Honeymoon Road Trip: Saskatchewan's Heart of the Old Northwest--from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

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Canada: Saskatchewan's Old Northwest

Downtown Saskatoon at night

Saskatoon at Dusk

Saskatchewan Province is all about wide open spaces and prairies that stir the soul. Views that go on forever. Golden wheatfields waving in the breeze. As you'd imagine, a place like Saskatchewan offers many delectable road trips. On the 3-day road excursion discussed here, you'll explore Saskatoon and adventure into the prairie lands beyond. You'll hear tall tales, discover famous artists, visit forgotten battle sites, tour a UNESCO Biosphere Preserve, and much more—most of it far away from that ol' beaten track. »»More about Saskatchewan Province

Day 1: The jump-off point for your Heart of the Old Northwest tour is the province's largest city—and one of the most beautiful cities in Canada—Saskatoon. A center for arts, theater, and diverse cultural communities, Saskatoon is sometimes called the "City of Bridges" or "Paris of the Prairies," thanks to its seven distinctive crossings across the South Saskatchewan River. A nice way to get to know this town is to walk the Meewasin Trail, which meanders along the river through town. You can stop in at downtown shops, cafes, and galleries, with the river always beside you. >>Meewasin Trail Brochure

A Saskatoon Day

The Mendel Art Gallery, overlooking the river, is the city's premier destination for contemporary and historical art; exhibitions change quarterly. The collection includes works by Canada's famed Group of Seven, and 5000 works in different media—the emphasis is on Canadian artists, with a particular focus on Saskatchewan. You can also explore more recent local history at the Meewasin Valley Centre.

The Western Development Museum and 1910 Boomtown feature a full-scale replica of Main Street, as well as a fascinating Transportation Gallery (with the only vintage car collection in town). The Ukrainian Museum of Canada showcases a colorful culture—don't miss the fabulous collection of textiles.

A short drive north on Highway 11 is Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a national historic site that celebrates the unique legacy of more than 6000 years of Northern Plains Indians. The Gallery contains mainly the work of First Nation artists—paintings, sculpture, woodwork, beadwork, and more. After checking out ongoing archaeological digs, cultural events, displays and interpretive trails, grab an authentic First Nations meal in the restaurant. You'll discover traditional staples and new takes such as bison soup and stew, Cherokee spiced chicken breast, wild mushroom, wild rice bisque, and the famed Saskatoon Berry Pie.

Sunset at Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Saskatoon offers a wide choice of accommodations, so that's where you'll spend this first night. Take advantage of what the city has to offer, topping off your first day with a scenic boat cruise on the South Saskatchewan River, or, if you're here during the summer, a performance at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. Or maybe you'd like to try your luck at Dakota Dunes Casino?

Day 2: Rise early, because you'll have lots to see and do today. Head northwest on the TransCanada Yellowhead Highway and then north on Highway 340 to Hafford—the gateway to the Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve. Saskatchewan's only UNESCO biosphere site and an ecological treasure, Redberry Lake BR provides habitat for 9 endangered, threatened, or rare bird species (as well as another 180 species). The large saline lake and its surrounding grasslands offer nesting sites for the American White Pelican, Piping Plover, White-Winged Scoter and Double Crested Cormorant, among others, and the area is also on the Whooping Crane migration route. Boat tours are a great way to explore, but the well-tended walking trails offer a different kind of pleasure.

Redberry Lake Biosphere Preserve

A Scene at Redberry Lake Biosphere Preserve

From here, follow Highway 40 west through the rolling Thickwood Hills to the Battlefords. Once the government seat of the vast North-West Territory, today it comprises the historic town of Battleford and the very modern city of North Battleford.

At the Western Development Museum's North Battleford Heritage Farm & Village, you can get a taste of early life on the prairie frontier. Visit the Allen Sapp Gallery to see works by this renowned Cree artist. Tour the marvelous collections of firearms and military uniforms, and get lost in the replica of an old general store, at the Fred Light Museum. If you're up for something more active, the challenging 18-hole course at the North Battleford Golf & Country Club affords sensational views of the Saskatechewan River Valley, and a very hospitable scene in the clubhouse awaits you at the end of your game.

North Battleford Golf & Country Club

Fort Battleford National Historic Site is a must-see. It commemorates the role of the North West Mounted Police in the west. Discover the part it played during the "siege" of Battleford in the North West Resistance of 1885. Costumed guides and interpretive displays bring this tragic period to life.

Spend the night in the Battlefords, where you'll find plenty of wide-ranging accommodations and restaurants.

Day 3: Head north on Highway 4 to the junction of Highway 26. Turn northwest to St. Walburg, a tiny hamlet that was home to one of North America's most respected religious artists—Count Berthold von Imhoff. His oil paintings are on display in the Imhoff Gallery, actually the restored studio on his farm. More works can be found at St. Walburg & District Historical Museum on Main Street.

The Imhoff Gallery

Traveling west on Highway 3, take the turn north to Frenchman Butte National Historic Site, where you can still see the gun pits from a skirmish of the North West Resistance. Further west on Grid 797, interpretive cairns mark the site of Fort Pitt Provincial Historic Park, established as a fur trade outpost in 1829 and later used as a mounted police post.

Leaving the echoes of long-ago battles behind, begin the last leg of your Heart of the Old Northwest journey. Drive south on Highway 17 to Lloydminster, straddling the border of Alberta Province. Enjoy "big city" amenities in a small town atmosphere, with plenty of restaurants and hotels. The Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Center examines the area's pioneering past. In summer, head to Bud Miller All Season Park for swimming, hiking trails, an Arboretum, and more.

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Thanks to Tourism Saskatchewan for this article, which has been edited by WGH. ~ Images: Tourism Saskatchewan (Imhoff Gallery); Tourism Saskatchewan/Douglas E. Walker (Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon Day); Tourism Sasketchewan/F:11 Photographic Design (Saskatoon at Night); and Redberry Lake Biosphere Preserve.