Canada As You Like It Blog
Experience the heart of Canada on a trip to Manitoba
- by Canada As You Like It
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- 07 Oct, 2022
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Northern Manitoba has a lot to offer - find out more here!
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.
Discover Churchill’s unique personality and charm by exploring eclectic restaurants and alluring shops. This small town, population 900, is only accessible by plane and train. Churchill hotels and eco-lodges welcome those seeking once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences watching polar bears, beluga whales and also the northern lights, which are visible here up to 300 nights of the year.
Churchill is a year-round destination: autumn is prime time to see polar bears, winter offers amazing northern lights viewing, spring is the top season for birdwatching and summer sees thousands of beluga whales arrive in the area.
Churchill’s culture and history are equally fascinating. See where retreating glaciers etched marks on rocks that are billions of years old. Tour a 300 year-old stone fort established by the Hudson’s Bay Company. Go on a thrilling dogsled ride and learn about the importance of this mode of transportation to the people in the North. Admire intricate carvings and other Inuit art and artefacts at the Itsanitaq Museum. From hiking through vibrant fireweed to a shipwreck or seeing the town’s character brought to life in colourful murals, there's more to Churchill than meets the eye.
The beluga, or white whale, is one of the smallest species of whale. Their distinctive colour and prominent foreheads make them easily identifiable (although baby beluga are grey in colour). Beluga whales are highly social and travel in large groups called pods. It’s possible to see pods numbering in the hundreds on a visit to Churchill where they gather in summer in the Churchill River Estuary to mate, birth and feed. The beluga is one of the most vocal whale species on Earth. Their constant humming, chirping, whistling and crackling gave them their nickname 'canaries of the sea'.
Churchill’s history is intertwined with the early days of Canada and the exploration of the Arctic. Cree, Dene and Inuit aboriginal cultures come together in this little community and the world famous Itsanitaq Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Inuit artefacts and sculpture. Itsanitaq Museum has a collection of Inuit carvings and artefacts that are among the finest and oldest in the world dating from Pre-Dorset (1700 B.C.) through Dorset, Thule and modern Inuit times. Be sure to stop by the gift shop to purchase a postcard or two and some local wildberry jam.
Ganglers' Fishing Lodge in Northern Manitoba provides a unique opportunity to enjoy unsurpassed fishing for Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Artic Grayling and Walleye in a stunning wilderness environment. There are huge pike and rod-busting lake trout which will test your fly rod to its limits. Walleye and Arctic Grayling are also abundant. The combination of quality and quantity is truly amazing.
As well as fishing there is a variety of other experiences on offer including mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing and hiking. Bird lovers will enjoy the variety and other tours include exploring the eskers and other local wildlife.
In the Churchill area, you can see polar bears and beluga whales, but Northern Manitoba is home to many other wondrous creatures of all kinds — hundreds of bird species, herds of caribou, black bears, wolves, foxes, massive moose, muskrats and dozens of other mammals including, of course, the great Canadian beaver.
The subarctic transition zone provides diverse habitats that encompass everything from rocky flats, Precambrian Shield, boreal forest, freshwater lakes, whitewater rivers, coastal dunes, tundra and mud flats. Remarkably adaptable northern animals include wood frogs who freeze solid during winters and thaw out come springtime, tiny shrews who live on insects, and lemmings who provide sustenance to predators such as foxes, weasels and owls. Arctic fox and Arctic hare blend in with the snow in winter.
While the natural wonder known as the northern lights or the aurora borealis can be seen throughout all of Manitoba and Northern Manitoba in particular. Churchill experiences the phenomenon nearly 300 nights a year and they can also be seen at Gangler's lodge. And while they can be viewed in any season, the northern lights tend to be most strong and visible during the depths of winter - particularly in February and March when the skies are clear and dark. Churchill is ideally located under the auroral oval. Here the light show is particularly bright and spectacular.
The city of Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba and is a vibrant and exciting city with a strong arts scene and some of the best food in the country. Winnipeg sits at the confluence of the Red River and Assiniboine River. It has been one of the most important meeting points for Canada’s indigenous people for over 6,000 years.
Winnipeg is a hip and multi-cultural metropolis that looks back on an exciting history, but at the same time sets real trends in today’s world. It has more than 700,000 inhabitants who speak over 100 languages and bring plenty of diversity and creativity. The city's many different neighbourhoods are buzzing with festivals, culture, art and culinary delights.
One of the loveliest public spaces in Winnipeg and a must-see for any visitor, The Forks is an exquisite riverside attraction in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, The Forks has been a meeting place for over 6,000 years. Early Aboriginal peoples traded at The Forks, followed by European fur traders, Métis buffalo hunters, Scottish settlers, riverboat workers, railway pioneers and tens of thousands of immigrants.
Today, framed by the banks of the two rivers, The Forks is Winnipeg’s number one tourist destination and one of the most incredible urban parks in Canada. As well as an exciting range of shops and food outlets, The Forks has a busy calendar of events and entertainment. Delve 6,000 years into the past while soaking up the bustling ambience. Learn how the two great rivers connected the prairies to the world and drew in trappers and traders from around the world. Going back thousands of years, Indigenous peoples thrived off this land, and they also played an important role in the development of the fur trade. Today, Indigenous culture is shared through festivals and events, art and museum exhibits.
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try: