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Latest Churchill hotel reviews
Pro
Polar bears and Aurora Borealis
Con
the cold and the distance and the price
In a nutshell
The best place to see polar bears!
eswepe Says: When you're in Churchill, make sure you stop by the post office to have your passport stamped. It's the most beautiful polar bear stamp - my favorite page in my passport (and it only takes a few seconds). I'd recommend going there first so you can check hours and go back...
Babzz Says: Miss Piggy is a cargo plane that crashed near the town of Churchill in 1979. Fortunately, all eight crew on board walked away. Apparently the plane was left on site because it would have been more damaging to the environment to remove it. Now it's a popular site to visit....
Babzz Says: Yep, they're really expensive, but they're also probably the best way to see polar bears, which is the reason you're way up in freezing Churchill, Manitoba in November! It's a full-day adventure beginning between 7:30-8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. or so. You will have snacks,...
Suba dive with beluga whales in the Arctic Ocean!
iwishiwasinpakistan Says: The summer waters of Churchill, Manitoba are home to some 3,000 beluga whales for your viewing. Here's something a tourist wrote: "Floating facedown in Canada’s frigid Hudson Bay, I watch the scene below me. A pod of nine beluga whales slowly circle beneath, their white...
MTrav Says: Well I think the most popular thing for a visitor to do is to take a Tundra Buggy trip to watch Polar Bears in their natural habitat. There are a few competing companies, but basically you take a day-long trip in a school bus / monster truck vehicle specially designed to...
1 Review and 10 Opinions a small simple hotel - no meals but sometimes a warm drink when we got back from the days bear...
Gypsy's Bakery & Deli: Basic Diner with Good Selection
Babzz Says: The restaurant is diner style, so not anything special for ambiance, but the food is decent and they have a good selection at reasonable prices. It was busy in there when we went and I believe it's quite popular with the locals. They have local specialties like Arctic char...
Trader's Den: Most Expensive Unimpressive Food We've Ever Eaten!
Babzz Says: We were told the restaurant serves up local fare, but the menu was really small. Arctic char, Churchill-style bannock, and sauce made from locally-picked mushrooms were the local items. I was disappointed that caribou wasn't on the menu (though it was available at the local...
MTrav Says: We walked around the corner to a small bar and had ourselves a good time. My girlfriend Barbara was accused of being a NEWFIE. (Newfoundlander) For some unknown reason this nearly started a brawl. Something warm.
Babzz Says: The train ride up to Churchill from Winnipeg is LONG (almost two days) and SLOW (because the tracks are infrequently maintenanced, so they are crooked, and the train could derail at high speeds); however, it is also potentially much cheaper if you are not staying in a...
MTrav Says: Churchill is isolated. I think the nearest road is in Thompson, 150 miles or so to the south. A railroad goes all the way to Churchill. So the only way to get to Churchill is to fly there or take a train. Three friends and I flew in a small private airplane, from North...
The Trading Post: Polar Bear Hats & Mittens @ The Trading Post
eswepe Says: There is a "trading post" at the far end of town that has some cute touristy type things. It's really one of the only gift shops and worth a trip. This is also one of the places you can book helicopter rides and they have a public bath room. There are a few funny t-shirts,...
Babzz Says: Polar bears do make their way into town (though mostly the outskirts, so don't panic!). There were 12 individuals in the polar bear jail when we were visiting. They keep them there until the bay freezes so that they don't return once released. The garbage dump is an...
MTrav Says: You may hear an air-raid sounding siren at night in Churchill. I was told that this is a Polar Bear alert, however according to a fellow VTer, this is simply to let you know that a curfew is in effect.
grets Says: Although usually just found on the tundra, bears have been known to wander into town. You must always be on your guard against bumping into one of these giants while you walk about town, especially at night.
Babzz Says: There's a guy who keeps huskies chained up on some land outside of town that does not technically belong to him. It is well known around town that he baits the bears with the dogs' food and then charges tourists to see them up close and even interacting with the dogs (you...
Babzz Says: We were planning to partake in a dog-sledding trip until we were told that you pay $90 for about a 15 minute ride followed by a cup of hot chocolate with the owners. Of course, if you are really dying to try this mode of transportation, then maybe it's worth it for you, but...
grets Says: It can get incredibly cold here, especially if an icy wind blows. Lots of layers, hats, scarves and gloves are recommended, as is footware with a good grip. High heeled shoes are a total waste of time!
maryellen50 Says: Soft sided is easier to store under your bunk bed Polar Tec Clothing and Good Hiking Boots. Layering is the way to go. You definitely need a parka and plenty of disposable hand and foot warmers. Digital cameras work best on this bright white background. Bring extra...
Most of Churchill is off the beaten path
grets Says: You do need to get out on to the tundra if you would like to get a good look at the polar bears in their natural habitat. Many outfites arrange half day and all day tours to spot these delightful creatures.
FloydVaughn Says: Churchill has a wonderful little paper called the Hudson Bay Post - enjoyable stories about life in Churchill as well as articles about wildlife and local history. The people really go out of their way to help you out and are very friendly!
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Plan a Churchill vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Churchill locals
you do not have a lot of room in the train going to CHurchill and even less in the plane back to Winnipeg so you cannot take big bags or cases. thick warm...
Q: I was in churchill last year October 11 -16 and there was no snow/ ice and few bears. I am planning to go again this year but...
A: bear mark!!! A trip to Churchill is on my travel wish list, but I would hate to go and miss out on seeing the bears.
Read 3 Replies
1
Polar bears are big business here, and it is all very well organised. The Tundra Buggy is enormous and there are only 14 in our group. We have enough room to use a bench seat each, and the middle......
3
Located on the western shore of Hudson Bay and not accessible by road lies the small northern seaport of Churchill, Manitoba. Travelling on a Tundra Buggy is the most comfortable and safe way to...
4
This trip was wonderful - expensive but wonderful! We did it as part of a trip - the Polar bears were one of the highlights. I had always wanted to see the Northern Lights and we got to see them...
5
Churchill is a small town on the Hudson Bay, roughly 600 miles north of International Falls, MN. Churchill has been occpied for a long time, by the Dorset, Thule, and Dene people, who established...
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