This itinerary is the ultimate for those looking for a bit of everything Manitoba has to offer: wildlife, culture, history, and much more. If there was ever proof that Manitoba is more than wheat fields and polar bears, this is it.

Start in downtown Winnipeg at the Manitoba Museum - its nine galleries cover Manitoba's cultural and geographical regions. Make sure to visit the Planetarium and Science Gallery while you're there.

After the Museum, make your way over to The Forks. Have lunch at one of the market's restaurants or kiosks and enjoy tastes from around the world. A mixture of greenspace, eclectic shops, heritage entertainment and much more can be explored.

Walk over the stunning Esplanade Riel to St. Boniface, Winnipeg's French Quarter. Spend the afternoon absorbing the history of early Francophone and Métis communities at places like Le Musée de Saint-Boniface, Fort Gibraltar and La Maison Gabrielle Roy.

Stop and have dinner at one of the trendy bistros or cafés located in St. Boniface.

After your busy day, hit the sheets at one of Winnipeg's premier hotels.

Begin your day by driving north on Highway 9 from Winnipeg towards Selkirk to the National Historic Site of Lower Fort Garry. Follow Routes on the Red's self-guided tour of fur trade sites en route to the Fort. Take a guided tour of the site to get an authentic experience of the 19th century fur trade at this original Hudson's Bay Company post - costumed interpreters re-enact events of the period.

Stop for lunch in Selkirk at one of the town's many restaurants.

Head north to Gimli to learn about Manitoba's earliest settlers - Vikings! Stop at The New Iceland Heritage Museum to learn about Gimli's beginnings as New Iceland.

The Lake Winnipeg Visitor Centre displays a 1940s whitefish boat and a 500-gallon aquarium with local species.

Enjoy local fare at one of Gimli's family-run restaurants. Try vinaterta for dessert, one of the area's specialties.

Get a good night's sleep at one of the hotels or resorts listed here (search keyword "Gimli") - Day 3 starts early!

Make sure you're up early for the 300+ kilometre drive - head north on Highway 8 (45 kilometres) then west on Highway 68 toward Dauphin.

About halfway into your 270 kilometre drive west, stop at the Lake Manitoba Narrows to stretch your legs and look out over the clear blue waters of Lake Manitoba. Strong winds send waves washing against an offshore island, creating the sound, "Manito-bau". In Ojibway legend, this sound is said to be the Great Spirit.

Once you arrive in Dauphin, try one of the hotels listed here.

After check-in, head to the Fort Dauphin Museum. Inside the palisade walls you'll find a trapper's cabin, trading post, blacksmith's shop, pioneer log house, a church and schoolhouse.

The Watson Arts Centre (formerly the 1905 Dauphin Town Hall) is another must-see attraction, featuring talented Manitoba artists.

Try one of Dauphin's many restaurants before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Travel south on Highway 10 through beautiful Riding Mountain National Park. If you enjoy hiking, take a short detour and try one of the trails. If hiking isn't your cup of tea, the town site offers many shops for your perusal.

Leave Riding Mountain and continue along Highway #10 to Manitoba's second-largest city, Brandon, and make a point of visiting The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba.

After the galleries, treat yourself to lunch at the one-of-a-kind Lady of the Lake, Shop, Café and Pub. After lunch, meander through the 7,000 square feet of eclectic home decor, charming gifts, and vintage furnishings.

Continue south on Highway 10 until you hit Boissevain located near the US-Canada border, where the decorative murals tell the story of the area. Continuing south about 40 kilometres, experience the incredible International Peace Garden, boasting colourful floral displays, the 120 foot-tall Peace Tower, the seven Peace Poles and a 9/11 memorial.

Travel north through Boissevain, making sure you stop at Veva's diner for a home-style meal. After dinner, continue to Brandon, where your accommodation options are many and varied.

Before you leave Brandon, stop in at any of the many take-out restaurants and pick up some grub to go.

Head east on the Trans Canada Highway toward Winnipeg - turn right at Highway 5 and go about 25 km to Spruce Woods Provincial Park, home to Spirit Sands, Manitoba's desert. Check out the sand dunes that shift on the whim of the wind, unlikely plants like the pincushion cactus, and strange creatures like the hognose snake. Yes, you're still in Manitoba - incredible!

A morning exploring the park may not be enough - luckily, your bag lunch can provide sustenance for more exploration before you head back to Winnipeg.

Head to Highway 2, then go east and back to Winnipeg. The quaint communities along the way are great places to stop for ice cream, snacks, or anything else you might be craving.

Hit the city just in time for dinner - many choices can be found at Destination Winnipeg.

If you have time, take in some theatre at Rainbow Stage, a Goldeyes baseball game, or one of the many festivals.