What to Know Before You Go

Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn are close enough to combine into one weekend itinerary, which made the trip feel easy to plan. We could start the day in Virden, spend time outdoors at Eternal Springs, continue to Kenton for the trail and still have time for lunch, museums and murals.

A few tips before you go:

• Plan for at least one overnight stay so you do not feel rushed.
• Bring comfortable shoes for trails and walking around town.
• Pack a reusable water bottle for outdoor stops.
• Leave space in your itinerary for local cafés, restaurants and shops.
• Pick up the Prairie tourism visitor guides along the way it was available in some of the shops we visited. I found ideas in them that I had not come across before the trip.

Day 1: Drive west and settle into Virden

The drive from Winnipeg to Virden

The weekend started with a drive west along the Trans-Canada Highway from Winnipeg.

The farther we drove, the more the scenery opened up. Wide prairie skies stretched above us and fields of green lined the highway. Before we even arrived, I could feel myself starting to relax.

After checking into the Comfort Inn in Virden, we settled in for the evening. The room overlooked the surrounding landscape and after a full evening on the road, getting into those soft beds was exactly what I needed before the next day’s adventures.

Day 2: Coffee, trails, small-town stops and local history

Start the Morning at MJ’s Coffee Bar & Bistro

Saturday morning started at MJ’s Coffee Bar & Bistro in Virden.

As soon as we walked in, I noticed how calm the space felt. Soft music played in the background and plants filled the café with different shades of green. I ordered a matcha latte and a breakfast sandwich, while my friend ordered a chai latte.

What I loved most was watching people greet each other as they came through the door. You could tell this was a place where locals came to catch up before starting their day. Sitting there with my drink, I found myself slowing down too.

If you are visiting, I recommend stopping by in the morning when the café feels especially quiet.

Spend a few hours at Eternal Springs

After breakfast, we drove to Eternal Springs, which ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the weekend.

The view of the water and surrounding landscape was beautiful, and after crossing the swinging bridge, we followed one of the hiking trails to take in the views. I do not usually go hiking, so I was not sure what to expect, but standing at the lookout made the walk completely worth it.

If you have extra time, Eternal Springs is a place to spend a few extra hours. There are hiking and biking trails, fishing areas, campsites, fire pits and access to kayaking. If you do not have your own equipment, Still Water Adventures in Virden can help with rentals or purchases before you head out.

Take the trail to Kenworth Dam

From Eternal Springs, we made our way to Kenton.

One thing I appreciated about this trip was how close the communities were to each other. It made it easy to build an itinerary that moved between towns without feeling like we were spending the whole day in the car.

In Kenton, we followed the two-kilometre trail that leads to Kenworth Dam. We took our time instead of rushing through it and when we arrived at the dock overlooking the water, I felt an immediate sense of peace.

The quiet moments on this trip did not feel empty. They felt refreshing. Between work, schedules and everyday busyness, standing by the water with the breeze moving across the lake felt like a reset.

If you're planning a longer stop, the recreation area has campsites, RV sites, fishing docks, picnic tables, a playground, beach volleyball courts and public washrooms.

Stop for lunch at Brierwood Creek Café & Grill

After a morning spent outdoors, we stopped at Brierwood Creek Café & Grill for lunch.

I ordered the toasted clubhouse sandwich, my friend ordered a chicken wrap and a milkshake and we shared chicken wings. The portions were generous. Half of my sandwich was enough to fill me up.

It was a nice break before heading to our next stop, and another chance to experience the friendly hospitality we kept finding throughout the weekend.

Visit the Pioneer Home Museum

Before leaving Virden, we stopped at the Virden Pioneer Home Museum.

The museum is inside a historic home built in 1888 on “Quality Hill,” which was once one of the wealthiest areas in early Virden. The rooms have been restored with period furniture and items, so the visit still feels like moving through a real home instead of a formal museum.

The museum volunteers were some of the sweetest and funniest people we met during the weekend. They took us through the house and shared stories that made the visit feel personal. We saw the kitchen, old photographs, household items and displays that showed what daily life looked like in another era.

There was so much to take in beyond the rooms of the home. The museum also has displays connected to a post office, general store, school house, medical history, local art and military history. With more than 11,000 artifacts, it gave us a deeper look at Virden’s history and the people who helped shape the community.

What made this stop memorable for me was how lived-in everything felt. I could picture how different everyday life was, from how people cooked to the small details in each room. The guides made those details easy to connect with, and by the time we left, I had a deeper appreciation for the community and the people who continue to preserve its history.

For trip planning, leave time for a guided tour if you can. Tours are offered during the summer and usually last about an hour, with shorter or longer options depending on your interests. It is located at 390 King St. W. in Virden and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., however hours can change during the summer.

Browse Local Shops in Virden

Virden surprised me with its thriving fashion scene, especially when we stepped inside Garb & Guise.

From the outside, I did not expect the store to be so large. The size of the space immediately caught me off guard, but it was the interior details that made me stop and look around. Elegant chandeliers hung overhead, and the décor made the store feel warm and inviting.

The clothing selection was just as impressive. There were plenty of styles to browse, ranging from jeans, dresses, accessories and sunglasses. It was the kind of store where I could have easily spent much longer looking through the racks.

During our visit, we also learned that a café was being added inside the store. The addition would make the store an even more enjoyable place to browse and pause for a drink.

We also stopped at Shari Lyn Fashions, which carried clothing for both casual days and more formal occasions. Together, the stores showed me a side of Virden I had not expected. Along with its museums, restaurants and outdoor attractions, the community has a strong collection of locally owned shops worth exploring.

Explore murals in Virden and Elkhorn

Later that afternoon, we explored murals around Virden before making our way to Elkhorn.

One thing I enjoyed throughout the weekend was seeing how each community shared its history through public art. In Elkhorn, many of the murals were painted by local artist Cody McPhee, Mary & Erica Lowe and Erica Patmore and walking around town gave us the chance to admire them up close while exploring local businesses along the way.

We did not finish seeing all the murals on Saturday, so we came back Sunday morning before heading home. I am glad we did because I would have regretted leaving without seeing the rest.

Discover Elkhorn’s Automotive History

From Virden, we continued to Elkhorn, a community that proudly celebrates its automotive history.

We began at The Manitoba Antique Automobile Museum, where we walked among rows of antique and vintage vehicles. The collection includes automobiles from the early years of motoring.

The museum helped explain why cars appear so often throughout Elkhorn. Automotive history is not confined to one building here. It has become part of the community’s identity and can also be seen in murals around town.

End the day with dinner at T’s Dining & Lounge

After a full day of exploring, we ended the evening at T’s Dining & Lounge.

The restaurant came highly recommended by locals, and after the day we had, I was excited to sit down and order. The menu had plenty of options to choose from. I ordered the salmon rice bowl, while my friend ordered the ribs and baked potatoes.

Both meals were full of flavour, and by the end of dinner we agreed that we had not had a disappointing meal all weekend. Looking back, the food became one of the highlights of the trip. Every stop, from morning coffee to dinner, added something memorable to the weekend.

Stay overnight at Prairie Sky Cabins

After dinner, we checked into Prairie Sky Cabins in Virden for a quiet evening before our final morning.

We stayed in the one-bedroom cabin, which was big enough for me and my friend. It had a queen bed, sitting area, kitchenette, microwave, full-size fridge, hot plate, toaster oven, toaster, coffee maker, kettle, smart TV, Bell TV, wifi and a BBQ on the deck.

I recommend arriving before the sun goes down, especially if you are not familiar with the area. The final stretch includes an unpaved road, and I did not have reliable cell service on the way in.

Day 3: Finish exploring and head home

Return for the Elkhorn murals

Since we had not finished seeing the murals the day before, we used Sunday morning to explore the rest of Elkhorn before driving home.

It was worth going back. The murals gave us another reason to move through town slowly, notice the buildings and spend more time looking at the details we might have missed if we had rushed through.

Stop at Ice Cream Island before the drive back

Before driving back to Winnipeg, we stopped at Ice Cream Island in Virden for lunch.

I ordered a sandwich, fries and a milkshake, and I was not expecting the portions to be so generous. Everything was delicious, but the milkshake stole the show.

Planning your weekend in Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn

Best time to visit

Late spring through early fall is a great time to enjoy the hiking trails, camping, murals and community events throughout the region.

How long to stay

I recommend spending at least one night in the area instead of making it a day trip. Having the extra time meant we could enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. It also gave us the flexibility to return to places we had not finished exploring the day before.

What to Add to Your Itinerary

If you are planning your own weekend, consider adding:

• MJ’s Coffee Bar & Bistro for breakfast or coffee
• Eternal Springs for hiking, clear water views and outdoor time
• Kenworth Dam for a short trail, fishing, boating or a quiet stop by the water
• Brierwood Creek Café & Grill for lunch
• Pioneer Home Museum for local history
• Murals in Virden and Elkhorn
• T’s Dining for dinner
• Prairie Sky Cabins for an overnight stay
• Ice Cream Island before the drive home
  
• Pick up the Prairie tourism visitor guides along the way

Slow down and stay awhile

When I left Winnipeg, I was looking forward to a weekend away. I came home appreciating something I do not always make time for: slowing down.

Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn reminded me that not every trip needs to be packed with too much activity. Some of the best moments came from lingering over coffee, spending extra time by the water and taking the scenic route because there was no reason to rush.

If you are looking for a western Manitoba road trip with local food, outdoor stops, small-town history and enough time to enjoy the journey, add Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn to your list.