The Fort Garry Hotel
Summer fun near North Dakota? “What?", you ask, “Are there actual resorts in this part of the US worth visiting?”
There sure are. There’s a plethora of cottage resorts on the water throughout Minnesota, (Land of Ten Thousand Lakes). However, if you feel a bit more adventurous, drive north into nearby Manitoba, Canada, a year round playground. In this vast region, you’ll find respite from the summer heat as well as conditions perfect for winter time activities.
Why do I know this?
Because eldest son Phil lived in Grand Forks, North Dakota for seven years (2008-2015). After graduating with an aerospace degree from the University of North Dakota in 2012, Phil stayed on at UND to teach in the school’s excellent air traffic control department.
We weren’t about to let his job or a little distance get in the way of having a family vacation in the summer of 2014.
Pete, Henrik, and I flew into Grand Forks, ND on August 16th to scoop up Phil before zipping up Interstate 29 into nearby Canada. We had enjoyed two lake resort type vacations in Minnesota in previous years. To spice things up for 2014, we chose to explore the Canadian Plains. What we found surprised and delighted us.
First stop, the cosmopolitan city of Winnipeg, population 750,000. Online, I discovered the impressive looking Fort Garry Hotel, a “chateau” built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1913. The Fort Garry is a grand dame of the Edwardian era. After seeing online pics recently, the hotel looks better than ever. Think cowboy western tycoon meets Downton Abbey; polished woodwork, gleaming brass, and high ceilings supporting sparkling chandeliers!!
On our first day of exploring Winnipeg, we first encountered tent after tent of amazing aromas. Lucky for us, the summer barbeque cook off was in full swing! Speaking of “swinging”, we also learned that for only $39 a person, we could enjoy live music at the 2014 Winnipeg Blues Festival at Shaw Park (home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball team). Pete especially enjoyed the blues music of The Harpoonist and the Ax Murderer.
Winnipeg hosts a variety of festivals year round. For more information for 2023 events, check out https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/festivals-and-events/annual-festivals-and-events
Downtown Winnipeg
Winnipeg is a walker's delight. There are plenty of sculptures, fountains, parks, and the Esplanade Riel, a magnificent side sparred cable-stayed bridge spanning the Red River (flowing north from Grand Forks interestingly). Not to be missed is the fantastic Winnipeg Rail Museum. The exhibits are located on Tracks 1 and 2 inside the still active VIA-operated Union Station. Talk about authenticity! (Unfortunately the Winnipeg Rail Museum is closed at this time; hopefully will reopen soon).
Checking out the Winnipeg Railway Museum
Traveler’s Tip: We dined both nights at Earls Kitchen and Bar. Yes, it IS that good!
Two nights ought to do ya in Winnipeg. If you get this far into the Canadian plains, it’s definitely worth your while to venture a bit further east. Extend your vacation at Falcon Trails Resort on Falcon Lake, a two hour drive from Winnipeg. Be advised, visit here only if you wish to get away from it all.
Falcon Lake
I recently looked up Falcon Trails Resort and it appears that this charming lake cottage community has only gotten better since our visit almost 10 years ago. It wouldn’t be fair to describe Falcon Trails as I remember it. Their website is chock full of up to date photos and details about all the cabins and amenities the lake resort offers today. We stayed in the “Owls Nest”; super roomy, comfortable, with views of the lake from our open air and screened porches.
Phil's personal favorite spot to relax
We absolutely loved spending time in our private hot tub after a swim or hike. The boys introduced me to geocaching (I still have my “lucky yellow plane I found inside a tree”). One of our hikes found us wandering onto the slopes of what looked to be an antique ski facility (which turned out to be “old school” Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes, still very much open today).
My lucky plane geocache find
Incredibly enough, while vacationing on Vancouver Island this past summer of 2022, Pete and I learned that of all wild coincidences, our tour guide, Senan, grew up skiing at Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes. He was delighted and astounded that we had once visited his remote and much beloved boyhood ski spot.
The wood fired sauna
Despite it being in the middle of summer, the boys enjoyed firing up and sweating it out in the wood fired sauna hut before “sliding” into the lake for an extra refreshing dip. For one last vaca treat, we made the arrangements for a local masseuse to give us each a Swedish massage in the privacy of our own screened porch. At Falcon Trails Resort, you’ll find the stargazing amazing, the sunsets incredibly beautiful, and time by the fire pit sublime. All in all - it’s Total Fabulousness!!!
Three nights at Falcon Trails left us all feeling relaxed, more fit, and definitely rejuvenated.
Traveler’s Tip: Falcon Trails is located in a fairly remote area of the Whiteshell Provincial Park of Manitoba, Canada. Plan on doing your grocery shopping before arrival.
We returned to Grand Forks one happy family. We didn’t know where we’d visit together in 2015 but we looked forward to discovering another lake community perhaps. Little did we know that life had other plans for Phil including much broader horizons.
Traveler’s Tip: Minnesota and Canadian lake resorts book up fast. Early planning/reservations are advised.
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