Explore Canada Series: Part 15 - Manitoba
Manitoba – Part 15: Aug 28, 2025
Welcome Home
Manitoba means a lot to me — I grew up here. It also means a lot to Northern Sun, because Winnipeg is where the brand was born. And for good reason.
Nowhere else in Canada do you see the weather swing so dramatically as it does right here in the heart of the country. One day it’s blistering cold, the next it’s summer heat — and that’s exactly the kind of climate that shaped Northern Sun from the very beginning.
If you’ve ever written off Manitoba as “just the place you fly over,” let us show you what you’ve been missing. This province is packed with underrated magic: weekend adventures that start just outside the city and carry you way off the beaten path. Think paddleboards and hot springs, Viking statues and bison herds, sand dunes and spa days.
I grew up here, and every time I come back, I’m reminded of just how good we’ve got it.
What Makes Manitoba Special?
🏙️ Weekending in Winnipeg
Cultural heart, prairie soul, and just the right amount of chaos. It’s creative, friendly, and easy to explore by foot or bike. Museums, markets, food trucks, float spas — this city delivers.
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The Forks: local shops, river walks, patio beers
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CMHR: Canada’s most powerful museum, period
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Qaumajuq: world’s largest public collection of Inuit art
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Assiniboine Park: massive, green, and full of surprises
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Thermëa Spa: hot. cold. hot. cold. nap. repeat.
🛏️ Stay central at Inn at The Forks or go classic at The Fort Garry Hotel.
🛶 Whiteshell Provincial Park
Straight out of a Group of Seven painting. Pine-scented mornings, canoe routes through granite tunnels, hikes that earn the ice cream after.
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Caddy Lake Tunnels: canoe through actual rock tunnels
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Hunt Lake Trail: scenic AF
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Fishing: Nutimik or Margaret Lakes
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Falcon Lake: horseback rides + golf
🛏️ Stay cozy at Falcon Trails Resort or book a lakeside cabin. Bonus points for finding a wood-burning sauna.
🌊 The Interlake Region
Lake life with a twist — Icelandic roots, Viking statues, long boardwalks, and short swims.
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Gimli: art, beer, beaches, and Norse mythology
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Hecla Provincial Park: hike, spa, golf, repeat
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Winnipeg Beach: boardwalk buzz + family vibes
🛏️ Stay at Lakeview Hecla or find a cabin that smells like campfires and sunscreen.
🌲 Riding Mountain National Park
Where prairie meets forest — and bison roam. Clear Lake is the jewel, Wasagaming is the heartbeat, and the hiking trails go deep.
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Bald Hill: for a real leg day
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Grey Owl Trail: historic and peaceful
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Wasagaming: ice cream, movie nights, chill shops
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Clear Lake: rent a kayak or just float
🛏️ Go luxe at Elkhorn Resort or try oTENTiks if canvas + campfire nights are more your style.
🏜️ Spruce Woods Provincial Park
Yes, Manitoba has sand dunes. No, you’re not hallucinating.
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Spirit Sands Trail: hike through shifting dunes
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Devil’s Punch Bowl: turquoise and eerie
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Wagon Tours: horses + storytelling = yes please
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Stargazing: it’s a certified Dark Sky Preserve 🌌
🛏️ Choose from yurts, campsites, or local inns — just book ahead, this spot fills up fast.
Travel Tips: How to Get There + What to Know
🚗 Getting There
Winnipeg’s international airport makes it easy to fly in for a weekend. If you’re driving, Manitoba’s highways are smooth, scenic, and full of spontaneous stops — quirky cafés, wildlife sightings, lake views that demand a pull-over.
🗺️ Planning Your Route
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Highway 1: west to Spruce Woods, east to Whiteshell
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Highway 8: north to Gimli and the Interlake
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Highway 10: straight into Riding Mountain
Most weekend spots are just 1–3 hours from Winnipeg — easy escapes, big rewards.
⛽ Fuel + EV Tips
Outside the city, gas stations and EV chargers can be few and far between. Fill up early and plan your charging stops.
🐻 Wildlife & Wilderness
Store food, respect wildlife, and stick to trails. Moose and bald eagles show up often — binoculars help, but your phone’s zoom works fine.
🧥 What to Pack
Summer days can be hot, but evenings cool down fast. Bring layers, bug spray, sunscreen, and a good hoodie for fireside hangs.
📅 Best Seasons to Go
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Summer: lakes, hikes, long days
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Fall: colourful trails, cozy nights
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Winter: ice fishing, spas, snowy escapes
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Spring: fewer crowds, early paddling, fresh air
🌱 Explore Responsibly
Stick to marked trails, support local businesses, and leave no trace behind.
Final Note
All partnerships are official and unpaid. We do this because we love Canada.
In partnership with the official tourism board of Manitoba: Travel Manitoba
📍 Photo Location: Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba
Got something to share?
Stories, tips, or just want to say hi? Drop a comment below — we read everything and love hearing from fellow explorers.
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