Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's largest city, is the business and science hub of this agricultural region. Its nickname is the Bridge City because seven bridges span the South Saskatchewan River connecting the two sides of the city. You might start your tour by walking along the riverbank and over University Bridge to the University of Saskatchewan with its lovely greystone architecture. The university is also home to the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, which is dedicated to the life and times of former Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker (there are several interesting exhibits, including a political cartoon gallery). He is buried just outside the front door. Also lovely is the restored College Building, the permanent home of the Amati-Quartet-in-Residence, which performs on four rare stringed instruments crafted in Italy in the 1600s.
The local branch of the Western Development Museum is Boomtown, an indoor living museum that re-creates Saskatchewan in the 1910s with shops, a train station and a cafe. Other attractions you might consider are the Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory (an admirable collection of local and international art) and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, which does a nice job of displaying the ornate crafts and enduring culture of the country's Ukrainian immigrants.
If you have time, see the historic Delta Bessborough Hotel—known affectionately as The Bezz—standing like a grand Loire castle on the riverbank downtown. The Saskatoon Zoo and Forestry Farm Park features more than 200 native bird and animal species. Beaver Creek is a conservation area with an interpretive center and self-guided tours. Along the river, you'll find the Meewasin Valley Trail, a 12-mi/19-km hiking and biking trail that passes eight parks and scenic overlooks along its route. Take a river boat tour from the dock at the Mendel Art Gallery. There are also plenty of lakes and recreational areas in the vicinity. Saskatchewan Place is the city's sports, trade and entertainment facility.
Annual events in Saskatoon include the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (June), Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan (June-August), Saskatoon Exhibition (competitions, entertainment—July), and Folkfest (multicultural celebration—August). Saskatoon's colorful Farmers Market runs every Saturday.
Just north of the city, the Wanuskewin Heritage Park is worth a visit. Opened in 1992, this cultural center consists of 20 archaeological sites connected by a trail along riverside bluffs. Some of the sites date back 6,000 years. Visitors can learn how to build a tepee and tan a hide.
Everyone who has time should make the trip to Batoche National Historic Park, roughly 55 mi/90 km northeast of Saskatoon. This was the site of the last battle of the Northwest Rebellion of 1885, where Louis Riel's Metis insurgents were forced to surrender (Riel was subsequently hanged). The park includes the ruins of the Metis village, a church and a museum. A few minutes beyond Batoche is the little French village of St. Isidore-de-Bellevue with marvelous wood carvings on display in the Cultural Centre and tourtiere (a French-Canadian meat pie) on the menu.
An hour east of Saskatoon, Little Manitou Lake is said to be three times saltier than the ocean—it is impossible to sink. Its mineral waters are thought to have restorative powers and were sacred to Native Americans (Manitou means God). The lake town of Manitou Beach is home to the Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa. Saskatoon is 140 mi/225 km northwest of Regina.
