Things To Do in Saskatoon

An excellent introduction to the city comes from exploring the Meewasin Valley, along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River through the downtown area. Particularly pleasant is the west bank of the river, where a riverside trail accesses viewpoints that show the massive Delta Bessborough hotel rising like a French château above parklands and the river.

The University of Saskatchewan (tel. 306/966-4343; www.usask.ca) occupies a dramatic 750-hectare (1,853-acre) site overlooking the South Saskatchewan River across from downtown and is attended by some 15,000 students. The actual campus buildings are set on 200 hectares (494 acres), while the rest of the area is largely given over to the university farm and experimental plots. A good starting point for exploring the sprawling campus is the Diefenbaker Canada Centre (101 Diefenbaker Place; tel. 306/966-8384), which is named for Canada's 13th Prime Minister, who was born in Saskatchewan. Displays pertain to Diefenbaker's political accomplishments and the role of politics, in general, in Canadian society. It's open Monday through Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon to 4:30pm. Admission is C$7 adults, C$5 seniors and children, or C$15 families. Enquire here about walking tours of the campus (minimum of four people required) that cost C$5 per person. The University Observatory (tel. 306/966-6429; open Sat evenings after dusk) houses the Duncan telescope. Also worth searching out is Victoria School House, built in 1887, which served as the city's first school and community center. It's off College Drive near the southwest corner of the campus. To get to the campus, take bus no. 7 or 19 from downtown at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue.

TCU Place (35 22nd St. E.; tel. 306/975-7770, or 306/938-7800 for tickets; www.tcuplace.com), the city's convention center, provides a superb 2,000-seat theater for much of what there is, with a range of shows. The Saskatoon Symphony (tel. 306/665-6414; www.saskatoonsymphony.org) regularly performs during a September-to-April season. Tickets are C$21 to C$58.

The leading local theater company, Persephone Theatre (tel. 306/384-2126, or 306/384-7727 for the box office; www.persephonetheatre.org) is based at the Remai Arts Centre, at 100 Spadina Crescent E. Persephone offers six shows per fall-to-spring season (dramas, comedies, and musicals); tickets are C$25 to C$32. Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan (tel. 306/653-2300, or 306/652-9100 for the box office; www.shakespeareonthesaskatchewan.com) produces the Bard in two tents overlooking the river just south of the Mendel Art Gallery from July to mid-August. Two Shakespeare plays are performed, plus a number of guest performances during the season. Tickets are C$30 adults, C$24 seniors, and C$18 students, with discounts for previews and matinees.

For quiet drinking and conversation in a refined setting, you can't beat Stovin's Lounge in the Delta Bessborough Hotel (601 Spadina Crescent E.; tel. 306/244-5521). For a more pub-like atmosphere, try O'Shea's Irish Pub (222 2nd Ave. S.; tel. 306/384-7444), within easy walking distance from downtown hotels. The Marquis Downs racetrack, at Saskatoon Prairieland Park, at 503 Ruth St. (tel. 306/242-6100; www.marquisdowns.com), is open for live and simulcast racing. The live season goes mid-May to mid-October. The racetrack has a lounge, cafeteria, and terrace dining overlooking the home stretch. Admission is free. The other place to wager is Dakota Dunes Casino, south of the city off Highway 219 (tel. 306/667-6400; www.dakotadunescasino.com), where you can play five or so table games. It opens at 5:30pm weekdays and at 2pm weekends.