Saskatooning with ChatGPT

As stated earlier, AI is taking the world by storm, and there are some pros and cons that come with it! One pro I think is how it could help with planning a vacation. As someone who knows Saskatoon pretty well, I thought there was no better way to put it to the test than to see what it would recommend for a day out in the Saskatoon!

1 - Breakfast at a local café – Hometown Diner 

Photo credit Darby Sutherland 

The first stop was breakfast, and after some tweaking (as ChatGPT kept suggesting a coffee shop that no longer existed), I got a more vague recommendation of visiting a local café, which was fine by me because I knew exactly where to go! 

Hometown Diner is a very popular brunch spot in the Riversdale neighborhood. They have a great variety of delicious options on the menu and a bright yet very cozy atmosphere. 

Hot tip - try their famous carrot cake pancakes. I have only heard amazing things about them, but I have yet to try them as I am someone who leans more toward a savory breakfast! 

Also, if you aren’t too full, grab a donut on your way out; they are one of the best in the city! If you are looking for more donut recommendations, check out our Quest for the Best: Doughnuts in Saskatoon blog. 

2 - Next – a visit to the Remai Modern

Photo credit Darby Sutherland 

This is a great recommendation from ChatGPT, as Remai Modern is perfect for all seasons.

One of the exhibits Darby and I were most excited to check out was Kapwani Kiwanga: Remediation in the Marquee Gallery. This exhibit had so many fun colors, including the furry installments that conveniently matched my sweater! 

If you visit the Remai Modern, I also recommend going on a guided public tour that they offer daily. These tours provide a program guide that is there to answer questions and help visitors make personal connections to the art. As someone who isn’t well-versed in the modern art world, I find this kind of tour super helpful. 

3 - Next stop- a stroll on Meewasin Valley

Photo credit Darby Sutherland 

This is where I would say ChatGPT was a little off with my prompt as I suggested an itinerary for colder months, and although you can go for a stroll any time of the year, I don’t know if that would have been my first option. Luckily, it was a sunny day, so Darby and I went for a walk on the Meewasin Valley, as the river is conveniently close to the Remai Modern. 

4 - Lunch – Bar Stella 

Photo credit Darby Sutherland 

After our walk, we got ready for our next stop, lunch at a local restaurant. We decided to have lunch at the newest Italian spot, Bar Stella. Bar Stella is a great lunch option if you are craving some delicious pasta or an Italian sandwich like I was. 

We didn’t get any this visit, but I would highly recommend the bruschetta as well; it is my favorite in the city. 

5 - Lastly – Western Development Museum

Photo credit Darby Sutherland 

Our last stop for the day was a trip to the Western Development Museum! As someone who grew up in Saskatoon, I always enjoy coming out to the WDM as it is so nostalgic and fun to explore. We checked out their newer Metis exhibit as well as their 100 Years of Saskatchewan History exhibit and, of course, explored Boomtown because how could you not!?

Final Thoughts

That leads us to the end of our ChatGPT itinerary!  I would say there were a few things where I believe ChatGPT can be useful but is not the be-all-end-all. 

1. As ChaptGPT is a newer tool, it only has info up to 2020 which became a bit of a barrier since it kept suggesting places that are no longer open and didn’t recommend anything that had opened in the city more recently. 

2. I had to try several different prompts to get the right kind of itinerary, so be prepared to try out a few depending on how tailored of response you are looking for. 

3. Although it suggested many great spots, I found it missed lots of other awesome options our city offers and seemed to keep suggesting the same places each time I asked for an itinerary. Saskatoon has so many unique offerings for everyone, so whether you decide to have ChatGPT provide you with your itinerary, or not I would also suggest checking out our website and event page for all your options. 

Thanks for following along with my Saskatooning with AI day. I hope this gives you some inspiration for your next visit or day out in Saskatoon!