Travelling to Manitoba

Manitoba, one of three Prairie Provinces, is not as absolutely flat as its neighbour Saskatchewan. The South of the province is low and flat, but the Canadian Shield in the North creates a rocky, hilly, forested land with numerous lakes. Across the province, numerous parks are pleasant to visit. Winnipeg, the capital city, is a must-see when travelling to Manitoba.

When to Go
The winters in this province are extremely cold, and the summer months are recommended as the optimum visiting time.

Where to Go
Major Attractions: Winnipeg, Churchill, Riding Mountain National Park

Winnipeg offers a number of tourist attractions. This lively city is often compared to Chicago, and a certain American ambience pervades the town. The city’s historical sites, parks and districts are well worth a visit. Some of the major attractions are:

The Museum of Man and Nature – This museum of history, culture, wildlife and geology offers numerous engaging dioramas. Perhaps the most interesting exhibits are the recreation of a 1920s Canadian town, and the full-sized replica of Nonsuch, the 17th century boat that took the Hudson Bay Company’s first load of furs to England.

The Forks – This redevelopment project is the primary location of much of the province’s history. Traders and explorers stopped at this Native land six thousand years ago. Later, Scottish and Métis pioneers settled here. Besides its historical significance, The Forks provides a riverside recreation area, restaurants, bars, shops and events. Canoes can be rented in the summer, in the winter skating and cross-country skiing are popular activities.

The Exchange District – Twenty blocks of architecturally impressive late 19th and early 20th century buildings comprise this area. The market square at the centre of the district often holds weekend events. The ‘artspace’ across from the market houses twenty local art groups, a cinematheque and theatres and clubs.

The Winnipeg Folk Festival – This annual music festival is the largest and best-known folk event in the country. It takes place over three days at Birds Hill Park in early July.

Churchill is the most interesting draw in Manitoba, following Winnipeg. Reachable by train, it is one of the rare accessible Northern outposts in Canada. The first Hudson Bay Company outpost was set up here in 1717, but this is not the major draw of the area. Known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, the town of Churchill is located in the middle of a polar migration route. The bears can be seen in September and October. Churchill is not a resort town, and the facilities are minimal. The stark and beautiful surroundings are marked with huge quartzite boulders. In the summer months, the tundra is covered in wildflowers. The aurora borealis can be spotted in the winter. The wildlife is, however, the major draw of the area and a visitor can expect to see polar bears in the Fall, over three thousand beluga whales in the summer and over two hundred bird species throughout the year.

Riding Mountain National Park is the major attraction of Western Manitoba. While the park is mostly wilderness, the resort town of Wasagaming located around Clear Lake provides a home base from which to walk cycle, ride horses and canoe.

Other Highlights when Travelling to Manitoba Include:

• St. Boniface, the largest French community in Western Canada

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