Beyond the usual: Manitoba’s hidden gems

Miss Piggy in Churchill - Credit: Karin Schreiber

From quirky roadside attractions to forgotten landmarks and unexpected art, Manitoba is full of off-the-beaten-path places that surprise and delight. Some are tucked into small towns or forest trails, while others are proudly displayed in open prairie fields. These are the places you stumble upon and never forget. Here's your guide to Manitoba's most intriguing hidden gems:

Roadside oddities worth the detour

Tommy the Turtle in Boissevain

A 28-foot turtle? Why not? Built in honour of the town's turtle races (yes, that was a thing), Tommy stands tall as a salute to prairie creativity and the small town's connection to the Turtle Mountains.

Glass Bottle Structures in Treherne

They’re exactly what they sound like, a church, house and wishing well built entirely from glass bottles. The colourful walls give off a stained-glass glow, especially in the sun. Originally crafted by a local couple, the buildings were moved to a roadside park in Treherne, making it a quirky picnic spot between Winnipeg and Brandon.

Centre of Canada Sign

Somewhere between “are we there yet?” and “I think we missed it,” you’ll find the geographical centre of Canada just east of Winnipeg. It’s a humble sign for such a big title, but the bragging rights are massive.

Credit: Handcraft Creative (Courtesy of Travel Manitoba)

Mysteries, ruins & forgotten places

Miss Piggy, the Churchill plane wreck

No, it’s not a lost Muppet. It’s a downed cargo plane with a surprisingly cheerful nickname. The crash site, near Churchill, is now a weathered monument to survival and aviation mishaps, with just enough mystery to make you wonder what really happened.

Trappist Monastery Ruins

In St. Norbert, the stone skeleton of a 19th-century Trappist monastery still stands. Once home to a self-sustaining monastic community, the site now blends quiet reflection with outdoor performances. Equal parts eerie and beautiful, it’s a hidden chapter of Manitoba history waiting to be found.

The Cement Cemetery

Theories abound, from long-lost industrial experiments to abandoned infrastructure, but no one really knows why these pillars were placed here. It’s an odd but intriguing stop for those exploring Winnipeg’s outer edges. Be aware, this site isn't formally interpreted and has uneven ground.

Nature’s ancient wonders

Spirit Sands in Spruce Woods Provincial Park

Manitoba’s “desert” brings dunes, cacti and hognose snakes to the middle of the Prairies. It’s weird, it’s wonderful and it’s real.

Bannock Point Petroforms

These sacred sites, created centuries ago by Anishinaabe people in the Whiteshell area, depict animals, humans and symbols used for teaching and ceremony. Visiting with a guide is recommended to better understand the cultural significance and teachings held in these ancient forms.

Narcisse Snake Dens

Tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes in one place? That’s not CGI, it’s a springtime phenomenon in the Interlake. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden

Forget Jurassic Park. Morden’s fossil centre is home to massive marine reptiles that once ruled the Western Interior Seaway. Think T-Rex, but underwater and possibly even toothier.

Canadian Fossil Centre in Morden - Credit: Travel Manitoba

Real life revelations

Sir William Stephenson, the spy who inspired James Bond

Winnipeg's own international man of mystery has a statue in Memorial Park. Stephenson’s real-life exploits in WWII reportedly inspired Ian Fleming’s 007. Manitoba: shaken not stirred.

Sir William Stephenson Statue, Memorial Park, Winnipeg - Credit: Travel Manitoba

Louis Riel's resting place

A stroll around the Saint Boniface Cathedral reveals a quiet gravesite that holds a monumental story. Here lies Louis Riel, the Métis leader who shaped the very map of Manitoba.

Louis Riel's gravesite - Credit: Travel Manitoba

Winnie-the-Pooh’s true north origin story

Long before Pooh was solving snack-related problems in the Hundred Acre Wood, he was just “Winnie,” a real bear cub named after Winnipeg. Her origin story? A transatlantic journey with a Canadian vet and a one-way ticket to literary stardom.

Norman Breakey’s paint roller plaque

In Pierson, a humble plaque celebrates Norman Breakey, the Canadian who invented the paint roller, then promptly didn’t patent it. Others rolled with the idea (literally), but Breakey’s legacy still sticks.

Norman Breakey Monument - Credit: The Dubious Hausfrau / Atlas Obscura User

Art, alleyways & hidden culture

Back Alley Arctic

One moment you’re in Winnipeg’s Wolseley neighbourhood, the next you’re staring down polar bears in an alley painted by Kal Barteski. Welcome to the tundra-meets-street-art crossover you didn’t know you needed.

Press On Winnipeg

Spotted a little blue bird with the words “Press On Winnipeg”? You’ve found one of the city’s most uplifting street art projects. The anonymous collective behind the pieces hopes their signs spark joy and reflection after the pandemic.

Proscenium Theatre in the Manitoba Museum

The Proscenium Theatre exhibit brings to life a time when vaudeville acts were tested in Winnipeg before hitting the big stage. With ties to legends like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, it’s a spotlight on the city’s showbiz past.

The Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg - Credit: Travel Manitoba

Manitoba is full of the big, bold stuff: polar bears, northern lights, prairie skies. But it’s also the offbeat stops, hidden histories and quiet surprises that make exploring here feel so rewarding. These under-the-radar gems are scattered across the province, waiting to be uncovered.

How many have you found?

Further information can be found with www.travelmanitoba.com.