(about Regina, SK Canada, last edited on Oct 02, 2007)
Regina is a friendly prairie city located 788km E of Calgary the province of Saskatchewan. Its name sounds pretty nice and it is attractive for tourists. It definitely sounds better than "Pile O' Bones" which was its first name that derived from the buffalo skeletons the first settlers found in the area. The name would make you think it is a deserted place with nothing interesting to do and for those who knew nothing about the place the name would certainly drive them away. But luckily enough Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter changed the dreadful name and opened a new perspective for the town.
From then on things went well, so well that it was named the capital of the Northwest Territories and ever since it has bloomed into the wonderful city it is now, a city with plenty of amenities and great recreational opportunities. Its development was pushed by farming, oil industry and government services which are the mainstays of the local economy. The population has grown too and it now reaches about 200,000 residents who are proud to live here and call Regina home.
The setting is not a magnificent one but the locals have done their best to make the town look like an oasis. It is full of parks and all the green spaces and wonderful birds around makes for a wonderful recreational place. The many cultural activities, sporting events, trade shows and other events make it attractive for those who want to stop here for a day or two.
As in every other city the center is the most beautiful place to visit and give an insight to the city’s hearth. Regina Downtown has all the all the amenities close by and they make for a nice stroll. You can take in all the shops and suburban malls at Northgate, Victoria Square and Southland, offering great shopping. The restaurants theatres, art centers and other entertainment facilities make sure you won’t get bored while the time spent in its churches will help your soul heal.
While you have a nice stroll there are also some attractive buildings to see downtown like the domed Saskatchewan Legislative Building the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts, the University of Regina and other attractions like the Diefenbaker Homestead the former home of John Diefenbaker who was Canada's prime minister from 1957 to 1963where you can see some original family articles.
There is something to entertain the children at the Saskatchewan Science Centre and the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders so families can keep their children happy. At night after the kids went to bed the adults can have their fun at the Casino Regina a favored destination by both gamblers and non gamblers. If you don’t want to play, it is still interesting to visit the building which includes Regina's original Canadian National rail terminal dating 1911.
Nature lovers find something that can make them feel at ease, the parks. The parks occupy an impressive part of the city being the largest urban parks in North America so Regina’s citizens can consider them lucky to have so much green space at their disposal, about 930-hectars. If you want to spend some time here you won’t feel alone as the hundred of different birds will keep you company.
For more green space head towards the Willow Island, an ideal place for activities in all seasons.
Whatever your budget or style, you will find in Regina the culture, urban amenities, outdoor experiences and spectacular natural beauty to make your next vacation truly unforgettable.
