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Summer on the banks of the Red River

Chuck the Channel Cat – Selkirk’s giant roadside attraction – greets all visitors as they enter the city, reminding visitors of the city’s nickname as the Channel Catfish Capital of the World. Though it’s known for its fishing, the city offers so much more for anyone looking for a day or weekend trip not far from Winnipeg.

Chuck the Catfish roadside attraction in Selkirk.

Set along the banks of the Red River, just 35 kms north of Manitoba’s capital city, Selkirk is home to vibrant local businesses, a bustling fishing season and lots of history. The Manitoba Marine Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum experience for history buffs and boat-lovers alike, while the nearby Selkirk Park offers outdoor activities for the whole family. The city’s Old Downtown is often used as a backdrop for movies and TV shows shot in Manitoba and it’s easy to see why when you walk along Manitoba Ave East exploring the old buildings that are now home to lovely local eateries and shops.

Selkirk is located on Treaty 1 territory.

Summer Trip

Top Stops

  • Marine Museum: Hands-on heritage experience inside historic boats
  • Selkirk Park: Outdoor pool, skatepark and walking trails
  • Eat + Shop in Old Downtown: Shops and eateries in a movie-worthy small city downtown

Where To Stay

If There’s Time

  • Go fishing: Cast a line in the Red River to catch a Channel Catfish
  • Chuck the Channel Cat: iconic roadside attraction
  • Urban Prairie: Prairie grass garden with interpretive signage
  • Discover history: Self-guided tour with the virtual Selkirk Museum

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PART 1 – Set sail for history

Climb aboard the boats of the Marine Museum of Manitoba for a hands-on heritage experience. The museum is made up of six boats and a handful of small buildings that played a role in marine transportation and trade in the late 1800s. Visitors can step onto the decks and explore the inside corridors of two of the ships.

The S.S. Keenora, built in 1897, is the centrepiece of the museum. Stretching 158 feet, it’s the largest and most fascinating to explore. See where passengers would have stayed on the upper levels and learn about the inner workings of the steamship down in the boiler room.

The Marine Museum of Manitoba is a must-see for history buffs, nautical enthusiasts and families looking to explore the past.

The Keenora & Bradbury, former river boats, now part of the Marine Museum in Selkirk.

PART 2 – Eat + Shop in Old Downtown

Manitoba Ave East is the heart of Selkirk’s Old Downtown and is home to an array of incredible local shops and restaurants.

Start and end your day with a hearty meal from one of the local eateries. For a classic breakfast or the best bison burger in town, hit up the iconic Riverside Grill at the end of the block. You may recognize the 50s-style diner facade that has played a role in movies and TV shows shot in the city. If you’re craving something healthy or looking for vegan options, stop into The Mighty Kiwi Juice Bar and Eatery for paninis, salads, smoothies and freshly squeezed juices. Or if you’re travelling with the whole family and need a place everyone can find something they like, Roxi’s by the Red Uptown Café is the stop for you. The menu has a wide variety of delicious options, from pizza to pickerel to perogies.

Old Downtown Selkirk, looking down the street with old buildings lining the sidewalks.

Old Downtown

Wishme white storefront with a red awning, in Old Downtown Selkirk.

Wishme

Green and white awning and building on the Riverside Grill in Selkirk.

Riverside Grill

In between meals, do a little local shopping. Inside the Selkirk Community Arts Centre, browse local art pieces for sale at the Gwen Fox Gallery shop and vintage finds in the small store in the basement. Search for gems at the second-hand shops on the block like Twice Over and House of Economy. Then scoot just around the corner on Eveline Street to Wishme, a store with a lovely selection of locally made products.

Murals on Manitoba Ave East

Browsing the shops and restaurants of Manitoba Ave East, you’ll find walls covered with colourful murals. Stop for a fun photo in front of the House of Treasures which evokes nostalgia and memories through the array of objects featured in the painting.

"Healing Path" features a cobblestone infinity loop path and depicts the seven sacred teachings and their associated animals.

Two people walking along a path through Selkirk Park along the banks of the Red River on a sunny day.

PART 3 – Get outside

Selkirk Park

Selkirk Park sits near the end of Eveline Street on the banks of the Red River just beside the Manitoba Marine Museum. Within its boundaries are enough activities to fill a whole day. The park is home to a 165-site campground, a circular outdoor pool with beachy sand around the edges, a skate park, trails and a dog park.

Spend the morning walking the trails that meander through forested areas, marshy landscapes and follow the curve of the banks of the Red River. Order meals for pick-up from the restaurants of Manitoba Ave East (as mentioned above) or bring your own picnic basket to enjoy an al fresco lunch on the green lawns in the park or in the sand around the Selkirk Park Pool.

Detour!

Two people, on a boat, holding a pair of very big channel catfish caught near Selkirk.

Cast your line in the Red River

Launch your boat onto the Red River from Selkirk Park, cast your line directly from the river banks or book a guided fishing experience and see why Selkirk bears the nickname of Channel Catfish Capital of the World.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

In the summer Selkirk is home to many community events that make the evenings and weekends lively. The waterfront is home to outdoor concerts and a weekly Farmers’ Market, while the Selkirk Park fills with livestock events and horse riders for the annual Triple “S” Fair and Rodeo in July. The community is also part of the newest annual event in the Red River North region – the Art & Garden Tour, which showcases beautiful homes and yards.

View of the bridge in Selkirk through the grasses on the river bank.