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Saskatchewan

To paraphrase an old line, there are no boring parts of Saskatchewan, just boring visitors. Yes, the terrain lacks drama, there's not a lot of people here, the two major towns define the vaguely complimentary 'nice,' and so on. But that simply means that the savvy visitor can dig deep to discover the province's inherent appeal.

Start with all that flat: those rippling oceans of grain have a mesmerizing poetry to their movement, the songbirds and crickets providing accents to the endlessly rustling wind. If you're ready for the sheer tranquility of solitude, pick any unpaved road and set off across the country – and delight when you find water-dappled coulees and tree-covered hills.

And don't forget the province's people. Not just the plain-spoken residents of today, but also the people who populate Saskatchewan's story, whether eking out a living off the land, fomenting revolution or taming a frontier.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Saskatchewan.

  • See

    Meewasin Valley

    The Meewasin Valley, formed by the South Saskatchewan's wide swath through the center of town, is named for the Cree word for 'beautiful'. Mature trees populate the riverbanks, while sections of the 60km Meewasin Trail, extend from downtown paths, winding through forests and along the riverbank. It is popular with walkers, cyclists and wandering travelers, and picnic areas line the trails. Further north, Mendel Island is home to abundant wildlife. The website has downloadable maps and info.

  • See

    Fort Walsh National Historic Site

    Amid rolling prairies at the eastern edge of the Western Block is this interesting historic site. Established in 1875 and operational for eight years, this outpost had a small yet significant role in the history of the west. After the battle of Custer's Last Stand, Chief Sitting Bull and 5000 of his followers arrived in the area. The local mounties moved their headquarters to Fort Walsh and maintained peaceful relations with the Sioux while they remained in Canada.

  • See

    Royal Saskatchewan Museum

    The Royal provides a great insight into the people and geography that make up Saskatchewan. Galleries focus on earth and life sciences and indigenous history. Prairie dioramas tell the story of the native flora, fauna and cultures that lived off the harsh land. See Scotty, the biggest T.rex ever discovered – this skeleton replicates that in the Museum's T-rex Discovery Centre in Eastend.

  • See

    Tunnels of Moose Jaw

    Buried deep under the town's streets is a series of passages that have a tragic and fascinating history. Take a tour and learn about the hardship and discrimination heaped upon Chinese workers on their 'Passage to Fortune.' Fast-forward a few decades to make the 'Chicago Connection.' Al Capone is rumored to have visited Moose Jaw in the 1920s to oversee his bootlegging operation, masterminded in these very tunnels.

  • See

    Provincial Legislature

    Escaping significant damage from the devastating tornado in its year of completion (1912), the arresting 'Leg,' nestled in Wascana Centre's leafy embrace, stands as a proud symbol to the people of Regina. Ponder the rich marble and ornate carvings of this lavish example of beaux-arts architecture on free half-hourly tours or just play Frisbee out front on the Great Lawn.

  • See

    T-Rex Discovery Centre

    Eastend's claim to fame is the 1991 discovery of the biggest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found. Known as Scotty, the mammoth T.rex is 13m long. The T-Rex Discovery Centre is a glitzy working lab carved into the hillside. There is a variety of tours available, along with dinosaur dig options if you feel the need to, er, bone up.

  • See

    Remai Modern

    A huge new attraction that anchors River Landing, Remai Modern is a museum of modern and contemporary art for Saskatoon. It has 11 gallery spaces over three floors, learning studios, a theater, restaurant, store, lounges and play areas. There are changing exhibitions, so check the website for what's coming up.

  • See

    Prairie Wind & Silver Sage

    In what was the brick Val Marie schoolhouse (1927–85), the Friends of Grasslands have set up a museum, gallery, bookstore, gift shop and cafe. It's beautifully done, with courtesy wi-fi, brewed coffees and daily homemade treats such as cinnamon buns and brownies. Don't miss this place!

  • See

    Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral

    The undisputed centerpiece of this très jolie little town is the disproportionately large and beautiful Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, built in 1919 in a Romanesque and Italianate style. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1995. Enter if it's open and crane your neck to marvel at the Sistine Chapel–esque frescoes. Monsignor Maillard, who not only designed the chapel's interior and presided over the parish, painted the frescoes himself, from 1921 to 1931 – an astonishing feat. Tours can often be arranged through the Gravelbourg & District Museum.