Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is the geographic centre of Canada and home to 685,000 Canadians. Tourists will find much to do inside Winnipeg, from a guided historical tour of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers aboard the Splash Dash Water Bus to a day of eating and shopping at the Forks Market.

But when you feel it's time to shake the city in favour of this province's rural charm, you won't have to travel far.

First stop: Steinbach/Mennonite community
Heading east out of Winnipeg on Highway 1, just 45 minutes from downtown Winnipeg, is the Steinbach Mennonite Heritage Village. This 16-hectare museum complex is 2.5 kilometres from the actual city of Steinbach, and is comprised of 37 buildings that tell the story and history of a Mennonite community in the prairies. Travel back in time to watch a windmill grinding grain, or watch a blacksmith at work.

Must try: Mennonite food
Come to the Steinbach Mennonite Heritage Village for the cultural experience, but don't leave before you try hearty Mennonite food: old fashioned candy, borscht, homemade bread, warenika, and Mennonite sausage.

Literary Accompaniment: Enjoy Miriam Toewes's book, A Complicated Kindness, by turns a brilliantly funny and sad story of a young Mennonite girl who desperately wants to leave her Mennonite village.

Next stop: Dugald
Less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Winnipeg is the community of Dugald, Manitoba, better known as home to the Costume Museum of Canada. Spend an afternoon looking through 400 years worth of fashion, including garments worn by everyday Canadians through history – a must-see for the family fashionistas.

Stop for a cup of tea with scones and Devonshire cream before you head back to Winnipeg to round out the experience at the Rainbow Stage.

A must-visit: Rainbow stage
Check out the Costume Museum of Canada's "Over the Rainbow" exhibit, which represents a partnership between the museum and Winnipeg's Rainbow Stage and celebrates Rainbow Stage's 50th anniversary. The exhibit features the art of theatrical costumes.

Then, head to Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg's Kildonan Park for an evening performance of the The King and I.

Last stop: Lower Fort Garry
A half-hour north of downtown Winnipeg, visit Lower Fort Garry, a National Historic Site of Canada. This is the oldest stone fur trading post still intact in North America; costumed guides take visitors back the 1850's and the early days of the fur trade.

A must-check: Manitoba Museum
Finish off your day trip to Lower Fort Garry with a stop at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg. The museum is home to the Hudson Bay Company Museum Collect, gifted to the museum in 1944.

Page 1 of 1