Brandon: Complete Visitor Guide

Brandon is Manitoba's second city, sitting in the Assiniboine River valley about 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg on the Trans-Canada Highway. The city serves as the agricultural and service centre for western Manitoba, and its character reflects that grain and cattle farming economy. The downtown has seen some revitalisation but remains primarily a service centre rather than a tourism destination in itself. The significant draw is the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, which is one of the best aviation and Second World War history museums in Canada and by itself justifies the detour from the Trans-Canada.

Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum at Brandon's airport is housed in three original BCATP buildings and tells the story of the massive joint Allied pilot training program that operated in Canada from 1940 to 1945. Over 130,000 aircrew from Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other Allied nations trained at 151 schools across the country in a program that kept allied air forces supplied with trained pilots throughout the war. Brandon was one of the program's central nodes.

The museum's aircraft collection includes a rare flying Tiger Moth trainer, a Harvard, a Anson, and other period training aircraft in both static and flying condition. The personal accounts of trainees from multiple countries, collected in an oral history archive, are the most compelling element. The museum operates volunteer-piloted flights in restored aircraft during special events. Open daily in summer; reduced hours in winter.

Daly House Museum

Daly House Museum is a restored 1882 Victorian home on the corner of Louise and 18th Street in Brandon, reflecting the domestic life of the agricultural merchant class during Brandon's founding generation. The house belonged to Thomas Mayne Daly, Brandon's first mayor. The interior has been restored and furnished to the 1880s period with original and period-appropriate items. The garden has been replanted to reflect the ornamental gardening practice of the period.

The museum also holds photographic and documentary archives relating to Brandon's early history, accessible by appointment for research purposes. The surrounding residential neighbourhood has several similar heritage homes from the same era.

Keystone Centre

The Keystone Centre is Brandon's major event and sports venue, hosting the Canadian Finals Rodeo (one of the largest rodeos in Canada) in November, agricultural fairs, trade shows, and concerts. The Manitoba Winter Fair in late March is the agricultural event of most general interest — one of the country's largest winter agricultural exhibitions with livestock shows, competitions, and agricultural demonstrations. The venue also has a curling facility and hosts regional sporting events.

Getting to Brandon

Brandon Municipal Airport has limited service from Winnipeg. Driving from Winnipeg takes about 2 hours on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1). Brandon Transit operates a city bus system.