There’s an outdoor rink on a pond on the east side of the city. There is a cleared area for people to skate on at the southernmost point of Mckercher Drive and the southernmost point of the pond. Bring a shovel or check back often since the Lakeview Community Association and local volunteers may not clear it for several days following significant snowfall. Be sure to pay attention to any indications indicating whether it is safe to skate and how thick the ice is.

2. Idylwyld Park

The majority of the public skating rinks in the City of Saskatoon are conventional rinks with boards encircling the ice that are situated close to schools. However, a straightforward ice sheet located in Idylwyld Park, between Saskatchewan Crescent and Poplar Crescent close to the river, is one of my favorite outdoor rinks. It’s a tiny rink in the heart of the park, but it’s ideal for shinny games with friends. If snow needs to be removed from the rink, there are usually two nets on the ice and a shovel close by. You don’t have to wait for daylight to get out on the ice because the park is lit up at night as well.

3. Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink at Nutrien Plaza 

One of Canada’s most recognizable skating rinks is the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink. There’s a fire pit at the edge of the rink, benches to attach your skates, indoor shelters, and restrooms close by. Daily hours for the skating rink are noon to nine o’clock. Throughout the year, the rink has a number of skating parties, one of which is the Meewasin Sip & Skate, which takes place this Saturday, February 24.

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You are welcome to explore the 7km of walking trails that Wanuskewin currently offers. Along the way are lots of plants and herbs. A guide showed us how to use a variety of berries, leaves, and plants—some of which we would even consider weeds—medically to treat various illnesses.

Certain plants have several uses, such as treating bug bites or acting as a natural sunscreen. This fascinating walking tour highlighted some of nature’s real marvels.

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Canoeing Pike Lake

Valley Road takes you just 20 minutes south of Saskatoon to Pike Lake. Although the park is home to one of Saskatchewan’s smallest lakes, it is nevertheless very popular with day trippers from the city. It’s the ideal location for a canoe trip that lasts just a day, or for a weekend getaway for campers. The South Saskatchewan River formed the lake, which is actually an oxbow, a u-shaped lake formed when part of a river is cut off.

Paddleboarding – Poplar Bluffs into Saskatoon on the South Saskatchewan River

Distance: 12 kilometres, 2-3 hours

Situated approximately ten minutes south of Saskatoon on Valley Road is the Poplar Bluffs Conservation Area. It requires some work to get to the river from the parking lot. There’s a path that leads to the river, but it ends with a sandy drop off the side into the water below.Depending on the season and the level of the water, one must frequently hop across sandbars to access the river’s main flow. There’s a split in the river directly across Wilson Island. It takes approximately two hours to paddle back into Saskatoon’s downtown.

Kayaking the Chief Whitecap Waterway

Distance: 50km from Whitecap Dakota First Nation, 100km from Gardiner Dam, 1-3 days

The Chief Whitecap Waterway, which is a section of the Trans Canada Trail, offers canoeists more than 100 km of navigable trail with numerous pullouts along the way. You are welcome to design your own canoe adventure on the best water trail in southern Saskatchewan, regardless of your level of experience.

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The University of Saskatchewan Observatory was built with assistance from both university funds and private donors. The Observatory was built in two stages between 1928 and 1930, with an approximate cost of $23,000, and was formally opened in April 1929. This iconic campus landmark has been there for over 90 years and is rich in history! Examine the plaque inside the dome to see if you can identify any of the donor names.

How to Visit the University of Saskatchewan Observatory

Telescopes and other study aids are frequently used by university students and visiting scholars. Classes from elementary and high schools, as well as other local community associations, frequently join campus staff members for guided tours of the Observatory. The first and third Saturday evenings of each month are free for anyone who wants to come and use the telescope to view celestial objects.

What’s on View at the University of Saskatchewan Observatory 

Depending on the time of year, staff will aim the three-meter long refracting telescope at planets, star clusters, galaxies, or other noteworthy celestial objects visible when you visit. Staff members are still on duty at the Observatory and will lead guests through an informative slide show if you happen to visit on a cloudy night. A small museum about black holes, astronomy, and the solar system is open year-round. enjoyable to all ages!

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The kid’s absolute favorite feature is Cosmic Commotion, a massive net structure that allows kids to climb and tunnel through. The girls continued returning to play with it. They also adored the various role-playing elements in Toon Town (such as a flower shop, ice cream truck, construction zone, farm, stage, and more!), the “Airways” air pressure tubes (which are also available at THIS indoor playground in the Edmonton area), and the Create Space, which permitted unstructured play and loose parts crafting in the lower level!

2. Nutrien Playland and Kinsmen Park

A great place to take the family is Nutrien Playland! The fantastic playground is free to use, and you can pay to ride the carousel, Ferris wheel, and CP trail that circles Kinsmen Park!

The playground is amazing; it has a dutch disc, a double cable track zipline, several log climbers, a clean slide, a concrete dome, green balance beams that resemble snakes, and much more! A gorgeous spray park and deck are also present.

3. Brighton Core Park

Brighton Core Park is a sizable, all-inclusive play area featuring a ramped main structure, an underground merry-go-round, and rubber flooring throughout. The Brighton Core Park never ends! In addition, there is THE BIGGEST AND BEST fitness playground you have ever seen, a toddler park, and a spray park.

4. Forestry Farm Park & Zoo

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo provides children with an excellent opportunity to interact closely with a range of animals. We discovered animals here that are absent from the Edmonton Valley Zoo, such as bison, grizzly bears, dingos, and bald eagles. The butterfly house is the highlight; see a variety of gorgeous butterflies flying around and feeding on fruit! The Orano Fun Zone, a fantastic inclusive playground that the girls adored, is also located within the zoo.

5. Wanuskewin

Located right outside of Saskatoon is the national historic site known as Wanuskewin. It’s the oldest archaeological dig in our nation and has served as a hallowed meeting place for over 6,000 years. The Wanuskewin Interpretive Center features areas with views of Opimihāw Creek, an art gallery, a museum, and a shop featuring exquisite Indigenous artifacts. In addition to seeing the resident bison, there are kilometers of trails to explore.

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Play a Game of Tennis or Pickleball

Visit one of the numerous tennis and pickleball courts located throughout the City of Saskatoon. The public is welcome to use the asphalt courts, which have a painted base. Discover them at twelve venues throughout the city that are open until September.

Explore the Meewasin Valley Trail

The Meewasin Trail system, which runs along both banks of the river and links to a number of the city’s parks and bridges, is a perennial favorite among Saskatoon’s summertime offerings. A couple of top choices to stop along the route are Victoria Park in Riversdale and Meewasin’s River Landing Water Spray Feature, where you can learn about the hydrology and geography of the Saskatchewan River Basin.

Explore Architecture at the University of Saskatchewan Campus

Did you know that some of the buildings on the University of Saskatchewan campus date back to the 1910s? This is great information for anyone interested in architecture and looking for summer activities in Saskatoon. Observe how Modernist structures like the Murray Building blend in with Collegiate Gothic-style buildings like the Thorvaldson building and the College Building (now the Peter MacKinnon Building). Spend a few hours strolling around the campus to take in all of the modern architectural designs.

Connect with Local Producers at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market

Visit the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market to chat with local farmers and peruse the abundant harvests. Always entertaining to stroll, people-watch, or strike up a conversation with locals in Saskatoon. An essential item for any list of summertime family-friendly things to do in Saskatoon.

Heading into Fall: Nutrien Fireworks Festival

During the Labor Day long weekend in September, River Landing, the Traffic Bridge, and Rotary Park host the free Nutrien Fireworks Festival. Savor live entertainment, food, drinks, dancing, and music as you watch the fireworks.

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Prepare for the Frozen Pond in the colors of the Blades! You can purchase Blades Swag at the Sasktel Centre store during the game, but the Frozen Pond location at 105-2803 Faithful Avenue has the greatest selection.

How to get there 

It’s very simple to get to The Blades game if you’re staying downtown! From the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street, take the direct bus.

What to eat 

When you attend a Blades Game, you should be hungry! Burgers and hotdogs are rink staples at Sasktel Centre, but they also have some inventive options.

Family Environment 

The Saskatoon Blades are experts at putting on fun family events! Children of all ages can wave, hug, or pose for pictures with their amiable mascot, Pokecheck. They even provide packages for birthday parties.

There’s always a player in the concourse ready to sign autographs if you stay after the game!

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Meewasin Trails

Although the Meewasin trails are accessible year-round, autumn is when they are at their most picturesque. Numerous nature conservation areas are accessible by foot or bicycle, and they are home to over 300 different plant species and no fewer than 150 different bird species. The breathtaking scenery offers a glimpse of the rich biodiversity of the surrounding area on both sides of the Saskatchewan River.

Black Box Farm & Distillery

Experience the award-winning gins and liqueurs made using traditional methods at the Black Box Distillery. On their farm, they proudly grow 90% of the ingredients used in their spirits. After sampling their goods, you can even visit their flower field and participate in pumpkin picking this fall!

Remai Modern

Experience the world of modern and contemporary art at the Remai Modern, which features 11 distinct galleries and exceptional architecture. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Postcommodity, an interdisciplinary arts collective led by Cristóbal Martínez and Kade L. Twist, through January 23, 2021. They produce art that personifies a common Indigenous voice and lens, exploring facets of contemporary life to stimulate a distinctively Indigenous futurism. An amazing chance that should not be passed up!

Local Fashion

Hardpressed, a local shop, crafts Saskatoon-inspired apparel and accessories, including tuques, sweaters, caps, hats, and socks. You can pay them a visit in person at their studio, where they are proud to produce all of their goods from start to finish.

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Activity #1 Free Snowshoe Rentals

Do you have any experience snowshoeing? Free snowshoe rentals are provided by Wanuskewin as part of the daily site admission fee, which is $10.00 for students, $10.00 for seniors, and $8.00 for adults. You can choose from any size, and reservations are not required. To access their outdoor networks of more than 7 km of trails, just show up. The majority of trails are accessible and reasonably level, making them excellent places to hone your snowshoeing abilities.

Activity #2 Outdoor Guided Walk

Winter weekend drop-in cultural programming includes trail walks to the bison lookout platform or around the surrounding valley, depending on the weather. You can also use snowshoes for an extra element of adventure on these walks!

Activity #3 Explore the Exhibits and Art Galleries

A fascinating window into the Nations that have gathered at this location for over 6400 years is provided by the recently constructed exhibit hall and indoor art galleries. Take a self-guided tour or sign up for a drop-in weekend tour. In addition, fireside storytelling, musical or dance interpretations, and specialized workshops are all included in interpretive programming.

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