What was once a barren, treeless prairie is now an energetic commercial, industrial and financial center for the province of Saskatchewan. Now the provincial capital, Regina is a wonderful urban center to visit, because it still maintains a small-town feel. Population 200,000, Regina may seem – upon hearing of the flat prairie that surrounds the city – a rather boring place to visit. That’s far from the truth!

Regina is rich in multicultural traditions and artistic events. Canada’s longest continually operating symphony orchestra, the Regina Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Globe Theatre make their home here. The Globe Theatre is known around the world as a company that states innovative productions in the round.

Regina has a large percentage of its overall area devoted to parks and greenspaces, with biking paths and other recreational facilities throughout the city. Since the first homesteaders in the early 1880s, local residents have transformed the flat, treeless prairie into a city of shaded parks and streets. And just imagine that all the trees were planted by hand!

There are an abundance of green spaces in the city, though one is the queen of the city’s landscape. Centrally located, the Wascana Centre is one of North America’s largest urban parks. Its 2,300 acres (931 hectares) are found in the heart of Regina. Wascana Lake, a manmade lake, is found here, as well as museums, trails and sports fields.

The City operates five municipal golf courses, including two in King's Park northeast of the city. Kings Park Recreation facilty is also home to ball diamonds, picnic grounds as well as stock car racing. Deer Valley Golf and Estates, 20 minutes northwest of Regina off Hwy 11 to Hwy 734 is considered the best course in Saskatchewan. It’s located along Wascana Creek and is an 18-hole championship golf course.

Within half an hour's drive is the summer cottage country in the Qu'Appelle Valley with Last Mountain and Buffalo Pound Lakes and the four Fishing Lakes of Pasqua, Echo, Mission and Katepwa; slightly farther east are Round and Crooked Lakes.

If you like shopping, the locally-owned shops in the Cathedral District just southwest of Downtown might be calling your name! The south part of the city also has good shopping. Travel northeast of Downtown to the Old Warehouse District for hip nightlife, which features several live music venues, bars and lounges.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police national training academy is on the western perimeter of the city. As territory capital of the North-West Territories, Regina was the headquarters of the Royal North-West Mounted Police (the RCMP'S predecessor) before "the Force" became a national body with its headquarters in Ottawa in 1920.

The city takes great pride in this national institution which is a major visitor attraction and a continuing link with Regina's past as the headquarters of the Force. The RCMP museum and chapel are high on the list of must-see visitor attractions in Regina.

Regina is a cultural and commercial hub for both southern Saskatchewan and adjacent areas in the neighboring American states of North Dakota and Montana. Oil and natural gas, potash, kaolin, sodium sulphite and bentonite contribute a great part of Regina and area's economy. The farm and agricultural component is still a significant part of the economy but it is no longer the major driver of the economy; provincially it has slipped to eighth overall, well behind the natural resources sectors.

The University of Regina is located here, with a student body size of 12,000. The Innovation Place Research Park near the University of Regina hosts several science and technology companies. The University also has a large fine arts department including faculties of music and theatre.

Sports fans also find entertainment easily in Regina. The Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League call Regina their home. Nine home games per season are held at Taylor Field.

So with all these things happening in and around the city, it’s no surprise why so many people travel to Regina each year for a relaxing – or energetic – getaway.