After a fun morning in Regina, Saskatchewan, we headed north and spent the night in Saskatoon to round out our time in this new-to-us Canadian province.

Our time in Saskatoon was brief, but we did hit on a few activities that helped us learn more about the province. If you’re interested in history (and boat rides!), I’d recommend adding the following activities to your Saskatoon itinerary.

Learn about Canadian History at the Western Development Museum

The Western Development Museum was founded in the 1940s and has four locations throughout Saskatchewan, including the location in Saskatoon. It is the largest human history museum in the province and outlines the history of the province, from its settlement to present day.

I enjoyed the interactive nature of the exhibits, especially Boomtown and the railroad history areas, and I learned a lot about Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry. Brian really enjoyed the agricultural equipment – though not well curated, there was a massive area full of old farming equipment dating back to the mid-1800s – but his favorite area was the bay of antique automobiles.

I will note that we did not have a good experience at the on-site restaurant. We needed a quick bite before our afternoon activity and decided we didn’t have enough time to go elsewhere. We were disappointed in both the food and service – would not recommend.

Take a Riverboat Cruise Aboard the Prairie Lily

We reserved tickets for an afternoon sightseeing tour on the Prairie Lily, a 119-passenger riverboat that took us up and down the South Saskatchewan River on a one-hour guided tour. Narrated by our captain, the cruise covered local history as well as many of the buildings, parks, and other sites along the banks.

Initially we were assigned to a table in the interior seating area on the first level. They said when they are at capacity they assign half of the passengers to each of the two levels and then have everyone switch half-way through so everyone can experience each area. We were not at capacity so once we set off they allowed everyone to relocate.

It was occasionally hard to hear our captain – I would have liked more and clearer information – but it seemed like most passengers were more interested in the boat ride than the historical background. The ride itself was relaxing with nice amenities, including snacks, drinks, and restrooms. In between the commentary I enjoyed spotting beavers wandering along the banks and swimming in the river.

Eat, Drink, and Sleep at the Historic Senator Hotel

A surprise highlight of our time in Saskatoon was our stay at the historic, 1908 Senator Hotel. I found it on Chase’s travel website where I booked it on points, and we ended up having a great experience.

Our room was massive and comfortable, I liked the old built-ins and other historical elements throughout the hallways and lobby, and we were thrilled to learn there were eateries on site!

We opted for Winston’s Pub, an English-style pub that was lively and had live music playing that evening. Our server was great, and our servings of fish and chips and bangers and mash were both massive and tasty. I’d go back there again even if I wasn’t staying at the hotel.

We only scratched the surface of all there is to do in Saskatoon, but I was happy with the experiences we picked. I learned a lot more about the city and province, and I was delighted with our last-minute accommodation pick.

If there are other activities I should make sure we tackle next time, please let me know so I can add them to my list!