Gimli
The largest Icelandic community outside Iceland, with a huge Viking statue by the lake, a harbour pier, an Icelandic heritage museum and a laid-back lakeside town.
Gimli lies on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipeg. It was founded by Icelandic immigrants in 1875 and was once the independent 'New Iceland' republic. The town's landmark is a Viking statue about 4.6 m tall. The New Iceland Heritage Museum tells the story of the immigrants, and the breakwater of the harbour pier is covered in colourful murals. In summer you can swim at the lake beach and enjoy lake fish and chips, made with whitefish and walleye. The Icelandic Festival in early August is one of North America's oldest ethnic festivals. Gimli is about 90 km from Winnipeg, about an hour's drive.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Grand Beach Provincial Park
- Oak Hammock Marsh
- Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
- Birds Hill Provincial Park
- Prairie Dog Central Railway
- Manitoba Museum
- Exchange District
- Esplanade Riel