Beautiful beaches, charming towns, delectable food, and stunning landscapes\u2014this list might make you think of Vancouver Island or the Rockies, but we\u2019re here to tell you that in 2018, it\u2019s all about the prairies. In fact, some of our readers have been wondering: Why do the coasts get all the attention? Sure, the Maritimes are pretty, and Vancouver is great, but literally everyone has been there. You know where they haven\u2019t been? The world\u2019s most northerly active sand dunes, that\u2019s where. Or the country\u2019s largest Dark Sky Preserve. Or a lake that changes colour before their very eyes.<\/p>\n
We think it\u2019s time this area got some love, so here, in no particular order, are 12 awesome places to visit in the Canadian prairies. Whether you\u2019re in search of amazing eats or incredible Instas, Canada\u2019s breadbasket has plenty of opportunities to keep on givn\u2019r. That means giving it 110 percent, and these adventures will inspire you to do just that.<\/p>\n
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Experience the tropics\u2014without leaving Canada<\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BIiSwZ5giGV\/?taken-at=567847554<\/p>\n This little piece of paradise is the world\u2019s biggest marl lake. Marl is a byproduct of limestone, and long story short, when the sun shines, this lake changes colour in the most brilliant way. Little Limestone Lake can go from bright turquoise to deep blue and back again, making you feel like you\u2019re on the shores of the Caribbean. It\u2019s one of the most unique things to do in Manitoba, as the lake is still relatively unknown to outsiders. There aren\u2019t any official facilities, but that just makes it the perfect spot for cooking bush pies and telling campfire stores. Get here before the secret is out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Discover Canada\u2019s most epic natural landscape<\/em><\/p>\n If you think the prairies are all, well, prairies, you\u2019re actually mistaken. They\u2019re also home to world\u2019s northernmost active sand dunes\u2014and they are truly epic. The Athabasca Sand Dunes are only reachable by float plane or boat, but you don\u2019t have to go it alone. Churchill River Canoe Outfitters runs a weeklong experience taking you to the dunes by boat, where you\u2019ll camp and hike to your heart\u2019s content, exploring the petrified forest and finding the area\u2019s many plants that exist nowhere else in the world. We bet you didn\u2019t know that holidays to Saskatchewan<\/a> could be so legendary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Travel to Europe in your own backyard<\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BRHGIMOgN5n\/ <\/p>\n Beam yourself up to “Canada\u2019s Quirkiest Town”<\/em><\/p>\n There are loads of eccentric attractions and strange things to do in Alberta, and Vulcan<\/a> has really taken this unconventional ethos to the next level. Embracing its unique name, this town took on the Enterprise (get it?) of constructing a \u201cTrek Station\u201d with a replica of the famous starship, tons of memorabilia, and a virtual reality game. Be sure to snap some pics in the otherworldly Vulcan Solar Park, too. If all that nerding out has you hungry, stop by The Great Full Cup for a Cuban sandwich and a coffee\u2014and if there\u2019s a crafting night happening, even better.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Explore classic Manitoba activities<\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BeYZpZDnyLD\/ <\/p>\n Taste the berry taking the world by storm<\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BWTExl_FJov\/ <\/p>\n Dig your toes into a purple sand beach<\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BXj8zauD5HJ\/ <\/p>\n Get lost in the world’s largest dark sky preserve<\/em><\/p>\n Wood Buffalo National Park<\/a> is one of Canada\u2019s newest Dark Sky Preserves, designated in 2013. It\u2019s also the largest in the world, beating out the previous record-holder, Jasper National Park. That\u2019s a whole lot of room for the buffalo to roam, along with the park\u2019s owls, bats, and nighthawks, who are protected by the new designation. It also makes this park one of the best places in Canada to see the Northern Lights. Think you\u2019ve seen them before? Not like this you haven\u2019t. You can also snowshoe, cross-country ski, and ice skate on the pond while surrounded by all that incredible wildlife.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Snap some of Canada\u2019s coolest photo ops<\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bd0Ws1xg0re\/ <\/p>\n Take a haunted trip back in time<\/em><\/p>\n You might think provincial parks are only home to birds and wildlife, but in Fairview<\/a>, there\u2019s a park with more otherworldly inhabitants: ghosts. The spiritual residents of Dunvegan Provincial Park include a priest who lives in the rectory, writing letters at the desk and walking around upstairs, and a woman with a lantern who stands on North Hill, eternally waiting for her husband to come home. In the summer, you can take a tour of historic Dunvegan with costumed interpreters for the full effect; but in the winter, the creepiness factor is off the charts. Once you\u2019ve had your fill of ghostly beings, fill up on slices at Pizza Haven. The only mysterious thing about this place is how fast that pizza will disappear!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n2. Athabasca Sand Dunes, SK<\/h3>\n
3. Gravelbourg, SK<\/h3>\n
\nYou don\u2019t have to travel to Quebec<\/a> to while away the days in a caf\u00e9, surrounded by Francophones. Gravelbourg is known as \u201cA Touch of Europe on the Prairies,\u201d and its decidedly French feel is the result of early 20th century settlement from Quebec and Europe. On the Heritage Walking Tour, snap images of the classic architecture of Jardin Notre Dame, College Mathieu, and the Convent of Jesus and Mary. Enjoy a cappuccino on the patio of Caf\u00e9 de Paris, then catch a movie or show at the Renaissance Gaiety Theatre\u2014stopping for a pic of its brightly painted fa\u00e7ade, of course. Your friends will be wondering if you really are in Europe.<\/p>\n4. Vulcan, AB<\/h3>\n
5. Minnedosa, MB<\/h3>\n
\nMinnedosa is a quintessential place to visit in the prairies, filled with friendly faces and classic winter activities. Drop your line through the ice at Minnedosa Lake, fuel up the snowmobile, or try out the nine ski and snowboard runs at Ski Valley. The town is also a great home base for day trips to Riding Mountain National Park, where you can spot black bears, bison, and elk. Hot tip: You can now rent \u201cfat bikes\u201d in the park and go cycling in the snow! If you can\u2019t get here until summer, no worries. You\u2019ll be just in time to explore the Minnedosa Heritage Village, take a historic walking tour, and enjoy a beer on the patio at Corner Stone Grill. That\u2019s the Manitoba life.<\/p>\n6. Mortlach, SK<\/h3>\n
\nWhat looks like a blueberry and packs a punch of antioxidants, but is actually closely related to an apple? The Saskatoon berry! This berry is on its way to full-blown super-fruit status in the prairies of Canada, and getting your hands on some is one of the most important things to do in Saskatchewan. Mortlach celebrates its native berry every July with the Saskatoon Berry Festival, where you\u2019ll find pies, jams, ice cream, a pancake breakfast\u2014and plenty of purple teeth! Need deliciousness in your life right now? Little Red Market Caf\u00e9 has a pecan pie with Saskatoon berry pesto on its winter menu, so dig in.<\/p>\n7. Candle Lake, SK<\/h3>\n
\nIt may not have the ocean, but Saskatchewan still has some of Canada\u2019s most beautiful beaches. They\u2019re not plain old white sand, either\u2014even better, they\u2019re purple! Purple sand beaches are the result of garnet particles carried in by glaciers, and can be found all over the province. But if you want awesome amenities, too, a trip to Candle Lake<\/a> is in order. This vacation town is home to Candle Lake Golf Resort, where you can find a marina with boat rentals, golf, a restaurant, and accommodations all in the same place. In the summer, grab a sweet treat from Quincy\u2019s Corner and pick up a souvenir at Timberland Gallery.<\/p>\n8. Wood Buffalo National Park, AB<\/h3>\n
9. Pinawa, MB<\/h3>\n
\nIf you\u2019re in search of totally original selfies with an avant-garde air, you need to get to Pinawa. The old Pinawa Dam was closed in 1951 and later partially destroyed. Today, water runs through the ruins, creating waterfalls and rapids amongst the concrete and providing you with edgy Instas for days. The Pinawa Suspension Bridge is an equally stunning backdrop, and in town, there\u2019s also a sundial and a beach for extra photo ops. Make sure you take home a piece of real art, too (not that your selfies aren\u2019t real art)\u2014the Pinawa Art Gallery has photography, paintings, and more to help you commemorate your trip.<\/p>\n10. Fairview, AB<\/h3>\n
11. Saint Paul, AB<\/h3>\n