Your guide to Churchill
Churchill highlights
Polar bear capital
Located smack in the middle of the ‘polar bear highway’, Churchill sits close to a population of about 900 Western Hudson Bay polar bears. Tours aboard tundra buggies, boats or helicopters are the best ways to spot these mighty beasts. The town even has a polar bear holding facility for wayward bears who cause havoc. Walk past to see if any bears are in.
Four glorious seasons
A summer trip to Churchill is best spent aboard a dinghy searching for pods of beluga whales and spotting polar bears swimming the bay. Autumn sees the ice start to set in and is a good time to spot arctic foxes and polar bears. Come winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky, while late spring is a birdwatching paradise.
Where to stay
There’s a small selection of hotels spread across town, all within walking distance of restaurants, shops and attractions. Choices range from simple rooms to cosy log cabins, with a few locations featuring seasonal restaurants for extra comfort. There is limited availability, so it’s best to book at least six months in advance.
Churchill: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | Canadian dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT) |
| High season | October - November and July - August |
| Low season | November - March |
Things to do in Churchill
Places to eat
Despite the cold climate, you’ll still find ingredient-driven dishes here. Look out for local specialities like wild berries, elk, bison and Arctic char (a type of fish). If you’re visiting during the Northern Lights, book yourself a spot aboard Dan’s Diner. This pop-up restaurant, parked on the frozen Churchill River, runs for select dates in February and March.
Family-friendly things to do
The Itsanitaq Museum is a must-visit to learn about Inuit culture and life on the tundra, with some artefacts dating back to 1700 BC. For natural history, head to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. Then book a tour of nearby historical sites like the fur trade–era Prince of Wales Fort, the Churchill Rocket Research Range and the wrecks of the MV Ithaca and the Miss Piggy plane.
Shopping
Souvenirs abound in town and are sold in family-run hotels, general stores and tourist shops. Highlights include the gift shop at the Itsanitaq Museum, which sells Inuit art, carvings and moccasins, and the Arctic Trading Company, which has locally made handiwork. If you’ve forgotten some of the necessities, the general stores stock the essentials.
