Canada’s territorial capitols are the gateways to incredible wilderness experiences! And Yellowknife, Northwest Territories opens the door to the Nahanni, Brokenskull, Firth, Mountain, Horton, Coppermine and Thelon Rivers.
More than just a transit hub, Yellowknife is one of our favorite cities to visit and is nearly as much home as Whitehorse, Yukon.
Whether before or after your adventure it is worth taking a day (or more!) to explore from Old Town, to the Big Lake (Great Slave Lake) and its museums, shops and cafes! Here are some of our favorite spots to check out on your next visit!
Barren Ground Coffee
The fine folks at Barren Ground Coffee run two wonderful cafes where you can enjoy locally roasted coffee and grab a breakfast that will fuel your day of Adventure.
Check out their original location at 5103 52nd Street for a delicious breakfast sandwich, fresh baked goods and pick up a bag of their delicious coffee to sip at home!
Birchwood Coffee Ko
Barren Grounds Coffee’s second location is known as Birchwood Coffee Ko: and is at 5021 49 St. It has great breakfast and lunch options and cozy seating to plan your next journey North!
NWT Brewing
If your travels have you looking for a pint and lunch or dinner you can’t go wrong at NWT Brewing and their Woodyard Restaurant. Try their Bug Repellent IPA and keep your eyes peeled for menu items made with locally caught trout and whitefish!
Bullock’s Bistro
A mainstay of the Yellowknife dining for generations, arrive early and enjoy the best fish in town. Lake trout, Whitefish and Arctic Char all feature and their patio overlooks Back Bay and the comings and goings of bush planes and fishing boats.
Overlander Sports
A family run outdoor store with an incredible selection of equipment. Whether you forgot a crucial item (like your sun hoody) or just want to peruse the latest gear, it’a worth a visit!
Weaver and Devore
The original outfitter in Yellowknife, for the modern adventurer it has an excellent selection of fishing gear, licenses, and knives. For those traveling through in August it is a great place to see how we northerners dress in the winter and this wonderful shop has everything you might need to survive a winter on a trapline!
Aurora Emporium Art
From traditional tanned hide slippers of the Dene to their birch bark baskets and tufted hide art there is a piece of the north befitting every home, office and cottage! Check out Aurora Emporium Art Gallery for your own memento of your northern sojourn.
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
It is hard to overstate how incredible the collection at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is. From its collection of First Nation clothing from across the north, to art from the past 100 years, to modern Indigenous sculpture and a full size moose hide boat, it is a must visit!
Bush Pilot’s Monument
A great way to stretch your legs and soak in some history at the same time, Bush Pilot’s Monument is situated on “The Rock”, a hill where the town’s original water tower once stood. After a steep stair climb, you will be rewarded with fantastic views over Great Slave Lake and Back Bay.
Houseboat Bay
There is a growing community of Yellowknife residents who reside year-round in houseboats. When the ice melts in Spring, they take to canoes to enter their houses. Visitors can rent paddle boards and kayaks to explore the community, or even stay in floating Air BnBs!
Explorer Inn
The Explorer Inn has long welcomed northern travellers and with its central location giving easy walking access to town. Its reliable shuttle service to the airport makes it a great choice when the time comes to depart town for the next stop on your journey!
Aurora Bayside B and B
Across from the floatplane docks and settle into this comfortable Old Town B and B! A guide favourite, its large backyard and views of houseboats and the comings and goings to Great Slave Lake the Aurora Bayside is the perfect spot to explore the charms of this northern capitol!
