You’ve heard of the book Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne? Well, we’ve just gone Around Manitoba in 5 Days by Friesens. All this week we have celebrated all that makes Manitoba amazing! We hope that, if you live in Manitoba, we’ve inspired you to go on a day trip this May Long Weekend, or we’ve given you plenty of reasons to come visit the Heart of the Continent!
Friesens Corporation is located in Altona, in Manitoba’s Central Region, and we’ve saved the best for last…here are just some of the great things to do in our own backyard.
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
For dinosaur and fossil enthusiasts, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre is located in Morden, 45 minutes from Altona, and boasts one of the largest collections of marine reptile fossils in Canada. The galleries here, provide an interpretation of life in the Western Interior Seaway from the late Cretaceous period of earth’s prehistory. The Centre also conducts Fossil Dig Adventure Tours for all ages. Visitors can also see 13-metre-long Guinness Record-holding T-Rex ‘Bruce’ the mosasaur. Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre has been granted Signature Museum status in Manitoba.
Pembina Valley Provincial Park
Pembina Valley Provincial Park is a true treasure “hidden in the open,” ready to challenge your GPS! For those lucky enough to find it, this park is a popular spot for hiking and birdwatching. Nestled in the southern part of the province near Morden and Winkler, it boasts 440 acres of pure wilderness.
Birdwatching enthusiasts, get ready! You might spot songbirds, waterfowl, and majestic predator birds like golden eagles, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, warblers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, blue jays, towhees, vultures, vireos, and chickadees.
The park’s trails offer something for everyone, with varying lengths and difficulty levels. Explore the Pembina Rim, Oak Woods, Porcupine Ridges, Valley Vistas, Whitetail Hollows, Hawks Hills, and Boulder Creek.
Island Park & Crescent Lake
Located in Portage La Prairie, this park was formed by an oxbow lake that was once part of the Assiniboine River. The PCU Centre in this scenic park houses Manitoba’s largest wave pool, skating rinks, walking tracks, and a gym among other things. It is a family fun wonderland complete with every activity imaginable such as:
- A playground
- A deer and waterfowl sanctuary
- Racetracks
- Disc golf-course
- Tennis courts
- Swimming pools
Walk along the lake on the paved trail enjoying the pelicans, geese and other waterfowls. Learn about Ukrainian settlers at the Arthur Meighen tribute center. Visitors can take part in various activities and events throughout the year.
If you like your fun big…and we mean REALLY big, hit the open road for Central Manitoba’s massive roadside attractions:
- The world’s largest fire hydrant in Elm Creek
- Morden’s Archelion Turtle
- A 42-foot-high windmill in Holland
- The world’s largest pumpkin in Roland
- A 9-foot wild turkey in La Riviere
- North America’s largest smoking pipe in St. Claude
- The 65-foot, 3,000lb hockey stick in Winkler
- The world’s largest Coke can in Portage la Prairie
Want to see all that Central Manitoba has to offer? Visit the Travel Manitoba website.
All attractions in Central Manitoba, as well as Friesens Corporation, are located on Treaty 1 lands, the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. We are truly humble and grateful guests on this territory.
Manitoba has so much to offer and is like buried treasure waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re planning a long weekend getaway or looking towards a future vacation, these destinations offer something for everyone. Embrace the beauty of nature, the richness of history, and the thrill of outdoor activities. So, gather your family, create lasting memories, and start out on a journey filled with fun and exploration. Happy adventuring!
Missed any? Check out the rest of our virtual tour around Manitoba!
Day 1 – Northern & Parkland Regions
