Manitoba Road Trips: Winnipeg Family Vacation

Posted April 26, 2024

What is the secret to the perfect family vacation in Winnipeg? Loads of kid-approved activities, a handful of ways to spend time outdoors, a splash of hotel fun and dash of adults-only options when you’re ready to leave the kids with the grandparents for a night (or two).

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This summer, we're featuring an amazing collection of itinerairies that will help you explore every corner of Winnipeg.

Manitoba’s capital is a family-friendly city, with enough fun to last at least a week. There are tons of great hotel options with terrific pools for the kids, most notably Canad Inns Destination Centres with its Splashers Waterpark. After you’ve checked out some of Winnipeg’s most visited places suggested in our Manitoba Road Trips: A Day in the Peg and 48 Hours in Winnipeg weekend getaway extend your exploration of Winnipeg with some of these options.

Child smiling and splashing in water area at Children's Museum.
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Part 1: Let's make some fun

If you’re planning to spend some time at The Forks, the riverside dining and shopping destination, families with younger kids should definitely plan a visit to the Manitoba Children’s Museum. Kids love the museum’s different hands-on activities and exhibits, like the Lasagna Lookout climbing structure, the watery fun in the Splash Lab and the chance to be the conductor inside a locomotive.

Royal Canadian Mint

Families with older kids can check out the Royal Canadian Mint. Located 10 kilometers from downtown Winnipeg, the Mint offers tours of its high-tech manufacturing facility. Coins from more than 75 countries are made here, including every single coin in Canadian circulation! Kids can can strike their own coin in the interactive coin museum. Collectors will definitely want to stop at the Mint’s shop, where you can get your hand on collector coins and other unique gifts.

Exterior and reflection in pond of Royal Canadian Mint
Enviro Foto
Two people riding bikes through the forest at FortWhyte Alive
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Child walking along boardwalk over marsh at FortWhyte Alive
Eric Stoen
Family paddling on the lake at FortWhyte Alive
JP Media Works

Part 2: Spend time outside in South Winnipeg

FortWhyte Alive is a four-season natural oasis, literally minutes away from some of the city’s best shopping at Seasons of Tuxedo (home to Outlet Collection Winnipeg, IKEA and Cabela’s).

FortWhyte has seven kilometers of trails that take you through prairie, aspen forests, around the lake and across boardwalks. Rent a canoe, kayak or SUP to explore the area from a different perspective. Or bring your mountain bikes and hit the multi-use Bison Butte Recreational Trail. Cruiser bike rentals are available.

Kids also love dip netting, as they find critters and crawlers in the marsh. In addition to loads of insects, FortWhyte is a great place to see animals like deer and a variety of species of birds and waterfowl. Fishing gear rentals are available, too.

Bison Safari

FortWhyte is also home to a herd of bison. Reserve your spot on a bison safari for a chance to get a little closer to these prairie giants. Reflect on the Seven Teachings, the Anishinaabe traditions, which are represented in paintings by local Oji-Cree artist Joran Stranger on a teepee located along the trails. Check out the onsite restaurant featuring local ingredients, including some grown at FortWhyte Farms, which also hosts a market during the summer.

Mother and baby bison at FortWhyte Alive
Enviro Foto
Person picking up carrots at St. Norbert Farmer's Market
JP Media Works


For more market fresh options, check out the Marché St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, Manitoba’s largest. Every Wednesday and Saturday over the summer vendors from around the province come together to sell produce, proteins, baking, artwork, jewelry, plants, crafts and more. Local food trucks - which are often found downtown Winnipeg during the week - make their way out to the market on Saturdays.

While you’re in St. Norbert - one of Winnipeg’s Francophone neighbourhoods - check out the ruins of the Trappist Monastery. This provincial heritage site dates to 1892 and was gutted by fire five years later. The ruins are a peaceful place for an afternoon stroll. Or take a self-guided tour through the St. Norbert Heritage Park, where three log homes showcase the evolution of the community through Métis settlement and the immigration of Québec families.

View out a window of Lower Fort Garry

Part 3: History and nature just beyond city limits

Now head north of Winnipeg, about 20 km from the city centre, is one of Manitoba’s most important heritage sites. Lower Fort Garry sits on the banks of the Red River and features original buildings dating as far back as the 1830s. Lower Fort Garry is where Treaty 1 was created and signed by the Dominion of Canada, the Anishinaabe and the Muskegon Cree Peoples in a historic event that is commemorated each year in July.

Fur Trade Comes to Life

This fur trade fort was a hive of activity and costumed interpreters bring the past to life. You can watch the blacksmith working in the forge, say hello to the shopkeeper in the general store and feel the soft pelts in the fur loft. Both self-guided and guided tours of the historic fort buildings and grounds are available.

Family interacting with costumed interpreter at Lower Fort Garry
Visual Soul Studios
A person and child paddling a canoe through Oak Hammock Marsh
Eric Stoen
View of the boardwalks over Oak Hammock Marsh
A person holding a yellow songbird in their hands ready to release it

About 20 km west of Lower Fort Garry is Oak Hammock Marsh, a reclaimed wetland home to 25 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds. There are over 30 kilometres of trails through the wildlife management area, with some kid-friendly options near the interpretive centre that include floating boardwalks. You can also explore the marsh by canoe, as rentals are available. So too are guided programs, like the unique Bird in the Hand tour where visitors help naturalists conduct important research like bird banding.

Part 4: Leave the kids with the grandparents

If you are visiting family or friends, then may we suggest you take advantage of the babysitters and spend some quality time with your partner?

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While there are lots of great family dining options (may we recommend Across the Board, a board game café?), Winnipeg’s dining scene may be better appreciated sans minors. Especially when you want to sample the tasty brews at a local microbrewery or sip on craft cocktails. For a complete guide to where to eat and drink in Winnipeg, check out Peg City Grub, Tourism Winnipeg’s official food blog.

Another option for a night out is a visit to the Casinos of Winnipeg. Club Regent Casino in eastern Winnipeg and McPhillips Station Casino on the west side offer high-end gaming, dining and entertainment options. In downtown Winnipeg, the Shark Club is a Vegas-style gaming centre that is a favourite post-Winnipeg Jets game destination. Across the street is Hargrave Street Market, a favourite trendy food hall. The Downtown Winnipeg Farmers’ Market takes place outside on the plaza of True North Square on Thursdays.

A person ready to throw a ball at lit up targets on the wall
Tyler Walsh, Tourism Winnipeg

Part 5: Stay active and stay sharp

For a last blast of fun before your vacation comes to a close, check out one of Winnipeg’s escape rooms. From spooky themes to brain-twisting puzzles, there are several options depending on the size and ages of your family. Combine the brain power of an escape room with the physicality of being in a real life video game at Activate Games. Games here require you to think, but also jump, throw, crawl and hide as you attempt to rack up points and beat the clock. This is a super fun activity for families with kids ages 10 and over. Other active options for active gaming include an indoor trampoline park, laser tag, VR gaming, axe throwing and some good old fashioned bowling! Or, plan your visit to overlap with the home games of a local professional sporting team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers football, Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball or Valour FC soccer.