DESTINATION

Moose Jaw

During U.S. Prohibition Moose Jaw was home to an industrious band of bootleggers and American gangsters, earning the town the nickname “Little Chicago of the Prairies.” Today Moose Jaw is an industrial center as well as a producer of hard spring wheat. The Canadian Forces base just south of the city is home to one of Canada's busiest airports and headquarters of the Snowbirds, the Canadian armed forces aerobatic team.

Downtown's seasonal roaming “ambassadors” provide visitors with information and brochures. The Murals of Moose Jaw, painted on several downtown buildings, are a collection of more than 50 scenes depicting the town's history. The Moose Jaw Trolley Company provides a tour of the murals and heritage buildings. The Yvette Moore Gallery , downtown at 76 Fairford St. W., exhibits this local artist's work; her paintings are also displayed in Moose Jaw hotels. Phone (306) 693-7600 or (866) 693-7600.

Wakamow Valley is a recreational complex that includes Plaxton's Lake, North River Park, Kiwanis River Park, Kinsmen Wellesley Park, Connor Park, McCaig Gardens, the Ecological Zone and the Devonian Trail, a pedestrian and bicycle trail system. Visitors can picnic, camp, bird-watch, hike, jog and bicycle. For more information phone (306) 692-2717 Mon.-Fri.

Hwy. 2 heading south from the city was once part of the Powder River Trail, which provided access to Denver before the advent of the railroad. About 42 kilometres (26 mi.) north on Hwy. 2 is Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, where 350 hectares (865 acres) are set aside as grazing land for a herd of buffaloes.

Visitor Centers

Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce 88 Saskatchewan St. E. Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0V4. Phone:(306)692-6414

Self-guiding Tours

Brochures outlining a self-guiding tour of downtown Moose Jaw's historic sites are available at the Moose Jaw Art Museum and National Exhibits in Crescent Park.