Introduction
The Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon’s favourite landmark, stands near the river at the edge of the Central Business District. This neighbourhood is bordered in the east and south by the South Saskatchewan River, the north end meets City Park, and the west end meets Riversdale and Westmount. Lively restaurants and pubs line the grid-like streets while large parks and community spaces stretch along the river.
Lifestyle
The Central Business District’s wide range of excellent new places to eat, drink, shop, and relax illustrates just how big of an impact Saskatoon’s current boom has had. The neighbourhood boasts rooftop patios, food trucks, and a wide variety of restaurants. Downtown Saskatoon offers condos, apartments, and modern lofts with great views. It is a great area for people looking for a big city feel in Saskatoon’s modest size.
The Vibe
The vibe here is bustling, busy, fun, and creative – all while retaining the welcoming atmosphere of a small prairie city. Even in this concrete urban centre, residents enjoy relaxing parks and pleasant public spaces. If you are looking for excitement, it is here in abundance. Winton’s, Spadina Freehouse, and The Woods are just a few of the places that you could have a fantastic night in the city centre.
Meet the Neighbours
This neighbourhood is ideally suited for young adults and business professionals who work in the area. The lack of schools and spaces for children to play means that this area is not home to many families. Like any urban centre, this is where you will find a mix of cultures – a quality that is reflected in the local shops and restaurants. Seniors’ residences are also located downtown.
In the Area
Everything from gourmet burgers to spicy South Asian food can be found in this area. The city centre is located near City Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital. While there aren’t any schools to be found in the area, the city’s central library is located here. Other great spots include the Persephone theatre, Galaxy Cinemas, and Kiwanis Memorial Park. The long list of things to do in this area is growing.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
The city’s main bus hub is here, so public transportation access is quick and efficient. Cycling is great along the river’s famous Meewasin trails, but the centre of the neighbourhood lacks dedicated bike lanes. Parking is available, but it is expensive, and on top of that, this area has bad traffic congestion during peak hours. Walking is your best bet for getting around, just remember to bundle up in winter.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
City centres come with their fair share of problems and Saskatoon is no exception. However, anyone coming from other large cities won’t find anything too surprising here. If you want to live in an area with an exciting nightlife like this city centre has, you should expect a higher noise level – although, Saskatoon is not an especially loud place.
Dollars & Sense
When considering shopping and eating out, this neighbourhood has it all – from amazingly cheap deals to fine dining and luxury clothing retailers. Real estate in the city centre is fairly limited to renting, and the central location naturally leads to above-average prices. Another cost to consider is parking: while the area does have many parkades and private lots, they come at a fairly hefty price.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Midtown Plaza
Modelled after Saskatoon’s historic train station, this shopping mall boasts over 150 retailers. The mall is a great place to go shopping, grab a bite to eat, or to just spend the afternoon in.
more infoCongress Beer House
Home of the delicious Ace Burger, this bar features a wide selection of local craft beer, and frequently hosts live music. Congress Beer House is a great place to get dinner.
more infoKiwanis Park
Surrounding the beautiful Hotel Bessborough, Kiwanis Park offers views of Saskatoon’s wonderful bridges. This park houses local events such as The Children’s Festival and Pride Festival. In the winter, stop by for ice skating.
more infoSaskatoon River Landing
This newly constructed public space next to the South Saskatchewan River is perfect for meeting friends or attending local festivals. The food truck festival is held here, and it is certainly a hit.
more infoPersephone Theatre
The Persephone Theatre moved into their new location on the river landing in 2007. This elegant theatre offers many excellent live performances and is definitely a place to check out.
more infoThien Vietnam
Thien Vietnam is a popular budget lunch spot, and is also great for dinner. The $5 lunch special will give you a big plate that is sure to satisfy your taste buds and your hunger.
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