handcrafted items, art and gifts.
• Broadway – To find shops from quirky to fabulous, head down Broadway for a little people watching and souvenir seeking.

Gay & Lesbian Saskatoon

• Diva’s – An intimate club offering an energetic dance floor and regular events. There is an annual fee.
• Avenue Community centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity – Third Avenue location that offers information for the GLBT community.
• Out of the Closet – A GLBT pride shop that offers great products as you browse the aisles.
• Pride Festival – Event in early June includes an entire week’s worth of art, dancing, a parade and partying.
• 302 Lounge and Discotheque – Modern bar and dance club is the place to be gay and loving it in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon Events

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan is a pre-eminent tribute festival to the works of the Bard. The annual event takes place in July and August on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.

Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestral ensembles in Canada. Performances take place in Sidney Buckwold Theatre.

Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival is a free-for-all, unpredictable cluster of live events in late July, early August that lures close to 50,000 spectators to the city.

Saskatchewan Jazz Festival features a diverse lineup of acts at Bessborough Gardens and venues around the city every summer.

Saskatoon Folkfest boasts an eclectic programme and bookends the city’s summer festival scene in mid-August.

When To Go

Saskatoon has a humid continental climate with short, warm summers and very cold winters. The average low temperature from December to February is a frigid -4°F (-20°C). Factor in the flatland prairie windchill and intermittent blizzards and winter can feel most inhospitable.

Despite the occasional thunderstorm then, it makes sense to visit the city sometime from late May to early September. Summer temperatures range from 50°F (10°C) to 77°F (25°C) and give locals ample excuse to let loose. July and August is the pinnacle of Saskatoon’s busy festival season.

Getting Around

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is a modest hub that serves 1.2 million passengers a year with direct flights to and from the likes of Toronto-Pearson, Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Chicago-O’Hare, Denver and Minneapolis/St.Paul.

Saskatoon is on The Canadian Via Rail route that runs between Toronto and Vancouver.

By car Saskatoon is 162 mi/260 km from Regina, 382mi/615 km from Calgary, 497 mi/800 km from Winnipeg and 994 mi/1,600 km from Vancouver.

Saskatoon operates a good public bus system and is very bicycle-friendly.

General Information

Attractions & Activities

Restaurants & Nightlife

Climate