Nestled in the heart of the Prairies, Saskatoon is bursting with energy and activities.

When you’re not busy taking in the tradeshow floor and the professional development and networking opportunities of the 2018 CAAR Conference, venture out into Saskatoon to explore all the dining and entertainment The City of Bridges has to offer. You can also take advantage of conference hotel rates available three days before and after the conference, giving you even more time to enjoy Saskatoon!

Dining & Drinks

Great food and drink is what makes trips worth taking! Saskatoon has something to please every palate, with many great steakhouses and culinary hotspots within walking distance of TCU Place.

CUT Casual Steak & Tap is a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike. With a relaxed lounge and a sophisticated dining room, CUT is the perfect choice for whatever atmosphere – or steak – you’re craving. Serving prime AAA Canadian beef prepared to perfection, CUT offers a variety of cuts, including a 34-ounce Tomahawk Chop for those up to the challenge. A full selection of wine, beer and cocktails opens up a world of pairing possibilities.

If variety is what you’re craving, 2nd Ave Grill serves a delicious selection of pasta, sandwiches and pizza. Whether it’s the King Neptune Linguine, the Honey Goat Cheese Pizza or the Steak & King Crab Dinner, 2nd Ave Grill has the menu and ambience to please everyone.

If you’re going out, why not go all-out? Chandeliers Fine Dining is “where art meets food.” Three of the four crystal chandeliers hanging in the restaurant are antiques from the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. With live music, an elegant ambience and a top-grade menu featuring scrumptious seafood, sizzling steaks and tempting appetizers, Chandeliers is a must-visit Saskatoon stop.

For a classic pub experience, look no further than The Rook and Raven, just a four-minute walk from the Hilton Garden Inn, the CAAR Conference host hotel. Serving pub fare and late-night snacks in a casual and comfortable atmosphere, The Rook and Raven is a great place to grab a pint with friends old and new.

Drink beer in the woods without leaving the city at The Woods Alehouse! The Woods features 12 beers on tap, carefully selected from the best beers across Saskatchewan and Canada. Their tap selection rotates on a weekly basis, so every visit to The Woods is a unique experience. You won’t find any gimmicks here, just quality beers and a great time.

Another must-visit stop for beer lovers is just across the street from TCU Place – Congress Beer House. With 32 beers on tap and over 50 bottled varieties, you’re sure to find a beer you haven’t tried before, and you might just find a new favourite! Their high-end menu goes above and beyond typical pub fare, featuring dry-aged beef from High River, Alta.

If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, check out Steps Lounge in the Hilton Garden Inn. This relaxing lounge carries a wide selection of the best bourbon in town, as well as a number of craft beers and memorable cocktails.

Sports & Entertainment

Once you’ve had your fill of delicious food and your thirst has been quenched, it’s time to enjoy a night out on the town!

Keep the fun going with a unique group activity – axe throwing! Timberjaxe Throwing Sports is the place to go for experienced axe throwers and beginners alike. Just 10 minutes north of TCU Place, Timberjaxe is Saskatoon’s first axe-throwing facility and has everything you need to create a memorable, team-building experience. Pre-booking is required, so be sure to call ahead.

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, take in some of Saskatoon’s amazing live music scene. Just across the river from TCU Place, Broadway Avenue is home to several of Saskatoon’s favourite live music venues. Jazz fans won’t want to miss the cool vibes and toe-tapping rhythms at the Bassment. Piano Fridays at the Bassment offer an authentic piano-bar experience, making it the perfect romantic destination for a belated Valentine’s Day celebration. For the best rock and blues in the city, wander down to Buds on Broadway. The venue also features acoustic sessions and standup comedy, so be sure to check the schedule and see whether you’re in for an evening of raucous tunes, mellow acoustics or local laughs.

Art lovers will want to check out the brand-new Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, home to the world’s largest collection of Picasso linocuts. Just five minutes south of TCU Place, this striking building opened in October 2017 and shines a spotlight on modern and contemporary work, housing international, national and local pieces. The gallery is open late on Tuesday and Friday nights.

If you’re taking advantage of discounted hotel pricing three days before the conference, you’ll be just in time to take in a Saskatoon Blades game! The Blades take on the Regina Pats at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, February 11 at 4 p.m. Book your seats early to get up close to the action.

Bookend the conference with the RAM Motorsports Spectacular at SaskTel Centre! If you’re extending your stay after the conference, get ready to get loud with three jaw-dropping shows on Feb. 16 and 17. The RAM Motorsports Spectacular will keep you on the edge of your seat with five main events. The Monster Truck Challenge brings in six of the world’s toughest monster trucks into the arena, while the Motocross Arenacross delivers high-flying action as daredevils with nerves of steel make gravity-defying jumps. Side-by-Side ATV Racing, the Canadian Tuff Truck Competition and Free Style Motocross round out this event for a thrilling, adrenaline-inducing experience.

Visit caar.org/caar-conference for your comprehensive guide to the 2018 CAAR Conference including online registration, important dates and the conference agenda.