Bright weekend up ahead for Broadway

Just because it's time for the kids to go back to school doesn't mean all fun has to stop. I think this is what the downtown BIZ was thinking when they planned the 5 events 1 weekend which includes Lights on Broadway, this weekend.

5 events 1 weekend looks like it will be lots of fun and the best part is it's like one last hurray to summer. I know no one wants to hear that, but yes summer is over, fall is here I said it! The weather is changing but that doesn't mean we have to stop having fun and the downtown BIZ is making sure of that.

This weekend expect to find lots of music, dancing and food on Broadway. The full schedule looks like this:(from the downtown BIZ website)

Lighting Design Competition, Sept 11 & 12, starting at sun down--Watch as the elm trees lining Broadway are brought to life with a spectacular lighting display created by three world-renowned lighting designers. Hosted by Manitoba Homecoming 2010 and Manitoba Hydro.

Taste of Downtown Winnipeg, Sept 10, 11am-10pm; Sept 11, 11am-10pm; Sept 12, 1pm-6pm--Sip cabernets and chardonnays during this wine and cheese event being held in Memorial Park. Hosted by the Independent Wine Merchants of Winnipeg.
 
The Big Dance on Broadway, Sept 11, 4pm-11pm--It's a dance party like no other with two stages playing various genres of music. Jive, swing, bop and groove beneath a canopy of light. Hosted by Winnipeg Cultural Capitals of Canada 2010.

Winnipeg 10+10, Sunday, Sept 12, 8am-11am--Lace on those runners and enjoy the scenic route of a 10 km or 10 mile run that starts and ends in Memorial Park. Hosted by the Running Room.

Ciclovia, Sunday, Sept 12, 11am-7pm—In its second year! Walk, jog or cycle your way all the way from Assiniboine Park to The Forks during this eco-friendly festival. Stop at Broadway to enjoy a farmers market, fitness demos, kids zone, bike zone, music and more. Hosted by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.


What I'm most excited about is obviously Lights on Broadway, I think it's a great way to draw attention to the downtown area, and the beautiful street of Broadway.

If you have never been to Broadway I suggest you go soon while the trees are still green. This street is just so wonderful, full of heritage buildings, beautifully large trees and friendly atmosphere. The perfect place to hold a great street festival this weekend.

So I hope everyone who is in town this weekend makes their way down to Broadway at least for one day to take in this amazing event.


Cheers
Janis

Travel Green in Winnipeg

Being "eco-friendly" is on everyone's mind. How can it not be, everywhere we look we see the push to be eco-friendly. It's not bad thing either, I mean how can sustaining our planet where we live be a bad thing?

We all know how to be nice to our environment at home, but how do we stay that way when on the road? While researching this idea I came across an article by Canadian Living called "Ecotourism: How to make your vacations greener." They have several ideas on making your traveling easy on the planet.

1. Pick eco-friendly activities
This is a wonderful suggestion and so easy to accomplish here in Winnipeg no matter what the season is. In summer or fall as it is now turning, consider going on walking tours. They may not be led by a tour guide but information can be picked up online. The Exchange District is one of the most beautiful and historical places in Winnipeg. Although the walking tours have ended for the season, they have brief information about spots here.

(picture from worldguids.com)

2. Stay at eco-friendly accommodations
I think this a great idea, not only because the Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites is eco-friendly in many ways, but because it is such an easy way to contribute. At the hotel, we do all the work for you and you still get to feel good about helping the environment.


In each of our rooms we have blue recycling boxes like this:

This way all you have to do with your water bottles is toss them in and we take care of bringing them away. One way that you are the boss at our hotel is you can tell us when you want new towels, or sheets. If you are here for a few days and don't need your fresh towels, it helps us save water and in turn helps conserve water.




3. Eat local
In Winnipeg it is so easy to eat at local restaurants, you barely have to try. Even close to our hotel there are several local ethic places to eat. Just across the street we have a great Chinese place that I've raved about many times. Winnipeg is also littered with pizza joints like you wouldn't believe, my favourite being River City Pizza not far from the hotel either.

   











(Image from River City Pizza's Facebook page)


So although I have adapted these ideas to fit traveling to Winnipeg, they apply to anywhere the wind takes you. If you have any other tips on traveling eco-friendly please let us know by leaving a comment or @replying to us on twitter.

Cheers,
Janis

Ready to Run!

It's nice to keep routine when you are away from home. Wake up at the same time, eat at the same time and exercise as much as you would at home.

At our hotel we have a great fitness room that is open 24/7. In there you will find a treadmill, elliptical, and one of those all in one weight machines. These are all wonderful machines to help you keep on your regiment while away from home.

My favorite type of working out is going for a run, but not on a treadmill. This has come from many guests as well and they want to know where they can run outside. Our hotel is right on a main city highway and can get pretty busy and running on the sidewalk isn't always easy. Behind our hotel, before you reach the Red River is a small little running path. It may not look like much but if it is followed south towards Bishop Grandin you will find the most amazing running paths in Winnipeg.

This stretch is fairly new to the area and is miles of paved pathways with the option of weaving in and out of St. Vital Park. This pathway for the most part is adjacent to Bishop Grandin Blvd but not right next to it so you are more secluded and can focus on the task ahead of you.

Another thing I like about this path is that they are expanding it towards the West (right now it's mostly east on Bishop Grandin). This means that those runners who are looking for a long workout can have it.

So tie on your running shoes and hit up the great pathways just a hop skip and jump away from the hotel.

Eating In Winnipeg

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, more so right now because I am hungry and wish it was lunch time. Anyway what I've been thinking about is "Where should I go to eat in Winnipeg?"

I have lived in Winnipeg for just over three years and sometime I feel myself in a restaurant rut, which over the last few years is probably okay because as a student I shouldn't be eating out a lot anyway. However I have graduated and love going out, and I feel like it is my responsibility to our guests to recommend great places to eat that aren't the usual family restaurants that are in every city.

So where do I eat then? I love Chinese food and my favorite Chinese place happens to be right across from the hotel. I'm not just saying this because they are close by, it is actually great food and they have a cheap lunch buffet. 

A guest at the hotel also told me about One Night in Bangkok. She said it was awesome and would go again in a heart beat. I found the menu online and it looks like fantastic Thia food. The guest said to make sure that you order 'not spicy' though otherwise your mouth will be on fire.

(This is the chicken skewers with peanut sauce that an online commenter uploaded and oh boy it looks tasty!)

One Night in Bangkok is just downtown on Edmonton St. so it's not too far from the hotel and looks like a place I might venture to in the near future.

If anyone has any suggestions of great places I should go to for some yummy food please let me know. Either leave a comment or email me at bwpembina@shawcable.com.

Cheers,

Janis

More at The Forks

Whenever I think about The Forks, I think about your typical tourist attraction. This is especially true to me since I started working at the Best Western, however I think I'm starting to re-think that idea.

This week The Forks and Arts for All are hosting The River Barge Festival. Basically this is a music festival where the performers are on a barge on the river. I happen to think that this is a really cool idea. Now when people go to The Forks they not only get the typical Winnipeg attraction but they can also listen to some great local performers.

Another great thing about this festival, it's free!

The festival runs from today until the 29th so make sure you get out to The Forks and take in some amazing local music.

Cheers,

Janis
Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites

Cead Mille Failte- 100,000 Welcomes!

One of our city's greatest cultural events is almost here! Folklorama is a two week celebration of all the different cultures and traditions in our city and our country. There are 45 pavilions to visit this summer, all of them spread across Winnipeg.

Last summer was my first time going to Folklorama and it was amazing! My friends and I went to the Ireland-Irish pavilion where we were fully immersed in a culture so unlike my own German/Ukraine background. We got to see traditional dancing, folk music, and experience people of all ages enjoying their own heritage. I think that is what I like the most, seeing young people enjoying and celebrating their heritage and background. It was awesome to see kids dancing to traditional folk music and singing along.

 

(Photo from Folklarama)

If you are going to be in Winnipeg this summer from August 1st to the 14th I strongly recommend that you visit as many pavilions as you can. If not for yourself, for me (sadly I will be on vacation during this time).

Should you need more convincing to go to Folklorama it was also voted Event of The Year by the Tourism Association of Canada 2009.

One thing I regret not doing that I encourage everyone else to do is try the food! The line was really long and we just were not in the mood to wait but we regretted it soon after. The food did look and smell amazing and everyone else we talked to said we were crazy not to try it!

Cheers and enjoy Folklorama 2010!

Janis
Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites

Take Off!

Part of what we do here at the Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites is provide our guests with an airport shuttle. We can pick you up or drop you off, just give us 48-hours notice.

Today was one of those days I got to make a run to the airport to drop off a guest who was staying with us. I always like going to the airport because 1) it gets me out of the office, 2) I get to talk to the guest and get to know their story and 3) I like to see the progress they are making on the new airport terminal and I daydream that it will be easier and more efficient to pick up and drop off guests.

This morning I got to drive through the new part of what I assume is the pick up/drop off area of the new terminal and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. Unless they are building more than two lanes, the same pandemonium and confusion will take suit.

If you have ever been to the airport in Winnipeg, you know what I'm talking about. There are two lanes one for quick drop offs pick ups (idle and be sure to get yelled at by one of the many parking guards) and the lane for those of us who have to wait for more than two minutes. This seems like a good plan right? It would be if people wouldn't double park, idle where you're not supposed to and a host of many other problems.

My only hope that new airport terminal has something up their sleeves that will surprise us all ( in a good way of course) in terms of picking up /dropping off.

Other than this one small issue I have with the new airport, it looks great. The website james2010.ca has many illustrations of the final product and current pictures of construction. The building is sleek, clean, open and looks much more modern than the existing building.

Cheers,
Janis
Best Western Pembina Inn & Suites