A History Buff's Haven: Explore the Heritage and Culture of Regina

Home to an appealing variety of historic buildings, museums and attractions, the city of Regina is a haven for history buffs looking to spend the day sightseeing.

Museums abound, commemorating everything from Canadian Mounted Police to famous sports stars, and the top-notch art galleries display both past and present pieces that are sure to impress. So, take the day to focus on the remarkable heritage that this metro has to offer. And, remember--because most of the museums and historic sites offer free admission, this day of touring will be light on your wallet.

Start out at the Government House Museum and Heritage Property, one of the oldest buildings in Saskatchewan. This gorgeous mansion, built in 1891, was once the home of the Lieutenant Governor, who was a representative of the Queen. You'll find that it now serves as a portal, transporting you back in time to the Victorian era. All of the guides, who give tours every 30 minutes, dress in period garb and provide insight into what life was like during that time. Because admission is free, you can spend some money in the gift shop, buying an interesting souvenir.

If you prefer a more artistic atmosphere, then you'll love the Mackenzie Art Gallery, located on Albert St in the Douglas Building. This well-known gallery in Regina hosts a myriad of notable Canadian art, displaying pieces by local artists, such as Saskatchewan's own James Henderson, as well as those from around the world. There are several touring exhibitions that you'll probably want to check out, as well. Right now, "Bob Boyer: His Life's Work" is the featured display and will remain as such until January 18, 2009. If you want to learn more about the art, the artists or the museum, then you can visit the learning centre or the resource centre. Again, admission for this fantastic site is free, so drop by the Gallery Shop to see if anything catches your eye before you leave, or just head to the next destination.

A very unique attraction, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Centre is an intriguing site. Because the Mounties have played such a vital role in the development of the area, this museum proudly honors them and provides a fascinating glimpse into the history, tradition, training and equipment that makes their workforce so distinctive. If you are touring the Centre on a weekday, be sure to catch the Sergeant Major's Parade at 12:45pm; there's an elaborate flag lowering that involves uniformed members on horseback and takes place in the evenings, as well.

Anyone interested in any type of science will be thoroughly entertained at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, a place that takes pride in giving in-depth attention to topics like earth sciences and life sciences and providing interesting exhibits and lectures about them. You can learn all kinds of things about the province's plants and animals, as well as the captivating history of the area's first peoples. You'll even find "Scotty," one of only twelve known T-Rex dinosaur exhibits in the world. But don't spend too much time here because you still have one more place to visit.

Last but not least, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is another must-see attraction in Regina that is completely free of charge. Because a devout passion for sports runs deep within Canada, it is no surprise that an impressive site dedicated to famous sports heroes exists in Saskatchewan. The museum provides a diverse conglomeration of memorabilia from several different types of sporting pursuits including football, hockey, alpine skiing, speed skating, curling, boxing and fencing. Profiles of athletes who have been inducted into the province's Hall of Fame are displayed, as well.

Though the city of Regina hosts a number of sights and attractions, the best places to visit are certainly the museums and art galleries. They're free of charge, great for rainy day outings, and of course, they give insight into the city's unique heritage that other attractions may not offer. So don't miss your chance to explore this interesting metro.