The Manitoba Legislative Building stands at the head of Broadway, a neoclassical landmark of pale Tyndall limestone, the fossil-flecked stone quarried northeast of the city. It was completed in the early twentieth century, and its design is full of symbolism, from the sweeping marble staircase guarded by a pair of bronze bison to the dome crowned by the Golden Boy, a gilded figure carrying a sheaf of wheat and a torch that has become a symbol of the province. Guides describe the architecture and the building's history, including the symbolic design ideas that tour guides love to explain, and take you through the rotunda, the grand stairway and the chambers where the province's laws are debated. Guided visits are generally free, which makes this one of the best value stops in the city. Allow about an hour for the tour and a little longer for the grounds.
What you see
The interior is the highlight, with polished stone, carved details and a stairway that is a favourite photo spot. The legislative chamber is an elegant room, and when the house is not sitting you may be able to step inside as part of a tour. Outside, the grounds are broad lawns and statues, with views back along Broadway toward Union Station and the Fort Garry Hotel. The Golden Boy is best seen from the front lawn, where you can look up at him against the sky.
Making the visit work
Guided tours are generally offered on a regular daily schedule in the visitor season, with a smaller schedule at other times of year, so check the tour page for current times and any group booking rules. Because the building is a working government site, you may need to pass a security check, carry identification, and follow the rules about photography and access.
Tours are not offered when special events or sittings take over the space. Dress warmly for the walk across the grounds in winter, and bring a camera for the exterior in any season.
Fitting it in
The building is a short ride or a longer walk from the Fort Garry Hotel, Upper Fort Garry and The Forks, and it is easy to combine with a stroll along the Assiniboine River nearby. A visit works well on a weekday morning before lunch, when tours run and the building is quiet. If you enjoy audio guides, there is a self-guided smartphone walking tour of the legislative grounds that you can use to add context to the exterior, though the guided tour inside is the best way to see the rooms.
Combine this stop with Upper Fort Garry or the Winnipeg Art Gallery for a full downtown morning that costs almost nothing in admission.
Good to know
The tours are led by guides who enjoy telling stories, so ask questions about the carvings, the stone and the symbols hidden in the plan. Photographers should ask guides where pictures are welcome. Visitors who want a quieter experience can arrive for the first tour of the day, while those with children may prefer a shorter visit to the staircase and the grounds.
Accessibility arrangements exist for the building, and the tour page explains how to request them. Plan a warm lunch afterwards in the downtown streets nearby, and note that the lawns are lovely for a short walk when the weather is mild.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk through the rotunda, grand staircase and public rooms, followed by time on the grounds.
Best time
A weekday morning, when tours run on their regular schedule and the building is calm.
How long
About an hour for the tour, longer with the grounds.
Tips
Check the tour page for times, expect a security check, bring identification and dress warmly for the grounds in winter.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture and history fans who like a free, substantial stop.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the Golden Boy and the bison; younger children may tire on the guided tour.
- Couples
- A quiet downtown morning ending with lunch near Broadway or The Forks.
- Pair with
- Upper Fort Garry, the Fort Garry Hotel and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
- Time needed
- Allow one to one and a half hours.
Good questions
Are tours of the Legislative Building free?+
Guided tours are generally free. Check the tour page for the current schedule and any group booking requirements.
What is the Golden Boy?+
It is a gilded statue on top of the dome, a figure carrying a sheaf of wheat and a torch, which has become a symbol of Manitoba.
What stone is the building made of?+
It is faced in Tyndall stone, a pale limestone from north of Winnipeg that contains visible fossils.
Do I need ID or a security check?+
Expect a security check on entry, and bring identification in case it is requested. Check the tour page for current rules.
Can I visit in winter?+
Yes, tours run in winter on a reduced schedule. Dress warmly for the exterior, since the grounds are open and exposed.
