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38 AWESOME Things To Do in Manitoba 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 42 Comments

Center of Canada Landmark

Things to Do in Manitoba last updated: September 29th, 2021

Smack dab in the middle of Canada and often overlooked, Manitoba is home to some of Canada’s top signature experiences, including beautiful landscapes and unique adventures. It’s home to Winnipeg, which is one of Canada’s biggest cities as well as some of Canada’s top lakes and beaches, festivals, and world-famous northern attractions.

Kayaking with beluga whales, spying on polar bears, learning about human rights, cracking the code of mystic messages and Masonic symbols, and admiring the Northern Lights are just some of the incredible opportunities in this central province.

We’ve been to Manitoba many times and even lived in Winnipeg for five months, giving us first-hand insight into this wonderful place. In this Manitoba travel guide, we aim to let you know about the top things to do in Manitoba, as well as how to get there, where to stay, and more!

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20 of the Best Things To Do in Winnipeg in 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 11 Comments

best winnipeg museum

Updated: January 5th, 2022

Growing up in Alberta, the only thing I was ever told about Winnipeg was that it was cold and boring. It was often included in various jokes, which made me think that there must be nothing to do there. Then, in the summer of 2015, both my wife and I had the opportunity to live in Winnipeg for the summer.

I had been working a sales job in Calgary and had been promoted to manager. They wanted me to start a new sales team in Winnipeg and so we had to move there for five months, from mid-April to mid-September. We rented a furnished apartment right downtown and got ready to experience as much of Winnipeg as possible. Turns out, Winnipeg is not boring at all. We loved it. Sure, the winter is very cold, but it’s quite cold all over the country.

The summer, however, turned out to be incredible. There are all sorts of festivals, two beautiful rivers, a variety of ethnic restaurants, delicious ice cream shops, and quite possibly the best museum in Canada. It’s also surrounded by many lakes, including massive Lake Winnipeg, which is home to one of the largest white sand beaches in the country!

We always look forward to going back, so if you do get the chance to go, here are some things to do in Winnipeg you shouldn’t miss.

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Around the World with Winnipeg’s Folklorama

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Spain Traditional Dancing

For two weeks each summer, scattered around the city of Winnipeg, lies a unique chance to travel around the world without actually getting on a plane. Sure, you won’t see the beautiful beaches of the Philippines or the colonial architecture of Spain but you will get a taste of the culture thanks to Folklorama.

Known as the largest and longest-running multicultural festival in the world, Folklorama allows visitors to experience the cultural dances, food, and people that make the city so diverse. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience many of the pavilions (shows) during my time in Winnipeg. [Read more…] about Around the World with Winnipeg’s Folklorama

Experiencing Humanity at Winnipeg’s Museum for Human Rights

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

Human Rights Museum Winnipeg

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

I was told that the most impressive feature of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was the building itself but this couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, the building is gorgeous. It was carefully and thoughtfully designed by Antoine Predock, who incorporated meaning into every facet of the facility. From the darkness of humanity simulated by beginning the museum partially underground to the beacon of light symbolized by reaching the top floor with expansive views of the city, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an architectural marvel.

However, the museum itself is equally fantastic. I thought that one 3-hour morning would be enough but that wasn’t the case. If you really want to dive into everything, you’ll need longer. I decided to jump on the 1.5-hour tour, which is a great way to get oriented with the museum and its different floors. The tour gives you insight into the building, the layout, the galleries and the intention of the museum. Unlike most museums that layout artifacts and historic items, this museum is designed to provoke discussion and inspiration into the movement of humanity.

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Finding True Music at the Winnipeg Folk Fest

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

It was my first folk fest and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Actually, I had never camped at a music festival before. I have been to Burning Man, which is absolutely amazing, and I’ve been to one-day music festivals as well but this would be my first time at a true music festival.

Winnipeg Folk Festival Tickets

I had heard something about the Winnipeg Folk Fest being one of the best folk festivals on the continent and that was enough to peek my interest. It’s a festival. It’s camping. It’s music. Count me in.

Tucked into beautiful Birds Hill Provincial Park, the festival makes its mark among wide open fields and trees. We opted to camp in the festival camping area so that we could be closer to the event and closer to the party. After arriving, we trekked over a kilometre with all our stuff (the only part of the event I wasn’t a big fan of) and found a great little spot in the middle of a patch of trees where we could pitch our tent. We were lucky because many campers arrived a day before us. Maybe they wanted to be out in the open field under the scorching sun? I wanted shade and I was already dreaming of an inflated air mattress and throwing myself onto it for a quick break.

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Pure Tranquility Within the City | Thermea Spa Winnipeg

By Matthew G. Bailey 9 Comments

Relaxing at Thermea Spa Winnipeg

I just got back from paradise, only this time I’m not talking about Hawaii, Bali, or the coast of Mexico – I’m talking about the Thermëa spa in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I’m not kidding. I think this place may have saved my life. After months of intense stress, my back was knotting up, my legs were getting tight and even my jaws were beginning to ache. When I heard about a new Nordic-inspired spa opening up in Winnipeg, I was intrigued.

Nestled on a slice of Crescent Drive Park, Thermëa is all you really need to gain back your senses, sooth your soul and feel like you’ve just got back from a one-week vacation without leaving the city. They’ve really got it all. Swedish massage, body treatments, facials, and best of all – a thermal spa.

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