Neatly sandwiched between Ontario and Saskatchewan (and just hovers between Nunavut and North Dakota) lies Manitoba, this prairie province is home to a vast landscape of lakes, northern tundra climate, mountains, and foliage that make it a great road trip destination. This province of 1.39 million people (with a majority living in Winnipeg) offers the curious traveler a variety of unique landmarks, beautiful local wildlife, and activities to enjoy. Travelers looking for a unique travel destination need not look any further!
Manitoba may be overshadowed by the other provinces when it comes to people traveling to Canada, but after taking a looking at this list, travelers may want to reconsider their travel plans before embarking on their adventurous vacation to the Great North.
9 Royal Canadian Mint
Ever wanted to learn about how Canadian loonies were made? The Royal Canadian Mint by Lagimodiere Boulevard in Winnipeg has travelers covered! Visitors can tour the facility and get a chance to learn how Canadian coins are made. Built in 1976, Winnipeg's Royal Canadian Mint state-of-the-art facility encompasses 14,864 m2 of space; for those who can't tour the site physically, they also offer virtual tours, starting at $8 per person!
8 Bannock Point Petroforms
Just by Betula Lake lies the Bannock Point Petroforms, just by the Whiteshell Provincial Park. This Manitoba landmark features rocks organized into forms of humans, turtles, snakes, and other patterns that were thought to be left here long ago, according to the First Nations. Occasionally, First Nations groups hold ceremonies at this site (for which during those times, visitors are asked to postpone their visit to this sacred landmark).
7 Sara The Camel
Tourists traveling across this vast prairie province will be surprised to discover that Sara The Camel inhabits the lands! Sara The Camel is Glenboro's way of drawing attention to the community, as well as the Spirit Sands (aka the Manitoba Desert). Being 17 feet and over 2,000 lbs, this camel is loved by locals and tourists alike and has been a Glenboro landmark since 1978. After visiting Sara, visitors can head over to the Spruce Woods Provincial Park and embark on the Spirit Sands Self-Guiding Trail.
6 Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Paleontology enthusiasts rejoice, Morden's Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre offers exhibits of countless marine fossils excavated right here in Manitoba. The Centre features over 1000 fossils from over 900 species that thrived during the Cretaceous Period, when Manitoba was covered by warm, shallow seas, as part of the Western Interior Seaway. While museum tours and programs have been canceled during this time due to COVID-19, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre extends open arms to volunteers and visitors (and is only about 90 minutes away from Winnipeg).
5 World's Largest Coca-Cola Can
Travelers who prefer Pepsi need not visit the World's Largest Coca-Cola Can, located on Manitoba's Portage la Prairie. While heading to your next destination, stop by this landmark to take some selfies and admire the 85-foot soda can which resembles the world-famous soda beverage. which was formerly a water tower built in 1905, but was later painted by the Coca-Cola company themselves! Tourists are left puzzled as to why this giant soda can is hanging out just by the highway, while other travelers love stopping by to marvel at the site!
4 Souris Swinging Bridge
The Souris Swinging Bridge in Souris, Manitoba is just that: a swaying bridge over the Elgin Creek, teeming with local wildlife. Visitors road-tripping their way across Canada don't want to miss a visit to Souris, a quiet, quaint town by the river. With cozy restaurants and local shops, Souris also has some unique tourist attractions worth visiting, especially The Mystical Old Oak Tree (which is said to have remained in the area since 1497)!
3 Gimli Viking Statue
Heading up North in Manitoba? The quaint community of Gimli overlooks Lake Winnipeg and is home to the Gimli Viking Statue in its downtown center. Built in 1967, this $15,000 fiberglass statue was built to symbolize proud Icelandic heritage and is situated around Viking Park, which is home to 3 gardens with native-grown vegetation.
2 Minnedosa Bison Park
Just by the Little Saskatchewan River lies the Minnedosa Bison Park, just a stone's throw away from the cozy town of Minnedosa. Bison Park was built to provide migrating bison a permanent home and refuge while providing tourists a suitable view to witness the majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Visitors wishing to see witness some bison must be aware to maintain a sizeable distance from them, and should also refrain from feeding them.
1 Little Limestone Lake
While Manitoba is not a destination brimming with white sand beaches and tropical climates, this prairie province still has a little slice of the Caribbean thanks to the Little Limestone Lake. Situated just off Manitoba's Highway 6 lies this magnificent marl lake, which changes colors depending on the temperature changes! During warmer weather, the marl (a calcium-carbonate deposit) in the lake transforms into calcite crystals, separating itself from the water, turning it into a green-blue color. During cooler weather, the marl content in the water reduces, forming less calcite, resulting in crystal clear waters. The Little Limestone Lake is a beautiful site to see, but visitors must be aware that the Lake is in a remote area in Northern Manitoba and must plan accordingly!