Morden

Morden is a town of about 8600 people (2016) in Central Manitoba. It is home to the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. Along with the neighbouring community of Winkler, it is the centre of a richly productive agricultural area, and home to a large Mennonite community.

Understand

Since the Morden area experiences some of the warmest temperatures in Manitoba, it has become a centre for agricultural and horticultural research. Since 1915, the city has been home to the Morden Research and Development Centre, which is operated by the Government of Canada. It is a filming location for the 2020 Amazon Prime television series Tales from the Loop.

History

Morden was founded in 1882, when the Canadian Pacific Railway built a railway line crossing the Dead Horse Creek. This spot became a popular resting place as it was ideal to provide water for drinking and locomotives. The settlement was named "Morden", after Alvey Morden, on whose family's land the community was established.

Climate

Morden has hot summers and cold winters. The average high in July is 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) and the average low is 14.3 °C (57.7 °F).

Get in

By bus

• Travlex Shuttle. Shuttle service from Winnipeg. (updated Apr 2024)

By car

Morden is 126 km (1½ hours) southwest from Winnipeg on Highway 3.

Travellers from the U.S. can reach Morden by taking Interstate 29 at Pembina, North Dakota, which turns into PTH 75, to Winkler, then turning onto PTH 14. Morden is about 34 km northwest of the United States border crossing at Walhalla, North Dakota and 40 km northeast of the United States border crossing at Maida, North Dakota.

By plane

Morden is served by a small private aviation airport, Morden Regional Aerodrome. The nearest airport with commercial service is in Winnipeg.

See

At the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

• 1 Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 111-B Gilmour St (Lower Level, Morden Recreation Centre), ☏ +1 204-822-3406, info@discoverfossils.com. M-F 10AM-5PM; May-August: also Sa Su 10AM-5PM; Sep-Apr also Sa Su noon-5PM. Contains a large collection of marine reptile fossils. The centre houses the world's largest publicly exhibited mosasaur of the species Tylosaurus pembinensis. Travel time from Winnipeg (perimeter and Highway #3) is approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Adult $8.25, student (5-17) $5.25, family (2 adults, 3 children) $18.25. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Pembina Threshermen's Museum, 24102 PTH 3 Stanley (Highway 3 between Winkler and Morden), ☏ +1 204-325-7497, pembinathreshermensmuseum@gmail.com. Mid-May-Sep 30: M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su holidays 1-5PM. Adult (16-64) $10, youth (9-15) $5, senior (65+) $8, child 8 & under free. (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 Livingston Nature Park (North side of Parkhill Drive (near Glenview Drive)). 
• 4 The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, 111C Gilmour St (2nd and Gilmour), ☏ +1 204-822-4636, mbbbhof@mts.net. 9AM-4:30PM. (updated Jul 2022)
• 5 Pembina Hills Arts Centre, 352 Stephen St, ☏ +1 204-822-6026, info@pembinahillsarts.com. Tu-F noon-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. (updated Jul 2022)

Do

Apple and Corn Festival

• Morden's Corn & Apple Festival, Morden, Manitoba. Aug 22-24. A festival that celebrates Morden being part of the Corn and Apple Belt. Lots of free corn and apple juice will be available along with many different forms of entertainment and attractions. The Morden Corn and Apple Festival. The festival is held in the centre of the city, along Stephen Street. Craft shows, live entertainment, delicious food, borscht donated by a nearby Hutterite colony. Free. 
• The Story of the Stones Tour, ☏ +1 204-822-2562. Self-guided audio tour—get a copy of the CD at the Morden Library. 
• The Back 40 Folk Festival, Morden Park Bowl, back40folkfestival@gmail.com. A blend of local and Manitoba musicians who share their talents through various workshops and on the Main Stage. Held in early June. $25. (updated Jul 2022)

Buy

• Morden Farmer’s Market: June to October: Thursdays from 4PM
• Downtown Shopping District: on Stephen Street & South Railway

Eat

• 1 Kopper Kettle Family Restaurant, 870 Thornhill Street, ☏ +1 204-822-6100. Tu-Su 8AM-8PM, closed Mondays. From Mennonite dishes, to Chinese food to burgers. (updated Jul 2022)
• Rocks Bar & Grill, 780 Thornhill Street (In Morden's Motor Inn), ☏ +1 204-822-6272. M-F 8AM-11PM, Sa Su 8AM-2AM. “Wing Night” Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. “Suds, Spuds & Steak Night” Friday. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Star Motel, 212 First Street, ☏ +1 204-822-4494, fax: +1 204-822-3262. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Single $64, double $69. 
• 2 Super 8 Motel - Morden, 3010 Thornhill Street, ☏ +1 204-822-2003, fax: +1 204-822-6669, mordens8@mts.net. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 3 Morden Motor Inn, 780 Thornhill Street, ☏ +1 204-822-6272, fax: +1 204-822-3989, mordeninn@gmail.com. 46 rooms with restaurant and bar. $85-115. (updated Jul 2022)
• 4 Bella’s Castle Hotel, 572 Stephen St, ☏ +1 204-823 0810, bellascastlehotel@gmail.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A century-old field stone house. Bella’s Castle is in historic downtown Morden within walking distance to shopping and dining. Built in 1902. Double $110. (updated Jul 2022)

Go next

Winkler is the next city, 13 km east of Morden on Highway 3. Winnipeg isn't that far off from Morden you can get there by following Highway 3 for 125 km.

Routes through Morden

Estevan ← Killarney ←	W  E	→ Carman → Winnipeg
END ←	W  E	→ Winkler → ENDS at N S