A Two Day Road Trip Break In Regina Saskatchewan
After a short stop in Winnipeg, we headed for our next road trip break in Regina Saskatchewan as we travelled west from Toronto to Vancouver.
There were no real tourist sights planned for our stop in Regina. So we booked a luxury stop at the Hotel Saskatchewan. But when the sun came out, we put on our walking shoes and explored a few of the things to see in Regina.
Driving Through The Heart Of The Prairies
As expected, the scenery as we drove from Manitoba into Saskatchewan was flat. The railway ran right beside the highway and we often saw freight trains that went on forever. The sign when we entered Saskatchewan welcomed us to the “Land of the Living Skies”.
We had no stops planned on our route from Winnipeg to Regina. But we pulled in when we saw the sign for a rodeo. When we wandered around we saw it was a rodeo for children and we did not hang around to watch the show.
There were no large towns on the route so we struggled to find a spot for lunch. When we saw the small town of Whitewood we figured this might be our only option. We drove around the town and all the restaurants on our map seemed gone. We wondered if these were victims of the pandemic or whether our map was just that out of date. But a few cute churches and colourful murals drew our attention.
We finally found Archibald’s Diner on the edge of town. And were pleasantly surprised when the homestyle food was very tasty. A good lunch stop in Saskatchewan.
The Charming Hotel Saskatchewan
On our road trip to Western Canada, we continued to build our hotel points with Marriott Bonvoy on our cross country stops. When we looked at options in Regina, we were surprised when we found both a downtown Marriott hotel and the smaller Hotel Saskatchewan. The Hotel Saskatchewan was part of the boutique Autograph Collection group of Marriott hotels.
In the past we had great stays at trendy Autograph Collection Hotels on our road trip around California in San Francisco and Palm Desert. So for this road trip break in Saskatchewan we chose the Hotel Saskatchewan.
As soon as we walked in we knew we made the right selection. Unlike other more modern Autograph Collection Hotels we visited, this hotel had a charming and old world elegant decor. Our elite status was immediately acknowledged and we were welcomed warmly with a sweet treat. A suite on the top floor with a park view was a wonderful upgrade.
Much like our stop in Thunder Bay, our lovely and spacious suite made us sorry we booked such a short stop. We arrived late and checked out early on our next travel day. But we made full use of the space on our stay.
Exploring The Hotel
We loved staying at hotels with beautiful interior spaces and tried to explore when we could. On our long weekend stay in Chicago at the Intercontinental Medinah Chicago, we got an amazing guided tour of that historic property that included a view of the hot air balloon landing dock on the roof!
At the Hotel Saskatchewan, the lobby and lounge areas on the main floor were lovely to explore. And we snagged a seat by the fireplace for our Sunday Brunch.
We tried to get in to view the amazing Royal Suite at the Hotel Saskatchewan but our timing never worked to find it empty. But Joseph the Operations Manager was very hospitable and gave us a tour around the hotel. We saw some of the beautiful intricate interior design at this hotel.
A luxury hotel was the perfect spot for a short road trip break in Regina.
We Headed Towards Wascana Lake
We really had no sightseeing spots planned for our road trip break in Regina. But when the afternoon weather turned sunny, we headed out and stretched our legs. There was a small park across the street from our hotel. But we headed the other way towards Wascana Lake.
We found the path that led to and around the lake. The first signs of fall colours had just started to show. As we walked, we were amused when we found large rabbits hopping all through the park lands.
We passed the “Honouring Tree” statue which commemorated the settlement of people of African ancestry to Regina. A high fountain sprayed in Wascana Lake. It reminded us of the Jet D’Eau Fountain we saw in the middle of Lake Geneva. We were happy we found so much green space in the heart of the city.
The Saskatchewan Legislative Building
Across the Wascana Lake we got our first view of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. It reminded us very much of the Manitoba Legislative Building we saw on our short stop in Winnipeg.
We followed the path around Wascana Lake for a closer look. In front we found a beautiful garden filled with flowers and two statues. The statue of Walter Scott commemorated the first Premier of Saskatchewan. The mounted rider was Queen Elizabeth II.
Benches lined the walkways around the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens. It was a lovely spot to take in the view of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. Definitely one of the sights to take in on a road trip break in Regina.
Wascana Lake On A Road Trip Break In Regina Saskatchewan
We got back on the lake path and kept walking on the Blue Path. This 4km trail went around one side of Wascana Lake. The Red Trail was 6km and covered the other side of the lake.
We saw several different statues and memorials along the path. The “Bitter Memories of Childhood” statue was a memorial to the Holodomar famine genocide in the Ukraine. The blank staring eyes of the lone woman were haunting. The “Called To Serve” monument recognized the contribution of more than 5,000 Catholic sisters in social services in Saskatchewan.
We found the Kwakiutl Totem Pole and enjoyed the colourful display in the park.
Along the lake we found viewpoints that looked out at Spruce and Pine islands in the middle. We finished our walk on the Blue Trail. But we turned back towards the hotel at this point and did not continue on the Red Trail.
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum
We strolled back to the hotel on a different route. We stopped when we saw the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. This museum was a Canadian natural history museum and was the home of the world’s largest T-Rex skeleton.
It was late on a Sunday so we did not try to visit the museum. But we were sure it would be a good stop for a return road trip break in Regina.
As we continued our walk, we were delighted when we found many murals on the walls. And a colourful series of doors covered with art. But we were sorry we missed the mural underpass by the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
A Surprise Road Trip Break in Regina Saskatchewan
We enjoyed a luxury road trip break in Regina. Our hotel was far lovelier than we expected and it was a great spot to take a pause in our road trip from Toronto to Vancouver. When we had great luxury hotels like this it was always hard to leave. But we were glad we headed out in Regina and explored some of the sights.
Have you taken a road trip break in Regina Saskatchewan? What other spots did you explore?
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When I see these blue environs, I get so tempted to plan a long trip to those parts of the world. But I guess, till then I enjoy these posts with the cute church and colourful murals. The Wascana Lake and its vicinity looks like a must-do experience. I can imagine walking around and inhaling the fragrance of greens and clean air.
We got very lucky when the weather cleared and we could go out for a walk to explore Regina on our road trip stop. It was a great break from driving.
I am drawn to the murals. The totem poles look cool too. I have always been fscinated by them.
We were excited by all the outdoor art we found in Regina. Hope to find more on our next visit on the way home.
Seems like Regina made a lovely stop during your road trip from Toronto to Vancouver. The park has a beautiful fall scenery and looks cozy. Your sweet treats looks so delicious, as well as your brunch by the fire.
We sure did enjoy a relaxing stop in Regina with lots of tasty treats.
Nice post about Regina / Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Hotel looks like a great place to stay. I would definitely want to visit the museum with the large T-Rex sceleton! How could you miss this? The murals are amazing too! Interesting read about an area I knew nothing about.
We are lucky to have another full day planned for our road trip back home. Hope to get to the museum on this stop.
A rodeo in Canada?!, sure seems like a good time to me!! It seems like you found a lot of really great stuff to do at your stop here and your hotel was absolutely adorable!
The Hotel Saskatchewan was a great base for our road trip stop in Regina. We were glad that the weather was good and we got out and explored.
The Wascana lake looks amazing and it has so many things. I would love to see those unique and huge sculptures and art murals. And T-Rex skeleton? oh my god! I will surely not miss that. Also the stop over at Hotel Saskatchewan looks so comfy. I think it was a good and well deserved break at Regina Saskatchewan.
We sure did love all the things we saw in Regina on our great luxury stop at the Hotel Saskatchewan.
Sunday brunch by the fireplace… it doesn’t get much better than that!!
The interior design of the hotel is stunning. They have hired someone with a true eye for design there.
We were so glad we chose the Hotel Saskatchewan. And we enjoyed it so much we have booked a return visit on our road trip home!
Who knew there were such lovely things to see in the middle of Canada. It looks like there is lots of see in Regina. Plus the long view of the Saskatchewan plains is wonderful. And you found some beautiful murals. You stayed in lovely places too.
Our road trip stop in Regina was a great break from driving. And we sure enjoyed the lovely Hotel Saskatchewan. Always good when the weather lets us explore more in a road trip stop.
What a hidden gem! I love how some unexpected spots turn out to be so gorgeous! Loved the article, thank you. ?
I am glad to show Regina to you. It was a great road trip stop in Saskatchewan.
I haven’t been to Regina at all, unfortunately. My husband and I did make a road trip from Toronto to Quebec and back again — that was an amazing trip. I’m actually a little jealous that you made this leg of the trip without specific plans and could just be spontaneous and do what interested you. I’ve yet to take a trip that hasn’t had nearly every minute of the day planned ahead of time. Your walks around the lake and your explorations sound wonderful!
We put some notional stops on our road trip plan but then did play it by ear as we went along. Depending on weather, fatigue and time we added or subtracted stops as we went. A great way to enjoy our trip.
This is so informative, thank you so much. Especially love all the photos, I feel like I’m there
I am glad that our photos made you feel like you were there!
Great to learn about Regina Saskatchewan which I had no idea about. Wouldn’t mind staying in Saskatchewan Hotel which looks like a great place to put up. And the museum would certainly be a must visit for a view of T-Rex skeleton. Loved your refreshing journey.
Our road trip stop in Regina was definitely a refreshing stop. And we were happy we saw as much as we did.
Just like you, I also appreciate visually appealing interior designs of a hotel that will make one want to stay longer. I agree that you made a decision to explore the sights outside even though you didn’t want to leave the hotel. What an interesting history to the “Honouring Tree” and “Bitter Memories of Childhood” statue.
Sometimes we do struggle with staying put in a great hotel and heading out to explore. But in Regina we were glad we got both. And are excited we are stopping there on our return visit to enjoy more of this spot.
We haven’t traveled in Canada much, but Saskatchewan looks incredible. Not what I expected at all! I would love to stay in that hotel and spend some time touring the grounds of the legislation building. Thank you for featuring this city and all it offers in your post!
I am happy to introduce you to Regina. It was the first time I spent any time there and it was good to discover so much.
Love the foliage and the murals. Whole lot of history, too.
There have been some great road trip stops on this trip to western Canada. Regina was a very nice surprise for us!
Your hotel was wonderful and looked so luxurious too! I’ve never heard of Regina but it sounds like a good stop for a short break. The legislative building is very impressive, and the gardens are so manicured!
We sure did love our stop in Regina – both our hotel and the things we saw on our brief stay. Made a great road trip stop.
Regina – a well-deserved name! It actually seems to be a queen of a city with so much beautiful things to see. I’m honestly impressed and will make sure to visit once I make it to Canada. It was so funny: I had to scroll up again to make sure that I was looking at pictures from your hotel and not at a museum 😉 I also like the wild west side the region has to it.
The Hotel Saskatchewan did have a historic charm to it. We were so glad we picked it and will be heading back for a second visit. We loved having some nice weather so we could explore a bit of this city.
Regina Saskatchewan seems a perfect place for a trip. I had no idea that it offers so many attractions and that architecture is so impressive. I like the hotel you chose for your stay.
I was not sure what to expect when we just wandered out on our stop in Regina. A great road trip stop.
I wanted to visit Saskatchewan just because of it’s funny name, lol, but now i have an actual reason to visit + places to go!
Always happy to provide some new reasons for people to visit places like Saskatchewan.
I love this post, and it made me chuckle. “Saskatchewan” for me, is like “Timbuktu” – in my childhood, I remember conversations where either place was used like a place that didn’t exist. In fact, I used to think they were made up names. Wonderful to see a post about the actual place! 🙂
We were sure glad we actually got to visit Saskatchewan and see Regina on this trip. Definitely lots to see and do.
Fabulous! I can’t wait to get back to Canada…I know I keep saying that but I miss it! This is a great spot and I would love the Hotel Saskatchewan. I adore boutique hotels. I also love all the public art and murals. Adding to my very long Canadian bucket list…
I hope you do plan a visit to Canada and see all the great spots across the country. Regina was a treat for us to discover.
I have never spent any time in Saskatchewan, but it looks like you enjoyed your road trip break here. The hotel is gorgeous!
We sure did love the Hotel Saskatchewan on our road trip. And we loved that we got put back in the same suite on our return visit. Simply lovely!
Thanks for giving me my first ever tour of Regina, Saskatchewan. I’ve seen some on Winnipeg but this is my first on Regina. Beautiful fall colors, too!
Hope you get to visit Regina one day. It was a lovely stop on our road trip.
It sounds worth a stop! I love street art and would have adored exploring to find it all!
We were really surprised with the street art we found on our wandering around Regina. Hope we find more on our return visit.
Regina looks so pretty! What a beautiful little place! The road trip to get their looks so quaint and I love the stop at the rodeo! I’d love to visit Regina just to stay at that beautiful hotel! What a luxurious stop! Thanks for the great guide!
It great to spend an extra day stop on our road trip in Regina. The hotel was a lovely spot we never wanted to leave. But were glad we did see some of the city.
What a lovely area! I pinned this for my dream Canada road trip with my kids. Also the brunch at the Hotel Saskatchewan looked epic!!!!
I hope you do get to plan an epic road trip in Canada and get a stop in Regina. The weekend breakfast is definitely worth planning a visit around.
Those murals are really cool! And with a room like that and beautiful macaroons and strawberries, I’d be sad to leave too!
We definitely were tempted to just lounge in our hotel room and never leave. But we were happy when the nice weather sent us out for a day.
This brunch looks amazing! I have all my hotel points with Bonvoy too!
We loved the brunch treat. Heading back for another one on this trip.
Love this road trip stop guide to Regina, Saskatchewan. I’ve been there a couple of times on business, but didn’t have an opportunity to explore the area. Your hotel stay looked amazing!
We were happy we got to explore a bit of Regina on our road trip stop.
This is why I love road trips; you get to explore so many small towns and unknown places on the way to your destination and some of these towns where you stop for a break turn out to be lovely. Regina seems to be that place for you. The Wascana Lake looks amazing.
The road trip stops have been a lot of fun. Great when we add a full day and can explore great cities like Regina.
This looks like a lovely stop & delivered way more than I was expecting from all the closed restaurants at the start! The hotel looks perfect…especially that delicious looking brunch. 😉
We enjoyed some tasty stops and a lovely stay on our visit to Regina.
Saskatchewan looks like a lovely place to explore and another one that I don’t know anything about, although I have heard the name. What is one positive about the global pandemic is how travel bloggers are writing in more detail about their own countries, thereby showcasing other areas that people might not know much about. A great post.
The road trip to Western Canada was a good change this year. It let us see Regina for a day and explore some new spots.
You always pick the nicest hotels to stay at on your trips! Regina hadn’t been on my radar very much but it looks like an interesting city to visit as part of a Canadian road trip.
It is always great when we get a luxury stop when we are road tripping. The Hotel Saskatchewan was and elegant stay on this trip. Nice to take a down day and really relax.
Wow the Saskatchewan Legislative Building grounds look absolutely stunning – thank you for sharing this guide! 🙂
It was fun to head towards the Legislative Building on our visit to Regina. So much to see when we wandered around the area.
I have never thought to ask for a tour of a hotel property before but I always wonder what some of their more amazing rooms must look like. Even learning about the history of the hotel and area would be awesome. I am determined to ask next time I stay someplace amazing.
It was great to get a tour of the beautiful Hotel Saskatchewan. We have often tried to see the different rooms when we see a hotel like this.
Gosh Regina looks simply stunning! I’d love to see those murals and totem poles and the Hotel Saskatchewan sounds fabulous.
We loved all the great sights we found on our road trip stop in Regina. Will be back for a second stop on our way home.
Love reading all about your road trips in Canada. Can’t wait to return to Canada, but could be a while yet. Those murals look amazing. Love street art, hate graffiti.
I was happy to share our Canada road trip stops. Fun to spend some time in Regina on this trip.
Who knew there was so much to see in Regina? I love following along with your trip! I want to do a road tip like this myself next year
I am glad you are enjoying our road trips this year. So many great road trip stops along the way. Regina was a nice surprise.
You always make the most of all your stops! The hotel was beautiful, especially your pretty brunch!
The Hotel Saskatchewan was a lovely spot to stay in Regina. A great base to explore a bit.
Saskatchewan is one province I’ve been to yet. I long to see the prairie landscape. The legislation building is quite impressive. I think I would stroll the grounds just as you did.
We loved when the weather was nice and we got to see a bit of Regina. It was pretty cold on our return trip.
Regina looks like a great place to visit and I would enjoy walking around and finding their street art like you did..
We loved that we had the chance to see a little of Regina on our road trip stop.
Wow! Thanks for publishing this. It’s so hard to find travel itineraries for this area 🙂
We were delighted to find so much to do in Regina. Hope you enjoy a visit.
Thank you for writing such a lovely article of Regina. We have lived in Regina for 28 years. Right across the street from the Royal Sask Museum and the beautiful Wascana park. We enjoy that park all year long. So many people from across Canada and many that live in the outskirts of Regina have no idea how amazing the center of the city really is. It is a hidden gem. Next time you are in Regina, check out the RCMP Heritage center and museum. Also, RCMP training depot. Totally worth it. Enjoy your travels.
We were glad to stop in Regina on our way out and then on the way back home. We enjoyed the chance to wander in the city.