Saskatoon is the biggest city in Saskatchewan and has long been the province’s cultural and economic center.
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Named after the distinct sweet purple Saskatoon berries (from the Cree word “misaskwatomina”), the area first belonged to the Northern Plains Indigenous Peoples for over 6,000 years until the European settlers arrived in the 1800s.
Today, Saskatoon offers a mix of Saskatchewan history and contemporary culture. The city has over 60 neighbourhoods to explore, some of them dating as far back as the 1900s, while others are fairly recent, modern developments. From wheat fields to a buzzing downtown scene, Saskatoon is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities with a signature prairie charm.
We recently spent 3 days exploring Saskatoon and have found plenty to do to keep ourselves busy. If you are planning to visit Saskatoon, read on to discover our favourite activities, restaurants, hotels and more!
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How to Get to Saskatoon
By Air
Saskatoon International Airport has daily nonstop flights to major destinations throughout the US and Canada, as well as a few seasonal flights to Mexico.
By Car
Located in central Saskatchewan, Saskatoon is accessible via Highway 16 from Edmonton (roughly a 5-hour drive covering 521 km/323 mi) or Winnipeg (8 hours away or 785 km/487 mi), or via Highway 11 from Regina (2 hrs 30 min drive at 263 km/163 mi away).
By Rail
Saskatoon’s VIA Rail Station is connected to the cross-Canada rail network from Toronto to Vancouver.
How to Get Around
Saskatoon is very walkable, especially if you’re staying within the city. It’s possible to get around on foot, and there’s also a reliable bus system that’s cheap and easy to navigate. Other options like taxis, rideshare apps, and bike rentals are available, too.
But if you want to see what the rest of Saskatchewan has to offer, we recommend renting your own car. There are many sights out of town that are only accessible with your own vehicle!
Best Time to Visit Saskatoon
Saskatoon’s summer months from June to August are the busiest and liveliest, with many festivals, outdoor activities, and local fanfare. It’s definitely the best time to visit and appreciate the vibrant city, its many walking trails, and its unique landscapes.
In contrast, winters in Saskatoon can be long and very cold, with average temperatures in January are around -13°C (8°F). But if you want to experience the Saskatoon winter, there are festivals, ice sculptures, cross-country skiing, and other seasonal outdoor activities to look forward to–and a chance to see aurora borealis in the city!
10 Best Things to Do in Saskatoon
Around Downtown Saskatoon
1. Join a Meewasin Valley River Tour
At the heart of the city is Canada’s largest urban conservation zone, the Meewasin Valley. The name is Cree for “beautiful,” which you’ll see walking across 105 km of trails along the South Saskatchewan River. The multi-use riverbank trails are a great way to see the Saskatoon cityscape. More importantly, this area is maintained by Meewasin, a non-profit organization focused on balancing human use and river conservation.
Head to downtown Saskatoon and join a guided Meewasin Valley River Tour. The 2-3 km walking tour is a great way to get to know the city and learn about its long history. Plus, proceeds help support Meewasin’s conservation and education programs, so it’s a sustainable tour, too!
You’ll walk along Meewasin Trail, which is known as one of the best trails in Canada. The trail offers views of the South Saskatchewan River, iconic buildings, and the city skyline.
Apart from the walking tour, Meewasin also offers many other fun activities. There are wildflower walks, a birding breakfast experience in the spring, eco-adventure camps for kids in the summer, grazing dinners with a 3-course meal, and tons more.
If you want to explore the area independently, bike rentals are available so you can cycle through the valley. In the winter, they also have an exclusive sip and skate event at the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink that Saskatoon residents and tourists flock to!
2. Visit Remai Modern
Spend a few hours appreciating the city’s biggest collection of modern and contemporary art. Remai Modern has a permanent collection with over 8,000 works from local and international artists, a Pablo Picasso gallery, and 9 other gallery spaces with changing exhibitions.
They’re open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
3. Go for a Ride along the South Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River is no doubt one of Saskatoon’s most iconic landmarks. Today, there are lots of recreational activities centred around the river. Popular choices include paddleboarding, kayaking, or sightseeing on the Prairie Lily Cruise.
4. Head Across the River to Explore Broadway Ave
Broadway Avenue is Saskatoon’s quaint main street, lined with local arts and crafts shops, cute cafés and bistros, beer breweries, vinyl stores, the iconic Broadway Theatre, and more. Festivals and community events often happen here – for example, on the first Saturday in September, Broadway Avenue turns into a celebration of all things local!
5. Visit the Saskatoon Farmers Market
Saskatoon’s local farmers market has been running since 1975, and it’s open year-round. You’ll find everything here, from high-quality local agricultural products to baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, local handicrafts, and more.
Visit the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
6. Hang Out at River Landing in Downtown Saskatoon
River Landing is a great outdoor spot in the city. It’s a beautifully maintained park that’s quiet, spacious, and has lots of open areas for lounging around. There are some walking trails around here, too, and plenty of pop-up events and activities take place throughout the week.
7. Visit the Ukrainian Museum of Canada
Canada has a very rich Ukrainian settler heritage, and this museum tells us more about its history, culture, art, and traditions. Established in 1936, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada is one of the oldest Ukrainian museums in North America. They have an impressive textile collection that displays regional folk costumes and impressive paintings, old photographs, rare books, folk art, fine art, and more.
The Ukrainian Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free, though donations are welcome.
Beyond Downtown Saskatoon
8. Visit Black Fox Farm and Distillery
Just 15 minutes from downtown Saskatoon is the award-winning Black Fox Farm and Distillery. Their SE Eleven Canadian Whiskey has bagged prestigious international awards and is a must-try, but they also offer Canadian gin and liqueur within their selection. Take a tour to learn more about their unique methods that combine traditional distillery with modern technology.
During the summer months, you can also pick your own flowers and berries and enjoy a cocktail in their outdoor space overlooking the farm.
Wanuskewin
9. Discover Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Head to Wanuskewin Heritage Park for a truly immersive prairie experience that takes you to unspoiled landscapes and tells the story of the Northern Plains Indigenous Peoples.
This area was a gathering place of Indigenous Peoples over 6,000 years ago. The park preserves about 360 acres worth of trails, archaeological digs, interpretive sites, flora and fauna, and more. You can even find repopulated plains bison in the area, slowly restoring balance to the land. Visitors can learn about the rich history and traditions through interactive demonstrations and events, traditional cuisine, art galleries, Tipi Sleepover programs, and more.
The park is open from 9:30am to 5pm daily, and admission is CAD $16 for adults.
10. Join a Han Wi-Moon Dinner
The Han Wi Moon Dinner is a special culinary experience and was one of our favourite ways to spend time at Wanuskewin. The evening started with a guided walking tour that recapped 6,000-year-old stories about the culture, history, and science of the land.
Dinner is a beautifully set up 3-course meal served in the Tipi Village. Chef Jenni Lessard and her team are behind the special menu featuring seasonal dishes made with ingredients sourced from the prairie. The evening ends with a cultural presentation against the beautiful prairie sunset.
It’s a truly unique experience and one of the best things to do in Saskatoon. It only happens a few times a year, usually in the summer, so make sure to keep an eye on the Wanuskewin news and updates and book your spot when it becomes available.
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Where to Stay in Saskatoon
James Hotel
For a luxury stay, book a room at the family-owned, contemporary boutique James Hotel. Located along the South Saskatchewan River banks, the hotel offers a great view of the city from the rooms. We stayed in their Junior Suites, which were outfitted with a deluxe king bed, L’Occitane bath amenities, Carrera marble bathrooms with deep soak tubs, and our own private balcony. Room options include a studio suite, a one or two-bedroom suite, a classic king, or a penthouse suite.
There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre on-site, and their hotel bar, The Lobby Bar, is ranked #37 in Canada’s Best 100.
ALT by Germaine
Another great option by the river with a friendlier price tag is ALT Hotel. It’s modern, clean, and comfortable, with 2 dining options on-site and a 24-hour gym.
Guests can choose between a king or queen bedroom, a river view king bedroom, or a two-queen bedroom. These rooms have convenient extra features, like a rainfall shower, HD TV with Chromecast, free Wifi, and a Nespresso coffee machine.
The hotel is within walking distance from Remai Modern, as well as a lot of downtown restaurants, bars, and the theatre.
Delta Hotels Bessborough
Some people refer to Bessborough as Saskatoon’s own castle. It’s close to 100 years old, and is something of a local landmark thanks to its iconic Chateau-style architecture and 5 acres of lush gardens. An elegant structure along the riverside, the hotel has a luxury spa, two dining options, a fitness centre, and a beautiful swimming pool that overlooks the gardens.
Some areas are being renovated for 2026, as the hotel is poised to become a Marriott Autograph Collection property.
Outside Saskatoon: Alive Sky Lodge
We highly recommend Alive Sky Lodge if you’re looking to spend a night in a scenic place outside the city. They offer really unique converted grain bin accommodation in the middle of a canola farm!
In the daytime, you have your own little prairie vista, and at night, you’ll be spoiled with a view of Saskatchewan’s starry skies. The grain bin room that we stayed in also comes with a 2-person hot tub and a private fire pit – ideal for enjoying those late nights!
Where to Eat in Saskatoon
We had a lot of fantastic meals in Saskatoon; here are just a few worth mentioning.
Odla
Farm-to-table restaurant with a unique, local menu and our favourite restaurant in Saskatoon. They use fresh, seasonal ingredients for every dish, and their dishes are full of flavour and creative twists. Try the Chef’s Choice 4-Course Meal, and order a cocktail or wine pairing to go with it!
Odd Couple
For a fusion of Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisine, head to the Odd Couple. Some of their best dishes are the Vegan Spring Rolls, Kung Pao Chicken, Thai Basil Stir Fry, and Beef Tenderloin.
Hometown Diner
This modern diner serves all-day breakfast and lunch. Start your day with coffee and an order of Fried Chicken and Pancake, a Hometown Burger, or Eggs Benedict.
Loqui
This new open-concept restaurant in town combines global inspirations with local flavours. It offers many great vegetarian options, like lentil fries, beet chips, and mushroom dishes. For non-vegetarians, Pork Bao was also on our list of favourites!
Hearth
Located inside Remai Modern, this delicious restaurant offers a taste of vibrant prairie cooking. Their menu changes quite a bit, but always serves a modern take on old favourites. We came here for lunch and particularly enjoyed our colourful salads.
Botté Persian Cafe
We are always on the search for high-quality tea in cities that we visit. The Botte Persian Cafe stood out for its selection of fair-trade loose-leaf teas. It’s also one of the few places in town with a Matcha Latte on the menu. The café also serves delicious Persian-inspired meals and is known for their Tea Cakes for dessert.
Pique
If you’re willing to splurge for brunch, this spot has a great selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads, freshly baked and mostly organic bread, and specialty coffee. Their best-sellers are the Chicken Apple Brie and Danishes with different seasonal jams.
Berry Barn
This riverfront spot is known for home-style cooking, seasonal fruit pies, and hearty meals. It’s a great place to taste the famous Saskatoon berries or enjoy some live music.
Food Trucks
Saskatoon is big on food trucks, and there are even Food Truck Wars that happen in July. There are street market vendors, food-related contests, taste-testing, dancing, and of course–plenty of food trucks!
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The Bottom Line
Saskatoon is a vibrant city that blends rich history, diverse cultural experiences, and natural beauty, making it a great destination, particularly in the summer.
Whether you’re exploring the scenic Meewasin Valley, enjoying local cuisine, or delving into the city’s arts and heritage, or simply spending your day “saskatooning” – we have no doubt you’ll have a great time exploring this city. We sure did!
Disclaimer: Our stay in Saskatoon was arranged courtesy of Tourism Saskatchewan and Discover Saskatoon. All opinions expressed in this article are our own.