Explore the Lakes and Rivers of Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Now is the perfect time to explore Canada! With COVID-19 still imposing travel restrictions, many of us are opting to stay closer to home and explore this amazing country of ours. As Canadians we are so fortunate to live here.
This is the third blog in our TierOne Travel ‘Explore Canada’ series, which provides a glimpse into some of the most incredible cities and regions to explore from coast to coast to coast. Our expert travel agents can put together an awesome itinerary to suit your interests, timelines and budgets. We also work with some of the best tour operators in Canada, therefore, we can book the most amazing tour packages for you.
Read our past ‘Explore Canada’ blogs and other great articles by visiting our website.
Why Visit the Prairies?
The prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba might not be top on your list of Canadian places to visit, but you may want to rethink that. Often joked about for their vast, flat landscapes (where you can see a dog run away from home for days), the Prairies have a lot to offer visitors.
In addition to friendly farming communities, including colourful grain fields and rolling pastures, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are home to some of the best lakes in the country. If you like swimming, boating, canoeing and other water sports, there are many summer oases to discover. You can rent cabins or go camping with tents, trailers and RVs. And the fishing is out of this world! Winters can get pretty cold in the Prairies, but the summers definitely make up for it.
EXPLORE SUNNY SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan is located in central Canada. It’s two largest urban centres are Saskatoon and Regina and there are many other cities and towns to explore.
The greatest tourist attractions that this prairie province holds, however, are the more than 100,000 beautiful fresh-water lakes and sandy beaches. So, grab your flip-flops and floaties and start dreaming about a gorgeous lakeside resort in Saskatchewan.
Waskesiu Lake Resort is Wonderful
Waskesiu Lake Resort is one of Saskatchewan’s best vacation gems in Canada. Located in Prince Albert National Park, it has everything for a wonderful summer vacay. Whether you’re single, a couple or a family, there is so much to see and do.
Waskesiu Lake has a lovely sandy beach with showers and a play area for the kids. There are beach volleyball nets set up and shelters for family barbecues. Across the street from the beach, there is a general store with a sweet, local bakery. And just a short walk away, you’ll discover a delectable ice cream shop with homemade waffle cones.
The lake itself is warm and wonderful – perfect for swimming, boating, waterskiing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding … you name it! And as you drive around the lake, you can explore little side roads that will lead you to semi-private beaches where you can have family reunions or just explore by yourself. There are fire pits everywhere for wiener roasts and melted marshmallows on sticks.
And if you like hiking, Waskesiu Lake Resort and the greater Prince Albert National Park have so many trails to discover. You’ll love exploring the northern boreal forest with its rivers, trees and wildlife such as deer, elk, fox, woodpeckers and even eagles.
The accommodations are plentiful – one-room cabins, hotels, and quaint motels with little kitchenettes and gorgeous campgrounds. If you like to shop, you will enjoy exploring the village and its local stores. There is even the cutest theatre where right now you can enjoy some golden oldies until the new releases come out.
Discover the City of Bridges
Straddling the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon is known as the City of Bridges. To get from the east to the west side of the city, you will need to cross one of its many bridges. With close to 300,000 people, Saskatoon is Saskatchewan’s largest city.
It’s a small city with a big-city feel. Lots of trendy communities and shopping areas. Fabulous cafes, coffee shops and local eateries. With all the big box stores you can expect from an urban area, along with cinemas, live theatre, art galleries and museums.
Remai Modern Museum, overlooking the South Saskatchewan River, houses the largest collection of Pablo Picasso’s linocuts. While there, be sure to enjoy the culinary delights of the museums indoor/outdoor restaurant.
One of the summer highlights, is a cruise down the river on a Prairie Lily riverboat. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Meewasin Valley and take photos of the Castle on the River (Delta Bessborough Hotel) with its fairy-tale turrets.
Have Fun in the Queen City
Regina is the capital city, home to the Saskatchewan Provincial Legislative Building situated on the beautiful Wascana Lake. The surrounding park – Wascana Centre – is situated on120 hectares, located in the heart of Regina. Larger than New York City’s Central Park, it’s a favourite destination for visitors who can rent watercraft on the lake or bike around the park. With its mature trees, it’s a serene oasis within an urban setting.
And if you are a football fan, Regina is home to the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. And although the regular season is delayed due to COVID, the new stadium is a source of pride and joy for residents and fans.
EXPLORE marvelous MANITOBA
Manitoba borders Saskatchewan to the west and Ontario to the east, and is located in the centre of Canada. It, too, is known for its amazing lakes, dense boreal forest and prairie farmland.
Similar to Saskatchewan, it is a popular destination for people who love to fish, hunt and enjoy water sports. The northern communities are rich with fishing lakes, many of which you can’t get to by car.
Eagle Nest Lodge is a Hidden Gem
Eagle Nest Lodge is a world-class, remote fishing destination situated on the mighty Winnipeg River. You will need to fly in or take a boat to the resort. The peaceful isolation is part of the attraction of this incredible, relaxing resort.
With their modern cabins and fine dining, you won’t feel like you’re roughing it even though you are nestled in the wilderness of northern Manitoba – just three hours from Winnipeg.
Each day, an experienced guide will take you to some of the best fishing spots in the province, where you can catch Walleye, Smallmouth Bass or Northern Pike. Open air meals will be served on private islands and riverbanks. The menu might even include fresh-caught fish cooked over a fire.
Contact TierOne Travel today to book your stay at Eagle Nest Lodge. Corporate packages are also available for those office getaways and team-building weekends.
Discover the Windy City of Winnipeg
Winnipeg, or ‘the Peg’ as locals sometimes call it, is a fun city to visit and live. Home to more than 700,000 people, the city is built where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. It was named after Lake Winnipeg, located just north of the city. It’s the third-largest freshwater lake in Canada and is a popular area for cabin dwellers. It is renowned for its many bat caves, remote sandy beaches and large limestone cliffs.
When in Winnipeg, you will want to visit the Royal Canadian Mint, which is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. On the tour, you will experience what it’s like to hold a $600,000 gold bar, and admire the Olympic gold medals that were made for the Vancouver 2010 games.
Assiniboine Park Zoo is fun for everyone. Their new Journey to Churchill exhibit is worth the price of admission to see the polar bears swimming and frolicking through a glass dome. The zoo also features an incredible selection of animals such as muskox, wolves, moose, seals, pandas and snow leopards – more than 200 species to see.
Winnipeg is also home to Canada’s newest attraction – the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. You won’t want to miss the immersive experience of 11 powerful, interactive exhibits that focus on the importance of human rights for all.
See Polar Bears in Churchill
Located in northern Manitoba on the west shore of the Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Churchill River, Churchill is where you go to see polar bears. In fact, because so many polar bears move toward the shore from inland in the fall, the town is often referred to as the Polar Bear Capital of the World.
TierOne Travel works with some of the best tour operators in Canada that offer amazing tour packages to Churchill. If you’ve always wanted to see polar bears up close, go beluga whale watching, or experience the wonder of the Northern Lights, you will want to explore Churchill. While there, you can also go adventure kayaking, discover beautiful hiking trails and indulge in outstanding cuisine. The delicious Arctic Char is not to be missed.
There are hundreds of lake resorts and fishing lodges in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. TierOne Travel is here to help you decide which one is best suited to your interests and your budget. Contact one of our travel specialists today to plan your fun and memorable trip to the Prairies.
Get Peace of Mind with Travel Insurance
Before you travel, be sure you have enough coverage. Travel insurance will provide you with peace of mind on your vacation. Find out more about Manulife travel by contacting your Travel agent.
When you’re ready to explore Canada and make your travel dreams come true, contact your TierOne Travel agent today! They have extensive experience in life-changing travel and will be able to craft something incredible that is suited to your unique needs. One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous