These date ideas will keep you busy every month in Manitoba

Posted February 08, 2023

Whether you're a Hinge professional or someone in a longterm relationship, it's time to crank your dating game up a notch. No matter the month in Manitoba, there are an abundance of ways to get out and about and enjoy some quality time with your loved one. Some of these aren't necessarily month-specific, but we've organized them as such to give you go-to ideas for every month of the year. Here we go!

January

Embark on a winter zoo date

Did you know that the animals at the Assiniboine Park Zoo tend to be more active in the colder months? That's why a wintry stroll through the zoo is the perfect date idea for January. Complete the day with a breakfast or lunch at the amazing Park Cafe.

Test your strength ice climbing

For the physically inclined, ice climbing at the Club d'escalade de Saint-Boniface is a great way to test your strength and endurance (and potentially show off a little). You can try to make it to the top every Tuesday and Friday from 6:30pm - 9:30pm, weather permitting.

Cuddle into a winter getaway

Of course this idea isn't for the first date or even second, but those who have been dating for awhile will delight in a cozy winter getaway to one of the many winterized accommodations in Manitoba, from winter camping in an oTENTik in Riding Mountain National Park to warming up in a sauna at Falcon Trails Resort or the Fiddlehead Cabin. And if you really need to get away from your kids (and kids in general), try the adults-only Tallpine Lodges.

Listen to jazz at Oval Room Brasserie

If you're not much of an outdoorsy person during the winter months, consider dressing up for a night on the town at the elegant and cool Oval Room Brasserie.

Treat yourself to specialty dining

February may as well be Foodie Month here in Manitoba. Choose one of the many restaurants on Ciao! Dine About Winnipeg for an affordable, 3-course gourmet meal, try a creative spud dishes during Poutine Week or nab a table at the coveted RAW:Almond. For a totally Manitoban meal, book a spot at The Den: a snow carved dining experience!

Skate on a date

No winter bucket list would be complete without a skate on one of Manitoba's many rinks. Stop by each and every warming hut on The Forks Skating Trails or skate the oval In Brandon, Manitoba. There are also skating trails that wind through the forest in Wasagaming, Riding Mountain National Park!

March

Visit a brewery

Manitoba is a brewery boon - from established brands like Farmery Estate Brewery in Neepawa to city favourites like the tropical Kilter Brewery, there are tons of options to pick from for your date. We suggest Nonsuch Brewing Co. for the wow-factor atmosphere and One Great City Co. for the fantastic menu. Outside of Winnipeg, hit up Rendezvous Brewery and Taproom in Morden, Dead Horse Cider near Winkler or The Public Brewhouse and Gallery in Steinbach. Grab a Manitoba Brew Pass to save while you sip!

Go dogsledding

Get one last winter adventure in before the melt with a dog sledding excursion! In Churchill, head onto the trail with Wapusk Adventures. In southern Manitoba, book a tour with Richer's Harness Adventure Mushing Co. or St. Martin's Interlake Dog Tours.

Relax at the spa

Does utter relaxation make the heart grow fonder? Find out at one of the province's spas. In Riding Mountain National Park, you can experience in the brand new Klar So Nordic Spa, while in Winnipeg you can melt into the hot-cold cycle of Thermëa. Other options include couples Hamam at TenSpa or the Ganban-yoku treatment at Pocca Poca Spa.

Learn something new together

Newsflash, museums actually make for really interesting dates. Wandering through a museum is a great way to spark discussion with your loved one. There's also something to be said for experiencing life changing exhibits together (ie; like at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights).

April

Have an extravagant brunch

Is there any better way to start the day than by sleeping in followed by an over the top brunch? There are plenty of options to choose from: Clementine and the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg, or Komfort Kitchen in Brandon and Pineridge Hollow near Birds Hill Provincial Park, just to name a few.

Laugh it up

Couples that laugh together, stay together! Plan an evening out at one of Winnipeg's comedy clubs: Rumours is an local favourite, while Yuk Yuks at the Fort Garry Hotel is a new club on the scene.

Cozy into a coffee shop

April is one of those months that's hard to predict weather-wise, but coffee dates always work. If it's a nice brisk spring day, grab a coffee and head out for a wander through a nearby neighbour (does anyone else LOVE looking at house exteriors?) If it's a cooler day, it's always nice to relax inside a cozy cafe with your special someone.

Get your game on

Get active and maybe even competitive with Manitoba's gaming facilities! Two top pics are the highly interactive Activate Games (be prepared to work up a sweat)

May

Set out on a roadside attractions road trip

This one pairs nicely with the two previous date ideas, but can also be done as a stand alone. Manitoba as an abundance of roadside statues and attractions that make for fun photo-ops - how many can you reach in a day?

Explore nature by water

Spring has sprung, and by end of May, temperatures should be warm enough to embark on some paddling adventures. Book with tour and equipment providers like Prairie Sea Kayaks (Gimli), River Rat Rentals (Souris), Nature's Edge Tourism (St. Malo) and Wild Loon Adventure Company.

Book dinner and an overnight

For your next date night or staycation, consider these hotels that have restaurants on site or in close proximity. Several also have pools and spas, making for an excellent night away!

Snake into the Interlake

What? Viewing hoards and hoards of mating snakes isn't your idea of romantic? Think again! This FREE activity is a great way to spend a spring day (keep an eye on activity by checking back to this page in May), especially if you pair it with grabbing lunch somewhere in the Interlake, such as Kahleigh's Brew Barn in Riverton or Ship & Plough in Gimli. Arborg also has a super cute and iconic bakery worth stopping into for a treat!

Ride the polar express

Whether you love the rush of flying down a rollercoaster or prefer the gentle turns of the merry-go-round, amusement park dates are romantic in their own way. Make a plan to go to Winnipeg's Red River Ex, happening June 16 to 25, 2023. No pressure to win one of those giant stuffed tigers.

Explore a small town

Sometimes the road less travelled is the most romantic. Pick a town, any town (we have a few suggestions here and here) and embark on an open ended road trip into the province. Don't forget to pack some snacks for the road!

Hold hands through the garden

Take a leisurely drive south to the town of Boissevain and the nearby International Peace Gardens. Plant lovers will enjoy browsing the gardens and the indoor cacti/succulent room. Or, head to Winnipeg and explore the new Gardens at the Leaf. Once you've made your way through a wide variety of outdoor gardens, head inside for lunch at Gather and find even more plants (and butterflies!) in The Leaf biomes.

July

Enjoy a picnic at Assiniboine Park

It's summertime and the living is easy. Let's be real, just about anything you do in July is going to be enjoyable - but even more so if you do a little planning. Head to Assiniboine Park for a stroll through the English Gardens and Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, before finding a spot to sit and enjoy a home-packed picnic.

Head out on a retro road trip

Lockport is the place to go for all things retro: grab a classic fries and burger combo from Half Moon Drive In before heading to Skinner's (with TWO locations to choose from) for some ice cream (vice versa works too).

Spend the day at the beach

This one might seem obvious, but splashing and laughing at one of Manitoba's best beaches really is a great way to spend a hot summer's day. Pick one of the most popular beach spots (think Grand Beach and Victoria Beach) or opt for a beach located near a small town.

Float down a lazy river

Tubing down a gently flowing lazy river seems to be all the rage right now! It also has the potential to be quite romantic. Grab a double tube and float down waterways such as the Pinawa Channel (rentals from Wilderness Edge Resort, Float & Paddle and Pinawa Unplugged) or the Brokenhead River.

August

Watch a movie at the drive-in

Retro and romantic, catching a movie at a drive-in theatre may just be one of the most classic date nights there is (unless you get stranded of course). There are only a few left in the province: Big Island Drive-In in Flin Flon and the Stardust Drive-In Theatre in Morden. You can also watch a movie while enjoying a warm summer's evening at the beach at the Gimli Film Festival.

Uncover the vast beauty of the north

Have a unique experience with your loved one on a road trip into Manitoba's stunning northern region. Plan to stop into hubs like The Pas, Flin Flon and Thompson and see some of the most beautiful lakes you'll ever encounter and some of the most breathtaking views in the province.

Spend quality time on route to Churchill

Yes, the train from Winnipeg to Churchill takes approximately 48 hours - excellent quality time if you ask me. Unwind from it all and spend your journey enjoying on-board meals, reading, relaxing and spending time with one another with no distraction. Once you arrive in Churchill, you'll have plenty of adventure with belugas, polar bears and more.

Explore Hecla Island

Take the drive to Hecla Island and experience some of what the Interlake region has to offer. You can opt to stay at the Lakeview Hecla Resort (which has a very nice adults-only spa and mineral pool) or at Gull Harbour Marina & Lighthouse Inn, which features a lovely restaurant. Swim off the shore, take a self-guided tour of the Hecla Village and of course take a few selfies at the Gull Harbour Lighthouse.

September

Shop the Farmers' Market

It's easy to spend an entire morning at the Farmers' Market browsing locally made goodies and farm-fresh produce: why not bring your special someone along for the fun? Hit the road to see rural favourites like the Arnes Farmers Market or head to the largest in Manitoba – the St. Norbert Farmers' Market.

Admire the fall foliage in Pinawa

Once the leaves start to turn and change colours, one of the best places in the province to visit is Pinawa Dam Provincial Park and suspension bridge. You'll love walking around this Manitoban ruin while taking in the autumn colours. Plus, the suspension bridge makes for some lovely photos!

Find your way out of a corn maze

Getting lost in a corn maze is a quintessential Manitoba fall activity, made even better when you have someone to get lost with. Here are 5 to check out next autumn!

Watch the migration at Oak Hammock Marsh

Oak Hammock Marsh is one of the best places in the province to see the annual fall bird migration - whether it be from the viewpoint of a canoe or through the marsh boardwalk. There are a number of activities that mark the migration, so keep an eye on the website closer to September for events.

Take a fall hike

Take in the orange and red hues of the season and see the leaves change colours on a hike. Bring warm beverages and make your way through one of Manitoba's best trails: from the Gorge Creek Trail of Riding Mountain National Park to a simple and easy walk through La Barriere Park, Winnipeg.

Make a toast at a romantic Goose Flight Dinner

October is a magical time of the year at FortWhyte Alive, when you can see the magnificent Canadian goose migration in action. The Goose Flight Feasts include lakeside views of the setting sun and a 3-course dinner prepared by the Buffalo Stone Cafe.

November

Take a cooking class

This date may be a bit of a cliche - but who cares? You get to learn a new skill AND eat some super delicious food! The Food Studio offers cooking classes year round, so keep an eye on their schedule.

Catch a theatrical production

While November feels like an in-between month, it's also when theatre season in Manitoba starts ramping up! Keep an eye out for productions from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Théâtre Cercle Molière and small town venues like the Manitou Opera House and enjoy a classic dinner-and-a-show date!

Stay in a bed & breakfast

November is a little unpredictable when it comes to weather, but it's definitely one where you'll want to be as cozy as possible. Check into a quaint bed & breakfast in Manitoba and explore a new region, or just enjoy a nice slow pace of life. A few options that are open in the winter are: Riding Mountain House, Aaron's on the Lake, Bella's Castle and The Herdsman House.

Attend a trivia night

This seems like a good one for a first date, just in case you feel inclined to see if your potential future BF/GF loves Harry Potter as much as you do. Follow your local pubs and taverns on social media as these are the places that tend to hold trivia nights! In Brandon, that means places like Eagles' Nest Bar & Grill, and in Winnipeg, places like The Getaway Cafe and Wee Johnny's.

December

Go snowshoeing or cross country skiing

While we can't predict the weather, Manitoba almost always has snow in December which makes it a great month to start with winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For snowshoeing, there are many lodges and resorts throughout the province that rent gear, including FortWhyte Alive right here in Winnipeg. If you need to rent cross-country skis, the Windsor Park Nordic Centre is a great place to start. For those with their own gear, there's a number of amazing cross-country ski trails and clubs to explore - the Pumpkin Creek Ski Club and the Owl Wing Nordic Centre are great choices.

Shop at a holiday market

Twinkling lights and festive spirit makes this time of year special as is, but even more so if you're spending it with someone you love. Take a day to finish some of your holiday shopping at a market - there are a ton to choose from throughout the province, and we put together a list every September that details upcoming sales from the fall through to December.

Kiss under the lights

Kissing under the mistletoe is so overdone, don't you think? Fall in love all over again in magical, twinkling settings like the Canad Inn's Winter Wonderland , Zoo Lights and at the beautiful Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks.

Sleigh ride

Head to any winter festival in the month of December and chances are you'll have the opportunity to hop aboard a festive sleigh ride, cuddled up next to your loved one. One sleigh ride opportunity that we think deserves a shout out is at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum's annual Winter Wonderland.