Churchill, Manitoba may not be familiar to most. After all, it is a small sub-arctic town in Northern Manitoba on the Hudson Bay. However, it is here in summer that you can see Beluga whales give birth and it is here in winter that you can see polar bears hunt and play in the bay. Churchill also offers lodging options where one can relax at night and wait for the Aurora Borealis, another Churchill attraction.
The Lazy Bear Lodge is, as is the rest of Churchill, accessible via an airplane ride or train ride from Winnipeg. The lodge offers log cabin rooms each outfitted with two double beds, private bathroom with a shower, cable television and Wi-Fi. The lodge also provides complimentary pick-up from the train station and airport. Enjoy a meal at the Lazy Bear Cafe or relax on the rear deck and try to spy a polar bear or arctic fox.
The Lodge offers summer tours, in July and August, and winter tours, in October and November. The summer tours include kayaking or swimming with Beluga whales, or the eight-day "Wilderness Expedition" that combines kayaking, sightseeing and camping. The winter tours include a dog sled tour, a helicopter tour of the area or a three-night tour searching for polar bears in the wild.
Lazy Bear Lodge
313 Kelsey Blvd.
Churchill, MB R0B-0E0
866-687-2327
lazybearlodge.com
Enjoy comfortable accommodations and a dog sled tour of the area courtesy of the Bluesky Bed & Sled. This bed and breakfast offers four bedrooms with queen, single and double beds. Enjoy a homemade breakfast of pancakes and tundra berry jam before you embark on your dog sled adventure.
Bluesky offers dog sled tours through winter and summer. If there is little or insufficient snow, the dogs will pull guests on a wheeled cart. Guests can either take an introductory dog sled tour or combine that tour with a three-night stay at the Bed and Sled.
Bluesky Bed & Sled
100 Button St.
Churchill, MB R0B 0E0
204-675-2001
blueskymush.com
Spend some time at the Aurora Inn, the town's only apartment-style hotel and conveniently situated near the town's entertainment and dining options. The inn offers two-story suites with living rooms outfitted with cable television and VCR, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, private bathroom and loft bedroom with two double or one queen-size bed. The inn also offers a free laundry service.
The Aurora Inn
24 Bernier St.
Churchill, MB R0B OEO
888-840-1344
aurora-inn.mb.ca
Unwind at the Polar Inn & Suites, in close proximity to the bay. Choose a standard room, one-bedroom apartment or suite with a kitchen. Each room is equipped with wireless Internet, coffeemaker and refrigerator. Guests will receive a complimentary continental breakfast and are free to peruse the goods at the on-site gift shop.
Polar Inn & Suites
153 Kelsey Blvd.
Churchill, MB R0B 0E0
204-675-8878
polarinn.com
Spend the night at the Tundra Inn and enjoy a room with either a double to queen-size bed, private bathroom with shower, Wi-Fi, coffeemaker and cable television. Guests are welcome to use the public kitchenette or the on-site laundry room. A continental breakfast is available December through September and the dining room and cocktail lounge are open June through November.
Guests are welcome to visit the Aurora Domes, a facility used for the viewing of the Aurora Borealis and operated by the proprietors of the Tundra Inn. The best time of year to view the Aurora Borealis is between January and March.
The Tundra Inn
34 Franklin St.
Churchill, MB R0B 0E0
800-265-8563
tundrainn.com
