The Best Things to Do in Manitoba Canada

In the heart of central Canada, Manitoba is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but those who take the time to explore the province will find a wealth of unique experiences.

Home to polar bears in the wild, world-class museums, and the dazzling Northern Lights. Manitoba’s 110,000 lakes and waterways, abundant wildlife, and diverse arts and cultural experiences entice travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path adventure.

While many visitors to Manitoba spend their time exploring things in Winnipeg and Churchill, there are many more Manitoba attractions if you explore beyond those borders. There is more to discover in Manitoba than the vast prairies and farmland. And once you’ve explored some of these amazing Manitoba things to do, you’ll never look at this province the same way again.

Explore The Winnipeg Forks

The Forks, located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers near Winnipeg’s downtown core, is the place to be in summer and equally fun in winter. The Forks Market and the Johnston Terminal Building are restored historical buildings housing a lovely market area with interesting shops, restaurants, and casual food stalls. Some restaurants feature outdoor patios overlooking the Riverwalk that runs along the river. In winter, the outdoor skating rink is particularly popular with families.

Also located at The Forks are the Manitoba Children’s Museum and the new Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

Go Kayaking With Beluga Whales

One of the most amazing Manitoba things to do is experience the ridiculous number of wildlife experiences in the province. For this, there is no better place to get in touch with nature than up in Churchill Manitoba on the edge of Hudson Bay. Here, in the mouth of the Churchill River, you can go kayaking with Beluga whales. These playful white whales love when you sing to them. If you are lucky, they may even start a little game of tag.

Beluga tours are run by both Frontiers North and Sea North Tours in Churchill. You can choose to experience it via a boat tour, RIB boat, kayak, or even on a stand-up paddleboard Beluga tour. You may even get the chance to see Polar Bears walking along the shores when you do.

Old Pinawa Dam

Built in1906, Pinawa Dam was Manitoba’s first year-round hydro-electric generating station. Developed in response to the demand for residential and commercial power, the dam was crucial to the rapid growth of Winnipeg in the pre-war years.

The station was in operation until 1951 at which point it was decommissioned to allow the full flow of the Winnipeg River to serve the Seven Sisters Hydro Station built downstream. Afterwards, it was used by the Canadian military as a training site for aerial bombing. It still bears the scars.

The dam can be reached via trails through the Old Pinawa Dam Heritage Park in Manitoba, Canada.

Grand Beach

Grand Beach Provincial Park encompasses a huge stretch of soft sand beach on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. One of the nicest beaches in Canada, it is a hot spot for sun-seekers and campers looking to get away from the city during the hot summer months.

The park is about a one-hour drive from Winnipeg, and there are a variety of accommodation options in the area, from motels to cottage rentals. Restaurants in the area offer casual dining and entertainment.

Polar Bear Safari

Polar Bears are synonymous with the best things to do in Manitoba. And if you visit Churchill between late-summer and mid-fall, you’re going to see them lounging out on the rocks by Polar Bear Alley. The great white bears of the north come in droves to the shores of Hudson Bay to wait for the sea-ice to form. Bears are so common here that they had to set up a polar bear jail to deal with the pesky beasts that would wander too close to town. It’s no surprise that this has made it on to our list of the best wildlife experiences in Canada.

Some of the best ways to see Polar Bears in Churchill are by joining a Tundra Buggy adventure with Frontiers North or staying overnight in one of the magnificent eco-lodges. But book early. With all of the National Geographic and BBC filmmakers coming up here, this small town can book up mighty fast.

Little Limestone Lake

Little Limestone Lake is located in the northern Manitoba Lowlands, where temperatures can get as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit but it often looks as though it belongs in the Caribbean. That’s not because it shares certain characteristics with the islands to the south, it’s because Little Limestone Lake is the world’s largest and most outstanding example of a marl lake.

Witness The Northern Lights

The northern lights make for one of the greatest natural light shows on Earth. Another big draw for those looking for things to do in Manitoba is aurora viewing in Churchill. This city sits just south of the Arctic Circle. This makes it a prime destination for seeing the Northern Lights in Canada. By late summer, the Aurora is pretty common in this small town.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Manitoba

Whether you’re an international traveler, or a local looking for your next adventure — Manitoba is for you. Combining cultural activities, breathtaking landscapes, unmatched wildlife, and the beauty of the Aura Borealis, there is something for every taste.

So get planning your next trip so that you can experience all the wonder of Manitoba.