Stand on the south shore of Wascana Lake in the late afternoon and the Saskatchewan Legislative Building rises across the water, its dome reflected in a lake that was dug by hand more than a century ago. Behind you, paths thread through one of North America's largest urban parks. That contrast — a capital city wrapped around a man-made lake — is the shape of a visit to Regina.
The city suits travellers who like their sightseeing walkable and their museums specific: prairie natural history, the story of the RCMP, contemporary art, and a performing arts calendar that runs year-round. Most of what follows sits in or near Wascana Centre or downtown, so you can string several stops together on foot or with a short ride.
This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, ordered roughly by how much they repay a visit, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Regina
1. Wascana Centre
A 9.3-km² park built around the shores of Wascana Lake, and one of North America's largest urban parks. It holds several attractions in one place: walking and bicycle paths, an outdoor pool, a marina with boat rentals, the Saskatchewan Legislative building, and the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts.
Treat it as the spine of your visit rather than a single stop — most of the places below sit inside it or on its edge. Walking and cycling paths make it easy to link two or three attractions in an afternoon.
2. Saskatchewan Legislative Building
At 2405 Legislative Drive, on the shore of Wascana Lake, and open daily 8AM–5PM except holidays. Tours run hourly and last 30 minutes. Pay particular attention to items belonging to Tommy Douglas, who was Premier of Saskatchewan and introduced universal health care while in office. Admission is free.
Combine it with a walk along the lake, since the building sits within Wascana Centre and the grounds connect to the park's paths.
3. RCMP Heritage Centre
At 5907 Dewdney Ave, the Heritage Centre uses permanent and temporary exhibits, multimedia technologies and extensive programming to tell the RCMP story and educate visitors about the past, present and future of the RCMP within Canada and abroad. There is a gift shop and e-store.
Tours of the RCMP Academy, Depot Division are offered daily from May to August. If you are in the city on a weekday, the RCMP Sergeant Major's Parade at Depot Division runs Monday to Friday at 12:50PM, excluding statutory holidays, and the RCMP Sunset Retreat Ceremonies take place in July and August.
4. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum
At 2445 Albert St, at the corner of Albert St and College Ave, open daily 9:30AM–5PM. Exhibits cover the dinosaurs, Indigenous peoples and natural history of the province, and the museum features a half-size robotic T-Rex called "Megamunch". Admission is by donation.
Its location on Albert Street puts it close to the MacKenzie Art Gallery, so the two pair naturally in one outing.
5. MacKenzie Art Gallery
At 3475 Albert St, with major touring exhibits, a Gallery Shop and a 175-seat theatre. Tours are available. Opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10AM–5:30PM, Thursday 10AM–9PM, and Saturday and Sunday 11:30AM–5:30PM. Adults $12; members and youth 17 and under free.
The late Thursday opening is the quietest way to fit the gallery around a daytime schedule.
6. Saskatchewan Science Centre
At 2903 Powerhouse Dr, with over a hundred permanent, hands-on exhibits, live stage shows, a Gryo-Gym and one of the tallest climbing walls in Canada.
The Kramer IMAX Theatre sits next to the Science Centre and is Saskatchewan's only IMAX theatre. Both are inside Wascana Centre, so you can walk to them from the lake paths.
7. Casino Regina and Show Lounge
At 1880 Saskatchewan Dr, at Broad St and Saskatchewan Dr, housed in a historic train station. It is Saskatchewan's top tourist draw and includes a show lounge.
Because it is a casino and show lounge in one building, check what is playing before you go if you want the show rather than the floor.
8. Conexus Arts Centre
At 200 Lakeshore Dr, formerly the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts. It is a concert hall where many big-name artists play, seating 2,033.
It sits within Wascana Centre, so an evening concert can be paired with an afternoon on the lake paths.
9. The Globe Theatre
At 1801 Scarth St, at the corner of Scarth St and 11th Ave. It is a 100-seat venue for plays and intimate concerts, located in the Prince Edward Building upstairs from the Old City Hall Mall.
Its downtown address makes it a good evening anchor if you are spending the day around Scarth Street and Victoria Park.
10. Victoria Park
On the north side of Victoria Avenue between Scarth and Lorne Streets, in Regina's Market Square. It is the venue for many summer and winter events and concerts, with a war memorial at its centre, statues dotted around, a playground on the southeast corner, plenty of trees and many benches.
On summer afternoons, downtown businesspeople and teenagers share the park, with the teenagers mostly on the grass. It is also where the snow sculptures appear during the Downtown Ice & Fire Winter Carnival, held 15–18 February, which includes an evening lantern procession and a masquerade ball. The Regina Folk Festival takes place here on the second weekend in August.
11. Regina Farmers Market
At City Square Plaza, 12th Avenue and Scarth Street, running Saturdays 10AM–2PM in March and April. Members of the market make, bake or grow their wares, and the market offers fresh fruit and vegetables, bison, lamb, breads, cookies, and original crafts and treats.
From May to early October the Regina Spring Farmers Market moves to the Cathedral Neighbourhood Center at 2900 13th Avenue, on Wednesdays and Saturdays 9AM–1PM. Check which one is running during your dates before you set out.
12. Willow Island
An island on Wascana Lake near Wascana Dr and Broadway Ave, open to the public and available for group bookings. A pontoon boat seating 12 passengers transports people to and from the island.
Because access is by that boat, plan it as a deliberate stop rather than something you wander onto from the shoreline path.
13. Central Park
Between 14th and 15th Avenues and Scarth and Hamilton Streets, a downtown green space that fits easily into a walk between the Scarth Street area and the museum district.
Use it as a rest stop rather than a destination in itself, since it sits close to both the downtown core and the Albert Street attractions.
14. Douglas Park
At McDonald St and 20th Ave, home to the Canada Games Athletic Complex and Leibel Field.
Worth knowing about if you are in the city for a sporting event or want a green space away from the Wascana Lake circuit.
15. A.E. Wilson Park
At McCarthy Blvd and Brunskill Place, the northern entry point to the Devonian Pathway. There are many path intersections in this area, making it good for short walks, and the park has the widest points in the creek on the north side of Wascana Lake. It is home to the Jack Hamilton Arena and Rick Hansen Optimist Playground.
Come here if you want a walk with options to shorten or extend at each junction rather than a single fixed loop.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for an hourly 30-minute tour, then walk the paths of Wascana Centre along the lake. If you have time before lunch, the Saskatchewan Science Centre and the Kramer IMAX Theatre next door are both on the Powerhouse Drive side of the park.
Afternoon. Head to Albert Street for The Royal Saskatchewan Museum, open daily 9:30AM–5PM, and follow it with the MacKenzie Art Gallery at 3475 Albert St — note that Thursday is the late night, until 9PM. If the RCMP story interests you more, substitute the RCMP Heritage Centre on Dewdney Ave, and time your visit for the Sergeant Major's Parade at 12:50PM on a weekday.
Evening. Walk through Victoria Park in the Market Square, then take in a show at the Globe Theatre on Scarth St, the Conexus Arts Centre on Lakeshore Dr, or the Casino Regina and Show Lounge on Saskatchewan Dr. If your visit falls on a Saturday in March or April, the Regina Farmers Market at City Square Plaza runs 10AM–2PM and can slot into the morning instead.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the RCMP ceremonies?
Tours of the RCMP Academy, Depot Division run daily from May to August, and the RCMP Sunset Retreat Ceremonies take place in July and August. The Sergeant Major's Parade runs Monday to Friday at 12:50PM year-round, excluding statutory holidays.
Which Regina attractions are free or by donation?
The Saskatchewan Legislative Building offers free admission with hourly 30-minute tours. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is by donation. The MacKenzie Art Gallery charges adults $12, with members and youth 17 and under free.
What happens in Regina's parks during winter?
The Downtown Ice & Fire Winter Carnival runs 15–18 February and includes snow sculptures in Victoria Park, an evening lantern procession and a masquerade ball. Victoria Park is also the venue for many summer and winter events and concerts throughout the year.
Where can I find local food and crafts?
The Regina Farmers Market runs at City Square Plaza on 12th Avenue and Scarth Street on Saturdays 10AM–2PM in March and April. From May to early October, the Regina Spring Farmers Market runs at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Center, 2900 13th Avenue, on Wednesdays and Saturdays 9AM–1PM.
Decide which season you are travelling in, check which markets and ceremonies are running, and start building your days around Wascana Centre and the Albert Street museums.