Gateway to Saskatchewan

You will take your flight from Montreal to Saskatoon. At the airport, you will take possession of your rental car and drive to the Alt Hotel Saskatoon to rest before your next day.

Your trip begins with a visit of the city. Saskatoon is a beautiful Northern Canadian city, which is also known as the “Paris of the Prairies” for its eight bridges that span the South Saskatchewan River. Here you will find excellent restaurants, Art Nouveau architecture and the Wanuskewin Heritage Centre.

Start your day by going to the Wanuskewin Heritage Centre. This place is located at 5 km north of Saskatoon. It is the perfect spot to learn more about Saskatchewan’s first nations.

The Meewasin Valley has many trails for year-round recreation and beautiful sightseeing opportunities located in the centre of Saskatoon. There is multi-use pathways that are perfect for cycling, jogging or walking along the riverbank.

At the end of the day, you also have the possibility to take the Prairie River Cruises that is situated along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. This cruise offers the chance to get out on the water and see the city from a new perspective.

Prince Albert National Park is the first national park of Saskatchewan. It is home to beautiful northern lakes, many hiking trails, a lot of wildlife and to the southern boreal forest region of Canada.

Take your time to visit the little town of Waskesiu. You have the possibility to rent a pontoon boat to go out on the Waskesiu Lake. Enjoy one of the many magnificent sunsets that Saskatchewan is known for.

From walking along the beach to hiking the various trails, Prince Alberts National Park is a great place to explore.

After visiting Prince Albert National Park head to Little Lake Manitou which is the Canadian version of the Great Salt Lake in the United States. Thanks to the high salt concentration, you can float easily in both the lake and the nearby mineral pools.

After relaxing at Little Lake Manitou, drive to the city of Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan. Start walking in Wascana Park, a massive park located in the city centre. From the park you will be able to see the beautiful Parliament buidings and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. There, you will explore the province’s wildlife and ecology as well as the history of the first nations.

At the end of the day, head to The Hotel Saskatchewan which is the most luxurious and historic property in Regina. Originally built in 1927, this hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection and features an on-site restaurant, bar and spa.

This morning, while visiting Wascana Centre, you will see this beautiful building and the garden in front. You should take the time to stop in and view the building’s beautiful Grand Staircase, Rotunda and Legislative Assembly Chamber.

In the afternoon, you can visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Centre, where you can learn more about the history of Canada’s National Police Force through various artifacts and also through fun interactive games and exhibits.

Next door to the museum, you can experience the Sunset Retreat Ceremony, a military tradition that dates back to the 17th century and takes place where the RCMP police officers in the country get trained. The ceremony is a colourful display of marching, military music, troop drills and even the firing of a cannon.

After several days at Regina, drive further south to Grasslands National Park which is one of the few remaining grasslands in North America. It is also home to some of the rarest animals in Canada. One of these animals are the black-tailed prairie dogs. You will also see some bisons which are iconic animals of the park. This is an incredible place to explore if you want to experience natural grasslands and prairies.

Furthermore, there are a lot of scenic drives, hikes, and camping options, which include spending a night in a tipi or in a comfortable oTENTik. Grasslands National Park is also one of the darkest Dark-Sky Preserves in Canada, making it an incredible place to see stars, planets and the Milky Way.

Head north up to Sceptre and check out first the Great Sandhills Museum and Interpretive Centre and then a short drive from there is the Sandhills. The museum is set up like a typical small Saskatchewan town back in the day and divided up into the different shops, buildings and areas of towns.

The Great Sandhills contain one of the largest set of active sand dunes in Canada. It is a protected area and is located within the Great Sandhills Ecological Reserve. The Great Sandhills are a perfect spot for bird watching and nature photography.

In the afternoon, drive back to Saskatoon. You can visit the Western Development Museum which is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan. You will learn about Saskatchewan through its exhibits, educational and public programs, special events and research about the history of the province.

Depending on the time of your flight, you can continue your discovery of Saskatoon. You then head to the airport where you return your rental car. This marks the end of your trip to Saskatchewan.