Selkirk, Manitoba Tourist Attractions
|
|
A 9 m (30 ft) high sculpture on Selkirk's Main Street underlines this agreeable east Manitoban town's claim to be North America's Mecca for anglers in pursuit of catfish. Indeed, so many catfish have been caught between Selkirk and Lockport that restrictions on fishing have had to be introduced. There is a well appointed yacht marina on Lake Winnipeg.Numerous bait and tackle shops are located throughout the town and boats are available for rent. Selkirk is located just up the road from Fort Garry National Historic Site and is the gateway to Lake Winnipeg's cottage country. Just south of Selkirk is Lockport, world famous for its massive Skinner's hot dog stand.
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
The stone fort at this historic site is the only surviving one of its kind in North America. It was built by the Hudson's Bay Company in the first half of the 19th C.
Netley Marsh
The 36,000 ha (89,000 acre) Netley Marsh, near Selkirk, is one of the largest waterfowl breeding grounds in North America, the permanent home of 18 varieties of duck as well as of geese, herons, pelicans, terns and various kinds of diver. In spring the population is swollen by thousands of migratory birds.The best way to see Netley Marsh is by canoeing along its narrow waterways, the alternative being to follow the footpath which runs through the wetland reserve. Between 4am and 6am in the morning there is a good chance of spotting more than a hundred different species of bird during the summer months.
Marine Museum of Manitoba
Visitors may be surprised to see numerous large ships in the middle of a pleasant park as they drive through Selkirk. It is not the result of a tidal wave; it's the Marine Museum of Manitoba.Several historic ships have been brought together in a park to form this interesting Marine Museum. The main attraction is an old steamship, the S.S. "Keenora", which operated cruises on Lake Winnipeg from 1923 to 1965. Other vessels on show are the icebreaker "C. G. S. Bradbury", the passenger and cargo carrying "Chickama", and an elderly fishing cutter, the "Lady Canadian".
Selkirk City Park
A reproduction Red River cart has been placed in the Selkirk City Park to commemorate the early pioneers. Carts such as this were the sole means of transport in those days for goods of every kind.The 200 acre Selkirk City park has a variety of facilities. Located in the park is a unique swimming pool that features a sand beach, perfect for children. For boating enthusiasts, there is a boat launch that provides access to the Red River and its world famous catfish. There is also a campground, numerous baseball diamonds, picnic sites, and a bird sanctuary.
