Manitoba holidays
From swimming in crystal-clear lakes to snowshoeing past frosted pines, holidays to Manitoba offer adventures to suit all tastes and paces. Among wide-open landscapes, you’ll also find fascinating museums, important First Nations sites and a food scene that’s better than advertised. And if wildlife spotting is your thing, you’re in luck — this Canadian province is one of the best places to spot polar bears in the wild.
Top destinations in Manitoba
Churchill
This tiny Canadian town serves up some of nature’s greatest hits, from polar bear spotting and whale watching to basking in the glow of the Northern Lights.
Thompson
Surrounded by lakes and boreal forests, Thompson is your ticket to adventures in Manitoba’s pristine wilderness, from hiking and camping to fishing and snowmobiling.
Winnipeg
You’ll need to wrap up to explore Winnipeg, one of the world’s chilliest cities. But its characterful neighbourhoods, beautiful parks and vibrant festivals bring plenty of local warmth.
Manitoba: fast facts
Language
English, French
Currency
Canadian dollar (C$)
Time zone
Winnipeg - UTC−6 (CST) and UTC−5 (CDT)
High season
June – August; January – March
Low season
October – November
Manitoba holiday highlights
Hit the slopes
While Manitoba is a mostly flat prairie province, it also offers thrilling ski and snowboard runs and kilometres of groomed trails for cross-country enthusiasts. Asessippi Ski Area & Resort boasts over 25 downhill runs to suit all levels. And Holiday Mountain Resort has been welcoming skiers since 1959. Want to escape the crowds? Mystery Mountain Winter Park is Manitoba’s most remote ski park.
Spot wildlife
Manitoba’s sprawling landscapes are home to countless species of wildlife. Head to Churchill to watch beluga whales and polar bears crossing the tundra. Riding Mountain National Park is a great place to spot bison. During the autumn migratory period, one of the best things to do in Manitoba is to visit FortWhyte Alive in Winnipeg to see thousands of Canada Geese flying at sunset.
Discover Indigenous cultures
Indigenous culture is a part of everyday life in Manitoba, and getting to know the province’s First Nations is an important part of any visit. Head to Winnipeg’s Agowiidiwinan Centre at The Forks to learn about the treaties between First Nations and the British Crown. And visit Bannock Point, home to centuries-old petroform stones used by Indigenous peoples for traditional ceremonies.
Things to do in Manitoba
Top attractions
Churchill is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Catch the spectacle from the viewing dome at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Stories of courage and resilience take centre stage at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. At Bannock Point Petroforms, discover turtles, snakes and other sacred Indigenous symbols shaped from rock.
Beaches
During Manitoba’s warm, humid summers, nothing beats a day at one of the province’s beautiful lakeside beaches. Some of the best sandy spots can be found around Lake Winnipeg. Check out Grand Beach Provincial Park with its white-sand beaches and rolling dunes. If you’re travelling with your family, head to Dauphin Lake, where the beaches hug shallow waters.
Nature
No matter where you go in Manitoba, you can’t escape its rugged natural beauty. Discover the sparkling waters of Clearwater Lake Provincial Park and admire the rare plants and wildflowers growing in the Brokenhead Wetland. Up for a hike? Take the trail from Pisew Falls to Kwasitchewan Falls, the highest waterfall in Manitoba.
Cuisine
The cuisine here has a strong connection to the land. Many restaurants in Manitoba practice farm-to-table philosophies, with local produce and grains often taking centre stage. The local food also reflects First Nations cultures. Look out for Indigenous-inspired dishes featuring ingredients like wild rice, freshwater fish, ‘bannock’ (a type of bread) and game meats like bison.
Culture and museums
Winnipeg has some of the best museums in Manitoba, like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. But even outside the capital, you’ll find plenty of history and culture to explore. Learn about the province’s prehistoric past at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden. And discover Manitoba’s historical ties with Ukraine at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Museum in Sandy Lake.
Nightlife
Artsy and vibrant, Winnipeg is the heart of nightlife in Manitoba. Line dance to country and western music at a club or discover local bands at a funky dive bar. Savour warm summer nights at a beer garden by the Assiniboine River. Craving an adventure? Try your hand at axe throwing or test your wits in an escape room.
Find the best time to visit Manitoba
Weather in Manitoba through the year
March – May: Manitoba’s prairie crocus, the provincial flower, welcomes spring’s arrival. The season can be unpredictable, with warm days followed by a cold snap. Traces of winter linger until late April.
June – August: Long, sunny days make summer the perfect season for outdoor activities. Temperatures average around 26°C. Wildfire season runs from March to October but peaks in summer.
September – November: Summer’s warmth remains throughout September. Head to Churchill to catch the polar bear migration.
December – February: Winters in Manitoba are frigid. Temperatures sometimes drop as low as −30°C. But if you can brave the cold, the long nights make this the perfect time of year to catch the Northern Lights.
Events in Manitoba
Festival du Voyageur (February): Lively jigs and fiddle music chase away cold Winnipeg winters at the largest winter festival in Western Canada.
Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival (February): Head north to The Pas to watch locals show off traditional skills like moose calling. Cheer on the sled dog races, or pick up Indigenous-made souvenirs at the craft fair.
Winnipeg Folk Festival (July): Thousands of music lovers fill Birds Hill Provincial Park for this four-day folk festival. The star-packed lineup has featured artists like Joan Baez and Emmylou Harris, plus local talent.
Icelandic Festival of Manitoba (August): First held in 1890, this festival in Gimli celebrates Icelandic heritage with contests, crafts and a Viking village on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
Know before you go
Getting around Manitoba
Public transport
Buses: Rider Express connects Manitoba with other provinces. The buses are comfortable, but service is infrequent, and departure times aren’t always convenient. Charter buses and private shuttles offer service between Winnipeg International Airport and cities like Brandon and Dauphin.
Trains: Taking a Via Rail sleeper train north from Winnipeg is one of the only ways to reach Churchill, which isn’t accessible by road. Trains leave twice a week, and it’s a good idea to book your ticket in advance.
Boats: Ferries give you access to waterfront communities on Lake Winnipeg, like Matheson Island and Norway House. In winter, boat service is replaced by ice roads.
Domestic flights
Flying is the quickest way to experience the settlements and scenery of northern Manitoba. Regional airports in Thompson and Churchill are served by domestic carriers, including Calm Air. Flights can be expensive, so book in advance.
Driving and car hire
Driving is the easiest way to explore beyond Winnipeg. The Trans-Canada Highway runs east to west, connecting Winnipeg to other major population centres across Canada. Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10 runs north to south in the western part of Manitoba. Look out for wildlife in rural areas, especially during the autumn mating season.
FAQs about Manitoba holidays
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