This five-day jaunt covers a lot of ground and will have the family enthralled with the diverse sights and sounds found across Manitoba. From sandy beaches to dense forests to sprawling prairie, you'll never look at Manitoba the same way again.

Starting in Winnipeg, head north on Highway 7 and follow the signs to Oak Hammock Marsh. Join a guided walk with an interpreter and discover the wonders of the wetlands. Pack a lunch - you'll need it later!

Continue your trek north on Highway 7, turning left at Highway 17 to make your way to Narcisse. Here, you can view the garter snakes either leaving (early May) or returning to (early September) their dens. Enjoy a picnic, then walk it off on a nearby walking trail.

Jump back in the car, follow Highway 17 back to Highway 9 and drive around the south edge of Lake Winnipeg, then head north to Grand Beach.

Set up a campsite at Grand Beach Provincial Park or, if you'd rather not rough it, book other accommodations - see the sidebar for options.

Enjoy what remains of the afternoon by hitting the beach and going for a swim, or just bring your towel and sunbathe the afternoon away. If you'd rather not swim, nearby play structures and volleyball courts will provide fun in the sun.

For a great morning, take the family and hit the links at one of the area's two golf courses - see the sidebar for options. If golfing isn't your thing, explore the lake on a pedal boat, kayak or rowboat from Northern Water Sports Rentals.

Take the kids for lunch at Lanky's Food Stand and try their great hot dogs, fries and shakes!

Spend the afternoon at Thunder Mountain Waterslides where you can experience the 70km/h bullet slide.

As the sun sets, grab a great dinner at any of the many restaurants or take-out stands.

Pack up and hit Highway 12 to southeastern Manitoba, on your way to Whiteshell Provincial Park. If you're travelling on a weekend, stop in Lac du Bonnet and visit the farmer's market to pick up some homemade cuisine and gifts.

Take a detour at Seven Sister Falls on Highway 307 and enjoy the scenic beauty of Whiteshell Provincial Park.

The Whiteshell Natural History Museum at Nutimik Lake contains displays featuring First Nation petroforms, lake sturgeon and boreal forest wildlife.

Check into one of the resorts in the area listed in the sidebar.

Work up an appetite - head out on one of the park's many hiking trails. Find the trail that's right for you - the trails vary by distance and difficulty.

Have dinner at the West Hawk Lake Resort's restaurant before calling it a night.

Start your morning learning about the formation of West Hawk Lake and other area facts at the West Hawk Museum.

Next, head to the Whiteshell Fish Hatchery, where interpretive exhibits showcase information about fish biology and the work being done to replenish lake stock.

Before heading west down the Trans Canada Highway to Steinbach, stop for lunch at Meteor Mike's at Falcon Lake and have some fun at the arcade.

Once you arrive in Steinbach, visit the Mennonite Heritage Village and learn about the Mennonite history during the late 1800s.

After you're done exploring, have supper at The Livery Barn Restaurant, which serves traditional and tasty Mennonite fare.

Choose from any number of accommodations in Steinbach - see the sidebar for options.

Head west on Highway 52 toward Morden. Take a short detour en route to St. Adolphe and follow a Routes on the Red self-guided tour of flood-related areas of the town. Carry on to Morden and wrap up your family adventure at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. Spend the entire day at the Centre, where the entire family will be transported back in time with a day-long fossil hunt!

Travel Highway 3 from Morden back to Winnipeg. Choose from Winnipeg's many restaurant and accommodation options - see the sidebar for examples.