Why Winnipeg Is A Must-Visit For Book Lovers

If you love literature, the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba was probably an important part of your childhood – after all, the city is the namesake of the real “Winnie” from Winnie Pooh. Yes, the bear who fell in love with a young Christopher Robin Milne was named after the Canadian town by World War I cavalry vet Harry Colebourn. Colebourn adopted Winnie when she was a cub and named her after his adopted home of Winnipeg.

Both kids and adults will love exploring Winnipeg’s literary scene — and not just for the Winnie Pooh Connection. This Canadian prairie town is full of incredible independent bookstores and cute cafes perfect for reading, something I discovered on a recent press tour. If you love reading like me, you should check out Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It’s McNally Robinson’s headquarters

Just hearing the name McNally Robinson is enough to make Canadian book lovers swoon. This family-run bookstore chain was founded in Winnipeg in 1981. New Yorkers may know her name because her city’s McNally Jackson chain is run by the founder’s daughter.

McNally Robinson’s Grant Park Mall location is often cited as the largest independent bookstore in Canada (but that’s not exactly an easy stat to verify). The fact of the matter is how wonderfully delightful the store is. Unlike the traditional grid layout of most bookstores, McNally Robinson is set up in curvy sections (think, for example, the arrondissements of Paris versus the streets of Los Angeles). There are excellent sections dedicated to local authors, indigenous writers and children’s literature. In fact, the entire second floor is dedicated to children’s lighting. The store also offers an excellent range of puzzles, games and book-like lifestyle products.

A second, smaller McNally Robinson branch is located on the second floor of Forks Market in Winnipeg. The Forks is a part of the city where Winnipeg’s two rivers, the Red River and the Assiniboine River, meet. In the market building you will find small boutiques, many restaurants and the bookstore. With the Via Rail train station only a short walk away, this is the perfect place to stock up on reading material and snacks for your trip.

The city is full of tiny bookstores

While McNally Robinson is undoubtedly the big name in town, Winnipeg is just full of small bookstores catering to every possible interest. A La Page, for example, is the city’s French bookstore. Located in the predominantly French-speaking neighborhood of Old St. Boniface, this is the place to shop for local and international titles in French, as well as children’s literature and magazines.

Those who enjoy browsing through used books will enjoy spending time on either Osborne Street or the Exchange District (or both). Osborne Street is where you’ll find Nerman’s books and collectibles (I got a mint copy of the Sugar Cookie Secret here for just a few bucks – it’s never too early in the season for a cozy Christmas). Nearby Burton Lysecki Books might just be the place for a rare first edition. During my Winnipeg trip they had a first Canadian edition of Anna on Green Gables I found that extremely tempting.

In the Exchange District, the Red River Book Store is the perfect place to find a new comic book or used hardcover along with movies, videos, vinyl, and other odds and ends. Not far away is bright and sunny Bison Books, specializing in rare, vintage and out-of-print books, which prides itself on its meticulous curation and well-run shop.

My personal favorite bookstore in Winnipeg is Whodunit. Since 1994, this mystery shop has been supplying customers with new and used titles (including lots of non-mystery material, including children’s literature and bestsellers). The interior is cosy, the staff is extremely competent and the location on Lilac Street couldn’t be nicer. Loyal patrons enjoy a book club, bi-monthly newsletter and rewards program.

Some other bookstores that I haven’t been able to visit yet but will definitely be on my list next time are Prairie Sky General Store, Cover to Cover Bookshelf, Mighty Comics, GLOBOsapiens and Book Fair.

There are relaxing cafes that readers will love

The only thing better than buying a book is to dive into the first chapter, ideally with a fragrant coffee by your side. Winnipeg is full of cafes that are just as nice as its bookstores.

At McNally Robinson’s Grant Park Mall, you can eat at Prairie Ink, the on-site cafe. The restaurant offers a full breakfast and lunch menu featuring pizza, pasta and gourmet sandwiches. Lighter fare such as delicious carrot cake, fruit tarts and Red Forest mochas (a combination of espresso, chocolate and raspberry coulis) are available.

Little Sister Coffee Maker on Osborne Street is great for anyone visiting Nerman’s or Burton Lysecki. It’s a Wi-Fi-free environment, ideal for anyone who needs an excuse to put down their phone and pick up a book. For larger fare, BMC Market is located between Osborne’s two bookstores. This popular neighborhood spot offers homemade tacos, quesadillas, and serves the softest handcrafted tortillas I’ve ever tasted, along with delicious flan.

Other delicious options for coffee lovers include Canteen Coffee Shop, just a short walk from Whodunit, and the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe in the Exchange District. Yes, this cafe is indeed part of the city’s legendary independent newspaper, and patrons often watch as patrons are interviewed live in the cafe itself.

Pro tip: Visit Winnie! If you want to indulge your love Winnie Pooh While in Winnipeg, visit the city’s Assiniboine Park Zoo. There you will see a statue of Winnie with Harry Colebourn. Winnie was originally supposed to live at Assiniboine Park Zoo after the war. In the end, however, he stayed at his wartime home, London Zoo – and you can see a statue of him there too!