Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/514227
50 A BEACON of HOPE The striking architecture of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights corresponds with the uplifting nature of the museum's vision. Surrounded by Prairie grasses, its exterior resembles a mountain, with dove's wings incorporated into its glass cloud. Inside, 47,000 square feet of exhibit space are dedicated to inspiring stories of human rights champions, struggles and achievements. Glowing alabaster-clad ramps lead visitors upward through the museum galleries, following a path from darkness to light that ultimately leads to the 23-storey Tower of Hope. Climb the tower steps to take in panoramic views of the city and spend some quality time in the garden of contemplation. The museum's ERA Bistro highlights Manitoba cuisine and its gift boutique is a destination for ethically sourced fair-trade goods. > humanrights.ca On the RAILWAY Steps from The Forks, Union Station — the VIA Rail station constructed from 1908-11 — is a National Historic Site in its own right. The four-storey building is notable for a massive skylight in the cupola over its grand rotunda, and an imposing facade facing Broadway on Main Street. Climb the stairs to Tracks 1 & 2, where the Winnipeg Railway Museum displays artifacts and the first steam locomotive on the Prairies, The Countess of Dufferin. > wpgrailwaymuseum.com GRAND Hotel The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway pulled out all the stops when it built an elegant chateau hotel on Broadway in 1913, complete with a seventh-floor ballroom and concert hall, plus bathrooms in every room, a rare luxury at the time. The Fort Garry Hotel has been restored to its former grandeur, with luxe modern amenities such as Ten Spa on the 10th floor. A fit castle away from home for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, the hotel has welcomed many luminaries over the years, including a ghost who is said to haunt its halls, and Room 202 in particular. > fortgarryhotel.com TRACKS of TIME All aboard for a vintage travel experience on Canada's oldest regularly operating steam train. Prairie Dog Central departs from Inkster Junction in northwest Winnipeg for points north on weekends until late October. Ride the rails and enjoy interactive entertainment at the same time. Face down villains during Great Train Robbery runs, take in fall suppers in Grosse Isle in September and, come October, catch the terror train known as the Howlin' Halloween Express. > pdcrailway.com The FORKS There's a special kind of energy at the place where the Assiniboine and Red Rivers meet. A gathering place for 6,000 years, The Forks National Historic Site is a hub for community life and celebrations, with its outdoor stage, naked-eye observatory and recreation areas that are transformed with the changing seasons. In winter, the world-class Skate Park becomes a Snowboard Fun Park, near Canada's longest naturally frozen outdoor skating rink, the Red River Mutual Trail. Designs for unique warming huts on the frozen river are chosen through an international architecture competition, and past contributors include luminaries Frank Gehry and Étienne Gaboury. Music accompanies skaters at the Canopy rink, which is often the scene of summer dance parties. Year-round, explore the eclectic shops and art galleries of the Johnston Terminal and The Forks Market and savour local takes on global cuisine at an array of casual and fine-dining restaurants. > theforks.com CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AARON COHEN PRAIRIE DOG CENTRAL STEAM TRAIN 50