Summer family fun in Morden Winkler

Set your home base at a quaint bed and breakfast and get ready to explore the area’s many offerings – from art and culture to restaurants and shopping. One of the most unique attractions is housed within the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre – where Bruce, the world’s largest publicly displayed mosasaur – will impress you with its size and its many sharp teeth.

Visit in the heart of summer to enjoy the local beach, nearby trails and more.

Morden Winkler is located on Treaty 1 territory.

Summer Trip

Top Stops

Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre: Home of the largest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada – including Bruce, the world’s largest publicly displayed mosasaur.
Bethel Heritage Park: With its well-manicured gardens and angelic water fountain, this Winkler park is a peaceful stop for a stroll along the walkways and picnic.
Stardust Drive-In: One of three operational drive-in movie theatres in the province, the Stardust is a nostalgic family night out when in Morden. Shows run on weekends only.

Where To Stay

Hotels: Quality Inn & Suites, Star Motel, Best Western Plus, Super 8 Morden, Triangle Oasis Morden, Days Inn & Suites, Morden Motor Inn
Unique Stays: Bella’s Castle Tea House Bed and Breakfast, Wakerobin Bed & Breakfast, Siemens Bed & Breakfast

If There’s Time

Elevaro Escape Rooms: Put your problem-solving skills to the test in an exciting escape room, suitable for ages 8 and up.
Minnewasta Golf & Country Club: Book a tee time at this picturesque golf course, located at the edge of the Pembina Escarpment.
Morden Welcome Sign: Photo op! Stop on the way into town and snap a photo with Bruce the mosasaur.
Discover Nature Sanctuary: A fantastic area for bird and wildlife watching with easy walking trails

PART 1 – Dig into history near and far

Go back in time – way back – at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden. Here, you will find Canada’s largest collection of marine reptile fossils as well as Bruce – the world’s largest publicly displayed mosasaur. Take a tour or wander through on your own and discover the fascinating geological history of Manitoba and the creatures that once swam in its depths. Take your visit to the next level with a Fossil Dig Adventure Tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to get out in the field for a hands-on experience.

Upstairs from the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, get a little closer to present day with the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. The space holds records from some of the greatest legends in the province’s history, as well as baseball memorabilia dating back to the 1900’s.

A tour group with kids and adults learning about mosasaurs and fossils from a tour guide.

Next, head to the Pembina Threshermen's Museum for a look into pioneer life in the early 1900s. Located midway between Morden and Winkler, this outdoor museum has historic and replica buildings full of antiques, artifacts and working farm machinery collected from families around the Pembina Valley. An immersive flashback to life on the prairies during the early 20th century, the village is replete with retro and photo-worthy sets such as a barbershop, gas station and old-fashioned variety store.

PART 2 – Shop and eat your way through town

It doesn’t matter which of these twin cities you start in – as long as you have plenty of time to explore a plethora of local boutiques and restaurants.

Get your caffeine fix in Winkler with a specialty coffee from small batch roaster, Other Brother or from local café, Whitecap. Both options are perfectly paired with a croissant from the Valley Bakery and Pastry Shop. In Morden, pick up fresh-from-the-oven pastries from As Told in Legends Bakery.

Shopping in Morden includes stops at Saban & Company, Stephen Street Wear and The Quilter’s Den. Meanwhile in Winkler, don’t miss shopping at Ten Thousand Villages, Willow Creek Home Décor, Pure Anada, Love is in the Details, Copper & Sparrow and the Village Toy Shop.

Morden Winkler is also one of the best destinations in the province for authentic Mexican food – with options like Resturante Dos Banderas and Flavors of Mexico. Other food options include traditional German fare at Ralph’s German Restaurant and Café, classic sandwiches from King’s Deli Market & Eatery, drive-in favourites from Charley B's Classic Grill and local brews at Rendezvous Brewery and Taproom.

Major Festivals & Events

Winkler Harvest Festival

Held the second weekend in August, this is a free community festival that features great entertainment, a midway, kids activities, parade, fireworks, food and much more.

Farmers' Markets

Morden Farmers' Market

The Farmers’ Market is held in downtown Morden on the corner of Stephen & 8th Street. Over 20 vendors sell homegrown vegetables, fresh baking, locally raised meat, pasta, handmade soap/beauty products, art, crafts, jewellery and much more! While...

PART 3 –

Start with a morning hike at Pembina Valley Provincial Park, a tiny 440-acre park tucked near the US border, approximately 50 km south of the cities of Morden and Winkler. This park offers seven hiking trails, all of varying lengths and difficulty, through deciduous forest, grasslands and glacial river spillways

Add a jolt of adrenaline to the day with an action-packed adventure to Hy Wire Zipline Adventures located 30 km west of Pembina Valley Provincial Park. Hy Wire offers five or eight-line tours that have guests soaring 200 ft. high above the Pembina Valley for distances as far as 1500 ft.

Spend the remainder of the day at the Lake Minnewasta Recreation Area, just 1.5 km west of Morden, for fresh air and nature. Colert Beach and boardwalk is at the heart of the park, and visitors can spend time as they wish: sunbathing, swimming, fishing or even canoeing and other water sports. New to the lake is Splish Splash Water Park, a giant inflatable obstacle course that’s popular with kids and teens alike.

A 16-km single-track trail encircles Lake Minnewasta and is an attraction for avid mountain bikers and hikers.