Portage la Prairie: Museums, Exhibitions & Discounts

Portage la Prairie is a city located in the Central Plains Region of Manitoba, Canada, approximately 75 kilometers west of Winnipeg. The city's name derives from the French word "portage," referring to the practice of carrying canoes between waterways, as the area was an important transportation route for Indigenous peoples and early European traders.

The city has a rich historical background, particularly in relation to the Canadian Pacific Railway, which played a crucial role in its development. The area's cultural heritage is deeply rooted in both Indigenous history, particularly the Plains Cree and Ojibwe peoples, and European settlement. Agriculture has been and remains a significant part of the community's identity, with the surrounding region being one of Canada's major potato-growing areas. The city maintains several heritage buildings and sites that reflect its historical significance in Manitoba's development.