Portage la Prairie Travel Guide

Welcome to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

The city of Portage la Prairie is situated between the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba. The name comes from the French word portage, which means to carry a canoe on land between waterways. The city is located 70 km (43.5 mi) west of Winnipeg and was settled by pioneers, looking for a better life in the Canadian prairies. Fort la Reine Museum and Pioneer Village provides an insight into the lives of prairie pioneers, with displays that include pioneer homes and artifacts as well as a railway caboose. The Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame Museum is an important account of the sport's impact on the province's history. With softball paraphernalia from as early as the 1930s, the museum pays homage to the sport as well as inductees into the Hall of Fame. Farming makes up the bulk of Portage la Prairie's economy and it is known as the world's strawberry capital and the North American potato processing capital. Several U-pick and pre-picked strawberry farms make a home in bountiful Portage la Prairie and its surrounding area, such as Connery's Berry Farm. To truly appreciate Portage la Prairie's ecological setting, a visit to the nearby Delta Marsh Bird Observatory is a must. It is an important stopover for migrating birds of many species and hosts a biennial weekend-long birding festival for bird-lovers. In the city, Island Park is the social and recreational hub of activity. The park offers a plethora of all-season recreation, including a water park and cross country ski trails, and hosts the annual Winterfest every February.