Saskatoon surprised me, but perhaps it shouldn’t have. You see, I didn’t know much about Saskatchewan‘s most populous city before my recent trip, but a quick search would’ve revealed that “the Paris of the Prairies” has left quite the impression on visitors in recent years. Declared an absolute must-visit destination by Vogue, one of The New York Times Places To Go and one of USA Today’s 10 Best Destinations in Canada, Saskatoon is gaining popularity as a vacation destination so it’s time for you to book a trip to see what it’s all about! A slew of unique experiences await…
Where To Stay In Saskatoon
Dakota Dunes Resort
Located on traditional Whitecap Dakota Unceded Territory, this 155-room resort recently earned ‘The Original Original Accreditation’ from Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada for its commitment to providing visitors with an authentic and exceptional Indigenous tourism experience. This is so well-deserved — it’s certainly one of the most memorable resorts I’ve stayed at in Canada!
There’s much to love about Dakota Dunes Resort. The design, food and activities are all inspired by Indigenous heritage and the staff are over 70% Indigenous from the Whitecap community and Saskatoon region! The highlight for me was the Indigenous programming so definitely carve out time for that — you can learn how to play Indigenous games, make bannock by a bonfire, go stargazing, learn how to set up a tipi, enjoy a Pow Wow dance presentation, go canoeing and so much more.
Alt Hotel Saskatoon
If you want to stay somewhere more central in Saskatoon, look no further than Alt Hotel Saskatoon. Located on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River and directly across Remai Modern, you get the best of both worlds when you stay here: nature and city life. The rooms are modern, clean and offer exactly what you’ll need for a comfortable stay.
Where To Eat In Saskatoon
Primal – You’ll find this resto on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and there’s good reason. They take their time and you can taste it. Handmade pasta (made with Saskatchewan heritage grains), a time-intensive preserving program, whole animal butchery, a low-intervention wine program etc. Trust me, you’ll want to eat here. When chefs care this much about the quality, seasonality and sustainability of what they’re serving up, you’re bound to have an unforgettable meal.
I had a rare opportunity to share an afternoon with Chef Christie Peters at her home in Saskatoon (in true form, we harvested her garden) and was blown away by how deeply connected she is to the ingredients she grows and how much inspiration she gets from her garden. Her respect for the entire food cycle is palpable and admirable.
Baba’s Homestyle Perogies – Did you know Saskatoon has a drive-through pierogi spot? I certainly did not! Making 5000-7000 perogies a day (by hand of course) along with delicious cabbage rolls, you’ll definitely want to pick up an authentic meal here. I recommend Baba’s Dinner which comes with six perogies (topped with a dollop of sour cream, bacon and fried onions) and two cabbage rolls. Yum.
Thirteen Pies Pizza + Bar – Greeted by a neon “Pie Till I Die” sign and a room full of smiling faces, I knew we were about to devour some amazing ‘za as soon as we stepped foot inside this joint. Pizzas here are playfully named after horror movie titles and deliver in taste. Don’t expect traditional pies though — their concoctions are anything but. I ordered The Medusa which I’d highly recommend with a side of their kale caesar and a tiki-style cocktail (or two).
Hometown Diner – This modern diner makes all of their dishes from scratch using seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. The chef here elevates all of the brunchy foods we love (so even an avo toast will impress), but you’ll wanna RUN here for their Carrot Cake Pancake. It. Is. Divine.
Odla – It’s rare to find a farm-direct restaurant in Canada and I certainly wasn’t expecting to dine at one in Saskatoon. The team here is rooted with purpose and on a mission to reconnect diners with the food they eat. But what sets them apart from other farm-to-table restaurants who share the same goal? Well, most notably, they source ingredients from their own farm, Farm One Forty. Yup, it doesn’t get more direct than that! Chef and farmer work seamlessly at Odla to create dishes made with ethically-raised, free-range animals and fruits and vegetables harvested at their peak. They even have their own apiary for honey! Everything at Odla is done with intent so you’ll undoubtedly taste the difference. I know we did.
Hearth – Located inside the Remai Modern, this restaurant is much-loved by locals and was on the 100 Best Restaurants in Canada list in 2022 and 2020. The menu is centred around locally grown and foraged ingredients, the space is beautiful and the service is on point. Go here for unpretentious prairie food that gives you a strong sense of place.
Must-Do Activities In Saskatoon
Visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park – You could spend an entire day here. And you should. It’s hard to describe just how special Wanuskewin is, but let’s just say there’s good reason it’s on the road to earn UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Dedicated to the history of the land and the people who lived here for more than 6,000 years, Wanuskewin is the home of the longest continuously running archeological program in Canada. It’s a place you can see Plains bison that were almost extinct roaming their original prairie home, go on a plant walk with a knowledgeable community member, admire indigenous art in a gallery, enjoy delicious meals (a Han Wi Moon Dinner if you’re lucky) and even participate in a Tipi sleepover!
Paddle Board with Back2Nature Wellness and Events – Experience the South Saskatchewan River by getting on the water with Kyla Bouvier. Not only is she an experienced guide, but her wellness adventures will leave you feeling more self-aware and grounded because she weaves in time for reflection and breathwork . We went on her Morning Breakfast Paddle which is great for beginners and includes a fabulous brunch box prepared by The Prairie Grazer.
Cocktail Class with Lucky Bastard Distillery – Fueled by a lottery win, Lucky Bastard Distillers is the first distillery to operate in Saskatoon since prohibition. Although the building is nondescript from the outside, the interior is anything but which makes it the perfect spot for a cocktail class! These guys are passionate and fun so you’ll have a blast making two original recipes from their master mixologists and will learn about their handcrafted spirits along the way. They’ve also curated an incredible shop (both onsite and online) so make sure to snag a few unique items for your home bar.
Try Stock Car Racing at Sutherland Automotive Speedway – Okay, this one isn’t for the faint of heart. But it is definitely a THRILL. I don’t drive often so I opted for the passenger seat, but you can actually drive a stock car around the track! Ready for an exhilarating and unique adventure? Book the Race Experience, slide in through that car window and put the pedal to the metal.
Explore the Remai Modern – More than 8,0000 local and international artworks are in the permanent collection at the Remai Modern so you’ll want to spend at least half a day exploring the museum. Expect modern and contemporary art produced from around 1900 to present, thoughtfully-developed museum spaces and compelling exhibitions. If you’re in Saskatoon in the coming months, do yourself a favour and check out the Meryl McMaster: bloodline exhibition. It. Is. INCREDIBLE. As is the striking work of Nick Cave. His atrium installation, Spinner Forest, is a moving and unforgettable piece centred around gun violence.
Visit Black Fox Farm and Distillery – A trip to this distillery is an absolute MUST because they are both the farmers AND distillers here. Yup, they do it all (grow, harvest, distill) so they’re able to control the process from crop to connoisseur. Oh, and they store their whisky outdoors which I found fascinating! They also offer a range of excursions, tastings, tours and a beautiful uPick experiences so make sure to carve out time for one of those. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying their SE Eleven Canadian whisky — it’s the best whisky I’ve tasted in Canada and truly reflects the terroir.
A huge thanks to Tourism Saskatchewan and Discover Saskatoon for hosting me on this trip and sponsoring this post. As always, opinions are my very own.
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