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The 10 Best Day Trips from Winnipeg That’ll Get You Home Before Dinner!
Winnipeg provides everything a person could need. An urban life, a quick escape to nature, delicious local cuisine, and a vibrant cultural scene.
But every now and then, a quick break from the city is needed. Not that I get sick of Manitoba’s capital city, but because it’s always a good idea to broaden our horizons.
The good thing is there’s no need to travel far for a quick escape. Day trips to amazing places are possible from Winnipeg, and here are our favourite destinations you shouldn’t miss!
Springhill Winter Park
Media credit: springhillwinterpark
Best Time to Visit: Winter season (operating season)
Best For: Winter sport enthusiasts
Distance from Winnipeg: 18.6 km (20-minute drive)
Anyone who loves winter sports should take a day trip to Springhill Winter Park. It’s a family-friendly place, with the Canadian Ski Patrol on-site to provide first aid services.
This spot won’t take up your whole day since it’s only a short drive from downtown, which also means you can come back anytime! There’s rental equipment for skiing and snowboarding, including helmets and boards.
You don’t have to be a seasoned skier to visit. Beginners can join one-on-one or semi-private lessons. If you’re bringing the kids, you can take a family lesson, so everyone’s learning all together!
Pro Tips:
If you’re renting ski equipment, you need to bring your own poles since they don’t provide those.
If you want to save some loonies, go on a winter day trip on Tuesday for discounted lift tickets!
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
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Best Time to Visit: May – September
Best For: Families and groups who are looking for interactive activities
Distance from Winnipeg: 29.1 km (30-minute drive)
Day trips from Winnipeg should include a visit to historically important places in Manitoba, like the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, where Treaty 1 was signed. And there’s no need to rise early for a drive because it’s only half an hour away!
Families will enjoy this place (yes, even the kiddos!), as various interactive experiences will immerse you in history, from the signing of the treaty to its importance as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post.
Go on a self-guided tour to see the important sites, or visit from July to September to participate in interactive learning activities and watch demonstrations. The kids can also have fun by play-acting as a Hudson’s Bay Company employee!
Pro Tip:
A summer visit requires sunblock and comfortable clothing because activities are outdoors!
A Maze in Corn at St. Adolphe
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Best Time to Visit: During the opening season, starting in August
Best For: Families and groups who are searching for a quick, fun day trip
Distance from Winnipeg: 26.1 km (26-minute drive)
A really quick day trip from Winnipeg, for adults and kids, is to St. Adolphe, where you can find a giant corn maze. Be one of the people who can finish the Guinness World Records’ Largest Snow Maze!
During summertime, you can meet the farm animals after finishing the corn maze, then admire the 8-acre plot full of different varieties of sunflowers.
If you’re brave enough, grab a ticket to the Haunted Forest in October. And during snow season, challenge yourself by entering a giant snow maze, and finish the day by dining inside a restaurant carved from snow.
Pro Tip:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes when going into the maze. It’s also important to check the opening hours first before driving off, since they can change, depending on the weather.
Lockport and St. Andrew’s
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Best Time to Visit: May – September
Best For: Families, groups, and couples who enjoy historical and archaeological sites
Lockport’s Distance from Winnipeg: 27.3 km (27-minute drive)
St. Andrew’s Distance from Winnipeg: 50.5 km (39-minute drive)
Lockport Location | St. Andrew’s Location
Lockport is one of the quickest day trips if you’re coming from Winnipeg, located near the Red River. Then, continue to St. Andrews, a rural community that’s also situated along the Red River.
What do you do in these places? Enjoy a quiet and relaxed getaway, away from the loud sounds of urban life. When in Lockport, it’s a must to eat hot dogs from Skinner’s or Half Moon Drive-In.
Then, explore the Lockport Provincial Heritage Park to see some of the most important archaeological sites of Manitoba. Once you hit St. Andrew’s, you can explore more historical sites, like the St. Andrew’s Heritage Centre.
Pro Tip:
When visiting in the summer, stick to a weekday trip to avoid crowds.
Selkirk
Media credit: cityofselkirk
Best Time to Visit: Any time of the year
Best For: Families and groups who want a change of scenery
Distance from Winnipeg: 39.8 km (30-minute drive from Winnipeg)
If you want to visit another city, take a 30-minute drive to Selkirk, a quaint town with lots to offer! As the Catfish Capital of North America (because loads of catfish are found on this side of the Red River), there are various things to discover for fish lovers!
Start your visit with a photo of Chuck, a massive catfish statue. Next, swing by the Marine Museum of Manitoba to learn about ships and boats that once travelled the seas.
A photo of the Selkirk Bridge, which runs over the Red River, is a must. It’s probably one of the most iconic attractions in the city.
A visit to another town should include stopping by lots of local dining spots. Local favourite, Roxi’s Cafe, is a must-visit for their breakfast wraps and roast beef dinner!
Pro Tip:
Anglers can visit during Family Fishing Weekend to fish for free!
Gimli
Media credit: exploregimli
Best Time to Visit: Summer or fall; August for the Icelandic Festival
Best For: Individuals who want to explore a seaside town with Icelandic heritage
Distance from Winnipeg: 89.2 km (1-hour drive)
Head north of Winnipeg to reach Gimli, a seaside town known for its Icelandic heritage. It’s one of the sites that Icelandic settlers called home after establishing New Iceland.
This is home to the 15-ft-tall Viking statue, which visitors can take a photo with. If you want to learn more about the town’s history, drop by the New Iceland Heritage Museum to see artefacts, Icelandic rocks, and cool collections that detail life back then.
A beach trip should also be on your list, as it’s a popular place to take a dip in or go paddleboarding. Head over to the Blue Flag area, stretching from the main harbour pier and ending at Centre Street and Barney Tomas Drive.
Pro Tip:
Avoid peak beach days because it gets too crowded. Also, wear aqua shoes because, despite the sandy shores, there are still small rocks.
Grand Beach
Media credit: travelmanitoba
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Best For: Families, couples, and groups who are seeking a fun beach day
Distance from Winnipeg: 99.3 km (1.1-hour drive)
Beach day? Okay! There’s no reason why anyone cannot go to Grand Beach, located on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
This freshwater beach is a family-friendly spot where the parents and kids can enjoy sandy toes, sunny days, and freshwater waves! You can take a dip in the sea or let the wind take you places (we’re talking about windsurfing!).
Since it’s in a provincial park, you can also enjoy other activities to burn off steam. Hiking is popular here because there are lots of trails for beginners and seasoned hikers—the Boulder Hill Trail is an easy 5.6 km loop, which takes less than two hours!
Pro Tip:
Bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Even if you don’t plan on hiking, you can always pack extra clothes since plans might change! You don’t want to hike wearing swimwear.
Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park
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Best Time to Visit: June – August
Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts who want to hike the ruins of a dam
Distance from Winnipeg: 118.6 km (1.3-hour drive)
It’s like time stood still at the Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park, a place where you’ll see ruins of the first hydroelectric station of Manitoba. It’s steeped in history, as it was built to accommodate the growing city of Winnipeg.
In 1951, it was officially taken out of service to make way for the flow of the Winnipeg River. Nowadays, you can take a walking tour at the former dam, perfect for adventurers.
For those who love the outdoors, the Pinawa Trail is a 29 km hike that starts at Heritage Park and goes to the Seven Sisters Generating Station. There’s plenty to see, from forests to lagoons, as it still feels like it’s an undisturbed area.
Pro Tip:
Before going on a hike, check the status of the generating station. This part of the trail is prone to closures, so it’s better to keep updated first.
Falcon Lake
Media credit: explorethewhiteshell
Best Time to Visit: Any time of the year
Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts who are searching for adventure
Distance from Winnipeg: 144 km (1.5-hour drive)
Located east of Winnipeg, Falcon Lake is the place for outdoor enthusiasts who want to get home for dinner! If you’re only planning a day trip, you can ski and ride a snowmobile in the winter or kayak and fish in the summer.
There’s always something to do here, any time of the year. If you want to go in the fall, we recommend horseback riding at the Falcon Beach Ranch for a magical time.
Although any season is nice, summer gives you more things to do. Take your boo to the lake for a quiet canoeing adventure and reach Mud Lake while spotting various wildlife. You don’t even have to bring any gear since there’s rental equipment at the marina.
Pro Tip:
If you plan on fishing, check the local rules about licenses and rod and hook usage. All anglers must have a Manitoba fishing license.
Pembina Valley Provincial Park
Media credit: trailsmanitoba
Best Time to Visit: Spring to fall seasons
Best For: Nature lovers
Distance from Winnipeg: 172.4 km (2-hour drive)
The drive to Pembina Valley Provincial Park is worth it if you love the outdoors. The most obvious activity is hiking, which is relaxing here because it’s quiet—just you, wildlife, and the forest.
Try the Pembina Rim Trail, a 6.8 km loop hiking trail that’ll take two hours or so. Most trails are fairly easy with sections of moderately challenging paths, but none should take you longer than four hours.
Meanwhile, thrillseekers will have a grand time at HyWire Zipline Adventures, which is where you’ll see Manitoba’s highest and longest zipline. Kid-friendly activities are also available, like the Super Mega Ride ‘n Slide, a massive inflatable slide!
Pro Tip:
When returning to the trailhead, the trail goes on a descending path. Wear shoes with good traction to ensure safety. Oh, and practice Leave No Trace!
