Manitoba Cottage Vacations
The cottage vacation that many of us remember as children is suddenly back in favour over expensive holidays to far-flung locales. Influenced by nostalgia, many are recreating trips to the cabin with a Monopoly board under one arm and a plastic bucket and shovel in the other. Trading in trips to the Mayan Riviera for cottage country does not mean giving up sun and sand, however. With over 100,000 lakes in Manitoba, there is plenty of shoreline less than an hour from Winnipeg—with beaches that rival some of the best in the world. So pack a picnic basket, a Frisbee and some sunscreen and head for the lake!
WHY GO
Whether it is out of nostalgia or looking for a budget getaway, the cottage vacation in Manitoba affords a holiday to remember. Averaging at about $1000 for a week rental is quite a bargain, and since cottages are self-catering, there’s no need to eat out, just bring groceries. Depending on the chosen destination, most cottage areas are less than an hour from Winnipeg so no major transportation plans need be arranged.
Cottage vacations offer families time together, away from everyday distractions—including wireless Internet contraptions for those staying in more secluded destinations. A typical holiday at the cabin could involve cribbage at the kitchen table, building sandcastles by the lake, iced tea on the back deck watching the sun go down, and smores around a campfire. These are the simple things in life that are made special and offer memories for years to come.
WHERE TO GO
With 100,000 lakes, the possibilities seem endless. Where to go will depend on how far one wishes to drive and what type of experience they desire, from secluded backcountry settings to bustling resort-town vibes.
Eastern Beaches
The Eastern Beaches include some of the most popular beaches and cottage destinations in the province. The main destinations hug Lake Winnipeg's 12 km of white-sand shoreline on the east side of the lake. Most significant is Grand Beach, with its pristine sand and calm, warm waters earning it the distinction of being named one of the world's top ten beaches according to Playboy Magazine. The main beach is full of beautiful people (some days seeing as many as 40,000), but there are many smaller and quieter beaches in the region including Patricia Beach, Beaconia Beach, Lakeshore Heights, Balsam Bay, Lester Beach, Traverse Bay, Hillside Beach, Albert Beach and Victoria Beach.
Cottages in this region can be found either with a waterfront setting (but not always beachfront), in the woods or in town. Even the more secluded cottages are usually within a short drive to some centre that has grocery shops, gas stations and restaurants. Look for properties that are near or within the towns Grand Beach, Falcon Lake, and Grand Marais. Lac du Bonnet and Pine Falls are located near rivers, a short distance from the lake.White Shell Provincial Park is also in this region, with Seven Sisters Falls just outside of it.
Interlake Region
The Interlake Region of Manitoba is the section of land between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba, just north of Winnipeg. Most cabin rentals are found on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, which is the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, surrounding the communities of: Winnipeg Beach, with an impressive beach and boardwalk and home to TV show Falcon Beach; Gimli, a community with a strong Icelandic heritage; and Hecla, which is a village on an island within a provincial park.
The east side of Lake Manitoba, reached by taking Highway 6 out of Winnipeg, includes the village of Steep Rock, named for its limestone cliffs, and nearby Grahamdale with its sandy beaches and emerald water lakefront. Delta Beach is also notable, with a public beach and plentiful cottages.
Western Regions
There are numerous lakes west of Winnipeg, with little outcroppings of communities scattered throughout. Along with Brandon, one of Manitoba's major centres, areas in which to look for cottages are Pelican Lake Riviera at Ninette, Spruce Wood Provincial Park, Lake Winnipegosis, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park and Riding Mountain National Park. Relatively undiscovered compared to the province's oceanic lakes, these areas are popular with fishers and hunters. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also big draws. Popular bird-watching locations include the Delta Marsh and St. Ambroise Conservation Park. The region is also known as the Western Plains or Central Plains.
Northern Manitoba
While popular with outdoors people, Northern Manitoba is not necessarily a cottage destination. Areas like Churchill are more popular for polar bear tours or Northern Lights viewing. There are several lodges in this region, usually with a focus on fishing and hunting. For example, The Pas is a popular base for fishing in Lake Athapapuskow. But some cabins do exist. Look for cabins around Cranberry Portage and Neso Lake.
WHAT TO DO
Each town has its own attractions, from festivals to museums, and cottage regions on the whole offer a host of outdoor activities, including fishing, white water rafting (on area rivers), sailing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and hiking. Most cabins are also available in the winter and are popular with snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
COTTAGE OPTIONS
There are many things to contemplate when choosing a cottage rental. While a budget is an important consideration, it is not necessarily the deciding factor. The types of cottages available are important to think about in relation to what type of vacation one desires.
Cottage Resorts
A cottage resort is normally a property with a number of cabins and cottages for rent. Each is self-contained, but there may be shared facilities that could include a swimming pool, beach, laundromat and fire pit. Often cottages are relatively small and a campground and communal lounge may also be on site.
Privately Owned Cottages
Most cottages available for rent that are not on a resort are privately owned. Their locations are various and wide ranging. Some offer waterfront and/or beachfront, others are in town. Some are in cottage communities, while others are houses on residential streets. Others still may be in the deep, dark woods offering much privacy and seclusion. Or in contrast, in someone’s backyard.
Rates are usually weekly and could be as low as $500 a week; however, some cottages in this range could be quite rustic and come with or without indoor plumbing and electricity so it is important to ask. A ‘cottage’ could be as large as 2000 sq ft or more and offer grand water views and elegant furnishings. While such properties are expensive, they become more affordable if sharing the space with more than one family.
Other aspects to consider are:
• how many people does it sleep and how many bedrooms does it have?
• are there any restrictions to how many people can rent?
• what is the privacy like?
• is there a barbecue?
• is there air conditioning?
• does it come with any extras: boats, life jackets, hot tub, bicycles?
• how close is it to a gas station and shops?
• are visitors allowed?
If renting a privately owned cabin, ensure to ask for pictures so there are as few surprises as possible.
WHEN TO GO
The cottage season generally runs from May to October and that is when most privately owned cottages are available for rent. Mid-summer months of July and August are especially popular with urbanites leaving the city in droves looking for a cool lake to dangle their toes in. Thus, reservations are needed sometimes a year in advance.
Winter cottage vacations are also becoming increasingly popular, especially for those who enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and plenty of après ski in front of the fireplace in the evenings.
WHY GO
Whether it is out of nostalgia or looking for a budget getaway, the cottage vacation in Manitoba affords a holiday to remember. Averaging at about $1000 for a week rental is quite a bargain, and since cottages are self-catering, there’s no need to eat out, just bring groceries. Depending on the chosen destination, most cottage areas are less than an hour from Winnipeg so no major transportation plans need be arranged.
Cottage vacations offer families time together, away from everyday distractions—including wireless Internet contraptions for those staying in more secluded destinations. A typical holiday at the cabin could involve cribbage at the kitchen table, building sandcastles by the lake, iced tea on the back deck watching the sun go down, and smores around a campfire. These are the simple things in life that are made special and offer memories for years to come.
WHERE TO GO
With 100,000 lakes, the possibilities seem endless. Where to go will depend on how far one wishes to drive and what type of experience they desire, from secluded backcountry settings to bustling resort-town vibes.
Eastern Beaches
The Eastern Beaches include some of the most popular beaches and cottage destinations in the province. The main destinations hug Lake Winnipeg's 12 km of white-sand shoreline on the east side of the lake. Most significant is Grand Beach, with its pristine sand and calm, warm waters earning it the distinction of being named one of the world's top ten beaches according to Playboy Magazine. The main beach is full of beautiful people (some days seeing as many as 40,000), but there are many smaller and quieter beaches in the region including Patricia Beach, Beaconia Beach, Lakeshore Heights, Balsam Bay, Lester Beach, Traverse Bay, Hillside Beach, Albert Beach and Victoria Beach.
Cottages in this region can be found either with a waterfront setting (but not always beachfront), in the woods or in town. Even the more secluded cottages are usually within a short drive to some centre that has grocery shops, gas stations and restaurants. Look for properties that are near or within the towns Grand Beach, Falcon Lake, and Grand Marais. Lac du Bonnet and Pine Falls are located near rivers, a short distance from the lake.White Shell Provincial Park is also in this region, with Seven Sisters Falls just outside of it.
Interlake Region
The Interlake Region of Manitoba is the section of land between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba, just north of Winnipeg. Most cabin rentals are found on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, which is the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, surrounding the communities of: Winnipeg Beach, with an impressive beach and boardwalk and home to TV show Falcon Beach; Gimli, a community with a strong Icelandic heritage; and Hecla, which is a village on an island within a provincial park.
The east side of Lake Manitoba, reached by taking Highway 6 out of Winnipeg, includes the village of Steep Rock, named for its limestone cliffs, and nearby Grahamdale with its sandy beaches and emerald water lakefront. Delta Beach is also notable, with a public beach and plentiful cottages.
Western Regions
There are numerous lakes west of Winnipeg, with little outcroppings of communities scattered throughout. Along with Brandon, one of Manitoba's major centres, areas in which to look for cottages are Pelican Lake Riviera at Ninette, Spruce Wood Provincial Park, Lake Winnipegosis, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park and Riding Mountain National Park. Relatively undiscovered compared to the province's oceanic lakes, these areas are popular with fishers and hunters. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also big draws. Popular bird-watching locations include the Delta Marsh and St. Ambroise Conservation Park. The region is also known as the Western Plains or Central Plains.
Northern Manitoba
While popular with outdoors people, Northern Manitoba is not necessarily a cottage destination. Areas like Churchill are more popular for polar bear tours or Northern Lights viewing. There are several lodges in this region, usually with a focus on fishing and hunting. For example, The Pas is a popular base for fishing in Lake Athapapuskow. But some cabins do exist. Look for cabins around Cranberry Portage and Neso Lake.
WHAT TO DO
Each town has its own attractions, from festivals to museums, and cottage regions on the whole offer a host of outdoor activities, including fishing, white water rafting (on area rivers), sailing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and hiking. Most cabins are also available in the winter and are popular with snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
COTTAGE OPTIONS
There are many things to contemplate when choosing a cottage rental. While a budget is an important consideration, it is not necessarily the deciding factor. The types of cottages available are important to think about in relation to what type of vacation one desires.
Cottage Resorts
A cottage resort is normally a property with a number of cabins and cottages for rent. Each is self-contained, but there may be shared facilities that could include a swimming pool, beach, laundromat and fire pit. Often cottages are relatively small and a campground and communal lounge may also be on site.
Privately Owned Cottages
Most cottages available for rent that are not on a resort are privately owned. Their locations are various and wide ranging. Some offer waterfront and/or beachfront, others are in town. Some are in cottage communities, while others are houses on residential streets. Others still may be in the deep, dark woods offering much privacy and seclusion. Or in contrast, in someone’s backyard.
Rates are usually weekly and could be as low as $500 a week; however, some cottages in this range could be quite rustic and come with or without indoor plumbing and electricity so it is important to ask. A ‘cottage’ could be as large as 2000 sq ft or more and offer grand water views and elegant furnishings. While such properties are expensive, they become more affordable if sharing the space with more than one family.
Other aspects to consider are:
• how many people does it sleep and how many bedrooms does it have?
• are there any restrictions to how many people can rent?
• what is the privacy like?
• is there a barbecue?
• is there air conditioning?
• does it come with any extras: boats, life jackets, hot tub, bicycles?
• how close is it to a gas station and shops?
• are visitors allowed?
If renting a privately owned cabin, ensure to ask for pictures so there are as few surprises as possible.
WHEN TO GO
The cottage season generally runs from May to October and that is when most privately owned cottages are available for rent. Mid-summer months of July and August are especially popular with urbanites leaving the city in droves looking for a cool lake to dangle their toes in. Thus, reservations are needed sometimes a year in advance.
Winter cottage vacations are also becoming increasingly popular, especially for those who enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and plenty of après ski in front of the fireplace in the evenings.
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