Welcome to Brandon! The paradise of the prairies, the gateway to the west, the wheat city. Brandon goes by many names and is known for a wide variety of things. From the agriculture industry in the area to being an urban hub for the dozens of surrounding communities. The city is home to roughly 50, 000 people, yet it still boasts a community minded attitude. Neighbors helping neighbors and friendly "hellos" and handshakes are the norm. As students, some of us may be quite familiar with Brandon, either because we have lived here all our lives or because we reside in surrounding communities. Others, such as international students, may be completely new to the city. Either way, its important to know more about your city if your going to be attending university here. Most importantly, what you can do in Brandon on the weekend. While studying and assignments are great and all, you need to get a break in to get your mind off school. Luckily Brandon has no shortage of things to do. From nights at the cinema, to shopping trips to Shoppers Mall, you're guaranteed to have a blast. If movies and malls aren't your cup of tea, fear not as there's still plenty to see in the wheat city. You can hit the gym at the Healthy Living Center or you can lace up your shoes and play some bowling. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, you can be sure you won't go bored in Brandon.
We may get a lot of movies on Netflix and Crave, but you can't beat that feeling you get when you see a brand-new release at the movie theater. Even better, many movies are now shown in 3D, which makes the experience that much better. Whether your seeing a comedy, an action film or maybe a sci-fi screening, your going to have a good time. The main theater here in Brandon is called Landmark Cinemas and is located at the far south end of the city. It's officially located at Unit 100, 1570 18th st, However, most people know it as the big building adjacent to the Shoppers Mall. Here, you can catch the latest films with your friends and family. You can also hit the concession stand and grab a bite to eat before you see the show. While prices can be a little expensive for food, the quality and convenience make up for it. Given the fact that Landmark Cinemas have multiple screens in the theatre, you have a wide selection on what movie you would like to see. Why wait for the film to be put on Netflix or Crave? Book the night off, grab a few friends and head on down to the movie theatre to enjoy an entertaining night out.
While catching a film sounds like a great way to spend the evening, what do you do all day? Shoppers Mall has the answer for you. With over 90 stores and services, Shoppers Mall is the largest mall in Western Manitoba and is located at the far south end of the city at 1570 18th st. With everything from clothing stores, to fast food outlets to entertainment shops, you will literally shop until you drop. If you need to buy a fancy new suit for graduation, Moore's has you covered. Maybe you need some new internet at your apartment, drop by the BellMTS outlet located in the mall. Or perhaps you just want to grab a cup of coffee with some friends, there's an onsite Tim Horton's at the food court. The food court is also home to a wide variety of other restaurants. There's an A and W, a Chinese restaurant, a Thai place and a DQ among others. Shoppers Mall also has some big box stores to boot. At one end of the mall you'll find Sport Check which sells everything from hockey sticks to bicycles. At the other end of the mall you'll find Shoppers Drug Mart for all your wellness needs as well as Sobey's in case you needed to do some grocery shopping. Whatever you choose to do down at the mall, its sure to take up your day.
For many people the weekend is a chance to catch up on those gym visits. Maybe you had to skip leg day due to a test or quiz. Don't worry, you can still get those lunges in this weekend. Although there are quite a few gyms within the City of Brandon, the best one for students to hit up is the one at the Healthy Living Centre. The Healthy Living Centre is a fairly new addition to the University and is right on campus, across from the residence buildings. Besides the fitness centre, the Healthy Living Centre is also home to a large walking track. Therefore, you can get your cardio in, no matter how cold it is outside. Also, on site is two large gymnasiums where members can play a variety of sports with their peers. The north gym is home to the Brandon University Bobcats Basketball and Volleyball teams. When their respective seasons are in session, you can catch home games here and cheer on the Bobcats. The best part of the Healthy Living Centre is that you are already a member. That's right, a recreation fee is included in your tuition payment that grants you access to the Centre and its facilities. Visit the Healthy Living Centre on campus and get set up today.
One of the most exciting, and satisfying, things to do in Brandon is to go bowling. Bowling in Brandon is always done at Thunderbird Bowl. Thunderbird Bowl is located at the southern tip of the city, at 2140 Currie Boulevard. Here you can participate in a game of bowling with friends or family. However, Thunderbird Bowl doesn't just have regular, plain 5 pin bowling. They also have glow bowling, included with awesome music and crazy light displays. That way you can beat your friends in fashion. There are very few things in this world that are more satisfying than winning a game of bowling. Besides bowling lanes, Thunderbird Bowl also has an onsite arcade. Somewhat of a rarity nowadays, arcades let you enjoy some older style video games, including some you can't even get on consoles. There's also a grill and a pizza place in the building, in case your packing a hunger from winning. A day at Thunderbird Bowl is sure to leave you wanting more.
As you can see, there is plenty to see and do in the city of Brandon. From catching a film down at the cinema to going on a shopping spree at the mall. Your weekend is sure to be booked solid. Don't forget about that workout at the Healthy Living Centre. Get your exercise in and then head down to the bowling alley for a game of glow bowling. Take a break, just for a little while, from all those textbooks and hit the town.