Rediscover Regina: Top Things to Do in the Queen City

I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, but I moved away from the Queen City fourteen years ago. Time really flies! With everything going on in the world in 2020, I find myself back in my hometown for the time being. Since I’d been gone so long, and let’s be honest we never fully explore our own city, I decided it would be a great idea to rediscover Regina. Part of my rediscovery of the capital of Saskatchewan took place last summer with a friend from abroad, and part this summer with family and friends living in Regina. Here are my top five things to do and see in the city during the summer months, plus some bucket list ones that I haven’t had a chance to experience yet!

1. Wascana Centre

Wascana Centre is expansive and encompasses 2,300 acres of land. It is an urban park, but within its limits are various museums, galleries, and government buildings that can be visited. The centrepiece of the park, however, is Wascana Lake, with its views of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building (see below). The lake was originally the result of damming Wascana Creek in 1883 to create a watering hole for stock animals, but soon people began to use it for recreational activities. Several building projects over the last century have resulted in the lake we enjoy today.

On any given day, in the warmer months, you can see people enjoying various activities on the water. You can even rent kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards at the marina if you don’t own one. Now that I am back in Regina, I go walking quite frequently around the lake. You may have to dodge Canada geese here and there, but it’s a beautiful location to get some fresh air and a little exercise.

The Saskatchewan Legislative Building is the crown jewel of Regina’s heritage properties, in my opinion, and has the distinction of being a National Historic Site. The building, completed in 1913, serves as the seat of the provincial government. Normally there are free tours (temporarily cancelled due to the pandemic). Even though you can’t go inside just yet, the Queen Elizabeth II gardens offer an elegant outdoor space located between the lake and the Legislative Building.

There are two dining options within the park itself. Skye Café and Bistro is annexed to the Saskatchewan Science Centre (a great place to visit if you have kids). I have been to Skye for lunch three times since coming back to Regina (which tells you something), and can certainly attest to the quality of the food at this small, but cozy restaurant. I recommend the Braised Pork Belly Bao during the week, and for weekend brunch the Hawaiian Pancakes. Definitely save room for dessert. You won’t regret it!

The other option is right on the lake, Bar Willow Eatery. I have not been there, yet, but I did notice that they have Basque cheesecake on their menu. After living in the Basque Country for three years and eating more Basque cheesecake than I care to mention (my defense is that it was part of my job!) at the famous La Viña restaurant in San Sebastián, I feel fully qualified to judge any Basque cheesecake. So this is definitely going on my list of things I need to do in Regina!!

Other places to visit in the park (when open) are the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (see below), and the Saskatchewan Science Centre.

2. Government House

It’s been decades since I last visited Government House, the former residence of the Lieutenant Governors (Queen’s representatives) of Saskatchewan, now classified as a Heritage Property. I used to go on occasion as a child to the Victorian afternoon tea offered at this historic building, but it is currently cancelled due to the pandemic. If you want some ideas for having afternoon tea at home, check out my post on cream tea.

The current Government House was constructed between 1889-1891, and an extensive addition for the visitors’ centre was completed in 2011. Although the traditional afternoon tea is not currently available, Government House is open for private tours (the price is a donation). My friend and I were both impressed by the quality of the tour and the talented young people that acted as our guides (and with the pandemic the tour was just for the two of us!).

When you enter into the historic section of Government House you are transported to 1905, where you visit the house under the guise of being the new domestic help hired at the residence. I was deemed scandalously dressed for having my ankles on display! It’s fun to see how much our social norms have changed in just over a century.

Our guides/historic interpreters were lively and charming, and we enjoyed the hour we spent looking around the rooms once frequented by prominent politicians and dignitaries. We even spotted Jocko, the Forgets’ (pronounced in French) pet monkey who lived in the house in 1905. Apparently he causes no end of trouble for the staff!

I absolutely recommend stopping by to visit Government House. Just be sure to book in advance as they are not currently accepting walk-in visits!

3. Royal Saskatchewan Museum

This museum is a time-honoured tradition for school children in Regina. My earliest memories of this museum are that my brother and I were both terrified of some exhibits. Megamunch, a robotic T-Rex half the size of the dinosaur upon which it was modelled, held a certain terror for my brother. I got just a little farther into the museum before I, too, froze in fear. I could not bring myself to walk under the Mosasaur, a giant, sharp-toothed sea creature of the Cretaceous period. I was certain it would eat me at the first opportunity. I can now walk fearlessly through all the exhibits at the museum, but as you can see it wasn’t always the case.

I went to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for the first time in many years last August while my friend was visiting the city. We were both captivated by the full size replica of Scotty, the T-Rex found at Eastend, Saskatchewan. She (yes, Scotty is rumoured to be female) is a phenomenal example of the fossils that have been discovered in Saskatchewan. Scotty holds the title as the world’s biggest T-Rex. Her real bones are at the T. Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend (closed for 2020).

Although Scotty is probably the most remarkable exhibit at the museum, there is lots more to learn about Saskatchewan’s ecosystems, flora and fauna, and Indigenous cultures. The cost of entry is a donation to the museum. It’s always a great rainy day option for all ages in the city (just beware of the dinosaurs)!

4. Regina Farmer's Market

I do love food, so attractions that involve anything edible are usually going to be on my list of top things to do. The Regina Farmer’s Market is located downtown at City Square Plaza and operates during the warmer months, as it is an open air market. The market runs every Wednesday and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

You will find all kinds of local produce and homemade baked goods. There are food trucks on site if you are feeling extra peckish. You can also browse non-edible products including home décor, fashion, and other artisanal items.

What are my favourite things? A summer guilty pleasure for me is anything with Saskatoon berries! Also, wild rice is a great purchase and fantastic alternative side dish to your standard rice. Just serve with butter. Go to the market with an open mind and an empty stomach because I’m certain you will want to try something new every time you go!

5. Ice Cream

Yes, one of my top five things to do in Regina is to go for ice cream. Why not? After you’ve visited all these places, you’ll certain want a break. They say that for every language you speak you have a different personality. This sounds about right, but I also seem to have ice cream personalities based on the continent where I find myself. My North American personality prefers soft serve, while my European personality likes hard ice cream. Though, when confronted with any kind of ice cream, I can hardly refuse! I’ve included options so it doesn’t matter what ice cream personality you have, there is something for you.

Milky Way is a seasonal ice cream stand that has been around a very long time. It’s a classic. I remember going there with my childhood best friend for bubble gum ice cream, but it’s been around much longer than that. It’s like taking a time machine. They do have hard ice cream, but they have lots of soft serve options, like cyclones and sundaes. I just had a pecan turtle sundae. They didn’t skimp on toppings and the soft serve is so creamy!

If artisanal hard ice cream is more your style you can try Dandy’s in Regina’s south end. My brother talked about this place enough that I felt I needed to try it. The clean lines of the modern décor feel cool and airy on a hot summer’s day. They also have a patio if you prefer to be outside. I was tempted by the London fog ice cream, but ordered mint chocolate chip and strawberry honeycomb, which had a nice crunch to it and was a pleasant surprise in a standard flavour.

There's More to Regina

This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do in Regina. These are my own favourites and things I would recommend for visitors to the city in the summer months. I have more plans to rediscover Regina while I am here. If you are not from here, I hope you enjoy what the Queen City has to offer! If you are from Regina, then I hope this encourages you to get out and see those things that have been languishing on your own Regina bucket list. Now is the time!

For more options, Tourism Regina is a great resource for finding things to do in the city. They have tons of information on their website. I certainly used it to jog my memory after so many years away!

My Regina Bucket List

The places and activities I’ve added to my Regina bucket list are the following: The Regina Floral Conservatory (not open in the summer), a tour of the Legislative Building, a boat tour on Wascana Lake, and as I mentioned previously trying the Basque cheesecake at Bar Willow Eatery. Thanks for reading and comment below if you know a place I need to see!