Portage la Prairie is the center of a mixed-farming region. The city boasts diversified industries. Portage la Prairie is not far from the site of Fort La Reine, which used to be an important fur-trading post. Vérendrye built the fort in 1738 as a carrying point between the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba. Nowadays it houses a museum.

The museum includes several buildings that depict the history of life in the prairie. Sites that belong to the museum include a replica of the historic Fort la Reine, an old railway caboose, a beautifully restored Ukrainian Pioneer Church, a firehall with a restored 1931 Seagrave Fire Truck, a schoolhouse and church from the 1880s, a Sioux tipi and several 19th-century houses.

Saskatchewan Avenue is the city's main thoroughfare. It is lined woth several historical buildings. Other interesting streets are Tupper Street and Royal Road. Crescent Road follows the shore of Crescent Lake for some 5 kilometers. It is lined with many large, grand heritage homes from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The World's Largest Coca-Cola can used to be a water tower. Stride Place is home to two indoor hockey arenas, an indoor waterpark, a fitness centre,and conference facilities. The Stride Place atrium is the location of the Portage Farmers' Market during the winter months. In summer is takes place at several locations outdoors.

Portage la Prairie's City Hall was built of limestone in 1898. The building was originally a port office, but it has housed the town hall since 1960.

St. Mary's la Prairie Anglican Church was first inaugurated in 1854, but it was rebuilt in 1898. The church is located in the center of town.

There are several nice parks in Portage la Prairie. Island Park includes Crescent Lake, which is a nesting site for flocks of migratory waterfowl. The park is popular for bird-watching, canoeing and hiking. It features a network of walking trails, several monuments and an arboretum. Not far from the park are a golf course and a water park, as well as an indoor wave pool.

The Community Walkway is a 5.2 km (3.2 mi) long trail that is excellent for walking, bicycling, skateboarding and rollerblading. It runs past numerous beautiful historic homes, as well as several picturesque sites along the Crescent Lake.

The Portage Spillway is the location, where the Assiniboine River empties into the Portage Diversion. The area is included in the Portage Spillway-Wayside Provincial Park. Other parks include the Spruce Woods Provincial Park and the St. Ambroise Beach Provincial Park.

Not too far from Portage la Prairie, are some good beaches, including Delta Beach, which is home to the Delta Marsh Wildlife Reserve.

Jackson Lake is a half-hour drive west of town. Twin Lakes Beach is an hour northeast of Portage.

Southport is 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Portage la Prairie. It is home to the Southport Recplex, which features a fitness center with a rock-climbing wall, a gymnasium and a bowling alley.

Accommodation and restaurants are available in Portage la Prairie. The city is in the south of Manitoba, 75 km (47 mi) west from Winnipeg and 1,750 km west from Ottawa.