Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Although considered one of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces, Manitoba is actually a marine province with over 100,000 lakes, 645 kilometres of coastline and thousands of kilometres of rivers. Discover the diverse histories and cultures of Manitoba’s eight urban, rural and northern regions and the distinctive landforms and waterways that have shaped their identities, from the earliest settlement patterns of Aboriginal peoples to the more recent waves of urban and multicultural migration. Saskatchewan is a unique mix of people, cultures and geography that has come together to create a rich past and a vibrant present, as well as a promising and exciting future. If you enjoy outdoor adventure, Saskatchewan was made for you. World-class fishing is just the start – canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, boating, camping, horseback riding, wildlife viewing – the list goes on and on.

Source: Tourism Manitoba & Tourism Saskatchewan  

From the time that you arrive until you depart you will feel that You Belong in Brandon. the province of Manitoba, Brandon is very close to the geographical centre of North America (situated north of Rugby, North Dakota). Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, with a population of 43,000 people and a trading area of 180,000 people. It is located 197 km (130 miles) west of Winnipeg, 365 km (225 miles) east of Regina and 100 km (60 miles) north of the United States border. Brandon covers an area of 75 square km (47 square miles) and has an average elevation of 390 metres (1,280 feet) in the city and 409 metres (1,342 feet) at the Brandon airport.

Brandon is a prairie city with a very diverse culture. Each year Brandon shows off its multi-culturalism by hosting the Lieutenant Governor’s Winter Fest at the beginning of February. There are over 14 pavilions that offer food and beverages from each culture. While visiting Brandon, stop by one of our numerous shops and restaurants that highlight our multi-cultural city.

Explore the many attractions, museums, heritage sites and parks that Brandon has to offer. Start your adventure with a visit to our two Manitoba Star Attractions — the Riverbank Discovery Centre and the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum.
Source: Brandon Tourism
Churchill is located on the south western shores of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the historic Churchill River, approximately 1000 kilometres north of Winnipeg. With a latitude of 58.47 N, Churchill is Manitoba’s most northern community and is accessible by air and rail. Our small and unique community has a population of approximately 1100 persons.

Churchill, Manitoba is a four season ecotourism destination and we look forward to showing visitors our abundant sub-arctic attractions as well as guiding them on exciting activities.

While Churchill, Manitoba is internationally known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, our community is truly a four season wildlife destination. Located along the treeline or the northern edge of the Boreal Forest, Churchill attracts arctic and boreal species of wildlife, birds and plants. Commonly seen species include Arctic and Red Foxes, Arctic Hare, Caribou, Gyrfalcons, Snowy Owls, Ptarmigan and even the occasional Lemming!
Source: The Town of Churchill
Kyle and area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The popular Clearwater Lake resort is only 6 miles northeast of Kyle, and the beautiful Saskatchewan & Manitoba Landing Provincial Park is only 14 miles south of town. The restaurants, cafes, bakery and ice cream outlets offer everything from fast food to oriental cuisine. Not to mention the community of Kyle is renowned for their homemade pie sales, whether at the rink during the winter season or during the Extravaganza held in November. Kyle also offers hospitality second to none. Warm friendly service is the norm around here!
Souce: The town of Kyle
Prince Albert is fortunate to have many historical attractions and museums, including "Diefenbaker House," the City residence of the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, former Prime Minister of Canada.

Over the years, our City's sporting and recreational amenities have been developed to meet everyone's needs. We boast of a wonderful parks system, the wilderness setting of Little Red River Park, and the fun-filled Kinsmen Water Park. Prince Albert is known internationally for its Winter Festival which is held each year in Febuary, as well as Founders Day held in June of each on the banks of the North Saskatchewan & Manitoba River.

Prince Albert is truly blessed, and we sincerely invite you to join us in the "Gateway to the North." Be assured you are a most welcome guest in our community during all seasons!

We are WESTERN CANADA'S LAKES COUNTRY. Our Motto: EXPERIENCE the Beauty... Live the ADVENTURE!! As the Great Plains meet the Forested Lakelands our history includes 20,000 years of Plains and Woodland First Nations cultural stories and experience. Other names like Pehonan and Kistapinanihk [the great meeting place, the important or protected place, and THE 'SITTING PRETTY PLACE"] marked this territory that is located in the protected Valley of the 3 Saskatchewan & Manitoba RIVERS.

The city of Prince Albert is situated on the 'Mighty' North Saskatchewan & Manitoba, taking up landscapes on both sides of the rolling hills of this lovely river valley. The Prince Albert Region is home to millions of acres of parks, lakelands, mixed and boreal forests. We can provide ENERGY and EXCITEMENT for those who seek ADVENTURE. This is also a Land of diverse and proud cultures for those who seek EVENTS & FESTIVALS or Historic experiences where you can learn as well as relax. We take great pride in our rich history, magical landscapes and community spirit...
Source: City of Prince Albert, Prince Albert Tourism
Regina, the Capital City of Saskatchewan & Manitoba, is located in the southern portion of the province. The city is home to the largest legislative building in Canada and hosts the world renowned Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academy and RCMP Heritage Centre.

In the heart of the city you will find Wascana Centre - a 2300-acre urban park boasting a pristine view of the Saskatchewan & Manitoba Legislature, marina, walking paths, bird watching venues, park area, tennis courts, picnic and BBQ sites. The park also accommodates the Saskatchewan & Manitoba Science Centre and Kramer Imax Theatre, the MacKenzie Art Gallery, and the Royal Saskatchewan & Manitoba Museum.
Source: Tourism Regina
“Refreshing” aptly describes the sentiments of visitors to Saskatoon; a city infused by a lively ambiance, friendly hospitality and rich, diverse cultural experiences. New attractions such as the beautiful River Landing and the Dakota Dunes Casino are testament to the buzz that is Saskatoon!

Visitors from far and wide delight in the city's beautiful parkland setting. Inviting natural riverbank parks and trails make jogging, biking and casual hikes easy and relaxing, invigorating and refreshing; right in the heart of the city. Graced by the natural splendour of the South Saskatchewan & Manitoba River, Saskatchewan & Manitoba's largest city provides convenient amenities, yet an inviting natural setting. A refreshment break is easy in Saskatoon - rejuvenate with an espresso in the trendy Broadway shopping district, delicious authentic local cuisine in one of many fine restaurants; check out the latest technology and research advancements, play a round of golf on one of the several award-winning courses, watch Shakespeare under a tent or explore 6000 years of First Nations' culture - it's all in Saskatoon!
Source: Tourism Saskatoon
The Mennonite Heritage Village, adjacent to Kinetic Park, depicts the lifestyles and customs of homestead settlers who form part of the city's history. The village features an original homestead, church and garden. The buildings include authentic antiques and artifacts, and may be booked for tours. The Mennonite Heritage Village season runs from the July long weekend to Labour Day Weekend. Hours of operation are from 2 to 7 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & holidays. Visitors are invited for Faspa which is served each afternoon. During Frontier Days, the village is open from 12 noon to 8 PM and features traditional Mennonite suppers served each evening. Annual events include the Watermelon Festival in mid July and the Fall Wind-up in September.

The Great Southwest, with its wide open spaces and living skies, is a place that must be experienced to be understood. It is enduring and authentic, providing visitors with a truly western experience. Historical sites across the region will take you back to Chief Sitting Bull, the forming of the North West Mounted Police and the building of Fort Walsh, but that is only part of the story, because the history of this area goes back ten thousand years, and each visit presents you with a new adventure.

The Big Muddy Badlands are an amazing spectacle of nature's architecture that conjures up images of the province's "wild-west" history. Observing the rugged hills, majestic plateaus of the area, it's easy to imagine silhouettes of cowboys and outlaws on the horizon.

In the heart of Big Muddy, you'll find Castle Butte. A relic from the ice age, this free standing structure with a circumference of 0.5km and an elevation of 60m, was a landmark to the First Nations people, the NWMP and early Canadian settlers. Evidence of early civilization can be found in the Big Muddy area in the form of stone effigies, ceremonial circles and ancient buffalo jumps.

Moose Jaw is the largest city in the region and it will captivate you with its historical, yet contemporary charm. This bustling city is home to tunnels that were rumoured to be the hideaway of the infamous Al Capone in the days of Prohibition. Tour the award-winning tunnels and learn the tricks of the boot-legging trade. After a long day of shopping and adventure, enjoy yourself by booking a treatment at the renowned Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, or try your luck at Casino Moose Jaw.

Among the most popular destinations in the area is Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, an oasis in the midst of the open prairie that surrounds it. It is the highest point of land in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. The park is home to rare wild flowers, towering stands of lodgepole pine and 200 species of birds and mammals that include moose, elk, deer and antelope.

A giant plateau that was once surrounded by glaciers, Cypress Hills attracts 250,000 people each year, yet it is still one of the best kept secrets in Canada. With its high forested hills, it provides visitors with panoramic views that allow you to see 100 miles in any direction.

Maple Creek, situated just north of Cypress HIlls Interprovincial Park, is the town where past is present. Also known as the original Cow-Town, Maple Creek boast rodeos and historic museums depicting the the lives of cowboys both past and present.

Eastend, located at the east end of the Cypress Hills, is the home of Wallace Stegner, a Pulitzer prize winning writer who described the prairie landscape as "a distance without limits." Like so many places in this area, it is just one of the treasures you will find when you explore Dino Country.

Dig a little deeper and you will learn about the first trading company in the Southwest. This is a story that goes back to 1873, but in the space of time, it's only a brief period of its history. The area has drawn international attention with the discovery of a near-complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. "Scotty" is one of only about a dozen in the world, and is the feature exhibit at the T. rex Discovery Centre.

Grasslands National Park preserves a wide expanse of the broad Frenchman River Valley with its weathered badlands, untouched native prairie, and grassland flora and fauna. The park is home to the plains bison and is the only one of our 39 national parks that represents Prairie Grasslands. It is also the only place in Canada where colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs still exist. Along with bison and prairie dogs, you will find a unique blend of common and endangered species including the pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, short horned lizard and the prairie rattlesnake.

The park plays a major role in promoting habitat restoration and species preservation, and has been preserved through the joint efforts of conservationists. Waterways such as the Frenchman River add to the diversity and are important habitats. Unique combinations of landscape and climate create niches for specific plants and animals, and illustrate the character of this ecosystem. You'll find flora such as blue grama grass, a favourite with bison, prickly pear cactus, which only breathes at night; and gumbo evening primrose, whose flowers change colour in 24 hours.

The expansive valley with its coulees and buttes provides an impressive view characterized by layers of Bearpaw, Eastend, Whitemud, Frenchman and Ravenscrag formations. This exposed sedimentary rock opens a window to the extinction of the dinosaurs, and led to the first recorded find of dinosaur remains in Western Canada by Sir George Mercer Dawson back in 1874.

Leader is a "Gateway to the Unexpected" and part of the reason is the Great Sandhills, one of the largest set of active sand dunes in the country. The Sandhills are the area's main attraction, and draws visitors from across the country. Legends and secrets about the dunes can be uncovered by visiting the Great Sandhills Museum in Sceptre.

The view from the top of the Great Sandhills is breathtaking. The largest sand dunes are 25 meters in height and cover several hectares of land. The sand dunes are fringed by small clumps of trees such as aspen, birch, and willow, and by rose bushes, chokecherry and sagebrush. Native prairie grasses help to bind the sand together.

The Great Sandhills lie in the chinook area and are subject to strong winds blowing from the northwest. As a result, the exposed sand dunes are estimated to be moving east at a rate of about four meters per year. This creates an ever-changing landscape. Visiting this area is an experience unlike any other and worth every part of the trip.

Sask Landing is adjacent to the Coteau Hills, which offers rugged hills, wooded valleys and winding trails. Areas to explore include Lookout Point, Coulee Trail and the historic Battleford Trail. This area is known for its cattle ranching, and La Reata Ranch, which attracts visitors from across the world. Sask Landing is also the site of historic Goodwin House. This landmark building was a stagecoach station back in 1900 and served as a dispatch for nine years by the North West Mounted Police. The building has been completely restored and operates today as a visitors' centre.
Source: City of Swift Current, Southwest Tourism, Sask Tourism and Parks Canada
Winnipeg is located at the centre of Canada and the centre of North America combining the best of what Canada has to offer in a city of over 712,000 strong. Be a Voyageur for the day, and explore our fur trade past, discover your spiritual side with an Aboriginal theme or maybe an itinerary full of culinary delights. How about a combination of all three?

Winnipeg is the vibrant, creative capital of Manitoba. A mid-sized city featuring culturally diverse people, Winnipeg offers a community with a cosmopolitan, international flair as well as a warm, welcoming spirit. Winnipeg hosts 60% of Manitoba’s residents and continues to grow at a brisk pace.

Described as the “cultural cradle of Canada,” Winnipeg offers a variety of arts, culture, sports, recreation and entertainment to satisfy every taste. We’re a four-season city that celebrates a rich colourful history through our many historic sites, exhibits, attractions and yearly festivals. From the architecturally distinctive Exchange District, to the joie de vivre of Old St. Boniface – Winnipeg’s French Quarter, to the heart of history at The Forks, Winnipeg is a striking blend of old and new, traditional and avant-garde – a cultural oasis without pretension.

The junction of the Red and the Assiniboine Rivers, now known as The Forks, was a trading spot for Aboriginal tribes. Cree, Ojibwa and the Assiniboin Nations traded furs, shell beads and other goods on this spot. In 1738, the French explorer and trader, La Verendrye, was the first European to reach this meeting place at the junction of the rivers, and, in 1812, Lord Selkirk convinced 105 Scottish farmers to come and form the Red River Settlement at The Forks. This started an immigration boom that solidified the future of Winnipeg.

As a model of multiculturalism, Winnipeg’s history reflects the important role immigration has played in the city’s development. Over 200 ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages are represented here. Winnipeg’s level of cultural achievement and flourishing arts scene is largely attributed to this rich mixture of ethnic populations.

Located at the geographic centre of North America, Winnipeg borders the provinces of Ontario to the east, Saskatchewan & Manitoba to the west, Nunavut to the north, and the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota to the south.

Winnipeg's geographic location places the city on the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies, the northern extension of North America’s Great Plains region. The surrounding landscape is characterized by agricultural land utilized for grain production and livestock. In addition, the area includes forests, marsh landscapes, and various lakes and rivers including Lake Winnipeg, the third largest lake in Canada and 13th in the world.

Winnipeg is a city that balances between a reverence and celebration of our past and an excitement and anticipation of the future. One of North America’s best collections of turn-of-the-last-century architecture is now the home to independent shops, galleries, designers and artists, while the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, The Forks, continues to evolve from a historical trading hub to Winnipeg’s busiest attraction. The Forks is also the future home to Canada’s first national museum to be located outside of Ottawa, The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Source: Destination Winnipeg