15 Best Places to Visit in Manitoba (By a Local!)
Looking for the best places to visit in Manitoba? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Canada’s geographical center and fifth-most populous province, Manitoba is home to rolling fields, bustling cities, the aurora borealis, polar bears, the renowned Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and some of the best sunsets in the world.
As a Manitoba local, I’ve experienced first-hand what makes this province so great, and I’m here to let the cat out of the bag on the best places in Manitoba.
With that, let’s dive into the best destinations in Manitoba, Canada! Just be sure to get here quick before the secret gets out:
15 Best Places to Visit in Manitoba
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Winnipeg
A hotbed of culture on the prairies
📍 Google Maps | Winnipeg Website | 👉 Browse Winnipeg Hotels on Booking
Manitoba’s capital city and the namesake of the one and only Winnie-the-Pooh (yes, really), Winnipeg is an eclectic city home to roughly 800,000 people.
A hotbed of culture on the prairies, it’s no wonder that Winnipeg, Manitoba made our list of the top places to visit in Canada. The city is known for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Festival du Voyageur (a spectacular winter festival), The Winnipeg Jets hockey team, The Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, The Manitoba Museum, The Forks Market (a historical center with shopping and restaurants), The Winnipeg Art Gallery, and so much more.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a Winnipeg hotel, I recommend booking something in the Exchange District, Saint Boniface, or Downtown. And don’t miss my post on what to do in Winnipeg for some awesome activity ideas!
Riding Mountain National Park
Manitoba’s most southerly National Park
📍 Google Maps | Riding Mountain National Park Website | 👉 Browse Hotels Near Riding Mountain National Park on Booking
Home to grasslands, boreal forests, bison, and one of the cutest resort towns in Canada, Riding Mountain National Park definitely makes for one of the best places to visit in Manitoba.
The park is perfect for water activities, cross-country skiing, camping, and wildlife viewing. In particular, head to Deep Bay, Clear Lake Golf Course, the Ominnik Marsh, and Grayling Lake. Plus, for one of the best views in the park, hike to the top of Bald Hill. You’ll get panoramic views of the park and the distant prairie landscapes. It’s definitely one of the top things you can do in Manitoba!
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Pinawa Dam Provincial Park
A hydroelectric station turned whitewater rafting destination
📍 Google Maps | Pinawa Dam Provincial Park Website | 👉 Browse Hotels Near Pinawa Dam Provincial Park on Booking
Pinawa Dam Provincial Park is one of the best spots for photography, hiking, river tubing, white water rafting, swimming, and kayaking in the province. Located on the edge of the rocky Canadian Shield, the site was once a hydroelectric generating station that provided power to the area. Today, just the ruins of the station remain, and Pinawa Dam has become a popular Manitoban destination.
Whiteshell Provincial Park
The pinnacle of Manitoba’s lake country
📍 Google Maps | Whiteshell Provincial Park Website | 👉 Browse Hotels Near Whiteshell Provincial Park on Booking
Located in southeastern Manitoba near the Ontario border, Whiteshell Provincial Park is known for dozens of lakes and rivers, Canadian Shield topography, and pristine forests and hiking trails.
In particular, Whiteshell, Canada is known for West Hawk Lake, the Mantario Trail, Hunt Lake Hiking Trail, McGillivray Falls, Falcon Lake. and Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes.
Churchill
Manitoba’s best destination for polar bears and beluga whales
📍 Google Maps | Churchill Website | 👉 Browse Churchill Hotels on Booking
One of the most famous places to explore in Manitoba, Churchill is a town located on the shores of Hudson Bay in Manitoba’s north and is a popular Canadian destination because, well, it’s been dubbed the Polar Bear Capital of the World.
Best reached via guided tour, a trip to Churchill will knock your socks off with roaming polar bears, migrating beluga whales, northern lights opportunities, and activities galore. In particular, expect to check out the Miss Piggy Plane Wreck, the Aurora Domes, Cape Merry, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site.
✈️ How to Get to Churchill: Given how far out of the way it is, the best way to experience Churchill is as part of a guided tour. We recommend this highly-rated 5-night tour to Churchill.
Brandon
The best place to learn about Manitoba’s farming culture
📍 Google Maps | Brandon Website | 👉 Browse Brandon Hotels on Booking
A small Manitoba city home to 50,000, Brandon is the place to go to learn all about agricultural life on the prairies.
Some of the best things to do in Brandon include visiting the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, the Daly House Museum, Westman Reptile Gardens, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, and Grand Valley Provincial Park (there are some great hiking trails).
Gimli
A beach destination with strong Icelandic heritage
📍 Google Maps | Gimli Website | 👉 Browse Gimli Hotels on Booking
Where Icelandic Heritage meets beachy vibes, Gimli, Manitoba is a history-packed delight to explore no matter what time of year.
In the summer, Gimli is the place to get out on the water (swimming, sailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and kite surfing are all great), while the winter brings some awesome ice festivals. In particular, head to the New Iceland Heritage Museum, Gimli Beach, the Gimli Viking Statue, The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, and stroll the harbor.
🚗 Pro Tip: Gimli is also one of my top picks for the best trips for the day from Winnipeg, so it makes a great place to visit in Manitoba if you’re based out of Winnipeg.
Thompson
Come for the natural sites, stay for the community
📍 Google Maps | Thompson Website | 👉 Browse Thompson Hotels on Booking
Northern Manitoba’s largest city, Thompson is one of the best attractions in Canada if you love spending time in nature and viewing wildlife.
Though known among Canadian locals as a mining town with fur trade history, Thompson really shines because of Pisew Falls Provincial Park, Paint Lake Provincial Park, plenty of Northern lights viewing opportunities, the Spirit Way Walking Trail (it goes past 16 notable sites), and some great festivals.
Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
A fun island on Lake Winnipeg
📍 Google Maps | Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park Website | 👉 Browse Hotels Near Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park on Booking
With island vibes, a rugged shoreline, and marshlands teeming with life, Hecla-Grindstone makes the Canadian prairies feel like a whole new world.
Located on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, some of the best activities in Hecla-Grindstone are visiting Sandy Bar Beach, exploring Gull Harbor, hiking the Grassy Narrows Marsh, walking the Lighthouse Trail, exploring the quarries, and taking the Hecla Village Scenic Drive.
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Grand Beach
Arguably the best beach in Manitoba
📍 Google Maps | Grand Beach Website | 👉 Browse Grand Beach Hotels on Booking
With over 100,000 lakes scattering the land, the prairie province of Manitoba is home to some pretty amazing beaches. And, with that many shores to pick from, you better believe it when I say that the crown jewel of them all is Grand Beach.
Also a park of the same name, Grand Beach is a staple summer destination among Manitoba locals. Resting on the eastern edge of Lake Winnipeg in the town of Grand Marais, this place is perfect for people of all ages.
The beach features dunes that stretch up into the sky, miles of warm white sand, a beautiful boardwalk, interpretive tours, tons of water sports, and a nearby marsh.
Souris
Discover small-town Manitoba charm
📍 Google Maps | Souris Website | 👉 Browse Souris Hotels on Booking
Famously home to Canada’s longest swinging pedestrian bridge (it’s 581 ft / 177 meters), Souris will be a fun small-town stop on your Manitoba itinerary.
With things to do for the whole family, some of the best Souris sites include visiting the Old Oak Tree (over 600 years old), checking out the regal Hillcrest Museum, exploring the Railway museum, and hiking in Victoria Park.
Nopiming Provincial Park
Go off-grid in one of Manitoba’s most pristine parks
📍 Google Maps | Nopiming Website
With a name that translates to “Edge of the Wilderness” in the Anishinaabe language, Nopiming Provincial Park is the perfect Manitoba destination to unplug and immerse yourself in pristine nature.
While here, I recommend setting yourself up at either Black Lake or Tulabi Falls Campgrounds and then exploring the hiking trails (Walking on Ancient Mountains is my personal fave), visiting Tulabi Falls, going boating on one of the lakes, or taking a canoe trip.
👉 Pro Tip: Bring a fully-charged portable charger for your trip to Nopiming. Many of the campsites aren’t equipped with electricity and you’ll want to have full batteries just in case.
Asessippi Ski Area & Resort
Hit the slopes at Manitoba’s premier ski resort
📍 Google Maps | Asessippi Website
Manitoba may not be known for its mountains (hint: there are none), but that doesn’t mean you can’t add hitting the slopes to your winter to-do list. Asessippi Ski Area & Resort is Manitoba’s #1 spot to go downhill skiing or snowboarding as it has 26 runs, 3 chair lifts, 4 tubing lanes, 2 terrain parks, and the coziest ski chalet.
In the summer, the resort turns itself into a hiking and mountain biking destination so definitely add it to your list even if you visit Manitoba in summer.
Spruce Woods Provincial Park
Traverse Manitoba’s sand dunes
📍 Google Maps | Spruce Woods Website
Where a forest of white spruce trees meets the Manitoba “desert”, Spruce Woods Provincial Park is one of the most unique destinations in Manitoba.
Located just two hours west of Winnipeg, the park is perfect for camping, hiking, and photography. In particular, I recommend exploring the 30-meter high sand dunes (aka the Spirit Sands), taking a horse-drawn wagon ride, checking out the Devil’s Punch Bowl pond, and hiking the trails.
While you’re here, be sure to keep an eye out for the Northern Prairie Skink — Manitoba’s sole lizard species.
Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve
Immerse yourself in diverse flora and fauna
📍 Google Maps | Brokenhead Wetland Website | 👉 Browse Brokenhead Wetland Hotels on Booking
Home to one of the rarest wetlands in North America, Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve is an informative Manitoba destination for all ages. Some of the ecosystem types found here are boreal forest, cedar swamp, and calcareous fen.
The trail at the wetland is an easy 2.6km round trip jaunt that’s wheelchair accessible. There are even descriptive signs located along the trail for more information on the plants and animals living in the wetland.
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That’s it for my 15 best places to visit in Manitoba; Manitoba attractions.
For more great content to help you travel Manitoba and Canada, check out my list of 13 incredible Canadian road trips.
Have fun in Manitoba!
