A long sandy beach and lush expanses of grass with aspen, ash and birch make Pike Lake Provincial Park (open all year) a pleasant place to relax. For the more energetic there are tennis courts and a new swimming-pool.

The Saskatoon Zoo has settings resembling natural habitats for over 350 species of birds and animals. A petting zoo, tropical fish display and nature walkways can also be found.

Located about 3 km (2 mi.) north of Saskatoon the Wanuskewin Heritage Park - from the Cree word "Wanuskewin" meaning "living together in harmony" - aims to encourage a better understanding of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the region in earlier times.

The park, spread over land purchased in 1983 from the Meewasin Valley Authority (the body responsible for the river valleys around Saskatoon) is the site of some exciting archaeological discoveries, research into which has established that Plains Indians lived in the area at least 6000 to 7000 years ago.

Among the major archaeological finds is a "medicine wheel", estimated to be about 1500 years old, consisting of a central cairn enclosed in a ring marked by three smaller cairns. Other cairns have been found marking the trail along which buffalo were herded before being driven over a precipice to their deaths. The animals were butchered in the valley below, the meat being preserved and the hides, bones, etc. processed for making into clothing, tools and tepees.

Highly recommended is a visit to this, the largest of Saskatchewan's four Western Development Museums (open in summer daily 9am-9pm, reduced opening in winter) which authentically recreates and documents the history of the Canadian west. "Boomtown 1910", the reconstructed main street of a typical prairie town (the longest such street anywhere in North America), is lined with old-style shops - including a Chinese laundry and a barber's shop - as well as a church, fire-station, railway station, and other period buildings. There is also a collection of vintage cars (priceless today) and ancient tractors.