Sudbury 
Credit: Quetico Provincial Park
Thunder Bay is the perfect city for getaways, escapes, and adventure. Whether you want to experience some of the culture, see some of the tourist hot spots, sample some of the tasty local delights, learn about the history of the area, do some shopping and treasure hunting, or immerse yourself in nature, Thunder Bay and area has everything you’re looking for! Come for a day or come for a week, it’s sure to be a memorable trip filled with all sorts of different and exciting things to take in.
1. An incredible set of falls
You can’t visit Thunder Bay and not see the Kakabeka Falls. The incredible falls are located just thirty minutes west of the city. At forty meters high, the falls are actually the second highest set of falls in the entire province. The viewing area at the falls offers spectacular views. Be sure to bring your camera to capture that perfect shot. The whole area around the falls is historic and worth doing some research on before you come. While you can come and see the falls for the day, you can also plan a summer vacation around them and camp out nearby.
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2. Backcountry exploring
Paddlers rejoice! If you’ve been searching for that new destination to paddle, look no further. Quetico Provincial Park is an incredible, unspoiled wilderness park. The natural wonders in the park will take your breath away. Diverse terrain, jutting rocks, pristine bodies of water, dense forest with towering old trees, waterfalls, quaint islands, and living skies await. Quetico is home to and a gateway for over two thousand lakes, so you definitely have the freedom to tailor a trip right to your specific needs and wants. The wilderness is the perfect opportunity for quiet days and even quieter nights doing some backcountry camping. Come for the day or paddle for weeks, there are endless options for adventure and exploration.
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3. Experience authentic fort life
Located right in Thunder Bay, Fort William Historical Park is a must see, and not just for history lovers. People of all ages will enjoy what the park has to offer. There are two hundred and fifty acres of historical buildings and newly created modern buildings dedicated to preserving history and bringing it to life. At the Fort, you can learn all about what life was like at the height of the fur trade. Learn about the North West Company and the impact it had on the area. You can spend a day or keep coming back to take in everything. The Fort also offers programing throughout the year including workshops and even overnight adventures!
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4. Get back to nature
Looking to plan an outdoor adventure somewhere new this year? Pigeon River Provincial Park has just about everything you could want. Whether you’re planning adventures for yourself or a day trip for the entire family, the park has something for everyone. Located just fifty minutes from Thunder Bay, Pigeon River is truly gorgeous. The scenery is breathtaking and the falls are spectacular. Be sure to bring your camera! The area is steeped in history, so it’s worth doing a little bit of research before you come, so you know what to look out for during your trip. The park has great hiking and walking trails, has a picnic area, and of course, a place where you can see the falls. The High Falls stand at 28 meters while the Middle Falls is 6 meters high.
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5. A getaway in the city
Located right in Thunder Bay, the Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area is the perfect activity if you’re looking for an education day out. Whether you’re coming with a group, taking the kids, or just enjoying an informative walk by yourself, the area is going to impress. The area is just beautiful, with stunning views out over the water. You can learn all about how the shallow waters of the marsh and the plant life there provide the perfect habitat for many different aquatic birds and for different species of fish. There are self-guided trails through all of the different areas and eco-systems in the Conservation Area. You can spend hours walking and taking everything in, or just come for a stroll to get away, even while in the city. The photography opportunities can be pretty amazing, so be sure to bring your camera.
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6. Look to the skies
Mount McKay is located just south of Thunder Bay. The flat topped hill is estimated to be over one million years old and stands 1000 feet high. On the lower eastern side of Mount McKay, at the 500 foot point, there is a lookout point that provides a stunning view of Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, and the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Mount McKay truly is incredible, so be sure to bring your camera. Even if you’re not planning on going up, you can still great some great shots right in Thunder Bay.
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7. A day at the lake
Credit: Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
If you’re looking to plan a family getaway that everyone can enjoy, look no further than Hazelwood Lake. Located just half an hour from Thunder Bay, the lake and wilderness area has everything you could possibly want when it comes to your adventure list. The lake boasts great fishing, although note that only electric motors are allowed on the lake. It’s also perfect for canoeing and kayaking. If you want to stretch out on the beach and just relax, have no fear, you can do that as well! The lake is also perfect for swimming. There are hiking trails that run throughout the area, ranging from 1.5km to 2.5km. Pack a picnic lunch or dinner and make a day of it!
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8. Honor their service and sacrifice
The Thunder Bay Military Museum is dedicated to the collection and preservation of military history of Northwest Ontario. You’ll be able to see regimental memorabilia, war medals, uniforms and so much more. The museum is open during the week in the afternoons and on Tuesday evening. Although you can also call for an appointment. Admission is free.
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9. Wilderness adventure at its finest
Located an hour north of Thunder Bay, the Silver Falls Provincial Park is the perfect rustic adventure destination. The park features many distinct natural features. The falls in the park are incredible. There campsites can be a little more on the rustic side of things, but if you’re looking for a true nature getaway, it’s perfect. The park also features a gorgeous section of beach, waters just right for swimming, and some pretty great fishing opportunities. If you’d like to see the falls, the Silver Falls Trail can be hiked right to them. The trail is 10km long and is rated as difficult. If you want to get out on the water, there is a boat launch on Dog Lake. Dog Lake and Little Dog Lake are also perfect for canoeing and kayaking.
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10. Learn some marine history
The Alexander Henry is a decommissioned Canadian Coast Guard light ice breaker ship which was built in 1958. The ship served on the Great Lakes until 1984. In spring, the ship would often arrive in Thunder Bay to break up the ice on the harbour, opening it up for shipping. After the ship was retired, it served as a museum for thirty years in Kingston, but was moved to Thundery Bay in 2017. The ship is still a museum and offers public tours, as well as mini-museums. The ship is pretty cool just to look at, but once you get on, it’s both informative and fascinating.
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11. A piece of history
The Thunder Bay Museum is worth checking out just to see the building alone. The magnificent historical building once used to be used as a police station and a courthouse. Inside, the museum boasts six different galleries, dedicated to preserving and telling local, regional, and even national history. The exhibits on the main floor tell the story of Thunder Bay and Northwest Ontario. The second floor changes throughout the seasons, as it features travelling or local exhibits. On the third floor, there is a music gallery and military exhibit as well as works and crafts from local artists. The museum is open all year round.
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12. History come to life
Credit: Founders’ Museum & Pioneer Village
Located just a short distance from Thunder Bay, the Founder’s Museum & Pioneer Village is seriously a must see. The village has been recreated to show and feel like a real life old time Northwest Ontario village. There’s a General Store, shops, a one room school, a church, and a homestead. Small businesses like the carpenter’s store, cobbler, the blacksmith shop, and the printers are all fascinating. The village is complete with historical artifacts, antique cars, tractors, and farm equipment. It’s a pretty fascinating place and definitely a road trip worthy destination to see.
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13. Art and history
The incredible Thunder Bay Art Gallery has continually grown, changed and expanded over the past forty years since it was established. The Gallery now has 1600 pieces in their permanent collection. This collection aims to protect the artistic expression and history of Northern Ontario. The Gallery offers many different programs throughout the year, school tours, and other special programming. It also features different exhibits. The Gallery is constantly growing and will soon be expanding to the incredible waterfront area.
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14. A leafy oasis
The Centennial Botanical Conservatory was first opened in 1967 as a Centennial project. The conservatory features incredible gardens with different kinds of plants, trees, and shrubs from all around the world. There’s a waterfall and a wishing pond, as well as benches throughout. The conservatory also features a community garden and bee hives. There is great programming offered throughout the year. It really is a beautiful place to visit and truly has something for people of all ages to enjoy.
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15. Try a local cheese
Credit: Thunder Oak Cheese Farm
Support a local business and try some great cheese! Located in the Slate River Valley, the Thunder Oak Cheese Farm has been making amazing Gouda cheese for 25 years. The store at the farm offers Gouda in 13 different varieties. If you just can’t decide which cheese is right for you, you could purchase a gift basket, which features the best of everything. You can also look for their Gouda products at eight different stores in Thunder Bay if you can’t make it out to the farm (see the website for details).
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16. Go antiquing
Thunder Bay is a treasure hunter’s delight. There are over ten antique stores and over fifteen different thrift stores in the city. The shops are said to hold everything to awesome junk to some amazing rare finds. The city is known as a great antiquing destination and people come from hours away just to spend a day searching for that bargain item or that rare find. Even if you only have a few hours to dedicate out of your day, it’s worth checking out a few of the shops. Just do a search for antique stores or thrift stores in Thunder Bay and a whole list comes up.
17. Go Mining
A visit to The Amethyst Mine has to be one of the coolest things you can do in the Thunder Bay area. No matter how old you are, the mine is sure to be a unique experience that you’ll be talking about for years after. The center there hosts guided tours and you can even do some mining of your own! If you don’t find the kind of treasure you’re after, the gift shop does have a wide variety of cleaned samples that have already been mined.
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18. Home grown delights
If you’re visiting in the warmer months or in the fall, Belluz farms is not to be missed. Not only can you buy fresh fruit and vegetables right from the farm, you can go out and pick your own. Everything from pickling cucumbers to strawberries and raspberries. If you can’t make it out to the farm, they also sell their vegetables at the Thunder Bay Country Market and at select stores around Thunder Bay. Be sure to check out their website for details and a full listing.
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19. Local history
Located just fifteen minutes from Thunder Bay, the Duke Hunt Historical Museum addition to any trip or vacation. First opened in the fifties, the museum was created to house and preserve items from the pioneer days before they were lost forever, and their history along with them. H.K. Hunt was the museum’s original curator and donated quite a few artifacts from his own personal collection. Come and see the rooms and rooms packed with historical memorabilia and learn a little about the local history.
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20. Take in a game
If you’re in Thunder Bay during the right season, you should definitely considering taking in a ball game. The Port Arthur Stadium is home to the Thunder Bay Border Cats. The stadium was first built in the fifties. Locals have touted it to be a great place to try some of the local brews, which are sold at the concessions.
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21. The night sky like you’ve never seen it before
The David Thompson Astronomical Observatory in the Fort William Historical Park offers you a unique glimpse at the stars. The observatory is home to one of the largest telescopes in Central Canada. The observatory offers programming and events all year round. You don’t have to be an astronomer to enjoy the observatory. People of all ages can enjoy viewing the stars like they’ve never experienced before. You’ll be able to see galaxies, planets, and so much more! Admission is super inexpensive, so you can bring the whole family for this unique experience.
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22. Learn all about sports history
Come learn all about the history of sport in the area at the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Many of the items in the collection have been donated by the public over the years. If you want to see archival information, you can book an appointment to do so. There is also a large collection of newspaper clippings and articles related to sports and athletes from the region. The library on site features books about sports history, both local and general. There are special events and programs held throughout the year. Check out the website for details.
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23. Check out a local art gallery
If you’re looking for a unique piece of art to add to your collection or if you’d just like to check out a local gallery that showcases some of the region’s tremendous talent, head on over to the Anishnabae art gallery. Located right in Thunder Bay, the gallery features works in different mediums from a whole host of different artists. They also offer custom framing.
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24. A really cool tug boat
If you’re in Thunder Bay with a few extra hours to kill, kill them in style at the Kaministiquia River Heritage Park. The park overlooks the beautiful Kaministiquia River. Perhaps the most spectacular part of the park (especially if you’re coming from a part of the country that doesn’t have boats like this) is the James Whalen Tug boat. The boat stands proudly off to the side of the scenic walking paths. Be sure to bring your camera!
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25. See the river rapids
Credit: Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
Outdoor adventurers of all ages will love the Cascades Conservation Area. The locals know what a gem this area is. The hiking trails provide exciting trails for hikers of all skill levels. There is even a paved, wheel chair accessible route to see the area and is perfect for walking and jogging as well. The trail offers spectacular views of the scenery, but the main focus are the rapids of the Cascade River. The area has a pavilion which features information about the natural history of the area and is just the right spot for a picnic lunch or dinner. Come for the day or the afternoon, you’ll be sure to have a great time enjoying this beautiful natural spot.
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