| Brandon is known as the "Wheat City" which refers to its "big sky", prairie landscape and agricultural roots. It has an overgrown-small-town atmosphere with all the conveniences of a city of 43,000+. New housing developments are constant as the population and business sector continue to grow. Crime is relatively low and it is considered a great place to raise kids and go to a small college or university.
Night life is somewhat limited, with the best spots being Houston's Roadhouse (Royal Oak Inn -- range of ages but predominantly university crowd, live bands & canned music), The Great Western RoadHouse Bar & Grill (CanadInn -- the newest place for 20-somethings, canned music), the Double Decker Tavern (no dancing, but frequent live music, pub atmosphere -- great for anyone), The North 40 Saloon (Trails West Motor Inn -- older crowd, live music).
There are a number of nice parks and a great Riverwalk for walkers and cyclists.
Culture The Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium hosts all kinds of amateur and professional shows and the Keystone Centre hosts big name concerts, exhibitions and trade shows. The Capitol Theatre on the south side is the main movie theatre, but features nine screens. The Evans Theatre on the BU campus plays whatever the Capitol didn't plus indy and B-movies, also hosts a film festival in the spring.
For the artsy crowd, check out the Brandon folk festival in July and the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba. The BU School of Music also has a regular slate of recitals and concerts you can attend.
Shopping is fairly limited, with most everything being located at the south end Shoppers Mall Brandon. If you go, ladies, don't miss the Lady of the Lake shop which is only accessible from the east side parking lot -- that's a gem. If they aren't at the mall, it's weird but most stores are along 18th street, right up to the North Hill where there is a new development of Home Depot, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Walmart, Future Shop, Safeway, and even a Starbucks (Brandon's only!). But take a stroll downtown too and see the few, cool, little gift and clothing shops (Rosser Ave, from 11th St. to 4th St.) and the Town Centre (smaller mall). If you are looking for a spa getaway, check out Escape, Pantages (also hair) and Vigi (also hair). For just pedis and manis, check out Rhonda's, Lilly Nails, and Get Nailed.
Brandon is is a nice city and worth the trip, especially if you can tie it in with a festival, exhibition, or a great concert or show.
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