ABOUT THE DESTINATIONS

The Lac du Bonnet Farmer’s Market

A visit to the Lac du Bonnet isn’t complete without a trip to the Farmer’s Market. One of Manitoba’s largest outdoor markets, you’ll enjoy a morning filled with amazing conversations as you stroll through the market grounds taking in all the vendors. The Lac du Bonnet Farmers’ Market is a gem of a market that features homegrown vegetables, farm-raised meats, homemade foods, and unique handcrafted gifts.

Nothing beats the taste of fresh off the vine produce, and with a variety of produce vendors to choose from, you will find everything from herbs and spices to cucumbers and berries, corn on the cob and pickled delights. The market also features vendors with jams, jellies, honey, and more. The market is also home to many bakers with fresh baked breads, buns, cakes, cookies and other sinfully delicious treats to delight your taste buds.

Our region is also home to many artists and crafters who come together at the market every week. From small trinkets that are perfect for gifts to fantastic furniture that is built to last, you’ll be amazed by the unique handcrafted items, each a labour a love with a story to tell.

St. John’s Heritage Church & Arts Centre

The former St. Johns Church, with its spire standing tall, is unique amongst the buildings that form the Town and R.M. of Lac du Bonnet. This 114-year-old landmark, at the corner of Fourth and McArthur, is Lac du Bonnet’s oldest remaining, significant building, and has stood the test of time.

Built in 1906 by Lac du Bonnet pioneers Thomas Houston, Alexander Spence and his sons, using local lumber and bricks from the Lac du Bonnet Mining, Developing and Manufacturing Company, St. Johns holds immeasurable historical significance to Lac du Bonnet.

The year, while St. John’s Anglican Church was being built, proved to be one of the most significant years in Lac du Bonnet’s history. The Pinawa Power Plant began generating power to electrify the city of Winnipeg, William Duncan Halliday took out the first homestead, and our population increased above 400 people.

In December 2018, the Former St. John’s Anglican Church was deconsecrated due to declining members. The Lac du Bonnet and District Historical Society acquired the landmark and received Provincial Heritage Designation. The Society operates the facility as a community space.

Picnic Lunch on the Museum Grounds with I Heart Coffee

I Heart Coffee is the coffee addicts’ dream destination. Brewed fresh, I Heart Coffee has it all, from Iced Coffees and Cappuccinos to premium brews, specialty coffees, teas and hot chocolates. Beyond the coffee, Owner Chris Hall has also become well known for her creative, mouthwatering, and widely popular homemade soups, sandwiches, and baked goods.

Chris has created a special menu for the bus tour, and participants can create their meals with the options provided. Lunch will be delivered to the Museum grounds, where we can enjoy a wonderful afternoon picnic.

I Heart Coffee Menu Options:

Please choose one option from each category to create your lunch! Coffee will also be available!

Sandwich options: 1. Chicken Bacon Wrap, or 2. Veggie Croissant, or 3. Roast Beef on a Bun
Side options: 1. Seasonal Fruit Cup, or 2. Veggie Cup
Dessert options: 1. Blueberry Lemon Parfait, or 2. Black Forest Parfait

The Lac du Bonnet District Museum

The Lac du Bonnet District Museum is located in a Historic Designated log cabin built in 1937 by Norwegian Hans Erickson for his daughter Linnea which was moved to Halliday Park, home of William Duncan Halliday, the first registered homestead in the district. The museum collects and preserves artifacts integral to the area’s history from prehistoric stone tools and pottery to early pioneer times.

Located where the prairie meets the rugged boreal shield, Lac du Bonnet is a place where industries collided: plentiful trees led to timber harvesting and pulp production, early residents who settled the land turned to hunting, fishing, trapping and farming to survive, while the aviation industry found this to be the perfect place for their daring bush pilots to venture deeper into the untamed wilderness, further opening up the region for development.

Enjoy exhibits focusing on Lac du Bonnet and area First Nations, and featured settlers within its diverse nationalities. Come discover the stories of how Lac du Bonnet bricks built Winnipeg’s first skyscraper, and the major role hydro electric generating stations supplied electricity to Winnipeg. Lac du Bonnet boasts the largest Latvian settlement west of Toronto prior to WW1 and is a featured display for 2020.

Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park

Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park is located in the beautiful rural municipality of Lac du Bonnet. The Pinawa Generating Station was Manitoba’s first year-round hydro generating plant and marked the beginning of hydroelectric development on the Winnipeg River.

The 193-ha park lies on the edge of the Canadian Shield along the Pinawa Channel and Winnipeg River system, providing a natural, beautiful landscape to explore. The park offers many unique experiences, including a self-guided walking tour of the Old Pinawa Townsite, the Dam Ruins walking tour and is the starting point of the Blue Water South Trail.

Spend the afternoon walking the trails, fishing, swimming, playing on the play structures and be sure to bring your camera to capture the fantastic structures and views.

Wood-fired Pizza Dinner at Moon Gate’s Artisan Bakery

Enjoy tasty wood-fired pizza made with only the best locally sourced ingredients. Everyone knows that the secret ingredient of any good meal is love, and Moon Gate Artisan Bakery has this in droves.

There are 8 mouthwatering pizza options to choose from, which are sure to delight everyone in your household. From the tradition, Pepperoni, with some hot peppers added to kick it up a notch, to the Coop du Jour, topped with oven-baked chicken and seasonal veggies. Making a choice can be a little difficult; they all sound and look amazing. The pizza is incredible. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients, and it just doesn’t compare to oven-baked pizza. If you are looking for something more, you can also add garlic sticks, chicken wings, and salad to your meal. For dessert, choose between Brad’s organic oatmeal cookies or treat yourself to Pain au Sirop with whip cream! Of course, you’ll also need to buy a loaf of sourdough bread as your take-home souvenir to enjoy with your breakfast in the morning.

Special Guest Appearance by Mary Louise Chown

Just when you thought your day was complete, we want you to kick back and relax with your pizza and the rejuvenating storytelling by Mary Louise Chown. A gifted storyteller, Mary Louise, will soothe your soul and paint pictures in your mind as she delights you with fantastic Tales of the River, with stories about the Winnipeg River, Old Pinawa Dam, and Whitemouth River.

Mary Louise is an author, storyteller, and visual artist. Her art installation, The Skin of This Planet, has been shown in Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Inuvik, NWT. Mary Louise Chown has performed with the Artists-in-Schools Program, Fire & Water Music Festival, and has even appeared with Stuart McLean at the Winnipeg Folk Fest.

Your Heart is Home in Lac du Bonnet

As life becomes more complicated and time with family and friends becomes scarce, it’s time to regroup and focus on creating quality experiences.

This summer is the time to enjoy a better quality of life. It’s time to create a world of memories with the people who mean the most to you, right here at home.

We have a world of world-class experiences right here in Manitoba. Let’s show our province some love and rediscover that home is where the heart is.

This summer, we invite you to visit Lac du Bonnet. To visit the place where the Manitoba Prairies give way to the vast boreal forest and the Canadian Shield. To explore the pristine trails, miles of prime waterways, and the rich history that helped shape our province.

This summer, we invite you to discover that your heart is home in Lac du Bonnet.