Many visitors come to Regina for mainly one reason: The Canadian “Mounties”, famous worldwide for their traditional red uniform! Saskatchewan’s capital is home to the country’s only basic training camp for the next generation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Year after year all young cadets complete their basic training here. Visitors can either enjoy the interactive RCMP Heritage Centre or even go behind the scenes at the academy on a Depot Tour. The RCMP’s Depot Tours run from Mid-June to early September and take participants on an hour-long tour of the campus, visiting the Mounties’ Hall of Fame and the Chapel, the academy’s oldest building. The tour is topped off by the daily Sergeant Major’s Parade!
But Regina has even more to offer than military drills! If you want to experience the city like a local, don’t join the queues at the museums, but discover the city off the beaten track.
Neighbourhoods
Right in Regina’s centre is Cathedral Village, a friendly neighbourhood that is said to have the highest quality of life in the city. Neat trees line the perfectly straight streets, and a diverse mix of people provide creative offers and activities. 13thAvenue with its many shops and eateries forms the beating heart of the neighbourhood. There is something for everyone: delicious vegetarian food at the Coffee House, Regina’s premier cheese destination at Takeaway Gourmet and fitness courses at Bodhi Tree Yoga. Many small boutiques such as Seed Sustainable (eco-labelled apparel), Uforia Muse (chic fashion for day and night) or the gift shop Paper Umbrella invite shoppers to browse around.
A Saskatchewan brewpub experience
Founded in 2014, Rebellion Brewing's mission is to brew great beer that makes their community better. Centrally located in the heart of Regina's Warehouse District, come in and sample some of Saskatchewan's best craft beer. This micro-brewery also features a 50-seat taproom with an El Tropezón food menu.
With their community always in mind, Rebellion has done many collaborations and made many contributions to organizations close to their heart. Rebellion Brewing Co made a beer called Flo Mingo’s Sparkle Motion Majestic Milkshake IPA and 100% of the proceeds went to Lulu’s Lodge, a transitional home for LGBTQ+ youth. Vanessa Owen is the brewing master at Rebellion Brewing in Regina. On International Women’s Day for the last eight years, she has made it her mission to better educate and include women in learning about brewing. Part of the process involves creating a new brew and inviting people to help make it. Rebellion then sells that beer with all proceeds going to a different organization. Over eight years, over $50,000 has been raised for different organizations focusing on helping women and children.
Fresh and local
Every Wednesday and Saturday, Confederation Park in the REAL District transforms into a bustling farmers’ market selling fresh local produce. Have you ever tried delicious saskatoon Berries? Fresh from the farmer, an explosive burst of flavour!
Green lung
Wascana Centre, one of the largest urban parks in North America, is in the middle of the capital city. Regina’s locals are incredibly proud of this man-made park and lake and love to use the many paved multi-purpose trails for their open air activities - there are more than 10 kilometres of trails in total that join up with over 28 kilometres of trails throughout the city. In addition to walkers, there are joggers, cyclists and, in winter, cross-country skiers. If you do want to tick off something from the classic sights, Wascana Centre is the place for you. It is not only home to Saskatchewan’s stately parliament building – the Legislative Building –, but also to the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the Saskatchewan Science Centre and the Kramer Imax Theatre!
Regina rocks!
Especially in August, when the annual Regina Folk Festival takes place. The entire weekend is dedicated to music from different styles and cultural influences. The Big Rock Garden in Victoria Park in Downtown Regina will be buzzing with a main stage and various side stages, workshop sessions, children’s entertainment, an artistic market and food stands from all over the world.
Attention football fanatics
If you’re in town at the right time, don’t miss a home game of the Saskatchewan Roughriders at the impressive Mosaic Stadium! Saskatchewan’s football team has a reputation for having the most passionate (and craziest) fans in the entire Canadian Football League! At home games, the colourful crowds are dressed in bright green and the whole city buzzes!
Let’s go to the beach
Had enough of city life? Then just head out into nature! Less than 45 minutes north of Downtown, Regina Beach on beautiful Last Mountain Lake is the capital’s local beach. Since the early 20th century, locals have been enjoying relaxing weekends and family holidays here. In addition to the warm sandy beach, the lake naturally attracts boating, fishing and stand-up paddling enthusiasts. Sailing boats and wakeboarders are also part of the typical scenery and give the prairie an almost Mediterranean atmosphere.
Further information on Regina can be found at www.tourismregina.com and www.tourismsaskatchewan.com.
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