The Gimli area has a wide range of recreational activities available, from sport to community events, in both Summer and Winter.
- In Summer, people from around the world come to Gimli to experience all the water sports, sunbathing, sandcastle building and relaxation the fabulous freshwater beaches have to offer.
- In Winter, the area is a popular destination for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and many other activities for cold weather!
Summer Recreation
- Beach Volleyball
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Jetskiing
- Sailing
- Waterskiing
- Sandcastle building
Farmer's Markets
- On Summer weekends, the local farmer's markets are booming with freshly baked goods, fresh vegetables, local honey, and crafts. The market at Arnes has everything from giant zucchinis to fresh doughnuts.
- In early Summer, many local residents like to hold or attend garage sales, where you can often find great deals on second-hand recreational equipment.
Shop/Eat:
If outdoor activity isn't your thing, there are also a number of interesting shops and cafes to check out, including:
- Alycia's Restaurant - Famous Perogy restaurant from Winnipeg has just moved to Gimli. See our instagram for a picture of the perogies!
- Beach Boy - Try a delicious Pickerel burger here, or other beach appropriate fare. See our instagram for a picture of the burger.
- Brennivin's Pizza Hus - Great Pizza with a weekly all-you-can-eat buffet in the Summer
- Kaffe Haus - Cappuccino bar on Centre Street.
- Koma Heim Trading - Gift shop in the Lakeside Resort Hotel
- Mermaid's Kiss - A gallery and shop featuring the work of local artists
- Page's Second-Hand Book Shop - A variety of genres. Credit system for donated books.
- Sugar Me Cookie Boutique & Bakery - Find traditional Icelandic Fare and other goodies here
- Tergesen's General Store (a Manitoba Heritage Site!) - Boutique books and clothing
Festivals/Events
Gimli is home to many exciting festivals every year. The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba (Islendingadagurinn) which has been running continuously for 121 years, is the most widely attended of these. It is one of the longest-running ethnic festivals in North America and receives tourists from around the world. The Viking village and the traditional ceremonies provide a lively cultural atmosphere, while the fairgrounds, sandcastle and sports contests are popular events for families. Tammy Axelsson talks about the festival and these exciting connections in an interview, above. The Gimli Film Festival , another exciting festival in Gimli, often occurs in tandem with this celebration.
Other popular events in Gimli include the following annual festivals:
- Elvis Festival
- Family Festival
- Gimli Model Air Festival
- Pickerel Festival
