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Moose Jaw is a small city in southern Saskatchewan, west of Regina, with a well-preserved downtown of brick buildings from its railway heyday. In the early twentieth century it was a bustling junction, and stories of the era, including rumors of Prohibition-era rumrunning, still shape the city's identity and its attractions.
The Tunnels of Moose Jaw offer theatrical guided tours through passages beneath downtown, exploring both bootlegging legends and the harsh experiences of Chinese immigrant workers. Above ground, murals and Main Street showcase local history, and Temple Gardens Mineral Spa draws visitors to its geothermal mineral pools. Crescent Park and the museum offer a green escape downtown, and Wakamow Valley follows the Moose Jaw River with trails and picnic spots. Mac the Moose, a giant statue near the visitor center, is a popular photo stop, and a trolley tour covers the city's history. The Western Development Museum focuses on transportation across the prairies.
Quirky small-city history is the draw, and a day or two is usually plenty. CFB Moose Jaw is home to the Snowbirds aerobatic team, whose practice flights can sometimes be seen overhead. Day trips include the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum south of town and the Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre, which works with this endangered prairie species.
WiserMap travel guideMoose Jaw Saskatchewan Tunnel Tours Spa and MuralsPlan Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan: underground tunnel tours, mineral spa, downtown murals, Wakamow Valley, Snowbirds, Sukanen Ship and a two day itinerary.Read the guide
The Tunnels of Moose Jaw offer guided theatrical tours through passages under downtown. One tour tells the legend of Prohibition-era bootlegging and Al Capone, and the other covers the hard lives of early Chinese immigrants. Tours are popular, so book ahead, especially on weekends and holidays.
Temple Gardens is a downtown hotel and spa with a large rooftop pool filled with hot geothermal mineral water drawn from deep underground. Day passes are available for non-guests, and the pool is especially pleasant on cold winter evenings. Book spa treatments in advance and bring a swimsuit.
Downtown Moose Jaw has dozens of large outdoor murals painted on building walls, showing scenes from the city's history, from the railway and farming to old businesses and local people. A self-guided walk links them. Pick up a mural map at the visitor center and allow one to two hours.
Mac the Moose is a giant moose statue about 10 m tall beside the Trans-Canada Highway at the Moose Jaw visitor center, built in the 1980s and given bigger antlers in 2019. It is a classic roadside photo stop. Stop at the visitor center next door for maps, mural guides and tour bookings.
The Moose Jaw Trolley runs narrated tours of the city in a replica of the electric streetcars that once served Moose Jaw. Guides point out historic buildings, murals and stories of the city's colorful past. Tours run mainly in summer; check the schedule and book at the visitor center or online.
The Moose Jaw branch of the Western Development Museum focuses on transportation history, with aircraft, steam locomotives, carriages, vintage cars and a gallery about the Snowbirds aerobatic team based nearby. It is a good choice for families and on rainy days. Allow at least two hours.
The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery is in Crescent Park, sharing a building with the public library. It shows changing exhibitions of contemporary and historic art, along with collections on local history and Indigenous culture. Admission is usually by donation, making it an easy stop on a park walk.
The Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum, a short drive south of Moose Jaw, centers on the steel ship that Finnish settler Tom Sukanen built on the prairie in the 1930s. Around it stand a pioneer village of old buildings, tractors and farm machinery. It is open in summer; allow two hours.
Crescent Park is a leafy downtown park along a curving creek, with footbridges, flower beds, a war memorial, lawn bowling and an outdoor pool in summer. Free concerts and events often take place here in the warm months. It is a short walk from Main Street and the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.
Wakamow Valley follows the Moose Jaw River through the southern part of the city, with more than 20 km of trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and natural areas. It is good for walking, cycling and birdwatching, and in winter for cross-country skiing. Several parks along the valley have parking.
Buffalo Pound Provincial Park lies about 30 km north of Moose Jaw along a long lake in the Qu'Appelle Valley. It has beaches, camping, trails, a bison viewing area and the Nicolle Flats marsh boardwalk. In winter there is a small ski hill. Bring binoculars for birds on the marsh trail.
The Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre at the Moose Jaw exhibition grounds works to protect this endangered prairie owl. Visitors meet resident owls up close and learn about their habitat and decline. It is open mainly in summer; check the hours and visit with children for the guided talks.
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Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
New Brunswick, Canada
Quebec, Canada
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