Why settle for an ordinary summer getaway to tropical beaches when you can spend your summer with polar bears under the northern lights? Manitoba boasts some of the world’s most unique summer travel experiences you won’t find anywhere else, from one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters to authentic Canadian culture, and extraordinary natural scenery.
From the golden plains to the lush boreal forests and barren subarctic tundra, here are Manitoba’s five most unique travel experiences you must consider for a Canadian vacation this summer.
Summer in the Polar Bear Capital of the World
Tucked along the western shores of Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba sits Churchill, a fascinating port town with one of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s oldest fur trade forts, a Cold War military base, and Canada’s only deepwater Arctic seaport.
At the junction of Manitoba’s boreal forest, arctic plains, and Hudson Bay ecosystems, Churchill is one of the best places in the world to interact with polar bears in their natural habitat. Nearly 1,000 polar bears retreat from the thawing Hudson Bay ice to Churchill’s shore every summer, offering a unique opportunity to see these arctic icons in a new light.
Join a polar bear viewing tour and race along the Hudson Bay coast to Fireweed Island, the only place in the world where you’ll find polar bears lounging in fields of vibrant pink fireweed. Marvel at the unforgettable sight of the pink fireweed contrasting against the bear’s white coats before venturing into the exclusive Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Admire the landscape and wildflowers as you travel delicately across the fragile tundra in a specialized land vehicle. Search for arctic hares, foxes and birds.
Lucky guests may spot a polar bear in the distance when aboard a tundra vehicle in summer but should return in peak polar bear season in October and November if they want an up-close experience from the tundra vehicle.
Beluga Whale of a Time
Polar bears aren’t the only fascinating Churchill summer sojourners. You’ll likely find—or hear—more than 50,000 beluga whales migrating from the Arctic waters to the warmer Hudson Bay every summer. Set sail from the Churchill River estuary into Hudson Bay aboard the exclusive Matonabee viewing boat equipped with multiple underwater viewing areas. Get as close as you possibly can to these gentle giants and listen to their enchanting whistles, chirps, and clicks as you both investigate one another above and below the surface.
There are very few destinations around the world that compare with Churchill when it comes to conscionably interacting with these friendly whales, with dedicated efforts from the community to limit the impact of tourism on the belugas and their environment. The best time to see beluga whales in Churchill is from the latter half of July to the second half of August, so consider adding Churchill to your summer travel plans if you’re seeking authentic and memorable connections with these extraordinary creatures!
Churchill’s Northern Lights Show
Churchill’s unrivalled front-row seat to the aurora borealis is one of the town’s most dazzling and defining features. Churchill sits directly underneath the aurora oval and receives up to 300 nights of activity a year, making it one of the best places in the world to catch this incredible cosmic dance year-round. While the night sky isn’t dark enough for optimal viewing from June to July, visibility improves in August when the nights get darker.
Churchill’s peak season for northern lights activity is from February to March, thanks to the long- winter nights, but winter temperatures can drop as low as – 40°C / -40°F. Visiting Churchill during the warmer summer months is an excellent chance to enjoy warmer temperatures while having the chance to see both polar bears and beluga whales, all still with the opportunity of witnessing the northern lights. Seeing the vibrant green and purple hues float across the night sky is a truly magical experience few people get to enjoy, so seize the opportunity and chase these lights to Churchill for an unforgettable summer night like no other.
Winnin’ Winnipeg’s Summers
Manitoba’s capital, Winnipeg, is a thriving city steeped in Canadian and Indigenous history and is a must-add to any Canadian summer itinerary. Winnipeg sits at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, a meeting place for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. Contemporary Winnipeg remains a vital commercial, transportation, community, and cultural centre, showcasing some of Canada’s most authentic cultural attractions and the country’s largest Indigenous population per capita.
Immerse yourself in Canadian history at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the world’s only museum dedicated to the global topic of human rights, and The Forks, a centuries-old gathering place and all-season entertainment hub for locals and visitors alike. Continue to the world-renowned Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq home to the world’s largest public collection of Inuit art and the beautiful Rainbow Stage for an outdoor musical theatre performance before unwinding at Thermëa, a Nordic-inspired spa sure to help you relax. Summer in Winnipeg is a lively time for music and theatre festivals, community, and cultural expression you don’t want to miss.
Natural Cultural Connection
Manitoba is known as the “Heart of Canada” due to its central location within Canada, but what’s considered the heart of Manitoba? Given Manitoba boasts North America’s largest protected area of boreal forest, recognized as Canada’s only mixed cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, one can assume it’s the profound connection of the people to the land that is the heart of the province.
Pimachiowin Aki is a vast area of untouched wetlands, boreal forests, rivers, and lakes stretching from Lake Winnipeg to central Ontario, and it’s been the ancestral home of the Anishinaabeg people for over 7,000 years. Known as the Land that Gives Life, Pimachiowin Aki is just one spectacular example of an extraordinary natural phenomenon authentic to Manitoba, intertwined with the history and culture of its inhabitants.
Manitoba offers boundless opportunities for genuine and engaging natural exploration, from hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and more. Whiteshell Provincial Park is a vast area of lakes, boreal forest, and the rugged Canadian Shield, only a short drive from Winnipeg. Immerse yourself in authentic Canadian wilderness in your comfort, whether you’re hiking and backcountry camping or enjoying beach days and luxury cabins. Whiteshell Provincial Park lies on Treaty 3 Territory, with millennia of Indigenous culture woven into the land. Uncover and connect with the local Indigenous communities, welcoming you to explore Whiteshell’s lakes, rivers, forests, and ancient, rocky terrain as you learn of legends and create your connections to the land.
Born to two parents who met travelling, Sael has always wanted to travel the world. Sael has hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, visited blue-footed boobies on the Galapagos Islands, stood on both hemispheres of the equator in Ecuador, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, hiked the base of Uluru, surfed Pacific Ocean waves in Mexico, and skydived over the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Meeting new people and sharing stories are some of Sael's favourite parts of travelling, and he hopes he can help ignite this passion for discovery in others.
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