Saskatoon straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River, and that bend shapes how you experience the city. The riverbank and the Meewasin Trail give the centre a green spine, while historic neighbourhoods on both banks hold most of the places a visitor wants to be within walking distance of.
For orientation, the river divides Saskatoon into east and west sides. Broadway Avenue in Nutana and 20th Street in Riversdale are the historic main streets, both central and both seeing reinvestment, and the downtown core sits between them on the west bank. The University of Saskatchewan and the adjoining hospital sit on the east side, just over the bridge from downtown. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for a first visit, a family stay, nightlife or a tighter budget.
Best areas to stay in Saskatoon
1. Downtown and the riverbank (Spadina Crescent area)
This is the most convenient base for a first visit. The downtown core sits on the west bank of the river, and Spadina Crescent runs along the water, with the Meewasin Trail and the riverbank park spaces right there. You will find the largest concentration of full-service and upscale hotels in the city here, several of them looking onto the river, including the city's tallest hotel.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to walk to the river, the trail and the central sights without needing a car for every outing. It is also the quietest of the central options at night, so if you are here for nightlife, look at the neighbourhoods below instead.
2. Nutana (Broadway Avenue)
Nutana is one of Saskatoon's historic neighbourhoods, a separate town before it amalgamated into the city, and its main street, Broadway Avenue, is one of the central areas seeing reinvestment and redevelopment. It sits on the east bank, just across the river from downtown.
It suits visitors who want a neighbourhood feel with cafés, shops and restaurants within walking distance, and it works well for couples and for longer stays. The practical point is the bridge: you are a short walk from downtown across the river, so you get a residential base without giving up access to the centre.
3. Riversdale (20th Street)
Riversdale is another of the historic neighbourhoods, on the west side of the river, and its main street, 20th Street, is part of the same wave of reinvestment as Broadway Avenue. It is central and close to the downtown core.
This suits travellers who want to be near the centre and within reach of the food and nightlife end of the city, and it can work for budget-conscious visitors because of its central location. As with any central main-street area, expect more street activity than the riverbank.
4. College Drive and the University area
The University of Saskatchewan and the Royal University Hospital sit on the east side, and College Drive runs through this area, just over the bridge from downtown. The accommodation here is mostly smaller and more economical, including lodges and bed-and-breakfast-style places with shared facilities, communal kitchens and laundry.
It suits budget travellers, longer stays and anyone visiting the university or the hospital, and it is a practical choice if you want a quieter base with parking and easy access to the campus. The trade-off is that you are relying on the bridge to reach downtown rather than staying in it.
5. Sutherland
Sutherland is a historic neighbourhood that was a rail town beyond the university lands before it was annexed by the city. It lies on the east side, further out than the College Drive area.
It suits visitors who prefer a quieter, more residential base and do not mind being a little further from the centre. Note that street numbering works differently here, with its own east–west demarcation, which is worth knowing if you are giving directions to a driver.
6. North Saskatoon (Idylwyld Drive and Circle Drive)
The north side of the city, around the Idylwyld Drive and Circle Drive interchange, is where you find larger mid-range hotels with easy road access and parking. It is not a walking neighbourhood in the way the central areas are.
It suits travellers arriving by car, those passing through on the highway, and anyone who wants straightforward driving access rather than a central location. The practical point is that you will drive to the river, downtown and the historic main streets rather than walk to them.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: smaller lodges and bed-and-breakfast-style places, often near the university and hospital, with shared bathrooms, communal kitchens and living rooms, laundry and free wifi; also motel-style options and a campground on the highway northwest of the city.
- Mid-range: full-service hotels, including larger properties on the north side at the Idylwyld and Circle Drive interchange and hotels along the riverbank with trail access.
- Splurge: upscale and four-star hotels in the downtown and riverbank area, some in the chateau style typical of Canada's railway hotels, with river views and business facilities.
Best area for a first visit
Stay downtown along the riverbank. It puts you on the Meewasin Trail and the riverbank park spaces, within walking distance of the central sights, and a short bridge crossing from the historic main streets of Nutana and Riversdale. It also has the widest choice of accommodation, from mid-range to upscale, which makes it the simplest base to plan a first trip around.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of the river should I stay on?
The river divides the city into east and west sides. The downtown core and Riversdale are on the west bank, while Nutana, the university area and Sutherland are on the east. The two sides are connected by bridges, so either works, but downtown and the riverbank keep the most within walking distance.
Where should I stay if I am visiting the university or the hospital?
The College Drive area, on the east side just over the bridge from downtown, is the practical choice. It is close to the University of Saskatchewan and the Royal University Hospital, and the accommodation there is generally economical, with communal kitchens and laundry.
Where do I stay if I want nightlife and restaurants nearby?
Look at the historic main streets: Broadway Avenue in Nutana and 20th Street in Riversdale. Both are central neighbourhoods seeing reinvestment and redevelopment, and both put you among the city's eating and drinking options rather than in the quieter riverbank hotel strip.
Do I need a car in Saskatoon?
Not if you base yourself centrally. Downtown, the riverbank, Nutana and Riversdale are all within walking distance of each other via the bridges. A car is more useful if you stay on the north side around Idylwyld Drive and Circle Drive, or if you plan to visit places outside the city such as Pike Lake, Blackstrap or Batoche.
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