Summer in Saskatoon

Black Fox Farm & Distillery

Some of the most sustainable small-batch spirits in Canada, Black Fox Distillery & Farm is committed to conservation, sustainability, self-sufficiency, and using the best available practices from all types of farming. Homegrown produce, flowers, and grains are used to make their own gin, vodka, and other spirits. Group functions are welcome here; pick your own flowers from the spectacular prairie gardens or go pumpkin picking in the fall. Tours and tastings are available year-round.

Black Fox Farm & Distillery will make you nostalgic for a time that you have never lived. The folks at Black Fox are third generation farmers. Sharing their passion for agriculture with visitors, this place feels like a family home, complete with a stiff G+T on the table. The Saskatoon distillery grows 90% of their ingredients on the farm, and every spirit has been fermented and distilled by them. Using different grains and flavours, the Saskatoon distillery brings out the natural flavour from the earth through their agricultural passion. Your experience can include tours of the distillery, flower picking, pumpkin festivals, and of course, sipping world-class gin! Each facet of Black Fox is an opportunity for the owners, Barb and John to share their farm with you. 

Brewery & Distillery Tour
9Mile, Shelter, Stumblewtown, High Key, Prairie Sun

Saskatchewan has long been known for our expansive grain fields, but some folks are taking it in a different direction. Snack and drink your way through a tour of Saskatoon’s urban breweries and distilleries. 

Start with tacos and a pint of craft beer at Shelter, then a flight of gin and grilled cheese at Stumbletown. Finish your wander to 9Mile for a glass of award-winning ale, and to listen to the story of local entrepreneurs Shawn Moen and Garrett Pedersen. It may sound dramatic to say that 9 Mile Legacy’s success was written in the stars, but it was. Or at least, Shawn Moen and Garrett Pederson’s partnership was fated. Their families homesteaded in the early 1900s a mere nine miles from each other. What followed was generations of neighbourly relations and business partnerships. These two families have found ways to work together for a century, and 9 Mile is the most recent link in that generational chain. The story makes the beer taste even better. Then head over to High Key, to finish off the evening with a beautifully branded, locally-crafted sour beer. Hear the unique stories of how these farmers and makers have built a culinary scene that is second to none.

Crossmount Cider Company

Located just outside of Saskatoon, Crossmount Cider Company is leading the cider revival with their estate made ciders sourced from their very own 1,500 apple orchard, bred and developed locally at the University of Saskatchewan. Their beautiful facility and tasting room offers visitors the chance to relax, enjoy the amazing view, and enjoy a truly field-to-cork craft cider experience. 

Cider enthusiasts will appreciate diving deeper through a guided tour with the facilities Orchard Manager, getting your clients up close and personal with the entire cider making process, and finishing it all off with a pint of their flagship Flatlander series. Cheers to prairie grown goodness!

Farm One Forty 

No visit to Saskatoon would be complete without seeing the full agriculture and food chain in action. Transform the way you think about sustainability at Farm One Forty. Experience real food that feeds and heals your family, and be blown away by the bold farm flavours and freshness! There’s no omnivore's dilemma or ethical debate here — enjoy pasture raised pork and grass-fed beef and lamb while learning about their holistic farming practices. And there’s more to do than just eat: family-friendly tours, horse drawn sleigh rides, multi course meals, cooking classes, and campfires. Be greeted with a cocktail and a tour of the farm, while the family explains sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Then eat a Farm Harvest dinner, dining on the nourishing foods grown here. Connect with locals over campfire and entertainment, and leave with your heart as full as your belly. 

Han Wi Moon Dinner

Come to Wanuskewin for the famous Han Wi Moon Dinner. Your evening begins with a guided tour through the Opimihaw Creek valley to learn about the culture, history, and science of this land. Arriving at the bluffs overlooking the South Saskatchewan River, you will be welcomed by an inviting campfire where you are able to roast your own bannock. Your three-course meal has been foraged by Chef Jenni Schrenk, a local Metis woman from Northern Saskatchewan. You will watch the sunset and the full moon rise as ancient stories are told by the fire accompanied by the sounds of beautiful Indigenous drums and songs. The merger of locally-sourced ingredients, an archaeological perspective of the park’s significance, and Indigenous teachings delivered via traditional storytelling make this a night you will never forget. 

Hit up a Patio

Saskatchewanians are a people of extremes—the hottest summers and the coldest winters; months of drought and epic, light-up-the-night thunderstorms; bust to atomic boom; the kindest neighbourly smiles and roll up your sleeves, grind it out ‘til it’s done grit. Maybe it’s because we only get a few short glimpses into summer, a few months to soak up the sun, that Saskatoon folk take full advantage of the weather. Summer is extra special when you just get to taste it. And there might be no better way to enjoy summer than to sit on a patio with a cold drink in your hand and the sun blazing down on you. The best patios in Saskatoon are busy from May to September, piquing in those perfect summer months of July and August.  Find the (slightly dated) list of the top 31 patios in Saskatoon here.

The Berry Barn

Take a short drive down Valley Road and brighten your day with a visit to the Berry Barn, one of Saskatoon’s premier attractions. Overlooking the river, this idyllic venue has it all — local food, atmosphere, and even beach! The flowers are bright, and you will definitely be lined up for a waffle once you taste the toppings. For much of the summer, they have a petting zoo, pedal carts, and a train ride. There’s also a great beach, so bring your summer gear!

Remai Modern

No matter where you're from, you will be blown away by the Remai Modern. After opening their doors in 2017, this new museum of modern and contemporary art found its home in the middle of everything and nothing. Walking into the Remai is a transformative experience — magnificent walls and open space create room for exploration of all that is there, the self, and all that is beyond. By connecting art with local and global communities, Remai Modern leads knowledge sharing and seeks new interpretations for old ideas. In its vast open spaces you will find local Indigenous art through to the world’s largest collection of Picasso linocuts, and everything in between. Situated on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River and downtown, the Remai Modern attracts art lovers worldwide with its wide array of modern and contemporary art. With some of the most stunning vistas of the river and the city, here you can immerse yourself with a guided tour or take a class and create your very own linocut, just like Picasso! 

Wanuskewin

Visit Wanuskewin, a name that means “gathering place.” And it’s been just that for thousands and thousands of years. Relive the stories of the people who came here to hunt bison, gather food and herbs, and escape the winter winds so long ago. This history comes to life alongside thriving modern Indigienous culture. A proposed UNESCO world heritage site, Wanuskewin has the longest running archeology site in Canada with artefacts dating back 6,400 years — that’s older than the Egyptian pyramids! Come to Wanuskewin to truly learn and understand the diverse and rich culture of Indigenous peoples. Having recently completed a $40 million dollar expansion project, and reintroduced a herd of plains bison onto the land, this sacred ground will provide you with incredible connection to the land, history, and yourself. The significance of the reintroduction of the bison cannot be overstated. This action has historical and spiritual meaning to the many different Indigenous people that have gathered here. 

Experience traditional Indigenous foods with a modern twist — bison sausage served in a bannock bun, venison or wild rice burgers, muskeg tea, battered white fish, or a roasted squash salad with birch syrup vinaigrette. Take in an art exhibit, snowshoe over the plains, wander the vast circular spaces, source natural medicines on a native plant walk, take in a dance performance, consult an elder, climb the play structures, hike the grasslands with an interpretive guide, or even spend the night in a tipi. You will feel the power of this ancient land beneath your feet. Wanuskewin is the place to meet, share, and learn through nature, history, and each other.

Western Development Museum

Take a trip to the past! Step back in time and experience Boomtown, an indoor representation of a typical Saskatoon town in 1910. Experience the history of Saskatoon in a truly unique and immersive way. The Western Development Museum — affectionately referred to as the WDM by locals — is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan, with a collection of nearly 80,000 artefacts. From cars to jail cells, clothing to a mock city, the WDM will transport you to an era you’ve never experienced in such vivid detail. This documenting and storytelling comes together to create a Saskatchewan where everyone.

Balance on the Water

Saskatoon is blessed to have the South Saskatchewan River flowing through the heart of the city, supplying power, water, and a place to go for relaxation and healing. Living Sky Adventures invites guests to experience the river in a unique way — on a standup paddleboard (SUP), in the company of owner and guide, Carrie Hildebrand.

The day begins with a pickup shuttle from downtown Saskatoon to the serenity and beauty of rural Saskatchewan. The heavy lifting is done... your paddleboard is ready at the shoreline. You will take a slow, safe, and peaceful paddle through the stunning river valley on part of the Trans Canada Water Trail via the Chief Whitecap Waterway section on the South Saskatchewan River. Sit, kneel or stand on your paddleboard – your choice, as you paddle back into the city, experiencing the amazing change in landscape from rural to urban.

Be detectives on the South Saskatchewan and take the pulse of the health of the river using tools of science. Peaceful exercises will help you stay balanced and focused while appreciating the importance of water in our lives. You will soon feel that you are in a special and significant place, a land that has been providing bounty to its people for thousands of years.

The trip begins and ends at the Castle on the River, the Bessborough Hotel, where brunch featuring local ingredients has been crafted exclusively for Living Sky Adventures. Live music will provide the perfect ambience and finale to this unique and meaningful experience in Saskatoon.

Paddle Boarding the South Saskatchewan River

There is no better way to experience the South Saskatchewan River than by paddle board. Embrace adventure as you discover Saskatoon, a city on the edge of nature. Escape Sports in Riversdale can supply you with the boards and other equipment, as well as act as a guide or run lessons. Book as a group or an individual, and soon you'll be gliding down the river and soaking in the glorious natural setting. You can also purchase a membership to the Saskatoon Canoe Club for $60, which gives you access to paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, etc. to use at your leisure throughout the year.

These waterways have been used by Indigenous people for thousands of years. You’ll feel their history and their recency rapidly running beneath your feet. This connection to the land and the river is the one consistent in the rapidly evolving natural structure. The water flows from atop the Canadian Rockies, passing through many terrains to eventually merge into Lake Winnipeg, which eventually drains into Hudson Bay through the Nelson River. 

Meewasin Trail & Conservation Areas

Meewasin is a non-profit organisation that exists to ensure a healthy and vibrant river valley, with a balance between human use and conservation, for the benefit of present and future generations, in Saskatoon & area. The Meewasin Trail lives in and outside of the City of Saskatoon, on both sides of the river, and includes several sites and services to help you make the most of your adventures. Explore the natural habitat along the riverbank, discover culture at museums and interpretive sites, and take advantage of enhancements such as parks and canoe launches. Our Trail Guide, which includes a map, is sponsored by the Saskatoon Road Runners, and is available at their office. 

Part of the Meewasin Trail, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, with its sheltered creek, river valley, and prairie habitat, is truly a microcosm of the Meewasin Valley with four gorgeous nature trails easily explored in any season.

Prairie Lily River Cruise 

There is no experience more akin to Saskatoon than floating down the river on the Prairie Lily. Weaving its way through the centre of beautiful Saskatoon, the South Saskatchewan River is the lifeblood of this community. From the deck of the Prairie Lily, experience the natural wonder of the Meewasin Valley, the bustling downtown, the stately homes alongside the river, newly developed River Landing, and the personality of our living river. Dine on the boat for brunch or dinner, or simply cruise the river with a cup of coffee or glass of wine in your hands. However you like to cruise, the staff on board are there to make the experience unforgettable. No one knows the South Saskatchewan better than Captain Mike, and if you are lucky, he may even tell you about the first naval battle that took place over a hundred years ago.  

Wheatland Express

All aboard the award-winning Wheatland Express Excursion Train! Take a ride and experience the uniqueness that is the wide open prairies. Operating on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Metis, passengers will enjoy lunch aboard the train while live entertainment transports them back in time. Celebrate Saskatchewan's prairie culture, talents, and rich heritage, while maintaining viability of an important piece of history, the Canadian railway.

Champetre County

Travel back in time to Champêtre County, a family owned, country themed event space. Enjoy a hayride, try your luck at casino night, move your feet square dancing, or get lost in the corral maze. Or simply wander the grounds and many buildings, spotting cowboys, farm animals, and an old way of life. Stay for dinner and experience Canada's only pitchfork steak fondue! After supper, experience campfire stories told by the Sheriff before you head off for a night hike where you can hear the coyotes howling. Stay the night at one of the rustic and authentic houses, surrounded by trees and the old country. You will leave Champêtre County with an inner peace, having experienced the simpler things in life, while learning about Saskatchewan and the prairies in a unique way. 

Naughty by Nature

Ever wonder how porcupines get it on? We have that answer and more lined up for this fun night out at Beaver Creek! Meewasin has combined some delicious local food and beverages with a tour that takes a light-hearted look at what happens in the river valley after hours. Join Meewasin storyteller and conservationist Jamie Harder for an entertaining evening that explores the mating and courtship strategies of the wildlife at Beaver Creek Conservation Area.

Start the night with a make-your-own cocktail experience featuring Black Fox #3 Gin and local plant ingredients. After your cocktail, join Jamie on the trail to learn about the surrounding wildlife and their strategies to…well…mate. This tour will provide laugh-out-loud facts about our favourite Beaver Creek flora and fauna but it’s not for everyone, comfort with risqué topics and a good sense of humour are a must!

Following the tour, immerse yourself in the beauty of this beloved local conservation site and enjoy an individual charcuterie box especially curated for your Meewasin experience by Style & Graze, paired with 9 Mile Brewery’s new No. 1 Durum Wheat Ale or a local cider (your choice!).

Join us while we “lift the leaves” on the birds and the bees. This is a small group experience and is limited to 12 people per tour, and must be 19+. Due to the natural features of the trail network, this experience is not considered accessible for guests with limited mobility.