16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Saskatoon

Written by Lavanya Sunkara
Updated Dec 24, 2023
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Saskatoon is often referred to as the "Paris of the Prairies" for its beautiful brass-colored bridges. And, it's catching up to the French capital with its rich historical and cultural attractions. With Saskatonians returning home from bigger cities, this Saskatchewan city has recently grown in population and popularity without sacrificing its charm.

Cafés buzz with tourists and locals, and riverside paths offer scenic vistas of the skyline and quaint neighborhoods. In this small city with a big-city feel, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities and things to do in every season.

Admire Picasso's linocuts at the Remai Modern Museum, sleep in a tipi at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park, learn the history of the Canadian West at the Western Development Museum, enjoy big bands at the annual Jazz Festival, or take in the perpetual blue skies in Canada's sunniest province.

Find the best places to visit in this vibrant city with our list of the top things to do in Saskatoon.

1. Western Development Museum

Saskatoon has grown into the thriving industrial center it is today because of its rich railway roots. In 1908, a railway line brought European immigrants to the Western prairies and soon changed the essence of the region.

The Western Development Museum transports you back in time with a life-size replica of 1910 Boomtown, with buildings including a school, church, laundromat, and feed store, decorated with actual artifacts.

Vintage streetcars, ancient tractors, and carriages line the sides of the road that begins at the railway station, with an actual train you can board. The "Winning the Prairie Gamble" exhibit takes visitors through a progression of an immigrant family over several years, from arrival through the Great Depression and beyond, using replicas of their living quarters and farmland.

The museum also houses a section dedicated to the agricultural and scientific innovations that sprouted in Saskatchewan. If the Wild West got you inspired, step into the Boomtown Photo Studio for a black-and-white photograph of you dressed in early 20th-century garb.

Address: 2610 Lorne Ave, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

2. Wanuskewin Heritage Park

A short drive up the river leads to the proposed UNESCO World Heritage site of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a non-profit cultural and historical center aimed at providing a better understanding of the indigenous people who originally inhabited the region.

Wanuskewin is a Cree term for "living together in harmony." The grounds of the park contain the country's longest-running archaeological dig, where 6,000-year-old relics are discovered daily. Among the major archaeological finds is a 1,500-year-old "medicine wheel" used in the hunting of bison upon which the First Nations people depended.

Sculptures of a small herd of bison stand in front of the park's main building, which houses educational exhibits and galleries showcasing the work of indigenous artists. The center offers guided tours, lessons in hoop dancing, and workshops on tipi construction and traditional art.

Visitors can walk the sacred grounds of the Wanuskewin Heritage Park and even sleep in a tipi overnight. In 2019, the park brought back the bison to this land in collaboration with Parks Canada.

Six calves from Grasslands National Park, along with five from the United States, established a herd at Wanuskewin, which has since expanded as baby bison are born. The reintroduction of bison to their native lands helps the species recover from near-extinction in the 1800s and helps restore native grasses.

Address: RR 4 Penner Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

3. University of Saskatchewan

Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is the largest educational institute in the province and the first with a college dedicated to Agricultural Sciences.

The Peter MacKinnon Building, designated a National Historic site, sits as the centerpiece, with its Collegiate Gothic-style architecture similar to buildings at Cambridge, Oxford, and American universities.

The walkable campus has a sculpture garden, theater, and observatory. The observatory is open on Saturday nights for visitors to view the stars and planets through the telescope, free of charge. The observatory also features a small museum highlighting our solar system, the history of astronomy, and the intrigue of black holes.

While on campus, be sure to visit the Museum of Antiquities, which is home to a wide selection of Egyptian, Roman, and Greek artifacts. Admission to the museum is free, and they are open daily except Sundays.

Address: 105 Administration Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

4. Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo started out as a small tree nursery a century ago. It grew to become a National Historic Site in 1990, boasting crafted gardens, restored heritage buildings, and Saskatchewan's only accredited zoo.

This popular attraction has more than 90 species of birds and animals in settlements resembling their natural habitats, including capuchin monkeys, grey wolves, Chinese red pandas, and Madagascar ruffed lemurs.

In the winter, witness grizzlies, Mistaya and Koda, playing at the Kinsmen Bear exhibit. Families can enjoy the beautifully landscaped park and McDonald's Playground, a nature-themed recreation area for kids of all ages.

In the summer, you may see a cricket game or two being played in one of the fields, and locals barbecuing and celebrating special occasions. This volunteer-run park also provides educational programs for kids and adults and seasonal events such as the annual Enchanted Forest Holiday Light Tour.

Address: 1903 Forestry Farm Park Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

5. Ukrainian Museum of Canada

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, located in central Saskatoon, preserves and honors Ukrainian Canadians and their unique cultural traditions in the form of artwork, textiles, weavings, wood carvings, and beautiful pysanky (Easter eggs).

Founded in 1936 as a tribute to the 170,000 families that immigrated to Saskatchewan, this small museum with three galleries documents their arduous journey and the trials and tribulations they endured to succeed in a harsh new land.

Next to the historical exhibits is a gallery showcasing artwork by the local Ukrainian community. Take home a souvenir at the gift shop, which sells cookbooks, Easter eggs, embroidered linen, art, and music.

If the visit left you craving Eastern European cuisine, stop by Baba's Homestyle Perogies, the only drive-through pierogi shop in the world.

Address: 910 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

6. Saskatoon Farmers Market

Take a refreshing walk along the waterfront from downtown to the Riversdale neighborhood, which hosts the Saskatoon Farmers' Market on weekends year-round.

This indoor and outdoor market is the oldest and largest in the province and is the best place to visit to experience all the nourishing food produced in the region. Vendors sell fresh vegetables, fruit, spreads, specialty foods, and pickerel fish caught in the rivers in Northern Saskatchewan.

Local artisans showcase their work in temporary and permanent stalls. Don't miss a chance to taste the local favorite fruit known for its rich antioxidants—the Sea Buckthorn berry—at a stall selling everything from gelato to jams made from this super-fruit.

Address: 414 Avenue B South Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

7. Beaver Creek Conservation Area

Aerial view of Beaver Creek Conservation Area | Photo Copyright: Tourism Saskatoon

If you are seeking a day hike near Saskatoon, look no further than the Beaver Creek Conservation Area, located 13 kilometers south of the city. Part of the Meewasin Valley park system, Beaver Creek is a protected nature reserve ideal for exploring the great outdoors.

There are several easy hiking trails meandering through short-grass prairie, offering sightings of deer, foxes, and other small mammals.

In the warmer months, you'll hear the songbirds chirping in trees and plenty of shorebirds and waterfowl exploring the creek valley. Some of the trails are turned into cross-country ski routes in the winter.

The longest is the Orange Trail, a four-kilometer loop through grassland prairie fields along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.

Address: Chief Whitecap Trail, Corman Park No. 344, Division, No. 11, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

8. Prairie Lily Riverboat Cruise

Take your loved one on a romantic cruise down the river on the Prairie Lily riverboat to admire the charming city. Enjoy views of the natural beauty of the Meewasin Valley; the gorgeous Delta Bessborough Hotel, dubbed as the "Castle on the River" for its distinctive fairy-tale turrets; and the brand-new glass-front Remai Modern Museum.

On the other side, you'll pass sprawling homes with manicured lawns and a section of the river bank covered with painted rocks.

Prairie Lily offers hour-long guided sightseeing cruises twice a day from May through September, operating six days a week during the peak season in July and August. The boat also offers evening dinner cruises at 6:30 pm on most weekdays, as well as a brunch cruise on weekends during the summer.

9. Persephone Theatre

Founded in 1974 by sisters Janet and Susan Wright, Persephone Theatre is a non-profit regional theatre company producing quality live entertainment. From classics to comedy, Persephone puts on six shows at the 400-seat Rawlco Radio Hall and three shows at the 100-seat Backstage Stage studio space each season, which runs from fall through spring.

The theater launched a program to make performances accessible to everyone, including those with hearing and visual impairments. The company also offers "relaxed performances" for those with autism, epilepsy, and other stimulus-affected disorders, during which the doors remain open, house lights stay on, and the audience can move about freely.

The theater has an extensive youth program, including a theater school, and conducts yearly community events.

Address: 100 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

10. Diefenbaker Canada Centre

The Diefenbaker Canada Centre (DCC), on the stately University of Saskatchewan campus, is a combined archive and museum devoted to the life and career of Canada's 13th Prime Minister, John G. Diefenbaker.

The collection includes replicas of the Cabinet Chamber and Prime Minister's office in Ottawa during his tenure from 1957-1963. The archives contain the PM's personal and professional papers, photographs, and audio-visual material.

The center has traveling exhibitions related to his career interests, as well as educational programs on Canadian history, politics, science, and its role in the international community. Diefenbaker and his wife Olive are buried nearby.

Address: 101 Diefenbaker Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

11. Meewasin Valley Trail

On both sides of the South Saskatchewan River, the 60-kilometer Meewasin Valley Trail winds a scenic course under bridges and through city parks, past major tourist attractions and historic sites.

This paved trail is popular among walkers and bikers year-round, as well as dog parents going for leisurely walks with their leashed pets. Start at River Landing riverfront promenade and green space area, near downtown's top attractions, and take a leisurely walk to Friendship Park and Kiwanis Memorial Park. The landing area offers benches, shaded picnic tables, lawns, and a water spray park for children.

Around 20 kilometers of the Meewasin Trail is designated as part of The Great Trail—the world's largest network of trails. Summer offers fun with canoe rentals, picnics, fishing, and birdwatching.

Winter brings opportunities to cross-country ski and skate at the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink in Kiwanis Memorial Park, with free skate rentals.

12. Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park

Operated by the city of Saskatoon, this small collection of amusements at Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park is the perfect place to visit when traveling with the kids. If you want to get a bird's-eye view, hop on the 20-meter Ferris wheel, or if heights aren't your thing, take a leisurely ride on the carousel.

If you want to explore the rest of Kinsmen Park but aren't up for the walk, hop aboard the Canpotex Train, a freight train replica that is fun for all ages. In addition to the amusement rides, there are plenty of play spaces, including climbing equipment and water play areas.

13. Saskatchewan Railway Museum

A must-see for train enthusiasts, the Saskatchewan Railway Museum offers tourists the opportunity to get up close to vintage cars, equipment, and rail vehicles, as well as to explore an old station.

Among the collection of railcars you can climb on (and sometimes go inside) are locomotives, railway motorcars, streetcars, and even massive railway snowplows. You can also see unique equipment like old man-powered velocipedes.

The museum is open during the summer only, Friday through Sunday, and on Mondays when it's a holiday weekend.

14. Taste of Saskatchewan Festival

Saskatoon prides itself in having more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Canada. A walk through downtown reveals dozens of top-notch restaurants serving diverse, locally sourced cuisine. The winner of Top Chef Canada, Dale MacKay, opened three establishments in recent years.

In mid-July, the Taste of Saskatchewan Festival brings together 30 of Saskatoon's finest restaurateurs to share their favorite dishes. The six-day festival takes place in Kiwanis Park and features the province's top musical performers to keep you entertained as you make your way through the stalls.

Location: On the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River

15. Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival

Attracting more than 80,000 music fans a year, the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is the largest musical festival in Western Canada, officially kicking off summer in Saskatoon at the end of June.

With the main stage set in the beautiful gardens of the iconic Delta Hotels Bessborough and a free stage nearby at the Kiwanis Park overlooking the river, the festival brings in big-name bands during a 10-day outdoor extravaganza.

Whether you like jazz, blues, bluegrass, funk, pop, or world music, take your pick from various shows featuring both Canadian and international artists. Bring your friends, blankets, or folding chairs, and have a rocking time.

Address: 601 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

16. Remai Modern Museum

The Remai Modern Museum overlooks the South Saskatchewan River, housing the largest collection of Pablo Picasso's linocuts—about 406 pieces in its permanent collection.

The building, which was opened in October 2017, pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright's prairie style. It is similar to his Fallingwater building with its glass-and-wood stacked façade and the subtle copper-colored grid that encompasses it to moderate indoor temperature.

The atrium features a long fireplace with the museum name etched in native languages, and a large, permanent installation of hanging cubes crafted from Venetian blinds by artist Haegue Yang.

In addition to Picasso's linocuts that take up some of the 11 gallery spaces, the museum also hosts the private art collection of Fred Mendel from the now-shuttered Mendel Art Gallery.

The museum offers summer art camps for kids to help build artistic confidence and encourage creativity via drawing, sculpture, painting, and printmaking. The sessions take place in the art studio and galleries among original art.

Teens and adults can also take advantage of workshops, including birch bark basket-making and linocut creation, and learn to express their creativity through a range of techniques.

Address: 102 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Where to Stay in Saskatoon for Sightseeing

We recommend these great hotels in Saskatoon near downtown shops and attractions:

The James Hotel: This luxury boutique hotel sits in a riverside setting, offering stylish décor, high-thread-count bedding, and marble bathrooms.
Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel: This hotel offers mid-range pricing, river views, a central location, and an indoor heated pool and whirlpool, with a skating rink nearby.
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Saskatoon Airport: This airport hotel is located 10 minutes from downtown, offering affordable rates, a free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, and a hot tub.
Comfort Suites Saskatoon: Tourists can enjoy budget-friendly rates and amenities including in-room coffee makers, a pool with a waterslide, and a hot tub.