Manitoba day trips to maximize the rest of your summer

As the summer comes to a close, CEO of Travel Manitoba shares a few hidden gem day trip locations for Winnipeggers to check out.

Colin Ferguson is the President and CEO of Travel Manitoba. He gladly shares a few places people can still visit over the coming weeks that are not too far from Winnipeg.

"In 2019, Lonely Planet named Manitoba as one of the top ten places in the world to visit," says Ferguson.

Here is a short list of great day trip locations:

1. A guided 90-minute walking tour of St.Boniface

For people living in Winnipeg, if you don't live in St.Boniface, Ferguson says that there are fascinating nuggets of history people may have no idea about.

A benefit is that people don't need to travel far for this excursion.

"St.Boniface is full of unique architecture, there's a vibrant culture and history, and includes a visit to the St.Boniface Cathedral."

On this guided tour, a host will share information on famed Winnipegger Louis Riel as you walk by the museum.

2. Gimli Glider Museum

"If you are an aviation enthusiast, you'll recall on July 23, 1983, an Air Canada 767 ran out of fuel over Red Lake, Ontario."

The pilot, Captain Pearson, alongside his co-pilot successfully glided the plane to the Gimli runway and landed it, even though the airport hadn't been used at that point for some time.

The museum has a short documentary about this event, as well as gives people an opportunity to try and land a plane, with their flight simulator.

"It's a terrific visit. There are lots of things you can do up there, like visit the new Icelandic Heritage Museum, visit the viking statue, and enjoy some fresh fish and chips," as Gimli is located on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

3. A Maze in Corn near St. Adolphe

This attraction is located 10 minutes south of Winnipeg.

"You can enjoy the sunflower expo for the next couple of weeks which is truly a photographer's dream," says Ferguson. He is referring to a field of sunflowers that people are actually encouraged to enter and snap that perfect picture amongst the flowers.

"You can also get lost in the corn maze. There are lots of things to do for people of all ages, including a petting zoo for kids."

4. Golf Courses

"This has been one of the best golf seasons ever," says Ferguson.

As an avid golfer, Ferguson shares a few of the best places to golf include Pinawa, Emerson, Granite Hills Golf Club, Teulon, and Falcon Lake. They all have unique golf courses within roughly an hour's drive from Winnipeg.

"If you're looking to get a tee time, do not wait."

5. Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden

"If you have any interest in dinosaurs or Jurassic Park, whether you're an adult or a kid, this place houses the largest collection of aquatic dinosaurs."

The discovery centre houses the bones of the largest mosasaur in the world, that they've named Bruce.

According to the Centres website, in 1974 Bruce was discovered north of Thornhill within the Pembina Member of the Pierre Shale Formation.

Mosasaur bones in Morden's Fossils Discovery Centre

Right above the centre is the Baseball Hall of Fame to complete your trip to Morden.

6. Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach

"Visit the Russian-Mennonite street village on a 40-acre site. There are all kinds of tasty ethnic foods and there's a fully operation windmill."

The Villages program department has scheduled Pioneer Demonstration Days each Saturday. These can include demonstrations on threshing, windmill milling, a tractor parade, horsepower demonstrations, butter churning, and blacksmithing.

7. Rubber Ducky Resort and Campground in Warren

This attraction is roughly 25 minutes outside of Winnipeg.

Ferguson says, "It's great for families. It has swimming pools, hot tubs, bumper boats, mini-golf, playgrounds, as well, rooms and campsites are available."

Northern Manitoba offers a lot, for those looking at a longer trip

For people looking to book a trip this fall, Ferguson says now is the best time to see northern Manitoba for all its glory.

"This is a great opportunity to go and see Churchill. The beluga whales are coming and it is the best place on earth to view polar bears. It is fundamentally world-class. You will come home going "Wow!" You'll also get the added bonus of Northern Lights overhead."

Typically people travel from around the world to experience what Churchill has to offer. Ferguson expresses that now is a great time for Manitobans to take it in as there won't be big crowds of people.

"There are lots of things for people to see and do, and I encourage people to get out and explore Manitoba."