The BEST family vacation to... Regina!
When you grow up in Saskatoon like I did, Regina is the most commonly road-tripped destination. So you’d think that by now, I’d done it all. But our last Regina family vacation saw us enjoy not one, not two, but THREE new-to-me activities. Not to mention, we took a couple restaurant recommendations that I’m excited to pass along to you. Whether you’re planning a family trip like I did or you live in Regina and have more suggestions for our next stay, have a read and give me all of your juicy feedback! Here goes.
This post is sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan and Tourism Regina but all opinions are my own.
First stop, The Everyday Kitchen. People have long raved about this place but somehow, this was my first visit. Yes, there was a lineup around the counter, but for good reason. And there’s plenty of seating so we did find a place. Why the hype, you ask? Sourdough! Not just the bagels, the donuts. That complexity alongside sweet cream or icing or glaze makes for a treat that’s anything but run-of-the-mill. And you’ve got to try their specialty coffee; the cappuccino was perfection.
Then it was check-in time! Perhaps your kids also ask with every Regina jaunt, “Can we stay at The Atlas?” because mine sure do. Their impressive Soaked! Waterpark sells it for young ones, and I’ll admit it’s a good time. But for me, I love that The Atlas is locally owned. They go above and beyond for every guest, the rooms are very clean and comfortable, and they have a kids-eat-free menu which made having breakfast at Dish the next morning a no-brainer.
After our morning donuts, it was time for a salad lunch & Skye Cafe & Bistro makes a satisfying one. My kids ordered eggs n toast, but Tyler & I dived into beets, falafel, and all kinds of healthy goodness in a bowl. Bonus, Skye is attached to the next attraction on our list.
You can’t visit Regina as a family without visiting the Saskatchewan Science Centre! This hands-on STEAM-forward children’s world has grown with my kids so well. Petra’s first visit was at two, and now at ten, she still happily spends hours exploring, trying, creating, and learning. As a parent, the Science Centre is what I hope for in an experience for my kids: entertaining and secretly, educational!
And don’t forget to take in an IMAX show! We caught Blue Angels in 3D and it was an incredible watch. We were fascinated to see behind the scenes of elite pilots and up close and personal as the wings of their planes came within reaching distance of one another.
From there, we headed to Activate. What a hit! Activate features various rooms, each set up like a video game but with your team as the live action main characters. You hurry to complete challenges like dodging lasers, hitting targets, identifying patterns, or getting into place on a grid. This one’s a difficult attraction to explain but an easy one to get hooked on. I’ve been talking about it ever since!
For dinner, we hit up Mercury Cafe & Grill in the Cathedral District and as you can see, the place was charming. As was our server— indeed there was charm galore! Can’t go wrong with a retro setting, great service, classic neighborhood grill fare, and a pint of local lager. I should mention that Mercury hosts live music, too, although the stage area wasn’t going the night we popped in.
The next day, we visited another new attraction to us: SkyPark! Mini golf, an incredible aerial / obstacle / zipline course, climbing walls, AND laser tag… this place has everything. Tyler and I absolutely loved the high course, but after completing the first little leg, Petra was a bit nervous so she and Paris went back to the soft play zone and to do some more wall climbing. I didn’t get to the highest lines and would LOVE to go back, but a round of laser tag was a great ender this time around. We were all smiles as we said farewell.
Then, off to lunch at Agave Mexican Grill. This locally-owned restaurant boasts delicious salsas, a menu that will please anyone (kids included), and the coolest decor. This photo makes me want to eat this meal all over again!! I saw they have a buffet setup that wasn’t in use when we were in— if I lived in Regina, I would be calling to see what’s up with that. Because I want to try more of their food!
We ended our vacation with a little piece of summer in the midst of a very cold day. The Regina Floral Conservatory is a gorgeous space full of various species of garden flowers and I’ve long wished to visit. It’s a non-profit so admission is by donation and you’re welcome to bring a coffee in to enjoy at one of their many little tables. They also have scavenger hunts which change as the flowers do, which occupied my kids quite handily as Tyler and I enjoyed the pretty greenhouse together.
And that brings me to the end of my travel log! I often say, Saskatchewan gets overlooked in the travel landscape. But we have many hidden gems in our cities and towns. My family sure enjoyed unearthing some in Regina and I hope you have the same opportunity!
Maygen
