Exploring the Great Outdoors: Unveiling Manitoba's Best Outdoor Activities
There are tons of hidden gems of outdoor activities in Manitoba, such as zip lining, birdwatching, snorkeling with whales, and more.
If you’re searching for some unique outdoor experiences in Manitoba, look no further. Rumor’s Comedy Club, the place to be for Winnipeg comedy, has compiled this list of outdoor activities off the beaten path.
So, lace up your hiking boots and grab your binoculars, because this your Manitoba outdoor exploration guide.
More: 10 things to do in Winnipeg this spring
Manitoba nature experiences
While we often think of Manitoba as a boring flat prairie province, nothing could be further from the truth. With fantastic waterways, robust forest, and breathtaking skies, Manitoba is a nature lovers dream. Here are some of the best ways you can experience Manitoba’s natural beauty.
Houseboats in Pinawa
When it comes to outdoor recreation in Manitoba, one of the most serene experiences you can have has to be Voyageur Houseboats in Pinawa.
These houseboats are available for rent during Manitoba’s more temperate months. You can stay for several nights in a row, and the Voyageur team will place you in a secluded mooring point surrounded by the beauty of Whiteshell Provincial Park.
Each houseboat is furnished with a fully functional bathroom with hot water and shower, and a kitchenette featuring a refrigerator and two element gas stove. There is an outdoor lounging area complete with hammock and barbecue, and every houseboat has interior lighting and sleeping space for upto four adults.
Bird Watching
Birding in Manitoba has never been easier with tons of great birding trails to keep you occupied, from Chickadee Trail in Birds Hill Provincial Park to the Seine River Greenway in Bois-des-Esprits Window Park. Whiteshell Provincial Park has four excellent trails, and Voyageur Houseboats in Pinawa now offers bald eagle tours.
Aurora Tours
One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Aurora Borealis—aka, the Northern Lights—can be seen almost anywhere in Manitoba when the conditions are right. But, the further north you go, the better chance you have to see this amazing natural light show.
The best place to catch a glimpse of this incredible phenomenon is way up north in Churchill, Manitoba. Fully-guided Aurora tours are available, and you can even watch them from a heated dome at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Polar Bear Tours
While you’re in Churchill, you might want to sign up for a polar bear tour. Hop aboard the Tundra Buggy®—a specially designed overland vehicle that brings you into the heart of polar bear country while keeping you elevated and protected from the giant white-furred beasts. Wildlife watching in Manitoba just became an adrenaline sport.
Snorkel with the Beluga Whales
One of the coolest nature activities in Manitoba has to be snorkeling with the beluga whales at Churchill—is there anything this town doesn’t have? During the summer months you can strap on a wetsuit and get up-close and personal with the clowns of Hudson Bay.
Ziplining
Want to get your adrenaline pumping? Hy-Wire Zipline offers one of the more thrilling outdoor adventures in Manitoba. At Hy-Wire, you’ll zip over the Pembina Valley at a height of 200 feet, giving you an awesome view of the land. The zipline is about 1000 feet long, so make sure you go pee before you leave.
Canoe and Kayak
You can can pretty much cover your eyes and point at a map of our province and find the perfect place for canoeing and kayaking in Manitoba. You can rent a boat for an hour at the Fort Whyte Centre, or head on up to the Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre in Pinawa for a more in-depth experience. If you want to add a bit of adventure to your kayak or canoe expedition, wander over to Caddy Lake and explore the rock tunnels that connect Caddy Lake, North Cross Lake, and Sailing Lake.
Corn Maze/Snow Maze
At the top of many families’ list for Manitoba outdoor excursions is the A Maze In Corn corn maze in Saint Adolphe. Getting lost has never been so fun.
In the wintertime the grounds are converted into a snow maze, complete with snow sculptures and hand sculpted snow rooms. Last winter, there was even a snow restaurant next to the maze featuring top-tier food and live entertainment.
The Narcisse Snake Pits
With four active snake dens, the Narcisse snake pits offer the chance to see thousands and thousands of snakes all in one place. Late spring and early fall are the best time to see the slithery serpents. Don’t forget to tuck your pants into your socks.
Tubing (Whitemouth river, Brokenhead river)
For a relaxing Manitoba summer getaway, why not go tubing on one of our many hospitable rivers. The Whitemouth River, the Brokenhead River, and the Pinawa Channel all offer the perfect float experience, with tubes available for rent in some locations.
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Amazing comedy in Winnipeg
After a day of outdoor adventures, come on down to Rumor’s Comedy Club and have some laughs with friends. We’ve got some of the best touring comedians in North America at our comedy club every week, and our full dinner menu has something for everyone (Pro tip: try the nachos).
On Thursday nights we offer our Date Night Package featuring two tickets to the show, an appetizer or pizza, and a bottle of wine for just $69, tax and gratuity included. Or if you’re celebrating your birthday, join the Rumor’s Birthday Club for free admission and half-off for your friends.
“Great place to laugh! Always impressed by the variety and talent of people coming in! Love the history of the place!” - Karl C.