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Manitoba
SPIRITED ENERGY
Friendly Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province and is
bordered by the provinces of Ontario to the east and Saskatchewan to the west,
the territories of Nunavut and Northwest Territories to the north, and the
U.S. states of North Dakota and Minnesota to the south. It also has a
saltwater coastline on Hudson Bay.
Manitoba is located in the geographical heart of Canada. It is renowned for
dramatic landscapes, a surprising cultural heritage and warm, friendly people.
One of Manitoba's most unique experiences can be found in Churchill, located
in the northeastern corner of the province. It is here that buses and trains
charter in visitors hoping to glimpse the majestic polar bear, one of nature's
most elusive and endangered creatures.
Manitoba is also home to some of North America's most impressive beaches.
Stunning Lake Winnipeg features the small resort town of Winnipeg Beach, a
summer hot spot known for its sandy beaches and cottage-lined streets.
Winnipeg is 81 km south of the Lake Winnipeg. The provincial capital is
also a thriving cultural centre, evidenced by the presence of the Royal
Winnipeg Ballet Company and the Manitoba Museum. While in western Manitoba
visit the scenic Riding Mountain National Park.
Manitoba had a population of 1,213,815 (730,305 of which was in the Winnipeg
Capital Region).
Manitoba Parliament Buildings in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg
The Capital of Manitoba
Winnipeg is one of Canada's most culturally vibrant
urban centres, yet it sometimes receives an unfair reputation because of the
notoriously long, cold Manitoban winters.
What many don't realize is that Winnipeg is situated near several amazing
beaches, including Grand Beach, a heavenly white-sand destination that enjoys
sizzling, sunny weather in the summer months.
Located at the geographical centre of Canada, Winnipeg is easily accessed from
destinations around the globe. Winnipeg's history comes alive at the Manitoba
Museum, which has nine galleries displaying historical artifacts and replicas
in a series of interactive displays.
Few can visit Winnipeg without noticing the unique architecture of the Royal
Canadian Mint. Take a tour and learn where Canadian coins, and the coins of
several foreign countries, come from. Treasure seekers should seek out The
Forks, a funky market located at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red
Rivers, and one of the city's most popular gathering places.
Parliament Dome Rotunda.
Attractions
Assiniboine Park:
Nestled along the banks of the Assiniboine River, this park has 378 acres of
dense forest and rolling fields, making it a perfect get away place for locals
and visitors alike.
Exchange District: The Exchange District
is one neighborhood you'll want to choose to spend time at. With over 20
blocks of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, the Exchange District was the
home to stock and commodity exchanges from the 1880s until the late 1920s.
Most of the buildings are now restaurants, clubs, pubs, shops and small
businesses.
Explore Manitoba Centre: Located in the
heart of Winnipeg at The Forks (adjacent to the Johnston Terminal), the
Explore Manitoba Centre is an interesting theme pavilion with over 8,000
square feet of incredible displays and exhibits that gives both visitors and
residents alike a true sense of diversity and grandeur of Manitoba.
Manitoba Legislative Building: Atop the
240 foot high dome of the Legislative Building is one of the best known
symbols of Manitoba, the Golden Boy. Guided tours of the Legislative building
are available Canada Day through Labor Day: the remainder of the year weekdays
by appointment.
Prairie Dog Central Steam Train: The
Prairie Dog Central steam train offers a 36-mile turn-of-the-century vintage
steam train excursion from Winnipeg to Grosse Isle. It departs from the C.N.R
(Canadian National Railways), close to Polo Park shopping center.
Royal Canadian Mint: Few can visit
Winnipeg without noticing the unique architecture of the Royal Canadian Mint,
with its striking glass tower. Go one step further; enter the building and
take a tour and learn where Canadian coins are made.
Winnipeg Art Gallery: The city's largest
art museum is known for having the world's largest collection of contemporary
Inuit art. It also houses a wonderful collection of contemporary, historical
and decorative art from Canada and European masters.
Downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Central Plains - Pembina Valley
Baldur, Morris, Neepawa,
Portage-la-Prairie, Winkler and Winnipeg
Central Plains was built on a wealth of history and
is rich in diversity and is located directly west of Winnipeg. Its major
service centre is the city of Portage la Prairie. The Trans-Canada Highway and
Yellowhead Highway both run through this region.
Other major communities include Gladstone, MacGregor, Notre Dame de Lourdes,
Portage la Prairie, St. Claude and Treherne.
Pembina Valley to the south encompasses a large area in south central
Manitoba. It is bordered by the Red River to the east, the Manitoba Escarpment
to the west, the United States border to the south and the City of Winnipeg
and Highway 2 to the north. The Valley encompasses some 41 communities, all
rich in culture, heritage and tourist related sites and activities.
Birks Building, Manitoba, Winnipeg
Attractions
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre:
houses the largest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada. If you like
dinosaurs or sea monsters you will love "Bruce" our 43 ft (13 mtr) Mosasaur,
the fiercest of all the marine reptiles. He's bigger than a T Rex and just as
scary. (Morden)
Carman Murals: A local artist, Chris
Larson, painted 'A Walk Through Time'. The wall mural depicts some of the
history of the Town and Rural Municipality. (Carman)
Coke Can: Portage is home to the world's
largest Coke Can. (Portage la Prairie)
Fort la Reine Museum: Fort la Reine
Museum, known for its replica of the Fort and its extensive Pioneer Village,
is home of Sir William Van Horne's railway business car. This is the car that
acted as a mobile office and sleeping facility for Van Horne when he
supervised the construction of the CPR railway. (Portage la Prairie)
Gladstone Museum: The Gladstone Museum
showcases the history of the settlers of the Gladstone area. It is housed in
Gladstone's old Railway Station, and includes a CNR railway caboose.
(Gladstone)
Manitoba Agricultural Museum: The museum
houses Canada's largest collection of operating vintage farm machinery from
1900 and beyond. The collection includes over 500 implements as well as a
pioneer village with over 20 buildings. (Austin)
Portage and District Arts Centre and Gallery:
The Portage and District Arts Centre and Gallery is one of the best public
galleries in rural Manitoba with monthly exhibitions, gift shop, studios for
classes and workshops, an art rental program, theatre and entertainment
(Portage la Prairie)
Winnipeg: see The Capital of Manitoba top of page.
Buffalo Point Resort, Manitoba.
Eastern Manitoba
Berens River, Pine Falls, Steinbach
The Eastern Manitoba Region, enveloping the lands east of
the Red River, Lake Winnipeg and the City of Winnipeg, offers tourists many
varied and diverse experiences. The vast and varied landscape ranges from
productive, serene farmland to the rugged landscape of the Precambrian Shield
to beautiful lakes and major historic river waterways.
This variety presents endless opportunities in agri tourism, eco tourism,
white water rafting, canoeing, fishing, hunting and sporting opportunities of
all types.
The culture is as varied as the landscape and tourists can enjoy the heritage
experiences of the Cree and Ojibway First Nations. The immigrants of the late
nineteenth century brought their cultures to the region and one can enjoy the
Francophone, Ukrainian, Mennonite and Metis history and flavour of the area.
Attractions
Grand Beach:
Manitoba's little piece of paradise on the prairies. Located just 50 minutes
north of the city of Winnipeg, Grand Beach and the East Beaches area invite
you to come enjoy what we have to offer all year round. (Grand Beach)
Mennonite Heritage Village: in Steinbach
brings to life the Mennonite way of life from the 16th C to present. More than
20 furnished buildings create the village with a museum that houses antiques
and manuscripts. Spread over 40 acres. (Steinbach)
Phillip's Magical Paradise:
The dying wish of magician Phillip Hornan was to bring all things magic under
one roof for everyone to enjoy. Famous magicians have contributed to the
wizardly collection with donations like Harry Houdini's 50 cent piece and Doug
Henning's water torture cell. (Giroux)
Prairie Star Farm & Petting Zoo: A Fun,
educational, interactive and interpretive petting Zoo suitable for any age
group. Learn about and experience the outdoor life and meet and get to know
all of the feathered and furry friends. Walk the gardens, sit awhile, in a
large picnic and play area with BBQ rentals available. (Lorette)
Whiteshell Provincial Park: located next
to the Province of Ontario. From the Precambrian Shield to the multitude of
lakes and rivers, the Whiteshell Park is almost 2800 square kilometres of
protected wilderness parkland. Hiking trails, canoe routes, cross-country ski
trails, snow mobile trails.
Steep Rock Cliffs, Manitoba.
Interlake Region
Arborg, Armstrong, Eriksdale, Stonewall
The Interlake's spectacular natural beauty may leave you
breathless & awestruck. The Interlake is found just north & bordering on the
city of Winnipeg, lying between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba with Manitou
Island.
The Interlake's vast region includes areas west along Hwy 6 & Lake Manitoba,
northwest to Gypsumville & Dauphin River, pausing to take in the rugged beauty
of Steep Rock limestone cliffs.
Traveling along the east side of the Interlake, journey north thru the Red
River Valley along the historic River Road, visiting the St. Andrews' Lock &
Dam.
Your travels from the rich, fertile farmlands in the south to lush boreal
forests of the north, from the limestone cliffs to our sandy beaches, from the
marshy wetlands of Oak Hammock Marsh to the largest concentration of Red-Sided
Garter Snakes at Narcisse Snake Dens are sure to be filled with adventure.
Attractions
Lower Fort Garry National
Historic Site: Step back in time to the 19th century fur trade at
the oldest stone fur trading post still intact in North America. Costumed
interpreters will take you back to the mid-1800s as they re-enact events of
the early days of this Hudson's Bay Company post. (between Ojibwa and Swampy
Cree)
Narcisse Snake Dens: Thousands and
thousands of Red-sided garter snakes move forth from their winter hibernation
at the Naricisse Snake Dens from late April thru to Mid June. The largest
population of these Red-sided garter snakes in the world reside in the dens in
the Heart of the Interlake just north of the small hamlet of Narcisse.
New Iceland Heritage Museum: continues to
greet visitors from around the world at its main multi-media location at The
Waterfront Centre in Gimli. The prime focus of this internationally-known
heritage museum is to preserve and interpret the history of New Iceland. (Gimli)
Steep Rock Cliffs: Along the western edge
of the Interlake on the shoreline of Lake Manitoba, you'll find Steep Rock
Cliffs. This outcropping of limestone cliffs will leave you awestruck at the
natural wonder of this hidden gem. With the water lapping at the shoreline,
washing the limestone over centuries into smooth pebbles on the beach, and
forming caves into the base of the cliffs.
Churchill Polar Bear Tundra Vehicles.
Northern Manitoba
Brochet, Churchill, Eriksdale, Fairford, Fin Flon, Grand Rapids, Norway House, South Indian Lake, The Pas, Thompson
The Northern Region of Manitoba is situated on the Canadian Shield, and includes Manitoba's Hudson Bay coastline.
The largest municipality is the city of Thompson. Other
major population centres include the city of Flin Flon, and the town of The
Pas. Indian reserves comprise more than 49 percent of the region's population.
From our pristine lakes to our rugged landscape and endless sky, Northern
Manitoba has something to offer the adventurer in you. See the untouched
wilderness and the hundreds of species of wildlife from polar bears and beluga
whales, to caribou and arctic fox.
Hear the roar of our majestic waterfalls and the haunting call of the loon.
Taste bannock baked over a campfire and feel the warmth of our communities as
they welcome you with open arms.
Attractions
Aseneskak Casino: One of Manitoba's newest casinos, the Aseneskak Casino features live entertainment, a restaurant, art gallery, gift shop and a variety of games of chance. Opaskwayak Cree Nation (The Pas)
Churchill: Polar Bear
Capital of the World and best viewed in the fall months of October and early
November. Churchill is the only human settlement in the world where polars
bears, often weighing over half a tonne (1,100 pounds) and standing 3 metres
(10 ft) tall, can be observed in their natural environment.
Inco Tours: Be certain to tour the INCO
mine, the world's largest mining complex featuring their mill, smelter and
refinery. Guided 90 minute surface tours run regularly throughout the year.
Clothing appropriate for an industrial tour and sturdy footwear are required.
(Thompson)
Paint Lake Provincial Park: Manitoba's
largest marina is located at Paint Lake. It offers a lounge, licensed
restaurant, convienence store as well as cabin, boat, and canoe rentals.
Fishing guides are available upon request. (Thompson)
Wapusk National Park of Canada: Located
south and east of Churchill, Manitoba's newest national park encompasses
11,475 square kilometres (4,430 square miles) of the Hudson-James Lowlands,
and lies in a transition area between the boreal forests of north-central
Manitoba and the Arctic tundra. The park is truly remote, with both a harsh
terrain and climate.
Parkland Regions, Manitoba.
Parkland Region
Dauphin, Grandview,
Swan River and Winnipegosis
The history of human settlement in the Parkland area spans 10,000 years, and is a story of people at once taming and succumbing to the landscape around them.
The climate has always been harsh, the seasons extreme,
but the perseverance and wherewithal that characterized the area's early
settlers was rewarded with good, fertile soil and bountiful harvests in a land
full of natural beauty and resources.
When the railway came at the turn of the century, European settlers, many from
Eastern Europe and Ukraine, turned the area into one of the richest
grain-producing regions in the world. And as the plow transformed idle
grasslands to fields ripe with grain, so too did the hearts of the settlers
transform the cultural landscape of the region.
Attractions
Asessippi Town Site:
The remnants of the abandoned town can be found along the shores of the Shell
River. The community sprang up in anticipation of the coming rail line, but
then disappeared soon after the railway was diverted elsewhere. (Inglis)
CNR Station and Park: This station,
constructed in 1912, provided a vital link for settlers immigrating to the
Parkland region. A local historical site, the station is undergoing
restoration, and will eventually house the Rail Heritage Museum. The adjacent
park path meanders around a variety of fruit trees. (Dauphin)
Duck Mountain Forest Site: in the Duck
Mountain Provincial Forest is a unique area of natural meadows, streams and
wetlands and features 6 kms of all weather road leading through the Boreal
Forest. Signs identify the many species of native trees and the site is home
to a great variety of birds, waterfowl and animals. (Duck Mountain Provincial
Park and Forest)
East Gate Registration Complex: National
Historic Site of Canada, the east gate to Riding Mountain National Park, an
overhanging log structure built in 1933, is the only structure of its kind
remaining in Canada, and has been declared a national historic site. The drive
through the park on PTH19 offers many scenic vistas along the Manitoba
escarpment. (Riding Mountain National Park)
Selo Ukraina Ukrainian Heritage Village:
An outdoor 10,000-seat amphitheatre, auditorium and multipurpose facilities
offer a unique venue for festivals and entertainment such as Canada's National
Ukrainian Festival. (Dauphin)
Watson Art Centre: The original Dauphin
Town Hall, built in 1905, has been restored and now features a small art
gallery and an auditorium. Designated as a provincial heritage site. (Dauphin)
Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Brandon.
Western Manitoba
Brandon, Crystal City, Elkhorn, Rapid City, Reston, Sandy Lake, Turtle Mountain
Southwestern Manitoba remains today, as it has been for
thousands of years, an inviting and abundant land, full of promise and
prosperity. It was the promise of the land which drew the first Native
inhabitants hunting bison, the first explorers like la Verendrye, and later
the fur traders and coureurs de bois.
It was the promise of the land and a new life which drew settlers from all
over the world to establish homesteads here, where the risks were great, but
the rewards far greater. Come and explore, and you will be drawn in, too.
From Riding Mountain in the north to the Turtle Mountains in the south, from
fields of wheat in the east to fields of oil in the west. No matter where you
go, you'll find that Southwestern Manitoba is a land known for its
hospitality.
Attractions
Carousels and Dolls Doll Museum:
We offer for your viewing pleasure the largest collection of modern and
reproductional dolls in the prairie region as well as a large collection of
20th century dolls and early "barbie" favorites. (Brandon)
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum:
Canada's only Air Museum dedicated solely to those who trained and fought for
the British Commonwealth during the 1939-1945 War. Explore this World War II
Royal Canadian Air Force Training Base showcasing aircrafts, artifacts and
memorabilia. (Brandon)
Irvin Goodon International Wildlife Museum:
This magnificent display of wildlife includes grizzly and polar bears, artic
wolf, musk ox, moose, bison and many other species from around the world all
display in natural settings. Visit the unique wildlife gift shop and enjoy a
fresh barbecued buffalo burger. (Boissevain)
Hillcrest Museum: This 1910 home is filled
with historic pieces of Souris area; a world class collection of over 5,000
butterflies and moths; a large agricultural museum; and a railway caboose. (Souris)
Manitoba Automobile Museum: The museum's
collection displays 100 automobiles from the turn of the century to the
1970's. Included in the collection are many rare and unique vehicles that are
in excellent condition and an interesting see for all. (Elkhorn)
Royal Canadian Artillery Museum: The RCA
Museum is often noted as one of the best artillery museums in Canada,
exhibiting a variety of artillery pieces, ammunition and WWII vehicles. (Shilo)