7 spots to create family memories in Manitoba
We all need a family getaway during a hot Canadian summer. Pack up the whole family and head to Manitoba!
Manitoba is such a desirable place to explore since it features fun for the whole family. From a relaxing day at the beach to a museum to educate and take you back in time, let's explore the options Manitoba has to offer!
7. CANADIAN FOSSIL DISCOVERY CENTRE, MORDEN
This place will have you saying “WOW” in no time. The hottest attraction at this museum is “Bruce”, a mosasaur who lived approximately 80 million years ago. Bruce was known for swimming in deep waters with other marine life. It took about two seasons to dig up this fossil in Thornhill, Manitoba in 1974.
Guided tours of the museum are available in English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish. You can also walk through on your own pace, on average people say it takes about 90 minutes to explore this discovery centre.
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden. Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba
6. MANITOBA AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM, AUSTIN
The pioneer lifestyle comes alive at Manitoba's Agricultural Museum in Austin. Families have commented that this is an amazing place to view vintage farm machinery and heritage buildings. Tourist can walk through the Homesteaders’ Village and explore the 26 buildings on-site. For the young, it's a place to learn and for the elder it's a trip down memory lane.
Today wheat, canola and flax are some of Manitoba's most valuable crops.
Manitoba Agricultural Museum, Austin. Photo Credit: Dan Harper
5. WASAGAMING/CLEAR LAKE, RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
This region is packed with family adventure. Paddling, hiking, swimming and fishing are all popular ways to create memories on Clear Lake. It’s an excellent backdrop for some beautiful photos, too.
Riding Mountain National Park is almost 3000 square kilometres, and the resort townsite Wasagaming features anything from rugged camping to upscale glamping in an OTENTik. Along with many private cabin rentals, there is even a boutique hotel called Lakehouse -that features a restaurant on-site serving up craft burgers and artisan flatbreads.
Previous tourists have said if you visit Clear Lake you must try a cinnamon bun from The Whitehouse Bakery.
Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba
4. COMMONWEALTH AIR TRAINING PLAN MUSEUM, BRANDON
This is the only museum in the world dedicated to the professionals who trained under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. It’s very fitting to have this museum in Manitoba, as this is where much of the training happened.
The displays pay tribute to the thousands of air force personnel who gave up their lives in the world wars. The experience is very unique, as many of the guides have actually worked on these planes.
This museum is known as one of the top tourist destinations in Brandon.
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum. Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba
3. FORT WHYTE ALIVE, WINNIPEG
Fort Whyte Alive is a beautiful nature preserve just on the western edge of Winnipeg. The list of family activities is endless. You can unwind on the 7 kilometres of walking trails, teach your kids a new skill as you try dipnetting or get adventurous with mountain biking on Bison Butte, which is a legacy course from the 2017 Canada Summer Games mountain bike competition.
Photo Credit: Enviro Foto, Courtesy, Travel Manitoba
Fort Whyte Alive encourages visitors to think about preserving the environment. If you walk or bike to the site you are granted free admission! On-site is the Buffalo Stone Cafe serving meals from scratch with locally grown, sustainable foods.
Duck captured at Fort Whyte Alive. Photo Credit: Bruce Leppky/Submitted
2. BEACHES OF 59
Patricia Beach, Grand Beach, Lester Beach, Victoria Beach - these are just a few of the “Beaches of 59”. Stunning white sand is easy to find along the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, which is also parallel to highway 59, hence the name of the region! If you are looking for a full day of family fun in the sun this route is perfect.
Lake Winnipeg’s water temperatures should reach the mid-20s by August, which makes for some very ideal swimming conditions. Some tourists have even said the white sand here is some of the best in Canada!
Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba
1. ASSINIBOINE ZOO AND PARK, WINNIPEG
Warning: your family may not want to leave this extremely fun destination! The zoo is phenomenal with a ‘Journey to Churchill’ Arctic species exhibit that features an underwater viewing tunnel where you can get up close and photograph swimming polar bears. The rest of the park features more family-friendly activities: a miniature steam train ride, the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, the Winnie the Pooh art gallery, Nature Playground and tons of green space for a family picnic.
Photo Credit: Enviro Photo/Travel Manitoba
The park is also situated along the Assiniboine River, which flows right to downtown Winnipeg. On the north side of the river be sure to end the day with a visit to Sargent Sundae because every summertime adventure needs some ice cream!
Assiniboine Park. Photo Credit: Dillon/Submitted
You could spend a full, family-focused day exploring this city park that has entertained families for generations.
Everything you need to create everlasting family memories can be found in Manitoba! As you adventure through the province be sure to use #ShareYourWeather when posting photos. We would love to be part of your most memorable times.