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Regina -

The capital city of Saskatchewan is Regina. Originally named Wascana, which means "Buffalo Bones" in the indigenous peoples' Cree language, the site was renamed Regina in 1882 in honor of Queen Victoria, Regina being Latin for "queen."

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Saskatchewan Legislative Building -

Regina is a welcoming city blessed with an abundance of green spaces and plenty of visitor attractions to tick off. The Saskatchewan Legislative Building is one of the most beautiful structures of its kind in Canada, and serves as an impressive starting point for your city sightseeing tour.

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Victoria Park -

Also named for the 19th-century British monarch, Victoria Park sits in downtown Regina. A point of focus is the Regina Cenotaph, built in honor of the city's fallen heroes of the Great War. The park's north-east pocket is overlooked by the steel and glass business district skyline.

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RCMP Heritage Centre -

A must-see among Regina's top cultural attractions is the fascinating RCMP Heritage Centre. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the nation's first police force, began operations in 1873 as the North-West Mounted Police. This excellent facility chronicle's the force's subsequent history up to its modern-day status as one of the world's most famous crime-fighting services.

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Regina's cultural scene -

Besides the RCMP Heritage Centre, Regina's cultural scene extends to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the MacKenzie Art Gallery, and the Saskatchewan Science Centre (pictured)—all worth a few hours of your time.

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Wascana Park -

Wascana Park is Regina's signature green space. Set in the heart of the city, the lake can be explored on water by way of a ferry boat ride or by canoe or kayak. Alternatively, there is an extensive network of walking and biking trails that snake through woodland surrounding this blissful oasis.

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Saskatoon -

Saskatoon is the province's largest city. It's often referred to as the "Paris of the Prairies" for the nine bridges that span the South Saskatchewan River. You can easily spend four or five days ensconced in Saskatoon while exploring its downtown core and other central neighborhoods.

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Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo -

The city's zoo features the amazing Nutrien Ark, which among other rare and wonderful wildlife houses gray wolves and snow leopards. This special exhibit allows the facility to house animals never seen before in Saskatoon, or indeed the entire province.

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Remai Modern Museum -

One of the most important cultural institutions found in Canada is the Remai Modern Museum. Housed here is the largest collection of Pablo Picasso linocuts as well as a fine collection of the artist's ceramics.

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Persephone Theatre -

The Remai Arts Center encloses the Persephone Theatre, where the best live theater, anything from classics to comedy, is staged. Check the online program for what's on during your Saskatoon stay.

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Ukrainian Museum of Canada -

Saskatoon's Ukrainian Museum of Canada preserves and honors Ukrainian culture in the country. Among the traditional exhibits are examples of the exquisitely crafted pysanky (Easter eggs).

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University of Saskatchewan -

The largest and most distinguished seat of learning in the province, the University of Saskatchewan is noted for the centerpiece Peter MacKinnon Building. The Gothic-style architectural signature is similar to that found decorating buildings at Cambridge, Oxford, and American universities.

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Western Development Museum -

Saskatoon is intrinsically linked to the railroad boom of the late 19th century and the steam-driven locomotives that brought European immigrants to the Western prairies. At the Western Development Museum, they've recreated an entire early 20th-century town replete with shops, a school, and even a church set along a street lined with period transport. Elsewhere within the grounds you can marvel at steam-driven traction engines and other historic modes of transport.

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Saskatoon Farmers Market -

The Saskatoon Farmers Market is a delight to discover, not least for the opportunity to sample the local favorite—the sea buckthorn berry, which finds its way into a wonderful assortment of juices and jams.

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Delta Bessborough Hotel -

Where to stay in Saskatoon depends largely on your budget. But if you fancy a splurge, check in and check out the Delta Bessborough Hotel. Inaugurated in 1935, this historic property is distinguished for its Châteauesque-style of architecture, with further inspiration drawn from castles in Bavaria.

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Prince Albert National Park -

Now that you've taken in Saskatchewan's two main cities, it's time to step out into the great wide yonder. Begin by exploring Prince Albert National Park. This exceptional landscape preserves Canada's second largest colony of white pelicans at Lavallée Lake.

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Plains bison -

Prince Albert National Park is also where you'll find a roaming herd of Sturgeon River plains bison—the last wild Saskatchewan herd in their traditional habitat range.

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Lake Waskesiu -

Sunk into the park is Lake Waskesiu and a surprise: Waskesiu Main Beach, a band of golden sand found carpeting the eastern end of the lake. A favorite summertime draw, the beach is often illuminated by the the aurora borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights.

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Fort Walsh National Historic Site -

Saskatchewan is studded with numerous historic sites such as Fort Walsh National Historic Site in Maple Creek. Established in 1875 as a deterrent against a thriving illegal whisky trade, Fort Walsh also served as sanctuary to displaced Sioux people fleeing persecution by the US Army. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police later used the facility as a ranch for breeding horses. Today, costumed reenactments take place illustrating key moments in the fort's history.

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Batoche National Historic Site -

Another noteworthy site is Batoche, the location of the historic Battle of Batoche during the North-West Rebellion of 1885. The graves of some of the key figures in the rebellion, including that of Louis Riel, founder of the province of Manitoba, can be found in the churchyard.

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Fort Carlton Provincial Park -

Fort Carlton was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post from 1795 until 1885, built ostensibly to provide river patrols and provisions for the huntsmen. What you see today is an authentic recreation of the facility, which is now a National Historic Site of Canada.

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Trans-Canada Highway -

Canada is a huge country. Set through all 10 provinces of the country is the Trans-Canada Highway. The section serving Saskatchewan is worth traveling, as it affords visitors an opportunity to visit a variety of towns, communities, and other places of interest.

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Moose Jaw -

Moose Jaw is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway. The destination is noted for the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, a system of underground subways said to have been used by Chicago mobster Al Capone and his gang to shift bootlegged liquor under the very noses of law enforcement agents.

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Cypress Hills -

Cypress Hills straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border to create an inter-provincial park that showcases a wealth of wildlife, including moose, pronghorn, Canada lynx, and dozens of different bird species.

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Qu'Appelle Valley -

Set at the western end of the impressive Qu'Appelle Valley is Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, one of three fabulous parks that distinguish this region of Saskatchewan. The other two are Echo Valley Provincial Park and Crooked Lake Provincial Park.

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Nicolle Flats Marsh -

At the south-east corner of Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is a large wetland area known as the Nicolle Flats Marsh. A haven for birdlife, the marsh attracts a wealth of different species, with the dainty black-crowned night heron among ornithologists' favorites.

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Cochin Lighthouse -

Here's an anomaly. The Cochin Lighthouse rears over waves of prairies with no sea in sight. But it does overlook Jackfish Lake. It's a relatively recent addition to the landscape, built in 1988 in a traditional style for no other reason than to provide visitors with a lofty view of said lake. It remains Saskatchewan's only fully functioning lighthouse.

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The "Prairie Province" -

Saskatchewan is one of only two landlocked provinces in Canada, the other being Alberta. So it's no real surprise that Saskatchewan is one of the so-called prairie provinces, with wheat being its most familiar crop. Pictured is an aerial view of prairie farms near Yorkton.

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The Battlefords -

The collective name given to the adjacent communities of two cities, North Battleford and Battleford are located in west-central Saskatchewan. The history of these two communities is explained at the Fort Battleford National Historic Site.

Sources: (CPAWS Saskatchewan) (Canada's History) (CBC)

See also: The most common myths and misconceptions aboot Canada, eh

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