Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, wasn’t really on my radar until it was—and now I’m wondering why more people aren’t talking about it. This city has a serious range of features: big skies, bold flavours, Métis culture, world-class spirits, and more bridges than you’d expect from a prairie town. It might just be one of Canada’s best-kept secrets—and honestly, I’m torn between shouting it from the rooftops and keeping it all to myself. However, now that it’s on my blog, it’s out there in the open. So let me tell you about some experiences and things to do in Saskatoon.
Straddling the South Saskatchewan River, this city has earned a few nicknames. It’s often called the City of Bridges, with eight iconic bridge crossings connecting neighbourhoods like threads in a tapestry.
On the right summer evening, with golden light on sandstone buildings and music floating from patios, it earns another nickname: The Paris of the Prairies. Quietly romantic, deeply intoxicating. Except instead of croissants, I had whisky. Instead of the Seine, I biked along the South Saskatchewan River. And spoiler alert: it was glorious.
Saskatoon’s downtown core hums with creativity, from the sleek, modern Remai Modern art gallery to indie coffee shops that serve single-origin brews with side orders of community. There’s a strong sense of pride here and a long-standing commitment to the arts. It’s the kind of city where stories are shared over food, trails wind right through the heart of town, and the skyline is best viewed from the seat of an e-bike.
Where Is Saskatoon?
Where is Saskatoon, you ask? Smack dab in the middle of Canada, in the province of Saskatchewan (sorry, Ontario, you are not the centre of Canada). It’s a prairie city built along the South Saskatchewan River that gives off a surprising amount of buzz for a place most folks outside the prairies don’t think about often enough. Some call Saskatchewan a fly-over province. I call this an adventure area.
You’ll find bridges, art, food, and community here… and trust me, once it’s on your radar, it’s a new destination to explore.
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This trip to Saskatoon, anchored by the Travel Media Association of Canada conference, was all about immersion—picnic lunches sourced locally, whisky crafted from Saskatchewan-grown grain, and experiences that made me feel rooted in this prairie gem.
Things to Do in Saskatoon – Conference Edition
Once my travel companions and I gathered after our flights from British Columbia and Ontario, we stretched our legs with a 20-plus-kilometre e-bike ride, which was the perfect way to get the lay of the land and then some.
Rolling Through the Heart of the City (and the Soul of the Prairies)
Our 20+ km e-bike tour with Candace from Local Adventure Company wasn’t just a ride—it was an adventure. Candace, a proud Métis woman from Buffalo Narrows, is a force of nature. Mom of four, cancer survivor, and founder of this Indigenous, woman-led business, led us through the Meewasin Valley like she was guiding us through her backyard.
Whether she’s leading an e-bike tour like ours or taking another group out kayaking on the river, as she did for other conference attendees later in the week, Candace’s energy is steady and inspiring. It’s just clear that she loves this land, believes in the healing power of movement and water, and wants everyone—locals and visitors alike to feel what she feels when she’s outside. And that’s why she started Local Adventure Company: safe, fun, and accessible ways to connect with nature.
Fun trivia – “Meewasin” means “beautiful” in Cree, and the river valley earns it.
The path we rode wound us through riverside trails, across those iconic bridges, and into a sculpture garden tucked behind the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. We watched a train roll through as we biked beside the water, and even that somehow felt cinematic. The river was low—like really low—but it revealed this wild, raw landscape that made the whole experience feel even more personal.
The e-bikes made it feel breezy, but don’t be fooled! Twenty kilometres of exploring on an e-bike still makes for solid physical adventuring.
Lattes, Laughs, and Lunch from Café Del Rey
Before we even got on our e-bikes, we made a very necessary (and highly caffeinated) stop at Café Del Rey, where we were welcomed behind the espresso bar to try our hand at latte art. Spoiler alert: I won’t become a barista anytime soon. My attempt looked less like a leaf and more like a spiking jellyfish, but the vibe was full of laughs, which made the experience even better.
Devereaux Gatin, the Métis owner/operator behind the café, brings a comforting, grounded energy to everything he creates—from espresso to the picnic lunches we packed up for the road. You’d want this fueling you for a long ride through the city. And, to make things even cooler, everything in Cafe Del Rey is second-hand; he made trades and thrifted, except for a couple of stools.
Farm to Fork to Fully Obsessed: Dinner at Odla
After a full day of movement and fresh air, dinner at Odla felt like the reward we didn’t even know we needed. Located in the Broadway district, this place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a love letter to the land it’s rooted in.
Odla is all about connection. The ingredients come straight from Farm One Forty, a holistically managed farm just outside the city, and the relationship between farmer and chef is more like a creative partnership. What’s in the ground is what’s on the plate—simple as that. But trust me, the food is anything but simple. I legit ate the best gnocchi of my life there.
Each dish felt like a little moment. Like someone had taken the time to think not just about taste, but about what would make you pause and savour. The wine pairings were thoughtful, the vibe in the room was warm without being precious, and the whole experience had that magical balance of rustic and refined.
Hometown Diner: Where Avocado Toast Hits Just Right
The next morning kicked off with strong coffee, friendly faces, and a breakfast that honestly set the tone for the whole day. We landed at Hometown Diner, a beloved all-day breakfast spot in Saskatoon’s Riversdale District.
I went with the avocado toast. We’re talking perfectly ripe avocado, beautifully seasoned, layered on hearty bread that could hold its own. Simple, fresh, and full of flavour. I’d come back for that toast alone.
Chef Cole Dobranski and his team are all about local and seasonal ingredients, and you can taste that care in every bite. It’s the kind of breakfast spot that makes you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time in the door.
From this point on, my crew of Kevin from Wandering Wagers, Chris from Rudderless Travel, Ashlyn from The Lost Girls Guide and Mary from Carry On Queen embarked on an amazing experience to an Indigenous Culture Camp and Water’s Edge Edo Resort in Meadow Lake Provincial Park. I’ll share more on that soon! But back to all things Saskatoon, because I dined at more places and we haven’t even touched the craft beer scene yet! So we return to Saskatoon for the conference, and there is more in store to experience!
Surprise Dine‑Around at St. Tropez Bistro
I found out I was going to St. Tropez Bistro ten minutes before. As part of the Travel Media Association of Canada’s conference, they split delegates into groups to sample a local restaurant they might not visit otherwise. We are assigned a number, and that number is your group. Then, off you go to your surprise destination.
This cozy, character-filled spot has been feeding Saskatoon for decades, tucked into a historic building that’s seen over a century of stories and more to be told, for second-generation owner Jason and his partner Cher.
While the food, the drink and the company was amazing… The real magic is the rooftop garden, where they grow everything from lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and fresh herbs to edible flowers.
The menu at St. Tropez Bistro was elegant, local, and just the right amount of indulgent. I went all in with the bison prepared in a beef bourguignon. It was rich and deeply flavourful, with a slightly wild taste that reminds you you’re in Saskatchewan.
The evening slid by with craft cocktails, easy conversation, and the satisfaction that comes from unexpectedly good food in an unexpectedly lovely setting.
Beers and Buds: A Saskatoon Brewery Hop
No trip is complete without a little local brew, and Saskatoon’s craft beer scene? It does not disappoint.
Staying in Saskatoon’s Central Business District, I hit up Shelter Brewing Company with some friends—great vibes, easygoing crowd, and I went straight for their Key Lime Pie Sour. Tangy, tart, and just weird enough to work. It’s like someone turned dessert into a patio beer—and I’m not mad about it.
Another outing brought me to Congress Beer House, where I got to sip on a Dry-Hopped Kettle Sour from Nokomis Craft Ales—an absolute win. Crisp, floral, and just hoppy enough to keep you interested. I also gave the High Light Lager from High Key Brewing a go. It was fine…drinkable and light, but didn’t quite earn a second round.
Each spot had its own charm, but the through-line? Community, creativity, and cold pints that made you want to stay a while.
From Prairie Soil to Pour: The Magic of Black Fox Distillery
Some people go to church on Sundays. I went to Black Fox Farm & Distillery with other delegates from the conference, and I found something holy there, too…whisky. Okay, so it was a Friday I visited, but let’s skip that minor detail.
Located just outside Saskatoon, Black Fox isn’t just a distillery—it’s a full-on experience. Barb and John, the farmers-turned-distillers behind it, are the real deal. Their deep love for the land shows in every pour. I’ve toured a lot of distilleries, but never walked the very fields my whisky came from until now. This is Saskatchewan in a glass, delivered with heart and grit.
We peeked into the heart of the operation and then sat down for a guided tasting that blew my taste buds into orbit. Their single-grain, blended, and cask-finished whiskies were each unique, smooth, complex, and ridiculously satisfying.
Pair those pours with curated cheeses and chocolates, and you’ve got yourself a full-on orgasm in your mouth and finishing down your throat.
And yes, I brought home a bottle. Wouldn’t you?
Saskatoon Murals That Speak Volumes
Saskatoon’s streets aren’t just for walking—they’re a full-blown open-air gallery. I barely scratched the surface, but what I saw was chef’s kiss. Think bold colours, powerful Indigenous storytelling, and massive pieces transforming otherwise plain downtown buildings into Instagram-worthy art moments. Honestly? Toronto’s graffiti alley now looks like toddler scribbles next to this.
Whether you stumble upon them or plan a walking tour, Saskatoon’s murals are layered with meaning and beauty. The vibe is expressive, not messy—more message than mayhem.
Sunsets and Sass in Cowboy Country
One of the wildest (and most unexpectedly delightful) nights of the trip happened out at Champêtre County – Saskatoon’s Wild West Country Ranch in nearby St-Denis. Picture this: wide-open prairie skies, a golden hour that looked like it was painted just for us, and a family-style dinner in full-on cowboy country. It’s a whole recreated village with accommodations, horses, and historic cowboy chic.
We dined in a large hall – had to be sizeable to accommodate the 250+ conference attendees, surrounded by fields and friends, as the sun dipped low and the sky turned fire-orange. Laughter was carried across the tables, the food kept coming, and the vibe was between a Saskatchewan hoedown and a summer family reunion. I mean, it was a denim-on-denim attire kind of night.
Rustic, charming, and a little rowdy—in the best way. A must if you want a real taste of prairie hospitality.
Where To Sleep in Saskatoon: Urban Chic Alt Hotel and the Prairie Castle
On my first night in Saskatoon, I checked into the sleek and stylish Alt Hotel—a modern, minimalist spot right on the South Saskatchewan River. It’s in the heart of the city’s business district, perfectly walkable to amazing eats, drinks, and art. The vibe? Clean lines, cozy beds, and great coffee. A perfect landing pad before we kicked off our Starry, Starry Night: Inspiring Indigenous Icons tour.
When we returned to the city, I switched gears entirely and stayed at the iconic Delta Bessborough—aka the “Castle on the River.” The Bessborough brings a different energy with its turreted rooftop and historic touches. Also right in the business district and equally walkable, it’s got a timeless grandeur without feeling stuffy. And yes, the beds were just as comfy.
Two totally different vibes, but both made Saskatoon feel like a second home. The Bessborough was the home for the conference, so it made sense to bring myself there for the 4 days I needed to be there.
Visiting Saskatoon? Check out some of the accommodations in the area here:
KathrynAnywhere is a participant in the Stay22.com Affiliate Program. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
Until Next Time, Saskatoon…
Saskatoon surprised me in the best way: with prairie pride, trail-side magic, and a food and drink scene that deserves national attention. Between sipping whisky, cycling beside the river, or sinking into local flavours, this city delivers heart, soul, and a lot of wow.
As a side note, and more to delve into later, you can’t walk through Saskatoon without feeling a little whisper of Joni Mitchell in the breeze. Joni Mitchell is a legendary Canadian singer-songwriter, painter, and poet, known for her deeply personal lyrics and genre-defying music that blends folk, jazz, rock, and pop. She was raised in Saskatoon, spent her early years there and even played one of her first live shows in the city. There’s something poetic in that, isn’t there?
This does not conclude adventures to be had in Saskatoon at all. There are many more things to do in Saskatoon and things to do in Saskatchewan. This is all my time allotted, but I do anticipate that I will be back to explore more and have lots more to share from other parts of the province and more indigenous experiences.
If you are interested in other places I have visited for the Travel Media Association of Canada conference, you might want to check out Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, here.
A special thank you to Jodi and Tourism Saskatchewan for the Prairie hospitality and tid bits of knowledge and excitement.
