One of the great things about the Pembina Valley is how large it is and everything in it. However, one of the difficult things of the Pembina Valley is trying to figure out where to start.
You can spend the whole day driving around the area and taking in the view or you can stop by the many small towns that are worth a stop.
From Manitoba’s longest zipline to its only professional rodeo, here is a list of 50 things you should do while in the Pembina Valley.
- Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
One of the highlights of the Pembina Valley is the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden. The centre holds the largest collection of marine vertebrates in the country, and the Guinness World Record of the largest publicly displayed mosasaur, Bruce. - Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame Museum
Morden is home to the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, a non-profit organization that began in 1996. Here you’ll see those who made a significant impact to baseball in Manitoba. - Pembina Valley Provincial Park
The Pembina Valley Provincial Park is where you would go if you enjoy hiking and being outdoors. The park is one of Manitoba’s protected spaces and covers roughly 440 acres of land. There are many different trails to take to see the vast amount of undisturbed land. - Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
- Stardust Drive-in Theatre
Stopping in at the Stardust Drive-in Theatre is a must in the Pembina Valley. Take the family to see a flick on the big outdoor screen. - Lake Minnewasta
During the summer months on a hot day, gathering at the Morden Beach along Lake Minnewasta is a must. There is a beautiful boardwalk to walk along, full-service campground, picnic areas, and a playground. - Morden Corn and Apple Festival
Every year on the fourth weekend of August is the Morden Corn and Apple Festival. It is the town’s main attraction that brings in tourists from all over. Hit up the rides, fair food, and take in all the entertainment around. - Winkler Harvest Festival
Just like Morden, every year Winkler hosts the Winkler Harvest Festival in the middle of August. One of the biggest attractions of the year, there is a variety of live entertainment, fair rides, and delicious food to enjoy. - Hywire Zipline Adventures
“See the Pembina Valley from new heights!” The Hywire Zipline Adventures is the place to where you can cruise the Pembina Valley from above.
- Winkler Golf Club
Right in town is the Winkler Golf Club. This course offers players a challenge in an exciting way. Coming soon is the updated golf course and restaurant. - Carman Golf Club
The Carman Golf Club is the course to take the entire family. This beautiful course has a good mix of a challenge for more intensive golfers, and simpler holes for beginners. - The Carman Barre
- Altona & District Heritage Research Inc.
The Altona & District Heritage Research Inc. is a non-profit corporation that started in 1999. It is there to preserve research materials for the area, and to hold the stories of the surrounding communities. - Morris & District Centennial Museum
The Morris & District Centennial Museum is housed in the old Carleton School built in 1951. It holds information and artifacts from Morris and the surrounding district. You’ll see vintage clothing, old furniture, and what life used to be like. - Dufferin Historical Museum
Make a stop at the Dufferin Historical Museum right by King’s Park. Here you’ll get a feel of what life was like in the early 1900s. You also can tour the 1870s Sexsmith-Morgan log house that has Native Manitoba flower beds all around. - King’s Park Campground
Located in the town of Carman, King’s Park Campground is in the perfect spot for a small town. Walking distance from the golf course and restaurant, there are large green spaces for activities, an outdoor water park, and playgrounds available for the kids. - Pembina Hills Arts Council
Visit the local art gallery in Morden. The Pembina Hills Arts Council is where you can see local artists work, and even purchase some of your own. - Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition
Enjoy a swash bucklin’ time when Manitoba’s only professional rodeo roars into Morris! - Winkler Tourist Park
The Winkler Tourist Park is one of the most beautiful parks you will come across. There is a big water fountain where the old hospital used to be. Down the road a bit there is the outdoor waterpark with slides, the golf course, and playgrounds all around. - Gallery in the Park
Located in Altona, the Gallery in the Park is what the name says – a gallery located in a park. The exhibits you will discover are worth the drive to Altona. - Centennial Park
- Altona Aquatic Centre
A common theme in towns across the Pembina Valley is to have outdoor aquatic centres, and why not? On a hot summer day, hitting up the Altona Aquatic Centre is exactly what you need to cool off. - Musée Saint-Joseph Museum
In the small community of St. Joseph, located in the RM of Montcalm, is the Musée Saint-Joseph Museum. The 19 acres and 24 buildings are full of history throughout the centuries, some dating back to 1860. - Manitoba Sunflower Festival
Every year at the end of July, Altona hosts its signature event, the Manitoba Sunflower Festival. Head to Altona that weekend for live entertainment, exhibits, car shows, and much more. - Buffalo Creek Nature Park
Covering 8-acres, the Buffalo Creek Nature Park offers year-round activities to everyone. There are many trails available to walk and hike, and different areas perfect for recreational fishing. - Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’
Only in Altona can you see the world’s largest painting on an easel. Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh and his seven paintings depicting sunflowers in the late 1800s, local artist Cameron Cross created the 76’6” high sunflower paint, giving Altona the reputation of being Sunflower Capital of Canada. - Cartwright Historical Walking Tour
The small town of Cartwright is full of history waiting for you to come and experience. In fact, they want to encourage you to visit so much that they created the Cartwright Historical Walking Tour. Print out your map and spend the day touring the town and seeing what it has to offer. - Rock Lake
- Heritage Park
The Heritage Park in Cartwright has everything you need. From a small campground and playground to the museum to discover a bit of history, the Heritage Park is worth checking out. - Tour the Wooden Elevators
Something that is becoming quite rare in the prairies is wooden elevators. Take the opportunity to tour around one while they still stand. Crystal City is lucky to have two that are still functioning today. - Parks and Garden
Crystal City is home to a beautiful central park in the business centre of the town. The large park is perfect for families to visit. There are smaller parks within the area, and the Crystal City Memorial Park as well. - Crystal City Walking Trail
Take the Crystal City Walking Trail for a beautiful scenic tour around the town. You’ll see wildflowers and a variety of wildlife in the area. The path takes you under the Canadian Pacific Railway bridge and along the Crystal Creek. - Holiday Mountain Resort
It’s hard to believe there is a ski hill in the Pembina Valley, but the Holiday Mountain Resort is well and alive. Take the family on a winter ski trip to the local hill where you’ll make memories to last a lifetime. - Manitou Opera House
Built in 1930, the Manitou Opera house is a proscenium stage with a four-step balcony. Stop in to see what the historical opera house looks like, and to catch a show. - Fort Dufferin
Dating back to the 1870s, Fort Dufferin at Emerson was used as the headquarters and winter home to the British-Canadian contingent of the International Boundary Commission. See what the fort used to look like, including one of the existing buildings which still stands. - Roland Pumpkin Fair
Head to the small town of Roland at the beginning of October for the Roland Pumpkin Fair. See massive pumpkins that people from all over bring to compete for the largest of the year. - Roland Pumpkin Monument
While you are in the area, stop and snap a photo with the Roland Pumpkin Monument. The pumpkin is to commemorate the Roland Agricultural Society, as well as local gardener Edgar Van Wyck’s 423-pound pumpkin in 1976 that got him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. - Honey, Garlic & Maple Syrup Festival
- Gretna Town Monument
Take a trip to Gretna to see the Gretna Town Monument. This historical site is for the 1874 North-West Mounted Police whose journey was to bring law and order to Western Canada. - Gretna Hot Spot Festival
Take the family out to the Gretna Hot Spot Festival in July. The one-day festival is the perfect spot to bring the whole family, as there is a petting zoo, parade, bouncers, and lots of entertainment. - Barbour’s Lake
Only a couple of minutes from Pilot Mound is Barbour’s Lake. The lake has historical significance for the area as it was the spot where some of the first settlers made the area their home. - Prairieview Elevator Museum
The Prairieview Elevator Museum is to commemorate the early Jewish, Ukrainian, German, and Mennonite pioneers to the Plum Coulee area. Take a tour around the museum to see what life was like for the settlers when they first arrived. - Sunset Beach
The small town of Plum Coulee has their own beach nearby. The Sunset Beach began in 2004 when the old town reservoir came back to life. After being cleaned and re-filled, docks were built, and wild plum trees grew, creating a summer hotspot for all. - Gingerwood Lane
Stopping in at Gingerwood Lane is a must as you travel through Winkler. The family-owned business serves completely homemade and fresh food out of a quaint shop. While there, take a look at what they have for sale as a little souvenir. - Meadows Golf & Amusements
Take the family to Meadows Golf & Amusement in Winkler. There are many activities to do, including mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, bungee trampolines, and much more. - RUSH Laser Tag & Entertainment
Stopping in at the RUSH Laser Tag & Entertainment is a must if you have the family around. You and the family can hunt one another down in a family-friendly setting with lasers. - Saint Leon Interpretive Centre
In the small community of St. Leon near Somerset is the Saint Leon Interpretive Centre. Here you can check out four different interactive galleries on Salamanders, wind power, birds, and living green. The centre is also part of the Trans Canada Trail. - Miami Golf & Country Club
How often can you say you visited Miami? Get a good laugh with friends and snap a photo at the Welcome to Miami sign. While there, hit up the 9-hole golf course that is a lot of fun to play. - PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall
Check out something that the town of Winkler is proud of – the PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall. Even if you don’t go inside to see a show, the outside of the building is worth a look. - Winkler Bible Camp
Only a couple of minutes north on highway 3 from Winkler is the local bible camp. This camp is like a retreat for kids with everything it holds. It is worth checking out, as they also will hold events for the public.
Wow, this is a great overview of the Pembina Valley. I can’t wait to check each one of them!!
There is also western Canada’s largest collection of century-old printing machinery at the Crystal City Community Printing Museum! More info here: https://www.travelmanitoba.com/listings/crystal-city-community-printing-museum/3856/