Emergency measures in the wake of Covid-19:

Since March 21 the US-Canada border had been closed to all non-essential travel, but is now open with restrictions. Travellers entering Canada by air or by land face testing and mandatory quarantine, and must provide traveller contact information on arrival.

See the Government of Canada and Saskatchewan websites.

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Aiming to escape the evils of alcohol in Toronto, settlers of the Temperance Colonization Society arrived in 1883 to set up a "dry" community on the site of what is now Saskatoon. In isolated sod homesteads set far apart on open prarie lands, and with long cold winters, life could be difficult and lonely in the early years, and the town grew slowly at first. In 1906 Saskatoon became a city with a population of just 4,500, but it took until the post-war years for it to become Canada's number one area of economic growth.

There's plenty to do in summer months. Like many cities across North America, life here is gay friendly: for a week each June it boasts one of the largest Pride festivals in Western Canada. A lively local queer population can be found at two local gay bars, and there are plenty of trendy art and design–inspired restaurants and bars located in the hip, revitalized Riversdale neighborhood.

 

The Arts

The performing arts scene includes three professional theater companies: Persephone, The 25th Street Theatre, and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. Also on stage: the French language La Troupe de Jour; the Saskatoon Summer Players; and the Potashcorp Fringe Festival. The city's main theatre for the performing arts, TCU Place is Saskatoon's Arts and Convention Centre. The Broadway Theatre features repertory cinema art films and community theatre productions.

Other cultural institutions include The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, the Saskatoon Opera company, choirs, folk music groups, bands and the Bassment Jazz Society with an annual June Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. The Saskatchewan Intercultural Association showcases performing arts of their members at Folkfest each August, and a March Film Festival. Yevshan is a local Ukrainian folk-ballet ensemble.

The Remai Modern Art Museum, which opened in 2017, holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of Picasso linocuts among its modern art exhibits. Other galleries include: the university's Kenderdine Gallery, the Nutana Collegiate Memorial Art Gallery collection of early Canadian art, the avant-garde A.K.A. Gallery run by local artists, the Paved Arts new media artist run center, and the Affinity Gallery of the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery. See SNAC for more local galleries. The Museum of Antiquities at the University of Saskatchewan displays full scale replicas of ancient Greek, and Roman, along with Medieval sculptures. Diefenbaker Canada Centre is the Museum and Archives, honoring Canada's 13th Prime Minister, who grew up in the province.

 

Getting Here

Saskatoon's John G. Diefenbaker International Airport has scheduled and charter airline services from nearby regional airports, plus Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa (summer), along with Minneapolis. Winter seasonal routes include Las Vegas, Phoenix and cities in Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Saskatoon Transit operates Route 12 City Centre/ River Heights bus service from Saskatoon Airport to the downtown transit hub, and most major hotels. Departures are every 30-60 minutes Monday through Saturday 6-6:30am to 11:37pm, and on Sundays every 60 minutes, 9:26am-9:26pm. Taxis, hotel shuttles and rental cars are also on hand.

Saskatoon is a stop on Via Rail, the Canadian transcontinental passenger route. Saskatoon station is located in the west end. With many provincial transportation connections and a central geographic location, this has been called The Hub City. The Saskatchewan Railway Museum is located just outside the city.

The Huskey Travel Center (315 Marquis Dr) is the hub for bus transportation throughout the Province of Saskatchewan. As of October 2018, Greyhound no longer serves Western Canada, but Rider Express has intercity services between Calgary and Vancouver, and from Calgary to Winnipeg, with connections to Regina, Saskatoon and other western towns.

 

Getting Around

Renting a car from one of six international companies may be the best option for most visitors; located across the concourse from airport arrivals, or from downtown locations.

Saskatoon Transit has city bus service throughout the area, at $3 for a single ride. A day pass costs $8.50. There are bike racks on all full-sized buses. See their website for more details.

BikeDoctor rents bikes for $60/ day and $80/ weekend. See the City Cycling Guide for local information about the use of bikes in Saskatoon.

 

Media & Resources

For info about gay life in Saskatoon, visit OutSaskatoon

The Saskatoon Diversity Network sponsors the Saskatoon Pride Festival each June.

Planet S is Saskatoon's bi-weekly city magazine for lifestyle, the arts, music and restaurant reviews.

For more general info see TourismSaskatoon and TourismSaskatchewan

 

Accommodations

Calderhouse Inn (848 Saskatchewan Crescent E; 306-665-7263), 1910-era house, river bank walking trails, four gay-friendly private suites, in-room full hot breakfast, WiFi.

Delta Bessborough (601 Spadina Crescent E; 306-244-5521), iconic, skyline-dominating 1935-era building overlooking five acres of gardens beside the South Saskatchewan River, 225 elegant four-star rooms/suites, spa, pool, and sauna. Garden Court Café, Stovin’s Lounge, the Samurai Japanese Restaurant dining, the summertime Metric Garden Lounge.

The James (620 Spadina Crescent E; 306-244-6446), Saskatoon’s premier luxury downtown hotel, contemporary boutique style, lobby cocktail bar, private balconies, river views.

See a dozen hotel suggestions at our map and listings pages.

 

Going Out

Diva's (110-220 3rd Ave S), gay/ mixed nightclub dancing, karaoke, drag shows, theme parties and contests.

Louis' Pub (93 Campus Dr, U of S), mixed/gay-friendly campus cafe/bar poutines, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and snacks; karaoke, outdoor deck, live bands, drag shows and other queer special events.

Pink (69 24th St E), gay/ mixed nightclub dancing, drag shows, women's nights, live music, special holiday and theme party events.

 

Theater & Performance

Broadway Theatre (715 Broadway Ave), art film screenings, community repertory performance theatre productions.

Persephone Theatre (100 Spadina Crescent E), professional theatre company, contemporary plays and musicals.

Roxy Theatre (320 20 St W), Riversdale 1930s era cinema, independent and art house foreign film screenings.

TCU Place | Sid Buckwold Theatre (35 - 22nd St E), Downtown Arts and Convention Centre performances, speakers, special events.
 

 

Restaurants & Cafes

Homestead Ice Cream (822 Victoria Ave) popular parlour, old jukebox, friendly gay cowboy owner, over 350 ice cream flavors; quirky items include coconut curry, dill pickle and peanut butter maple bacon donut.

Solar Gardens and Firestock Cafe (SK Rt 60, south of Saskatoon), succulent plant arrangements, cacti on 50-acre property/ five greenhouses; April-December wood-fired pizza/ freshly baked bread, full bar/ wines, glass conservatory. Ceramic studio/ gift shop, over 200+ bottles of balsamic vinegars and oils.  

See two dozen restaurant and cafe suggestions, many in and around the Riversdale district, at our restaurant & cafe listings and map pages.