What's on your Manitoba bucket list?

Star light, star bright
Take in the celestial lights from Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre’s rooftop observation deck. The centre is the perfect venue for observing the night sky – far enough away from the lights of the city, but only a 20-minute drive from Winnipeg.

Long December nights are the best time for stargazing, as stars and Northern Lights are bright in the crisp, cold air. Get a guided tour of the heavens during Astronomy Night, December 20, when centre staff will help you identify the constellations in the winter sky.

For more information, visit Oak Hammock Marsh.

Lighting up the sky
Churchill is one of the top three places on the planet to see the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis. With auroral activity occurring more than 300 nights a year, Churchill offers unique access to this mysterious and compelling phenomena.

These otherworldly dancing curtains of light glow in a rainbow of colours. Plan your trip to coincide with peak activity, January through March. Grab a front row seat in the comfort of the plexiglass-covered Aurora Domes, or explore other options including Churchill Northern Studies Learning Centre

For more information, visit Everything Churchill.

Adrenaline-pumping fun
This winter, if you love fast-paced fun, don’t miss out on extreme sports at Adrenaline Adventures outdoor park.

The site features a snow tubing hill, snowboarding, cable snowboarding with jumps, ice-skating, and the human hamster ball ride known as Xorbing. You and a friend climb into the 10-foot inflated plastic orb, strap in, and hang on for dear life as you roll down the hill! You’ll be shrieking with delight all the way down.

For more information, visit Adrenaline Adventures.

Get away from it all at Ten Spa
Need a little more “We” time? Exhale and escape from everyday life with a romantic spa getaway to the Ten Spa inside the historic Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre. This urban destination is renowned for its luxurious Hamam Turkish Bath, but also offers a wide array of lavish experiences sure to indulge the senses as you reconnect with each other.

With several relaxation treatments designed especially for couples including the Fully Unloaded for Two and “Hot and Steamy” for Two, you’ll wrap yourselves in a retreat of tranquility and leave together with minds and bodies completely rejuvenated. Special package information is available at Ten Spa.

Polar bears, up close and personal
What’s it like to see polar bears roam across the tundra, or to see one approach your Tundra Buggy®, raise up to stand on its back paws and lean in to get a better look at you?

Don’t wait to find out. Heartland International Travel & Tours has tours ranging from day tours, in-and-out of Churchill in one full day, to the ultimate polar bear experience: nine nights in the Tundra Buggy Lodge at Cape Churchill, where you can observe the bears 24 hours a day as they await the freeze up of their Hudson Bay hunting grounds.

Tours begin in early October and continue to mid-November. Make this your year. The bears are waiting. Learn more at Heartland Travel.

Supernatural stays
Visit the century-old Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, one of the city’s most elegant landmarks and a national historic site. The building holds spine-tingling secrets: from tales of a spectral lone diner enjoying the hotel’s hospitality into the afterlife to the Phantom Bride, eternally mourning a lost love.

Spend the night in luxurious accommodations and you may even catch a ghostly glimpse for yourself!

To book a stay in this historic location, Fort Garry Hotel or call 204-942-8251.

Scare up fun at the zoo
The Assiniboine Park Zoo is a different place at night. Find out what nocturnal creatures – animal and alien – find their way under the cover of darkness at Boo at the Zoo. The annual Halloween tradition continues to October 28, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. nightly.

Come in costume and journey through Transylvania and Alice’s Wonderland. Take an African Safari and or climb aboard a pirate ship! This year’s expanded midway also includes a carousel, a haunted house and more, all free with admission.

For more information, visit Safeway Boo at the Zoo.

Hoop Dancers to Hip-Hop
Feel the beat of the pow wow drums in time with the beating of your heart. Feel your heart race along with the nominees as the announcer speaks the words “And the award goes to…”

The 7th annual Manito Ahbee Festival and Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards take place October 31 to November 4.

This vibrant celebration welcomes people from all backgrounds to share in Indigenous music, arts and culture here at Manito Ahbee, an Ojibway word meaning “where the Creator makes His home.”

For more information, visit Manito Ahbee.

Fall takes flight
Experience the sights and sounds of thousands of birds gathering to begin an epic journey. Oak Hammock Marsh, located 20 minutes north of Winnipeg, is a staging area for ducks, geese and many other species – a safe place for them to prepare for their expedition south.

For a spectacular experience, consider a sunset migration dinner and rooftop fly-in, or the Migration Farewell Concert, featuring a wine and cheese and music from the Cambrian String Quartet on Sunday, October 21.

For more information, visit Oak Hammock Marsh.

Dig in
Imagine brushing away soil from the fossilized remains of a creature 80 million years old. Join one of the hands-on Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre's Fossil Dig Adventure Tours, and you’ll be transported to one of the centre’s 30 active dig sites in the Morden area – and back to a time when Manitoba was engulfed in the waters of the Western Interior Seaway.

During this time, dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops ruled the land, while marine reptiles like Mosasaur Tylosaurus and Plesiosaur Dolchorhynchops ruled the depths. Discovered in 1974, the Mosasaur who came to be known as Bruce is the 43-foot long star of the CFDC’s collection.

Visit Bruce, and who knows what else you might dig up. Learn more at Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre.

Good Karma
Find your heart centre in the heart of the city. Build strength, flexibility and balance with classes at Yoga Public. Add in a stay at a luxurious landmark hotel and a spa treatment for the ultimate in relaxation.

The Spa + Yoga Overnight package is a perfect experience to share with friends, from bridesmaid bonding to a girls weekend away.

The package includes two revitalizing yoga classes, Hamam (Turkish bath) treatment at Ten Spa an overnight stay at the luxurious Fort Garry Hotel, with a delicious spa dinner in the Palm Lounge and famous breakfast or Sunday brunch.

For more information, visit Fort Garry Hotel or to book your Spa + Yoga Overnight package, call 204.946.6529.

Find your balance
It’s an experience that had its beginnings 400 million years ago, with elements found 3,000 feet below the Canadian Prairies – and it’s only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Winnipeg.

A soak in the Equinox Mineral Pool at Elkhorn Resort’s Solstice Spa, filled with water from nearby Clear Lake, enriched with potassium, magnesium, sodium and sulfate is a soothing prelude to your spa experience.

Top off your spa experience with a fall hike in a boreal forest, a trail ride with Elkhorn Riding Adventures, bison watching at Riding Mountain National Park, a round of golf at Clear Lake Golf Course, or a decadent meal at the Mountain Grill & Bar. To book your experience, contact Elkhorn Resort.

The history. The legacy. The celebration.
Don your finest tartan, kick up your heels and celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Selkirk Settlers at the Manitoba Lotteries Barge Festival, August 31-September 2 at The Forks. It’s three days of free family fun as this multicultural extravaganza celebrates the character, courage and culture of ancestors who came here and called the Red River region home.

The diverse entertainment takes place on a floating stage right on the river. This year’s headliners include The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra with special guest, Scottish-Canadian tenor John McDermott, along with Ca Claque, The Dust Rhinos, The Barra MacNeils and many more. The festivities will wind up with a spectacular 360-degree fireworks display! To learn more, visit The Forks.

One enchanted evening
Rainbow Stage, Canada’s longest-running outdoor theatre in Kildonan Park, continues to delight with its production of one of the most beloved musicals of all time: Annie. Just as sure as the sun will come out tomorrow, Annie will spark your imagination with its Broadway-style splendour, filling you with wonder and making you feel like a kid all over again. For online ticket information, visit Rainbow Stage .

And continue the storytelling magic by including a visit to the charming Witch’s Hut, a favourite haunt of visitors young and old since 1970. This delightful icon brings to life the Brothers Grimm fairytale of Hansel & Gretel.

Your passport to a northern golf adventure
Carved out of the rugged terrain, the golf courses of Northern Manitoba are as picturesque as they are challenging. With professionally-designed, emerald-green fairways set amidst a natural backdrop of spectacular sunrises, mature forests and roaming wildlife, this is nothing short of a golfer’s paradise.

The longest days of the year have arrived, making it the perfect time to pack up your clubs and set a compass for northern adventure. This month, swing by either The Thompson Golf Club or the Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club in The Pas to purchase a passport, play a round at both clubs, and be entered to win amazing prizes in the Northern Manitoba Golf Adventure Passport Contest.

For full contest details, visit Tourism North.

Now that’s some coin collection!
Want to know what it feels like to be surrounded by thousands upon thousands of dollars? Find out by taking a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint! Not only has the Mint made over 55 billion coins for more than 75 countries, it has also created some of the most beautiful currency in the world.

Discover all the award-winning coin designs that have earned the Mint international acclaim, and then stay to watch the facility’s massive 50-tonne presses produce an amazing 1,000 shiny new coins per second. Money talks, but this just might leave you speechless!

To learn more about these award winning coins, visit the Royal Canadian Mint.

Angling for adventure on Lake Winnipeg
It’s the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, but how much more is there to know about Lake Winnipeg? Dive in and find out during Fish & Folk Tales!

Accompanied by knowledgeable guides from Second Nature, Adventures in Discovery, explore the traditions of the lake on Hecla Island. In Gull Harbour, you’ll be joined by a fourth generation commercial fisherman, who will regale you with stories as deep and wide as his net and share the secrets of living off the lake as you help catch and prepare an unforgettable shore lunch.

To start building your experience, visit Second Nature, Adventures in Discovery and check out their other interactive adventure programs that celebrate the natural beauty and cultural diversity of Manitoba.

Staging a “show” of support
Volunteering on the front lines of Rainbow Stage can give you a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into what goes into putting on a show at Canada’s longest running outdoor theatre.

Not only does lending your time give you a good feeling, the opportunity to gain new skills and a chance meet new people, you’ll become one of the lucky few who will ever get to see the inner workings of Rainbow Stage as part of the team that brings it to life. The volunteer commitment is minimal, but the memories will last a lifetime.

To find out more about volunteering or upcoming performances, visit Rainbow Stage.

It’s a shore thing
After the sun sets in Gimli, the stars come out - and so do the stargazers, following the scent of popcorn to the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg.

During the Gimli Film Festival (July 25 to 29), movie buffs stake out a spot on the beach for free nightly screenings projected on a 35-foot screen anchored on a sandbar.

This cinema under the stars is a marquee event that mustn’t be missed - the Toronto Sun named it one of the most unique movie-watching experiences on the planet!

For more info or to see the complete film schedule, visit Gimli Film Festival.

VIP backstage access
New this year, theatregoers can take a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Rainbow Stage before the curtain rises.

Learn the inner workings of Canada’s longest-running outdoor theatre and what it takes to produce a full scale Broadway-style show for an audience of 3,000 every night. Tours are limited to 10 people per show performance and include a souvenir program combo pack.

Reserve your spot by calling (204) 989-0888. Get online ticket information about this summer’s productions of Footloose and Annie.

True patriot love
The sky’s the limit for this birthday bash! On July 1st, join the crowd of smiling, maple-leaf painted faces at The Forks, where family-friendly activities and three stages of live entertainment will be part of the day-long Canada Day festivities.

Then all eyes will turn skyward for the spectacular fireworks display featuring musical accompaniment led by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

After the dazzling finale, go from the patriotic to the historic with a stroll back to your waiting suite at Fort Garry Hotel. Celebrating 100 years of grandeur in a city state of mind, this National Historic Hotel is the ideal downtown location to unwind on Canada’s national holiday.

Let 'em hear you scream
It's a non-stop, heart racing adrenaline rush as the world's largest traveling midway comes to the Red River Ex.

Buckle up for the debut of the hair-raising Nitro Roller Coaster and the Twister along with the return of such gravity-defying thrillers as the Mega Drop and the Orbitor.

It is the perfect spot for a power breakfast meeting, a leisurely morning meal during your vacation, or to get a hot breakfast before flying home.

Once your feet touch the ground after each white-knuckled wild ride, you'll be breathlessly exclaiming, "I gotta do that again!".

To learn more about the Midway Express Access Pass and also see this year's entire list of 28 new and returning rides, visit the Red River Ex online!

A taste of luxury
What could be more decadent than a leisurely Sunday brunch in one of Winnipeg's oldest and most beautiful hotels?

Every day is worthy of a delicious breakfast at the Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre, with a full hot Canadian breakfast buffet served daily in The Broadway Room.

It is the perfect spot for a power breakfast meeting, a leisurely morning meal during your vacation, or to get a hot breakfast before flying home.

To book your stay or make a brunch reservation at The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre, visit The Fort Garry Hotel or call (204) 942-8251 or toll-free (800) 665-8088.

A true northern adventure
Picture yourself in the heart of polar bear country navigating the difficult terrain in a Tundra Buggy®, photographing the unique wildlife and marvelling at the beauty of miles of untouched land.

Get up close and personal with the amazing polar bears during the months of October and November; visit for a single day or spend a week sleeping under the brilliant glow of the Northern Lights.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes you up to the northern Manitoba town of Churchill To book your polar bear experience, visit Frontiers North Adventures or call (800) 663-9832.

Angling for the big one
It’s here! Fishing season is officially open and it’s time to hit the lakes!

Whether you’re a hard-core angler or a first-time fisherman, your ultimate experience starts at the remote fly-in Sasa Ginni Gak Lodge in the heart of Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park.

Surrounded by pristine wilderness, the protected Sasaginnigak Lake has over 100 islands and over 177 miles of fishable shoreline, so there’s no shortage of fishing “hot spots”.

To book your incredible wilderness fishing experience visit Sasa Ginni Gak Lodge .

Close encounters of the amazing kind
Imagine the hush as you dip below the surface of the, while giant sea creatures glide gracefully alongside.

In the quaint northern town of Churchill, Manitoba, you can get up close and personal with thousands of belugas whales that come out to play every summer where the Seal River meets Hudson Bay.

From snorkelling and kayaking alongside the belugas, to historical tours and exploring the other tundra wildlife attractions, it will be a trip to remember.

To book your amazing beluga encounter and stay at the Lazy Bear Lodge, visit our website or call (866) 687-2327 or (204) 663-9377.

Say namaste to an urban retreat
Amongst the hustle and bustle of Downtown Winnipeg, serenity can be found at Canada’s largest yoga centre, Yoga Public.

For those looking for the ultimate in relaxation, treat yourself to the Spa + Yoga Overnight package.

Get ready to feel amazing! The package includes two revitalizing yoga classes, indulging in the self-administered Hamam (Turkish bath) treatment at Ten Spa and staying overnight at the luxurious Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre , with a delicious spa dinner in the Palm Lounge and famous breakfast or Sunday brunch.

Visit Fort Garry Hotel for more information or to book your Spa + Yoga Overnight package, call (204) 946-6529.

Catch the big one!
Fly into the remote boreal forest just two hours from Winnipeg and experience luxurious remote accommodations in deluxe modern chalets overlooking pristine waters at Aikens Lake Lodge.

Everything is taken care of as part of the Aikens Lake Experience – all you have to do is provide the fish! To book your once-in-a-lifetime fly-in fishing adventure today with Aikens Lake Lodge.

Money makes the world go 'round
Every single Canadian circulation coin is produced here – literally billions each year!

Whether you're looking to add to your coin collection, find unique gift ideas or just learn about coin production, a visit to the Royal Canadian Mint will both educate and delight.

Year-round guided tours will take you through interactive coin displays and share how the Mint has made over 55 billion coins for more than 75 countries.

Book your own 45 minute tour of the Royal Canadian Mint online, or call (800) 276-7714. (Reservations are recommended)

Go beluga whale watching
Take an unforgettable trip up north to the beluga whale capital of the world on the Belugas, Bears & Blooms Tour from Frontiers North Adventures!

Take in the breathtaking sight of these magnificent creatures from the sidelines, kayak alongside or get up close and personal snorkeling in the arctic waters.

Tour the magnificent tundra landscape from the comfort of the Tundra Buggy® and capture snapshots of the unique flora and incredible wildlife…you may even spot a polar bear!

For more info visit Frontiers North Adventures online or call (800) 663-9832.

Luxuriate in a turkish bath
When it comes to the ultimate in relaxation, there's nothing quite like Ten Spa's Hamam experience. A modern reinterpretation of the Turkish Roman hot air bathing ritual, you'll be warmed, scrubbed, rinsed, soothed and fully pampered in a beautiful marble-clad facility.

Located in the historic Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, you can revel in the ultimate spa experience whether you stay, dine or come to rejuvenate in this grand and elegant Winnipeg landmark.

Find out more about your Turkish Bath experience at Ten Spa, or dial (866) 585-0772.

Have an Olympic Biathlon experience
Want to get a taste of the Olympics in the boreal forest of Eastern Manitoba? Take a scenic drive out to the Whiteshell combining the two exciting disciplines of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting for your Biathalon Experience.

With the help of skilled biathlon coaches, discover the rules and rhythms of this unique sport, and hear about its role in developing local kids to elite and Olympic levels.

Find out more about this exciting experience from Falcon Trails Resort online, or call (204) 349-8273.

Take a horseback riding adventure
Elkhorn Riding Adventures is a state-of-the-art equine facility with an all-season riding arena, located at the Elkhorn Resort, Spa & Conference Centre.

Take your own private riding lessons in the arena or enjoy summer guided trails starting in May or hayrides through the forest – perfect for the whole family!

Complete your getaway with a stay at the luxurious Resort. Situated in the heart of Central Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park, you get the rugged joy of nature mixed with relaxation and culinary bliss.

Visit Elkhorn Resort online for more information, or call (866) 355-4676.

Attend A royal winter fair
Manitoba made and royalty approved, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is one of Western Canada's largest and most exciting agricultural events!

From March 26th to the 31st, you can experience what it's like to ride a tractor, raise farm animals and even take part in rodeo activities!

Take in world-class show jumping and heavy horse competitions, livestock sales and displays, live entertainment and over 300 exhibits.

For more information, contact the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba at (877) 729-0001.

Snowmobiling in the Whiteshell
If winter thrills are what you seek, then strap on a helmet, fire up a snow machine and take an exhilarating ride across one of Manitoba's many frozen lakes and winding forest trails.

The striking terrain of the Canadian Shield, Whiteshell Provincial Park offers almost 300 kilometres of trail to ride, explore and feel the adrenaline of seeing the outdoors from a whole new vantage point. Stop and recharge at one of the several log warm-up shelters that dot the trail from Falcon Lake to Seven Sisters. It's a winter adventure you'll never forget!

To get more information on great locations around Manitoba, call us at (800) 665-0040.

Sip a cosmo in the Palm Lounge
For a little something special, dress yourself up and stop by the Palm Lounge at the historic Fort Garry Hotel for one of their nightly live jazz performances. Take in the glamorous lounge atmosphere and groovy beats as you sip Cosmos and satisfy your appetite with a full service dining experience.

If morning indulgence is more your style, you can also enjoy their famous daily breakfast buffet or the magnificent award-winning Sunday brunch. Make a reservation at the Palm Lounge, or for more information on the Fort Garry Hotel, or call (800) 665-8088.

Go ice fishing
Home to over 100,000 lakes means fishing is one of our most popular provincial pastimes year round. Bundle up, set up shelter, drill your holes and enjoy nature as you wait for a bite from the big one.

On February 25th, the Asessippi Parkland regions will hold their 3rd annual Lake of the Prairies Ice Fishing Derby with first prize of $10,000 and over $20,000 in other cash plus merchandise prizes. Share the lake with other fishing enthusiasts and enjoy one of Manitoba's most unique winter experiences!

To find out more about ice fishing in Manitoba, call (800) 665-0040.

For more about the Lake of the Prairies Ice Fishing Derby call (877) 979-7232 or head over to Asessippi Parkland for more information.

Party at a winter festival
Locals know that winter in Manitoba is a time to celebrate! During February, drive in to Winnipeg for the annual Festival du Voyageur that revels proudly in the 'joie de vivre' of the fur traders, or head up to The Pas for The Trapper's Festival – Manitoba's oldest winter festival!

To find out more about Manitoba's hottest winter festivals call us toll free at (800) 665-0040.

Skate the trail
Starting at the heart of the city at The Forks , grab a hot chocolate then wind your way around the World's longest naturally frozen skating trail - either by skate, foot or sled. Take the chill out at one of the award-winning designed warming huts along the way or enjoy one of the many organized weekend activities that have been part of this frosty fun for over 20 years.

To find out more about events and conditions on the River Trail, visit The Forks online or call (800) 665-0040.

Stay in a haunted house
As part of Winnipeg's Haunted Historic bus tour, experience firsthand where the paranormal things roam in the River City.

As darkness falls, the ghost hunting begins, with stops at mysterious locales known for their spooky sightings. Spend the night in luxurious accommodations at the Fort Garry Hotel, and you may even catch a scary glimpse of the Phantom Bride for yourself!

To book a stay in this historic location, visit Fort Garry Hotel or call (204) 942-8251.

Ski the Riding Mountain trails
Slip on skis and glide across the winter wonderland that is Riding Mountain National Park. With over 250 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails, you'll be able to explore Manitoba's rich prairie landscape, from rolling hills and valleys to boreal forest and frozen lakes. Cozy up at the Elkhorn Resort Spa and Conference Centre with fine dining and an après-ski treat of delicious hot chocolate, or visit to the Solstice Spa and mineral pool.

To book your winter adventure in Riding Mountain National Park, visit Elkhorn Resort.

View the northern lights
Each winter, Frontiers North offers a unique and personal way to have your own Northern Lights and Winter Nights adventure. You'll take in this natural wonder from the comfort of a heated Tundra Buggy, away from the lights of the community. Experience the thrill of the colourful Arctic sky and take amazing photos from this one-of-a-kind vantage point.

To book your own Northern Lights adventure today, visit Frontiers North.

Dine aboard the Nonsuch
Step back in time and experience the dinner of your dreams on the Nonsuch, the Manitoba Museum's famous 17th century replica ketch. The Nonsuch sailed 14,000 kilometres of salt and fresh water before finding a home at the Museum. Now you can experience this iconic piece of history all to yourself. Justin Bieber did it, and now you can, too! You and that special someone can enjoy a lavish catered meal on the deck of the majestic ship. It will be a true VIP experience with the entire gallery all to yourself.

For more details and booking information, contact Liette Robert from the Museum's Rentals department at (204) 988-0655 or lrobert@manitobamuseum.ca.