Highlights from Our Weekend Road Trip

• Take the trail to the lookout at Eternal Springs in Virden to spend some time exploring the surrounding trails and water.
• In Kenton, follow the two-kilometre trail to Kenworth Dam, which takes you from the community to the recreation area at the dam.
• Stop at the Virden Pioneer Home Museum to find more than 11,000 artifacts from the area’s past.
• Explore Elkhorn’s automotive history at the Manitoba Antique Automobile Museum.
• Leave room for local food and shopping, including MJ’s Coffee Bar & Bistro, Garb & Guise, Shari Lyn Fashions, Brierwood Creek Café & Grill and T’s Dining & Lounge.

Start in Virden

Virden is a community in southwestern Manitoba where you can spend a day exploring without having to drive far between stops. Local cafés, shops, restaurants and museums are all part of the town’s experience, with outdoor spaces nearby when you want to get outside.

Coffee First at MJ’s Coffee Bar & Bistro

Coffee is a good place to start your day and MJ’s Coffee Bar & Bistro offers plenty of specialty drinks and breakfast options for almost every palate.

Inside, plants fill the space with different shades of green while soft music plays in the background. The café is clearly a neighbourhood gathering place, as many locals were stopping in to greet one another and catch up over a cup of coffee.

During my visit, I ordered a matcha latte and bagel sandwich before heading out. They also offer specialty drinks like a chai latte and plenty of indoor seating so that you can take your time over breakfast.

Browse Local Shops in Virden

Once you’ve fueled up with coffee, it’s time to go shopping! Virden is home to unique locally owned shops like Garb & Guise and Shari Lyn Fashions.

Garb & Guise is a gorgeously spacious store with beautiful chandeliers overhead and racks of jeans, dresses, accessories and sunglasses, while Shari Lyn Fashions carries clothing for both casual days and more formal occasions. When I visited, they were working on adding a café inside Garb & Guise, giving you even more reasons to add Virden to your bucket list.

Head Outdoors at Eternal Springs and Kenworth Dam

Spend Some Time at Eternal Springs

After breakfast and a little time in Virden, head to Eternal Springs, approximately eight miles east of town. The recreation area has two small stocked trout ponds, hiking trails and a 66-foot swinging bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the trails to explore the area, with views of the surrounding trees and water along the way.

The trails give you the chance to explore on foot, while the fishing areas, campsites, fire pits and kayaking access make it possible to stay longer. Bring comfortable shoes and a reusable water bottle if you plan to spend a few hours exploring the trails or getting out on the water.

If you don’t have your own equipment, Still Water Adventures in Virden offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, among other options.

Follow the Trail to Kenworth Dam

After exploring Eternal Springs, get back on the road to Kenton, where the two-kilometre trail to Kenworth Dam leads to a dock overlooking the water. The trail gives you time to walk through the recreation area before reaching the dock, where you can stop and take in the view.

The recreation area also has campsites, RV sites, fishing docks, picnic tables, a playground, beach volleyball courts and public washrooms, so you can make a longer stop if you're planning to spend more time in Kenton.

Explore the History of Virden and Elkhorn

Visit the Pioneer Home Museum

For a closer look at Virden’s past, visit the Virden Pioneer Home Museum, housed in a historic home built in 1888 on Quality Hill which was once one of the wealthier areas of early Virden. Inside, restored rooms with period furniture and household items offer a glimpse into how people lived during that time.

The museum has more than 11,000 artifacts, with displays covering everything from a post office and general store to a schoolhouse, medical history, local art and military history. During my visit, the volunteers brought the collection to life with stories about the house and the way people lived. One story explained how bedframes were made with a crisscross lattice of ropes to support mattresses at the time, which is connected to the familiar expression “sleep tight.” Stories about how homes were designed during the period also made it easier to picture what everyday life looked like beyond the objects on display.

The museum is located at 390 King St. W. in Virden and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., although hours can change, so check before visiting. Summer tours generally last about an hour, with shorter or longer options depending on your interests.

Discover Elkhorn’s Automotive History

Elkhorn’s automotive history is on display at the Manitoba Antique Automobile Museum, where you’ll find rare antique automobiles, vintage agricultural equipment and quirky memorabilia.

The collection begins in the lobby, where a red 1930 American Austin miniature car sits alongside a taxidermy two-headed calf and vintage photographs of local curling and baseball teams, 4-H clubs and threshing bees. The museum’s automotive collection includes a 1902 Holsman, a 1909 Hupmobile and one of the largest collections of original McLaughlin Motor Cars in Canada. The museum was founded by local farmer Isaac (Ike) Clarkson, who wanted to preserve a mechanical record of his time. Today, the museum has more than 120 antique automobiles, pioneer tools and a steam engine.

Explore murals in Virden and Elkhorn

You’ll want to leave some time in your itinerary to explore Virden and Elkhorn’s many murals. This artwork is another way to discover more about each town, with murals showing the local landscapes, wildlife, people and other scenes throughout the communities. Several of the murals were painted by local artists, including Cody McPhee, Mary and Erica Lowe, and Erica Patmore.

Make Room for Local Food

Lunch at Brierwood Creek Café & Grill

Brierwood Creek Café & Grill in Kenton is a good spot for a hearty lunch, where you’ll find a menu loaded with satisfying options like toasted clubhouse sandwiches, chicken wraps, milkshakes and chicken wings. I ordered the clubhouse sandwich, chicken wings and a strawberry milkshake, and the sandwich portion was so generous I couldn't finish it in one sitting.

Dinner at T’s Dining & Lounge

When you’re looking for a more polished dinner setting in Virden, T’s Dining & Lounge is a good option. I ordered the salmon rice bowl, while my friend had the ribs and baked potatoes. The salmon was fresh with a burst of flavour and the cozy dining room, complete with red chairs, gave the restaurant a nice dinner atmosphere. It’s a setting that works just as well for a date night as it does for a night out with friends.

After-Dinner Treat at Ice Cream Island

After dinner, make one more stop at Ice Cream Island in Virden for a milkshake or another sweet treat before heading back to your accommodation. This seasonal spot also serves burgers, sandwiches and fries. I ordered a burger and a vanilla milkshake during my visit and that milkshake was an absolute delight after a full day of exploring.

Where to Stay

Comfort Inn & Suites Virden

The Comfort Inn & Suites Virden provides a base for exploring the surrounding communities. Staying in Virden also puts you close to local restaurants, cafés, shops and attractions. The plush beds and comfortable room are a perfect addition for your weekend in the Prairie Gateway region.

Prairie Sky Cabins

Prairie Sky Cabins offers one-bedroom cabins with a queen bed, sitting area and kitchenette, along with a microwave, full-size fridge, hot plate, toaster oven, toaster, coffee maker, kettle, smart TV, Bell TV, Wi-Fi and a barbecue on the deck.

One detail to keep in mind is the final stretch of the drive. The road to the cabins includes an unpaved section where cell service may not be reliable, so arriving before sunset can make finding your way easier.

Planning your weekend in Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn

How Long Should You Stay?

Give yourself at least one night to experience Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn on a single itinerary. An overnight stay gives you enough time to combine outdoor activities with museums, shopping and meals without trying to fit everything into one day.

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes are useful for hiking trails and walking around town. A reusable water bottle is also worth packing if you plan to spend time outdoors.

Pick Up a Visitor Guide

Look for copies of the Prairie Gateway Tourism visitor guides in gas stations, restaurants and local stores or you can download a digital copy as you explore the communities. The guide is full of inspiration for where to go and what to do.

Plan Your Prairie Gateway Road Trip

A weekend through Virden, Kenton and Elkhorn gives you the chance to experience several sides of Western Manitoba all in one trip. Start the morning with coffee in Virden, spend the day outdoors at Eternal Springs and Kenworth Dam, then make time for museums, murals, local shops and meals before settling in for the night.

Build your itinerary around the places that interest you most, leave some room in your schedule for activities like museums or shopping and use the Prairie Gateway Tourism website to find more places to explore.