Churchill holidays
Tucked on the remote banks of Hudson Bay, the Canadian town of Churchill is tiny in size yet colossal in nature. Considered the best place on earth to (safely) watch polar bears in the wild, it’s also a prime perch for spotting beluga whales, arctic foxes and the ever-elusive Northern Lights. The toughest part of your holiday to Churchill? Deciding which season you want to visit in.
Churchill holiday highlights
Churchill
Travel Manitoba
Polar bear capital
Located smack in the middle of the ‘polar bear highway’, Churchill sits close to a population of about 900 Western Hudson Bay polar bears. Tours aboard tundra buggies, boats or helicopters are the best ways to spot these mighty beasts. The town even has a polar bear holding facility for wayward bears who cause havoc. Walk past to see if any bears are in.
Four glorious seasons
A summer holiday in Churchill is best spent aboard a dinghy searching for pods of beluga whales and spotting polar bears swimming the bay. Autumn sees the ice start to set in and is a good time to spot arctic foxes and polar bears. Come winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky, while late spring is a birdwatching paradise.
Where to stay
There’s a small selection of hotels spread across town, all within walking distance of restaurants, shops and attractions. Choices range from simple rooms to cosy log cabins, with a few locations featuring seasonal restaurants for extra comfort. There is limited availability, so it’s best to book at least six months in advance.
Churchill: Know before you go
Language
English
Currency
Canadian dollar ($)
Time zone
UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT)
High season
October – November and July – August
Low season
November – March
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Caption
Photographer name
Things to do in Churchill
Churchill
Travel Manitoba
Places to eat
Despite the cold climate, you’ll still find ingredient-driven dishes here. Look out for local specialities like wild berries, elk, bison and Arctic char (a type of fish). If you’re visiting during the Northern Lights, book yourself a spot aboard Dan’s Diner. This pop-up restaurant, parked on the frozen Churchill River, runs for select dates in February and March.
Family-friendly things to do
The Itsanitaq Museum is a must-visit to learn about Inuit culture and life on the tundra, with some artefacts dating back to 1700 BC. For natural history, head to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. Then book a tour of nearby historical sites like the fur trade–era Prince of Wales Fort, the Churchill Rocket Research Range and the wrecks of the MV Ithaca and the Miss Piggy plane.
Shopping
Souvenirs abound in town and are sold in family-run hotels, general stores and tourist shops. Highlights include the gift shop at the Itsanitaq Museum, which sells Inuit art, carvings and moccasins, and the Arctic Trading Company, which has locally made handiwork. If you’ve forgotten some of the necessities, the general stores stock the essentials.
FAQs about Churchill holidays
The majority of locals here speak English. Every city has its own distinct lingo, so consider picking up some common expressions to use during your city break in Churchill.
Organise your Churchill trip for February and you'll be there when the weather is at its coolest. -31ºC (-24ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
With temperatures hitting highs of 18ºC (64ºF), August is the warmest month in Churchill.
Churchill is a friendly and welcoming community. The most important safety consideration for your holiday to Churchill is polar bear safety — look outside before leaving a building, travel in groups, stick to the main streets and never approach a bear. Listen to local authorities and follow safety protocols.
If seeing a polar bear is top of your list for your holiday to Churchill, visit between July and November. July and August also coincide with beluga whale season. And if you don’t mind the arctic cold, February and March are said to have the best Northern Lights displays.
You'll be using the Canadian dollar (CAD) for payments during your trip to Churchill. Pay with a credit or debit card whenever possible, but carry a little cash for businesses that don't accept cards.
Given the town’s remote location, food, flights and hotels in Churchill can be pricey. To keep costs low, your best bet is to book at least six to 12 months out and pull together your own DIY itinerary. For a seamless trip, there are excellent all-inclusive packages.
If your journey to get here is a long one, consider spending a week or longer. You'll be able to balance adventure with relaxation. For a quick trip to Churchill from someplace nearby, three to five days will be enough to check out the top attractions.
With around 9 cm of rainfall, July is the rainiest month. If you're going on your Churchill holiday then, you might want to plan for some indoor activities. Enjoy a meal at one of the city's top dining spots, head to an art gallery, or treat yourself to a shopping spree.
With no shortage of things to do in Churchill, this lively city is always ready to show you a good time. Begin your exploration at must-see attractions like Itsanitaq Museum and Miss Piggy plane wreck.
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Plan your holiday to Churchill
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