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Churchill, Manitoba, Canada – Travel Tips and Things To Do

March 19, 2021

Things to do in Churchill, Manitoba – 

Why you need to visit Churchill, Manitoba in 2021

Churchill, Manitoba is one of Manitoba’s Northernmost cities located located at the mouth of the Churchill River on the southwest shore of Hudson Bay.

It has a population of just 1,000 people and is only accessible from Winnipeg by airplane or train.

Churchill is world-famous for the beauty of its northern lights and for being a playground for wild Polar Bears.

The tundra landscape is eerily beautiful.

To get the most out of your trip, the best time to travel to Churchill is from mid-October to November.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some tour operators in Churchill stopped operations earlier than normal in 2020. Many other businesses in the tourism industry, such as hotels and restaurants, are really hurting and need tourism to pick up soon – first from Manitobans and then from other Canadians and international travellers once it is safe.

Although we have yet to visit Churchill, we want to share the research we did for a planned trip to Churchill in 2020 that we cancelled due to the pandemic.

Top 3 things to do in Churchill:

Polar bears in Winter
Polar Bear in Summer

Polar bear watching

Churchill is called the polar bear capital of the world for good reason.

The best months to see polar bears in the wild near Churchill is in October and November.

You can sometimes see baby polar bears in March.

If you want to see Polar Bears in late Summer, you will likely have to travel south of town by helicopter to the “polar bear highway’ they use to migrate towards Churchill.

Beluga Whale
Kayaking with whales

Beluga whale watching

Whale watching boat tours occur from June to September.

The best time to see whales is late Summer, when 58,000 belugas descend on Hudson Bay.

You can even take a tour that includes kayaking with the beluga whales.

Northern Lights watching

Churchill is one of the best towns in the world from which to see the Northern Lights in the sky.

Aurora Borealis are visible 300 nights a year and highly visible from late August to April.

The best months to see the Northern Lights in their glorious green splendor over the Hudson’s Bay are February and March.

We have been seeing amazing pictures of the Aurora Borealis from all over Norther Manitoba for the past month.

Town of Churchill sign

Other things to do in Churchill:

Most of the activities in and around Churchill are outdoors and involve a lot of walking and dealing with the elements.  Make sure you bring proper attire and footwear for various weather conditions.

Dog Sledding

A unique activity that you won’t be able to do elsewhere is Dog Sledding. In Winter, a team of highly trained dogs will pull you along in a sled at high speeds. If you go when there is no snow on the ground, don’t worry because you can also ride in a Dog Cart on wheels.  You will feel exhilarated as you whiz through beautiful scenery. You can book this experience through the tour operators listed below.

Helicopter Tours

Another spectacular way to get to remote locations and to admire the landscape from a unique perspective is by helicopter.

Helicopter tours are available with Hudson Bay Helicopters and Custom Helicopters, among other companies.

Hiking and Bird Watching

Northern Manitoba has amazing hiking trails.

The trees in the boreal forest at its northern edge to the expansive sub-arctic tundra only have leaves on one side. During the summer, you will see lovely wildflowers of all shapes and colours, including purple fireweed. In the fall, you will see red bearberries, yellow willows and white Arctic avens on the ground. Rocks that have been shaped by glaciers line the edge of Hudson Bay.

You can go bird watching or see many other types of wildlife that are native to this region.

If you are a hiker, we suggest you try the Sloop Cove hike.

Itsanitaq Museum

Learn About Aboriginal and Inuit Culture

All over the region, you will marvel at Aboriginal culture and art.

If you visit the Itsanitaq Museum or have a good tour guide, you will also learn about the Aboriginal traditions and history.

If you take a tour, you might see some Inukshuks, which are human-like figures historically used to mark a travel route for directions.

Learn About Churchill’s History

Parks Canada Visitor Reception Centre in the Churchill’s VIA Rail Station houses exhibits about the human and natural history of the Churchill area. Audio-visual presentations are also available on the wildlife and history of the Churchill area. The centre also displays a collection of Hudson’s Bay Company muskets and trade goods. This is a good place to learn about the region’s Fur Trade History.

Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site (Fort Churchill) is an historic defense structure that was built in the 18th Century.

Paul’s Anglican Church is the first prefabricated building in North America. It was built with components made in England. This church was designated a heritage site by the Province of Manitoba and is the oldest church in the North that is still in use.

Churchill Rocket Research Range was used to complete upper atmosphere research until 1985. It is now a National Historic Site.

MV Ithica is a fascinating shipwreck that can be reached on foot at low tide. If you go, be sure to bring a guide/bear guard.

Miss Piggy is a plane wreck from a crashed plane that provides a popular photo opportunity.

Boreal Gardens is a privately owned and operated experimental Arctic research project comprised of greenhouses and gardens growing various types of produce. Tours are offered Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. during July and August.

Art and Shopping

The SeaWalls Churchill Murals in Churchill cover 30 kilometers along the shore of the Hudson Bay. This art was inspired by the participating artists’ own interactions with the community and environment as well as the issues facing the town of Churchill.

Arctic Trading Company has a wide selection of unique aboriginal items to purchase as a keepsake or gift.  Popular gifts include locally crafted moccasins, soapstone carvings, and drawings.

Tundra Buggy

Tour companies in Churchill:

Tour operators will coordinate and simplify your experience and take care of most of the planning of activities once you get here.

Most guides will take you to your destination in a “Tundra Buggy”, which is like a bus on steroids.

You would not want to come face to face with a polar bear without an experienced guide.  These tour operators will ensure that everything is done efficiently and safely:

We have heard good things about Discover Churchill, Frontiers North Adventures, and Lazy Bear Expeditions. Please do your own research before booking.

Where to stay in Churchill:

Aurora Inn

  • 20 rooms (2 wheelchair accessible).
  • Reservations toll free: 888-840-1344.
  • Email:  aurorain@mts.net

Churchill Hotel & Guesthouse

Lazy Bear Lodge

Polar Inn & Suites

Seaport Hotel

Tundra Inn

Where to eat in Churchill:

Most hotels have a restaurant, but there are not many other restaurants in town.

Be sure to order Arctic Char if it is on the menu anywhere.  Also, Bison and Elk dishes are very unique and tasty. 

We have heard great things about these three restaurants and look forward to dining there one day:

 

Happy Travels,

Kevin & Tina

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24 Comments

    • Kevin Strong
      March 21, 2021 at 10:12 AM Reply

      I bet. We also have a few places on our travel bucket list that have polar bears, whales and northern light like Iceland. For those reasons and all of the other things to do in Churchill, Manitoba, we want to go in 2021 if possible. I am sure that there are more restaurants (most hotels have a cafe or restaurant), but I just mentioned the ones that I became aware of through research and other articles.

  • SteveH
    March 24, 2021 at 9:16 AM Reply

    Thanks for this blog. I love reading about ‘out of the ordinaryk places that offer unique experiences and adventures. What a great place to add to my bucket list.

    • Kevin Strong
      March 24, 2021 at 9:34 AM Reply

      We are the same way. We are always looking for places to add to our travel bucket list and, as we age, its not the big tourist traps. You would love to visit Churchill, Manitoba and experience some of the amazing cultural and outdoor things to do in Churchill, Manitoba.

    • Kevin Strong
      March 26, 2021 at 1:22 PM Reply

      You are so right, Ryan. It’s like being in a National Geographic episode.
      We hope you can safely travel soon to enjoy the amazing things to do in Churchill, Manitoba.

    • Kevin Strong
      March 26, 2021 at 1:23 PM Reply

      You are very welcome. We shared it because it is still a dream for us too and we live in Manitoba. The polar bears and northern lights are the main attractions in Churchill, Manitoba that we want to experience. Everything else is a bonus.

  • barry
    November 6, 2021 at 8:53 PM Reply

    Never thought that somewhere so far north would have an 18th Century fort there. Polar bears would defo be on the list of something I would want to see while there. I missed the Northern Lights when I went to Iceland so it’s good to know where I can see them, other than in Scandinavia. I like that you have put recommendations on where to eat and stay there as I would not have a clue. A interesting article, thank you.

    • Kevin Strong
      November 6, 2021 at 8:56 PM Reply

      Churchill, Manitoba has a lot of history. The whole area was explored to find the northwest passage. We hope you get to see northern lights one day and we hope to see them from Churchill (as well as see the polar bears and whales and try the other fascinating things to do in Churchill).

  • Colin and Mitch - Very Tasty World
    November 7, 2021 at 6:06 AM Reply

    Wow – it looks as though there are some amazing things to do in Churchill. Love the idea of watching polar bears and it is an ambition of ours to see the Northern Lights. And kayaking with whales would be just sublime. Thank you for this really useful guide to what looks to be a fascinating and beautiful place to visit.

    • Kevin Strong
      November 7, 2021 at 9:57 AM Reply

      Of all the incredible and beautiful things to do in Churchill, MB, I think seeing the northern lights from a relatively warm place would be amazing. We can’t wait to travel to Churchill next year.

    • Kevin Strong
      November 7, 2021 at 1:52 PM Reply

      I would be worried about getting close to the bears, but the Churchill tour guides know how to keep you safe. Churchill is really impressive and popular with international tourists. You should visit Churchill and try the things to do in Churchill listed in the article.

  • stephen
    November 10, 2021 at 8:36 AM Reply

    Seeing polar bears in Churchill is definitely on mine & my wife’s bucket list. The Beluga whales, fascinating shipwreck, and of course – Northern Lights are all equally as impressive. We would absolutely love to visit one day. Fantastic post!

    • Kevin Strong
      November 10, 2021 at 11:09 AM Reply

      Seeing Polar Bears and whales in the wild is also still on our travel bucket list. A trip to Churchill would be unlike any vacation I have ever taken and there is so much more that we want to do in Churchill.

  • Autumn
    November 10, 2021 at 10:22 AM Reply

    Wow, I absolutely LOVE this post! I think it’s fate that you encouraged me to read it! 🙂 I have heard about this place – specifically the tours to see polar bears – and now I have a resource to refer back to. THANK YOU! This looks like such a unique adventure to take my family on.

    • Kevin Strong
      November 10, 2021 at 11:12 AM Reply

      Nice coincidence that you read this post about things to do in Churchill, Manitoba. You can see aurora borealis and polar bears elsewhere, but this place is just magical and perhaps a little more accessible. Your family would learn a lot on a trip to Churchill.

  • JoJo Hall
    January 9, 2022 at 2:45 PM Reply

    I have to make it to Churchill to see some polar bears and the northern lights! Although there are other amazing things to see and do, those are really the ones that are just breath taking and possibly a once in a life time experience.

    • Kevin Strong
      January 9, 2022 at 4:14 PM Reply

      We agree that our trip to Churchill will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s fairly expensive and a rather long train ride, but well worth it because there are so many amazing things to see and do in Churchill

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