Mother Nature has been very kind to us in Manitoba so far this summer. The sun has been shining and the temperatures are fantastic. And let’s not mention the M word, the lack of our buzzing and biting friends.

Now that school is out, it’s time to think about how to entertain ourselves on the weekends and the children for two whole months. With a younger generation having access to more technology and gaming than any generation before it, it’s easy to envision a summer spent indoors. With summer shaping up as it has been thus far, what better time to break that cycle. Let’s be smart about it and don’t break the bank while we’re at it.

We live in a beautiful province that offers so many options for activities. These can range from day trips to week long outings for anyone who wants to enjoy it. Here are some cost-effective options for making memories.

  1. Great Beach. This huge stretch of soft sandy beach and sand dunes is just an hour’s drive from Winnipeg. This beautiful beach has been listed around the world as a must-have experience and many locals have yet to make the trip. It’s a great getaway for a day and offers campgrounds, motels, and cabin rentals for longer stays.

  2. Bird Hill Park. Located a very short drive from the city, this widely underused year-round provincial park offers a wealth of activity options. Paved and nature trails allow for biking, rollerblading, and hiking. There are horse stables and very often polo games are available to watch. There is a campground with basic, electric, or full-service camping options and a beach with food and drink options.

  3. Small limestone lake. A bit longer drive, but as close as you can get to the Caribbean when you don’t live near the ocean. It is the largest and best color changing marl lake in the world.

  4. Whiteshell Provincial Park. Part of the Canadian Shield landscape, about 1.5 hours east of Winnipeg, is a treasure trove of natural resources. This park is full of wildlife as the desert is quite calm. If you want to spend time on the lake, there are beaches, waterfalls, rapids, diving, sailing, swimming, and jet skiing as a few options.

  5. Assiniboine Zoo. An absolute gem located within the city and one of the most beautiful urban parks, the zoo offers a wealth of experiences for young and old. Right now you have the opportunity to see the endangered snow leopards. The two little cubs are just settling into their new enclosure and are still waiting for their names. Included in regular admission this summer, the new Xtreme BUGS attraction is offered for a limited time. One of the biggest draws, literally, are the polar bears that you can see in action without having to travel north.

This is a small sample of the destinations available in Manitoba. If you love to travel and experience the outdoors, this is a great place to do it without breaking the bank. Now, get out there and experience all there is to do in Manitoba!