8 Overlooked Towns In The Prairies Worth Visiting
Canada’s Prairie Provinces, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, are the heart of the country’s interior, known for their golden fields, endless skies, and welcoming rural spirit.
The landscape transitions from the rolling foothills and dramatic badlands of Alberta to Saskatchewan’s wide-open farmland and clear lakes, and finally to Manitoba’s mix of prairie, forest, and waterways. Across these sweeping plains lie small towns that are rich in history, strong community ties, and a deep sense of local pride. From peaceful farming villages and lakeside retreats to historic towns and northern landscapes touched by the Arctic, the Prairies reflect the heart and soul of Canadian culture.
Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba
If you're heading to the prairies this summer, make sure to spend a few days in the Town of Winnipeg Beach in Manitoba. Just a 45-minute drive north of Winnipeg, this retro-inspired beach town offers a relaxed, nostalgic vibe along the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
With over a mile of soft white sand, swimming and sunbathing are among the top activities at Winnipeg Beach. Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun, including fishing spots, multi-sport courts, and 120 campsites for those looking to stay overnight.
One of the town’s main attractions is the Winnipeg Beach Boardwalk, stretching the length of the shoreline and perfect for a scenic walk or bike ride. Along the way, stop by Boardwalk Station Arcade for some old-school arcade games, a round of pool, or a game of mini golf.
Dining in Winnipeg Beach captures the town’s laid-back, lakeside character, with cozy patios and casual drive-ins taking center stage. For a lively and eclectic dining experience, the Winnipeg Beach Hotel offers a bar with beers, cocktails, and billiards for entertainment, along with a restaurant serving a mix of classic Chinese dishes and Canadian comfort food.
Gimili, Manitoba
For a truly unique getaway, immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of the Vikings in Gimli, Manitoba. Originally known as “New Iceland,” this lakeside town was part of a land grant from the Canadian government to Icelandic settlers determined to preserve their Nordic heritage.
All around town, you’ll discover proud tributes to Gimli’s Nordic heritage and Viking ancestry. Be sure to stop by Viking Park to snap a photo with the iconic 15-foot Viking statue, which stands as a symbol of the community’s Icelandic heritage. For history and culture enthusiasts, the New Iceland Heritage Museum contains exhibits and artifacts about the first Icelandic settlers in Manitoba, as well as opportunities to dress up in traditional Viking garb for a photo-op.
Located on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Gimili is renowned for its clean, sandy, freshwater beach, Gimli Beach. Spend your day relaxing on land, or head out on the water with a kayak rental from Fun In The Sun Beach Rentals.
Gimli’s dining scene offers a blend of casual spots and upscale restaurants. One local favorite is Gimli Beach Boy Restaurant, known for its relaxed, beachside vibe and a menu that mixes Canadian comfort food with Greek classics like pickerel platters, souvlaki, and gyros.
Churchill, Manitoba
Experience the majestic beauty of the Arctic in Churchill, Manitoba, often called “the Polar Bear Capital of the World.” This remote northern town sits along the southwestern shores of Hudson Bay, about 600 miles north of Winnipeg, and is accessible only by plane or train.
A major highlight of Churchill is its location beneath the auroral oval, where the Northern Lights can be seen on up to 300 nights each year, with the best time to visit being January to March. For those eager to witness the iconic polar bears, the ideal time to visit is from mid-October through late November. Tour operators such as Frontiers North Adventures provide specially designed tundra vehicles, allowing guests to safely explore the heart of the polar bears’ migration route.
During the summer months of July to September, travellers have the chance to see the majestic beluga whales. Companies such as Sea North Tours offer a variety of guided sea charters, including zodiac boat excursions, as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Churchill’s compact and walkable downtown offers a small but welcoming selection of eateries, where you’ll find hearty meals and warm, friendly service. A standout is Lazy Bear Café, a warm, rustic restaurant hand-built from locally harvested logs. Here, you can enjoy dishes inspired by traditional Indigenous flavours, such as Braised Peppered Elk and freshly caught Arctic char.
Maple Creek, Saskatchewan
Welcome to the wild west! Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, is a true reflection of Canadian cowboy culture. Situated mid-way between Regina and Calgary, Alberta, it is the western-most town on Saskatchewan’s stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, just a short drive away. This natural wonder combines rolling hills, dense forests, and sweeping fescue prairies, offering spectacular scenery year-round. In summer, enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and camping, while winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing and sledding.
For a fun-filled day trip, head to Grotto Gardens Family Fun Farm, where you can enjoy mini golf surrounded by friendly farm animals, take a scenic train ride around the property, and try a session of goat yoga..
Downtown Maple Creek charms visitors with its unique blend of heritage and warm prairie hospitality, rooted in its history as a frontier town. Strolling along Jasper Street, you’ll discover western-themed shops and local boutiques like Cowtown Kids Toy & Candy, a nostalgic stop filled with vintage toys and classic sweets.
Dining in Maple Creek reflects the town’s friendly prairie spirit, with a variety of locally owned restaurants, cafés, and western-influenced eateries. The Rockin' Horse Cookhouse & Bar is a lively and welcoming spot renowned for its hearty portions and classic cookhouse fare, including flame-grilled steaks, ribs, and comfort food staples.
Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan might be best known for its wide-open prairies and flat farmland, but it’s also home to one of Canada’s most unique and beautiful beach towns. Manitou Beach, a welcoming resort community, sits on the shores of Little Manitou Lake, a natural saltwater lake located about 75 miles southeast of Saskatoon. Its calm, peaceful waters create ideal conditions for canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore scenic trails at Manitou & District Regional Park, which also features camping and a 9-hole golf course during the warmer months. In winter, the town transforms into a snowy retreat with groomed trails for cross-country skiing and outdoor skating at the local pond.
One of the area’s most iconic attractions is Danceland, known as the “Home of the World Famous Dance Floor Built on Horsehair.” Open year-round, this historic dancehall exudes a lively, old-time charm, featuring a mix of big band and country music.
On warm summer nights, The Salty Cinema Drive-In offers a nostalgic movie experience under the stars. As one of only four remaining drive-in theatres in Saskatchewan, it screens a mix of new-release blockbusters and timeless classics.
Dining in Manitou Beach is a relaxed and welcoming experience, perfectly matching the town’s laid-back, lakeside atmosphere. A local favourite is Mike’s Beach Bar, a seasonal, lakefront spot known for its tasty pub fare, casual vibe, and generous cocktail pitchers.
Canmore, Alberta
Escape to the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the heart of the picture-perfect Bow Valley. Located an hour west of Calgary and a few minutes from Banff National Park, Canmore, Alberta, offers a vibrant mountain playground in a peaceful small-town setting.
Surrounded by towering mountain peaks and crystal-clear turquoise rivers, Canmore is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. One standout spot is Quarry Lake Park, a scenic recreation area featuring a peaceful beach, breathtaking views of the Rockies, and a network of walking and hiking trails perfect for all levels of adventurers. In winter, enjoy outdoor skating on the Canmore Skating Pond in downtown, where twinkling lights and snow-dusted mountains create a magical backdrop.
At the center of Canmore’s shopping scene is 8th Street, better known as Main Street. From late spring through early fall, the area transforms into a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly zone, closed to vehicle traffic. Lined with independent boutiques, it’s home to shops like Alberta’s Own, which offers a curated selection of local handcrafted goods ranging from candles and gourmet treats to prairie-inspired clothing.
For an exceptional dining experience set against the stunning vistas of the Canadian Rockies, visit Table Food + Drink. This casual upscale restaurant showcases quality, seasonal ingredients, and combines classic cooking techniques with modern culinary flair.
Drumheller, Alberta
Venture into the core of the Canadian Badlands with a visit to Drumheller, a must-see prairie town in Alberta’s Red Deer Valley. Known for its striking landscape of colourful canyons and wind-carved hoodoos, Drumheller also holds the title of “Dinosaur Capital of the World”.
Discover the 3.9-billion-year history of life on Earth at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. This fascinating paleontology museum and research centre features over 160,000 fossils and geological specimens, along with captivating exhibits, hands-on educational programs, and guided hikes through the surrounding badlands.
The Willow Creek Hoodoos provide an accessible trail for hikers of all levels to appreciate the area’s iconic sandstone pillars. Just 10 miles west of town, Horseshoe Canyon offers scenic views of rugged hills and vibrant rock formations ranging from deep reds to soft yellows.
Downtown Drumheller offers a vibrant blend of artisan boutiques and souvenir shops that celebrate the region’s rich dinosaur heritage and Indigenous cultural roots. The town’s dining scene is laid-back and welcoming, featuring a mix of casual restaurants, cozy diners, and rustic saloons. Step back in time at Last Chance Saloon, a historic 1913 hangout where you can enjoy smokehouse favourites like slow-cooked beef brisket in a true Wild West setting.
Sylvan Lake
Experience the best of the prairies’ beaches at Sylvan Lake. Just 15 miles west of Red Deer in central Alberta, this welcoming lakeside town offers a lively, family-friendly atmosphere and an array of attractions to enjoy in every season.
In summer, Sylvan Lake’s beautiful beaches take center stage, offering calm, shallow waters ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Relax and soak up the sun along the mile-long sandy shore of Sylvan Lake Provincial Park Beach, or add some excitement to your day by renting a Sea-Doo, boat, or water toy from a local company. For land-based adventures, head to Lakeside Go-Karts & Mini Golf, where you can enjoy thrilling go-kart races, bumper cars, and a round of mini golf for a fun-filled family outing.
If you're visiting in winter, February brings a burst of energy to Sylvan Lake with the annual Winterfest, held over Family Day Weekend. The festival features unique experiences like polar bear dips, ice fishing derbies, and the spectacular “fire on ice” performances.
When it's time to unwind, Sylvan Lake has a great mix of casual eateries, upscale restaurants, and cute cafés, many just steps from the beach. For a meal with a view, head to Sun of a Beach, where you can enjoy tropical-inspired dishes and take in panoramic lake views from the rooftop patio.
Visit Canada's Prairie Towns
No matter the season, spring, summer, fall, or winter, these small Prairie towns each reveal a unique aspect of life on the Canadian plains. From deep-rooted history and stunning natural landscapes to the genuine warmth of local hospitality, they offer a refreshing alternative to the usual tourist spots. Venture beyond the major cities, and you'll discover that the true heart of Canada’s Prairie provinces lives in these communities.
