Canada's Rapidly Growing City On The Prairie Is A Friendly Haven With Quaint Mennonite Charm

Emigrating to Canada is an appealing prospect for many Americans searching for a new adventure in the north. Some may look for the rugged coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, others head to the high mountains of British Columbia, and many go in search of the traditional simplicity of Manitoba's prairie lands. Manitoba is a fascinating province with a rich Mennonite history, beautiful big skies, and is the only province where you can spot all of the country's 'Big 5' wildlife. Though it has impressive cities like Winnipeg, it is Manitoba's small towns and cities that are seemingly the most attractive to visitors and emigrants alike, with places like Steinbach, near the North Dakota border, growing at a rate of knots. 

Steinbach is still small with just under 18,000 residents, but its chilled-out traditional vibe, love of sports, and dedication to a good community festival are shooting it up the ranks of places to head to in Canada. There are new residential neighborhoods being built, along with a new school, and an ever-growing list of family-friendly activities that will get you involved in local life — whether that's exploring the town's Mennonite history or learning to play ice hockey, Canada's national sport. 

In 1874, Mennonites created the town that is now known as Steinbach, bringing their European heritage and Anabaptist faith to the area. The Mennonite Heritage Village Museum is an absolute must-visit. The living exhibition has recreated a typical Mennonite community with houses, crafts, and buggy rides to fully immerse visitors. They have a robust calendar of events that showcase the Mennonite beliefs and cultural heritage, including music, panels, and other performances. At the time of writing, admission is CAD7.50 (USD5.40) for adults plus discounts for seniors, students, and children over the age of six. Children five and under go free. Admissions and opening hours change based on the season, so be sure to check the relevant information before your visit.

For sports lovers, there's so much to get involved with, too. There's ice hockey and skating, of course, as well as a golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a pool with waterslides and lazy rivers, and badminton and tennis courts. The city also has three major parks with outdoor gyms, spaces for sledding, soccer fields, American football and rugby areas, skate and bike parks, as well as spaces for walking, running, and biking. The city also has multiple designated trails for recreation, including the north trail, which loops around the scenic lakes of A.D. Penner Park, and the perimeter loop, a four-mile trail that gives you an amazing sampling of the city's green spaces as well as the bustling downtown. For very serious hikers, the longest trail in the world, the Trans Canada Trail, passes very close by to Steinbach if you want to tick off a section or even tackle the whole thing.

Steinbach is just 40 miles from Winnipeg, Manitoba's capital, so it is very accessible. You can fly directly into Winnipeg from 10 US cities, including Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and Atlanta, as well as from all across Canada. From Winnipeg, Steinbach is around a 45-minute drive, and there is no public transport, though you can rent a car for around $270 for the week, as of the time of writing. It's also possible to drive directly to Manitoba from the more northerly US states, especially North Dakota and Minnesota, given their proximity to the southwest Canadian border. 

Steinbach is truly a year-round town with fun things to do in the summer and winter; however, the winters can get incredibly cold. Although the peak hockey and ice skating season brings a lot of fun, the average daily temperature from mid-November to March can be as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to bring lots of warm and waterproof layers and understand the best ways to avoid getting a cold whilst away from home. The summer is a balmy 66 degrees, perfect for exploring the vast prairie lands on Steinbach's doorstep.

Certain times of year do bring different advantages in Steinbach, however. For example, if you're a lover of good beer and festival fun, then Oktoberfest in September will be calling your name. For history buffs, the Pioneer Day held in August at the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum is an amazing day full of traditional craft demonstrations, animal-based fun, and live performances. Or, there's a whole host of other annual events, including Canada Day, 'Summer in the City', 'Movie in the Park', a community garage sale, and more. It's an amazing community-oriented city ready to open its doors to the whole world.