Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, is located in south central Saskatchewan, midway between Calgary, Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is the province's second largest city and serves as its commercial, financial and industrial center. It was named for Queen Victoria, mother-in-law of then Governor General the Marquess of Lorne. Canada's Queen City is the sunniest capital in Canada.
Even though virtually every single tree you see within the city was planted by hand, Regina offers a park system with over 100 parks, crowned by Wascana Centre, surrounding man-made Wascana Lake. This unique 930-ha area in the heart of Regina includes a picnic island, a marina, a waterfowl park and display ponds. Within the park boundaries visitors can find some of the most popular attractions the city has to offer including the Saskatchewan Legislative Building (1912), the Saskatchewan Science Centre, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery.
Regina is home to the RCMP and Canada's only training academy for the RCMP. Together with the RCMP Centennial Museum they attract tens of thousands visitors each year. The museum houses the world's largest collection of Mountie artifacts.
Cultural delights include the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Canada's longest continually-operating symphony orchestra, an innovative theatre company, and a highly-rated three-day festival of culture (Mosaic). The city plays host to many major conventions, trade shows, cultural activities and sporting events including the Royal Red Canadian Arabian Horse Championships, the Western Canada Farm Progress Show, and the Canadian Western Agribition. The Saskatchewan Center of the Arts is a world-class performing arts facility.
Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy the 24-block area in the heart of downtown Regina, filled with more than 700 retail stores, services, theatres, restaurants and other attractions. The major suburban malls, Northgate, Victoria Square and Southland, offer one-stop shopping.
Regina in Figures
Regina is home to 187,500 residents
The city of Regina covers an area of 118.4 square kilometres or 45.71 square miles.
Elevation: 577.4 metres above sea level.
Important ethnic groups include First Nations, British, German, Ukrainian, Scandinavian and Asian.
Arrival
Regina Airport is an ultra-modern airport with huge air cargo potential and connections to major North American cities, located 15-minutes from downtown. Getting to and from the airport is easiest by taxi. Many car rental agencies can be found at the airport.
For more information call (306) 761-7555
Trans-Canada-Highway #1 leads from Calgary to Regina and further east to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Distances
Calgary, AB to Regina 764 km (474 mi)
Edmonton, AB to Regina 785 km (487 mi)
Winnipeg, MB to Regina 571 km (354 mi)
Saskatoon to Regina 259 km (160 mi)
Traveling within Regina
Public Transportation
Regina is proud to say that it has the oldest transit system in Saskatchewan. In 2000, 98 diesel buses including five smaller feeder buses and seven low-floor buses carried 6.4 million passengers over 4.8 million kilometres on nine integrated routes. Transit Ride Guides & Schedules are free available from bus operators, any Public Library, City Hall, Transit Information Centre, or Transit Agent.
For more information call (306) 777-7726
Climate
Regina enjoys an average of 2,365 sunshine hours each year, which makes Regina to the sunniest capital city in Canada. In summer, the weather is typically warm and dry. Nights are usually cool and comfortable. Winter - mid November to early March - brings short and sunny days.
Things to do
Government House Museum and Heritage Property 
Location: North-west of the city centre, at 4607 Dewdney Ave.
Government House was the official residence of the Lieutenant Governors from 1891-1945. It is one of Saskatchewan's oldest heritage buildings and contains restored rooms with turn of the century furnishings. Tour the elegant building of the Queen's representative in Regina at the end of the nineteenth century. The Victorian Tea Room offers exceptional food and afternoon tea.
For more information call (306) 787-5773
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
Location: On the west side of Wascana Centre Park, just off Albert Street.
The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan is Regina's most famous landmark, built between 1908 and 1912. The building is located in the heart of Wascana Centre on the south shore of Wascana Lake and reflects the English Renaissance style. The east wing contains the Native Heritage Foundation Gallery, promoting Native Indian art.
For more information call (306) 787-2376
MacKenzie Art Gallery
Location: At 3475 Albert Street S., at the corner of Albert Street and 23rd Avenue SW, at the corner of Wascana Centre.
MacKenzie Art Gallery features an excellent collection of art, ranging from historical to contemporary works. The gallery specializes in Canadian paintings, much of it by local artists. In addition you will find works of American and international artists. The 175 seat theatre is stage for The Trail of Louis Riel during July and August.
For more information call (306) 584-4250
RCMP Centennial Museum
Location: At Dewdney Avenue West, beyond Government House, not far from the corner of McCarthy Road.
The RCMP Centennial Museum is the official museum of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It portrays the history of the Force in relation to development of Canada through equipment, weapons, uniforms, photos and memorabilia.
For more information call (306) 780-5838
Regina Antique Mall
Location: In the warehouse district of Regina, just North of downtown at 1175 Rose Street.
Visit our 21,000 square foot location; three floors of displays, 28 shops full of antiques and collectibles for you to browse: One of the largest selections in Western Canada!
We currently have 28 dealers who specialize in everything from coins, toys, jewellery, furniture, glassware & china.
For more information call (306) 352-7450
Regina Symphony Orchestra
Location: In the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts, at Lakeshore Drive in Wascana Centre.
The Regina Symphony Orchestra is the only professional orchestra in Southern Saskatchewan and Canada's longest continually-operating symphony orchestra. In the season, the Regina Symphony perform 9 Masterworks concerts, 4 Pops concerts, 3 Baroque concerts, and 1 major outdoor concert (Beethoven at Buffalo Pound) and others.
For more information call (306) 586-9555
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
Location: At the corner of College Avenue and Albert Street
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum offers several exhibitions including First Nations Gallery and Life Science Gallery. See realistic displays of North American wildlife, particularly animals native to the province of Saskatchewan. Also shown are insects, birds, fish, and fossils. Learn about 10,000 years of Aboriginal culture. Gift store on premises.
For more information call (306) 787-2815
Saint Paul's Anglican Cathedral
Location: On the edge of downtown Regina, at the corner of Twelfth Avenue and McIntyre Street.
Saint Paul's Anglican Cathedral is the oldest house of worship in Regina. First there was a wooden church built in 1883. In 1894, cornerstone was laid for the current church. The undercroft of the Cathedral now houses a Diocesan Museum and displays historic artifacts from the 1600s. Cathedral open daily 10 am to 4 pm. Limited wheelchair access.
For more information call (306) 522-6439
Saskatchewan Science Centre
Location: In Wascana Centre, near the corner of Wascana Drive and Winnipeg Street.
The Saskatchewan Science Centre is located in an interesting old Regina Power Plant and offers more than 100 hands-on displays and demonstrations on the planet earth, the solar system and physical laws. On premises you will find the SaskTel 3-D Laser Theatre and the Kramer IMAX Theatre.
For more information call (306) 522-4629 or toll-free 1-800-667-6300.
The Parks of Wascana Centre
Location: Wascana Centre begins five blocks south of 12th Avenue, with access via Hamilton, Lorne or Broad Sts.
Wascana Centre is located in the heart of Regina and covers an area of 2,300 acres, which is about eight times the size of the city centre. The predominant feature is the Wascana Lake, offering an abundance of recreational activities for the entire family. There are picnic and barbecue areas, sport fields and of course many of Regina's attractions, such as the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the MacKenzie Art Gallery and Diefenbaker Homestead among others.
For more information call (306) 522-3661
Out of town attractions
Moose Mountain Provincial Park
Location: 200 km southeast of Regina
Moose Mountain Provincial Park is located west from Manitoba along the Trans Canada Highway. It is a forest island on an elevated plateau complete with rolling rills, lakes and ponds. The area surrounding the park's main gate is fairly busy with golf courses, water slides and a lake. If you prefer quieter walking trails you should consider the central and western portion of the park where you will find an abundance of wild life and may species of birds.
For more information call (306) 577-2600
Festivals and Events
Some of the major events and festivals of Regina are listed below:
Regina Highland Games
Royal Red Canadian Arabian Horse Championships
Mosaic
Western Canadian Farm Progress Show
SIFC Pow Wow
Buffalo Days
The Trail of Louis Riel
Canadian Western Agribition
History
The area was inhabited by Cree Indians prior to the arrival of European settlers. The area became known as Wascana (Pile O'Bones), a Cree word meaning 'pile of bones', referring to the remains left behind from bison butchering along the creek.
In 1882, a town was founded and its name was changed to Regina in honour of Queen Victoria. In 1883, Regina was made capital of the Northwest Territories. The town was mainly a creature of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which chose the location and influenced the town's street layout. The North-West Mounted Police chose Regina as the site of its headquarters in 1882. In 1905, Regina became the capital of the newly formed province of Saskatchewan.
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