Saskatchewan

The Top Things to Do in Regina | Prairie Hospitality Meets Urban Sophistication

Surrounded by unbounded prairies and under a sky so big it’s inspired more than its fair share of country music hits, Regina certainly lives up to its slogan as a city of “infinite horizons”.

I always tell newcomers to throw on their boots and follow the white-tailed jackrabbit through Wascana Centre park toward the 120-hectare lake, as a walk in the crisp Prairie air is the best way to soak up the city’s vibrant mix of nature and revitalized urban spaces.

Take an afternoon wander around the Warehouse District and sample the latest on-tap beer at Bushwakker Brewpub on Dewdney Avenue, or stop by Casa Décor on 7th Avenue to pick up a unique decoration for your home. Continue west past Albert on 13th Avenue and you’ll reach the lively Cathedral Village. While you’re there, pop in to one of the local bookstores and browse the shelves for a literary treasure to keep you company while you refuel in a nearby coffee shop.

After all that exploring, unwind with a massage at your hotel’s day spa or finish up that book by the pool. Regina may be a small city—the population comes in at under a quarter of a million—but its hotel scene is full of gems. My top three picks all celebrate their prairie roots through décor, menu choices and hospitality. Before stepping out to dine at one of the city’s many restaurants that celebrate local prairie flavours, drop by your hotel bar for some conversation over cocktails.

To help narrow down your list of things to do, I’ve rounded up my favourite spots to stop in the Queen City. Whether you’re in town for a romantic getaway, a city break with friends, or looking for a family vacation with a twist, Regina’s waiting to welcome you—prairie style.

Where to stay in Regina: Historic Charm and Sophistication in a Downtown Hotel

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Overlooking Victoria Park, The Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection has held onto its formal charm as one of Canada’s grand railway hotels while offering its guests modern comforts. Step up to the hotel under a navy and gilded porch into the recently refurbished lobby, where sparkling chandeliers and art déco-inspired mirrored side tables encourage you to pause to admire the elegant surroundings.

Freshen up after your long drive across the Prairies in front of the handy lighted mirror in your room’s marble-tiled bathroom, then sink back into an oversized chair with a fresh cup of Joe before you unpack and settle in. If you arrive early, make the most of your stay at this historic hotel with brunch at the on-site lounge and bar. The omelettes are all made with free-range eggs, and the banana nut French toast topped with candied pecans and maple Chantilly cream will keep you joyfully fuelled until dinnertime.

For special occasions, surprise a loved one with a Couple’s Romantic Body Treatment at the hotel’s on-site Damara Day Spa. You’ll be spoiled by a side-by-side exfoliation while you sip a complimentary beverage before your 60-minute candlelit massage. When you emerge refreshed and glowing, head back out to explore Victoria Park or the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame—both right next to the hotel. If you want to relax without having to plan, head down to the hotel whirlpool and feel your muscles sigh a big “thank you” as the healing jets soothe away winter woes.

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The Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection

Top rated
Regina
9.2 Excellent (2101 reviews)

Where to stay in Regina: Family Fun at a Hotel-Meets-Waterpark

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Located in downtown Regina on Saskatchewan Drive and conveniently linked by skywalk to Cornwall Centre Mall is the Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina. Create fresh memories for the family scrapbook at the on-site Waterworks Recreation Complex, and see how many times the kids can whizz down the water slide while the grown-ups kick back in the whirlpool. After a morning of fun at the hotel, you won’t need to travel far to plan your next sightseeing expedition: most of the rooms on the 25 floors have killer views over downtown, so you can plot your route from the RCMP Heritage Centre to the Saskatchewan Science Centre from the comfort of your own room. If pampering is more your style, treat yourself to a hot stone massage at the on-site spa or order in something rich from room service.

The rooms combine contemporary style with warmth, featuring clean-lined, white glossy desktops and wood veneer accent furniture. If you’re looking for that extra touch of luxury, think about upgrading to a club-level suite, where you can stretch out in your own separate living room. The upgrade also gets you access to the 24/7 Club Lounge, where you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, beverages, or snacks. And whichever room type you choose, you’ll enjoy a sound night’s sleep under your billowy duvet. In the morning, head down to the hotel’s Indigo restaurant for a buffet, or pick up your favourite Starbucks® latte at the onsite Urban Bean coffeehouse. You’ll find your breakfast choices are as endless as the prairie views.

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Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina

Regina
8.4 Very good (2088 reviews)

Where to stay in Regina: Stay Downtown for Comfort and Convenience

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Start your Regina break off in sumptuous style at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Broad Street at Victoria Avenue, where a chewy chocolate chip cookie awaits you on check-in. Get a peaceful night’s sleep under 300-thread-count sheets in one of the King rooms, then step outside onto your private balcony or patio to breathe in that fresh prairie air while planning your day’s city tour on foot.

For sustenance, the hotel’s Wild Sage Kitchen offers a breakfast buffet that celebrates local farm produce, along with à la carte options such as the Prairie Steak and Eggs to help keep you satisfied all morning. Then for a quick pick-me-up during the day, grab your favourite blend from the full-service Starbucks® coffee shop just off the hotel lobby. Gym addicts, fitness bloggers, or just those who overdo it on poutine are catered to here as well; you’ll find treadmills and weight-lifting equipment in the on-site fitness centre. And with a gift shop and 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market right inside the hotel, you won’t need to worry about running out to grab any last-minute items.

The hotel’s central location makes it easy to reach all of Regina’s top things to do and see. Take a 10-minute drive or a 15-minute bus ride (the number 9 leaves from 11th Avenue at Broad street) to the Art Gallery of Regina, an independent public art space that includes many works by contemporary Saskatchewan artists. And admission is free!

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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre Regina

Top rated
Regina
8.6 Excellent (2079 reviews)

Things to do in Regina, Saskatchewan: Restaurants

From strawberry champagne macarons to authentic ramen bowls, Regina’s got culturally diverse dining experiences to tickle your tastebuds in the city’s downtown core. I’d make sure you block out an evening to experience at least one of these gems!

Roaring Twenties meet the Prairies with a High Tea Twist at Circa 27

Set in The Hotel Saskatchewan, the elegant Circa 27 Lounge lets you tap into the glamour of the building’s early twentieth century roots. Throw on that flapper dress you ordered online and have never worn, channel your inner Daisy or Gatsby (maybe without the melodrama), and settle in for a menu reflective of the prairies in the twenties. Order delicious mains like chicken with creamy leeks and barley or fungi flatbread with bacon from local, family-run Drake farms. For an experience as noble as the hotel itself, try the Ladies & Gentlemen Tea, where you can nibble on British-style delicacies like prosciutto and almond parsley pesto mini sandwiches or mini crème brûlée, but with a Canadian twist—whisky!

 

Casual Sophistication at the Wild Sage Kitchen & Bar

With a menu inspired by local farm-fresh produce, you’ll find Saskatchewan flavours year-round at the Wild Sage Kitchen in the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. Whether you’re staying at the hotel or just stopping by for a meal, the all-day menu offers a range of goodies from chokeberry ribs to delicious hand-stretched pizzas fired in the Forno oven. Ask for gluten-free dough if you prefer, then pile on toppings like peach bourbon BBQ chicken. Be sure to leave some room for dessert. If your sweet tooth is anything like mine, the menu will have you sticking around for Regina bread pudding topped with Saskatchewan whisky in a caramel sauce or churros with a chocolate ganache dipping sauce.

Regal Treats at Queen City Cakes

It’s my belief that miso and wasabi are best followed by something sweet, and Queen City Cakes has a delectable menu of sugary treats enticing enough to belong on any “must try” list. Located in Brownstone Plaza and within a 10-minute walk of The Delta hotel, this sophisticated bakery is the brainchild of Jared Bugyi, who honed his culinary skills in Vancouver before returning to Regina to delight locals and visitors alike with his decadent creations. The strawberry champagne macarons, chestnut praline cake truffles, and salted coconut cakes are just a few of the colourful sweets you’ll find here. (Let me know if you manage to get your box of treats back to the hotel without sneaking a nibble!)

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Things to do in Regina, Saskatchewan: Bars and Coffee Shops

For a midday pause or end-of-evening simple pleasure, it’s hard to beat a lovingly made coffee or cocktail. My feet were a little weary after a full day of exploring Saskatchewan’s capital so my first picks of top Regina bars are all within walking distance of the major hotels. Pull up an elegant chair to the bar in Circa 27 at the Hotel Saskatchewan and order a Smoked Old Fashioned, which arrives, quite literally, smoking! Or, the extensive bar menu at Wild Sage Kitchen & Bar offers up Saskatchewan-brewed draft beers, playful signature cocktails like the Sage Sunrise with house-infused citrus sage vodka, and crowd-pleasing wines and spirits. Over at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina, head down to the Omega Lounge to unwind with a brew or custom cocktail.

 

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