In praise of the Manitoba microadventure

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/04/2022 (1351 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Bucket list trips are truly magical. They yield awe-inspiring moments that last a lifetime. But they’re also a heck of a lot of work. Planning, scheduling and managing never-ending details can sometimes be a bit much. Luckily, there’s a solution to soothe your travel hankerings. It’s called the microadventure.

“I can guarantee that within a mile of where you live, there will be something that you’ve never seen or noticed before,” said Alastair Humphreys, who in 2015 wrote Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes. “Once you go somewhere you’ve never been, you are being an explorer.”

Humphreys instantly became the godfather of the microadventure, encouraging travelers to put aside the need for a fat travel wallet, a heap of gear or a stretch of days off work. His notions birthed the idea of the 5-9 vacation, meaning that you can still get that holiday high between the time you get off work and the time you hit the pillow.

“Adventure is a loose word that means different things to different people. It is a state of mind, a spirit of trying something new and leaving your comfort zone,” he said. “Adventure is about enthusiasm, ambition, open-mindedness and curiosity. If this is true, then adventure is not only crossing deserts and climbing mountains; adventure can be found everywhere, every day, and it is up to us to seek it out.”

And thanks to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, there’s no better time to give microadventuring a try than between May 6 and 16. Under the 2022 version of the Tourism Rebate Incentive Program (TRIP), Manitobans can get cash back for venturing out. Simply book a minimum one-night stay at a participating hotel, motel or resort and you’re eligible for $100 rebate by uploading a proof of purchase. Or visit one of the province’s 31 participating Star Attractions and get a 50 per cent rebate on general admission. Get all the details at www.tripmb.ca.

For the Culinary Adventurer

Culinary tourism is big. In fact, our collective love of food has gone mainstream. And exploring the food of Manitoba’s landscape is no exception. Set your sights on a town you’ve never visited and plan to spend the day in a foodie frenzy. Hit the road early to take advantage of the best diner breakfast and keep eating until the sun goes down.

In the true spirit of exploration, hop aboard a group culinary tour to parts unknown in Winnipeg. Maybe it’s a new-to-you neighborhood or a cuisine not yet sampled. Craft breweries and local distilleries will also make you feel like a tourist in your hometown. Buy a ticket to a farm to table dinner or a cooking glass exploring a food you’ve never tried, much less cooked.

For the Outdoor Adventurer

It should come as no surprise that Manitoba is a playground for those who love the great outdoors. More than four million hectares of land and water are protected in 92 provincial parks throughout the province. Camp, swim, fish, hike, stargaze or paddle—or do nothing at all. Your microadventure could be as simple as packing a picnic supper and heading to Birds Hill Provincial Park after work. Or head for the Steep Rock Beach Park and book one of 55 overnight camping sites—your homebase to explore the dramatic and iconic limestone cliffs along Lake Manitoba.

With an investment of little more than a great pair of boots, finding adventure is only a few steps away. Head to www.trailsmanitoba.ca for up-to-date information on the province’s impressive network of trails. Start with the short and sweet The Caves Trail at Clearwater Lake near The Pas with its deep, dark crevices, mossy surface and breathtaking lake views—all within one kilometre. For possibly the province’s hardest hike, the Pisew Falls and Kwasitchewan Loop near Thomson is a 29-kilometre return trip that requires steady steps and an overnight camp. The reward is an up-close view of Manitoba’s highest waterfall.

For the Cultural Explorer

Almost every small town in Manitoba has a museum, art gallery or attraction that offers a glimpse into the unique life of the community. Think of these as your invitation to get to know the folks who call these places home—past and present. Step back in time at the Bannock Point Petroforms in Whiteshell Provincial Park where moss-covered rocks on Canada’s Precambrian shield echo the shapes of humans and snakes, birds and turtles. Visit the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli for a look at how Icelanders made a new life on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. For a bit of whimsey on your microvacation, map out Manitoba’s oddest roadside attractions including Sunny the Banana in Melita and the trio of mushrooms in Meleb Park, just south of Arborg.

Best of all, most museums and galleries have fabulous gift shops stocked with souvenirs of your time on the road. You’ll come home with artworks, jars of local honey and handcrafted jewelry to remember your Manitoba microvacation.

shel@shelzolkewich.com