10 Things To Do In Thunder Bay Ontario
Canada Travel || Tags: Canada, Ontario ||Inside: 10 things to do in Thunder Bay; Hiking in Thunder Bay; What to do while visiting Thunder Bay Ontario.
Located right on Lake Superior Thunder Bay is a city of about 100,000 people and it’s an outdoor persons dream! If you’re into winter sports, hiking, or fishing this is a great place for you. If you’re a little more like me and into the warm weather, visit in the summer.
We found so much to do on my latest trip to visit my best friend. Here is everything you need to know before you visit Thunder Bay, and my top 10 favourite things to do while you are here:
Know Before You Go
Weather
Thunder Bay is located in Northern Ontario, close to the Minnesota boarder. The summer months are usually warm and sunny with temperatures in the mid to high 20s C (about high 70s to low 80s F), in the winter temperatures regularly get as low as -20C (-4F). Be prepared in the winter with warm clothes and boots! The summer is more enjoyable to visit, but the winter can be fun too!
How To Get To Thunder Bay
You can fly into Thunder Bay International Airport, which is located close to the centre of town. It is a small airport and you’ll likely have to connect through Toronto to get in/out of Thunder Bay.
You can drive to Thunder Bay, and it is a common stop on a cross Canada road trip! It is about a 15 hour drive from Toronto, but only about an 8 hour drive from Winnipeg. You can drive from Minneapolis Minnesota in about 6 hours.
Up for a road trip? Here are things to do in Grand Marais Minnesota, only an hour and a half drive away!
Top 10 Things To Do In Thunder Bay
Hike Mount McKay
You’ll see Mount McKay as soon as your flight lands! Located close to the airport it towers 1000 feet over the city. At 500 feet you drive to a scenic look off which has a picnic area and displays by the Fort William First Nations. A short but challenging hike takes you to the top, where you’ll be able to over see the whole city. Definitely my favorite hike in Thunder Bay.
Thunder Bay Conservatory
This is one of my all time favorite places anywhere. Thunder Bay’s Centennial Botanical Conservatory is a tropical oasis open all year round. It’s such a lovely and quiet place to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery.
Kakabeka Falls
The second highest waterfall in Ontario is in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. The park has lots of hiking trails with varying difficulties, as well as a campground. It’s such a great place to spend the afternoon! If you’re there in the summer make sure to stop at the Shake Shoppe on your way back into town for an ice-cream!
Waterfront Park
The Marina Park in Thunder Bay definitely feels like the centre of the city. Open year round it has a boardwalk along Lake Superior, a marina, a skateboard park, an arts centre and splash pad/skating rink depending on the season. A great place to grab a coffee or an ice-cream and people watch while enjoying the views of Lake Superior and The Sleeping Giant.
Shop around Bay & Algoma
The Bay & Algoma neighborhood has many unique shops and cafes. I also love the art displays along the street.
Eat Cheese at Thunder Oak Cheese Farm
Cheese might be my favorite food in the world. We discovered Thunder Oak Cheese Farm on my first trip to Thunder Bay in 2012 and I go back every time. They have many flavors of Gouda cheese and they are all good (trust me I’ve tried them all, they have samples!) Cheese is made on site so if you go at the right time you can watch!
Terry Fox Memorial
On the outskirts of Thunder Bay is the Terry Fox Memorial, marking the place where Terry Fox was forced to end his Marathon of Hope, August 31st 1980. There are also beautiful views of Lake Superior and of course The Sleeping Giant.
Boulevard Lake
Probably one of the most kid friendly areas in Thunder Bay, Boulevard Lake has plenty to do! Bike, walk, or run the 5-kilometer loop around the lake, stop at one of the many picnic areas, playground, play mini putt or play on the disc golf course! You can also go swimming, rent boats or paddle boards. Such a great place to spend a sunny day!
Cascades
The Cascades Conservation area has 5.5 kilometers of trails. A quiet walk in the woods leads to the cascade falls. There are lots of large flat rocks to sit on and enjoy a picnic while you listen to the water.
Sleeping Giant
Of course how can you talk about Thunder Bay without mentioning The Sleeping Giant. There are many legends about the formation of The Sleeping Giant, one Ojibwa legend says the giant is Nanabijou, The Spirit of the Deep Sea Water, who was turned to stone when the location of a silver mine, was disclosed to white men. The Sleeping Giant can be seen from many parts of the city, and it is also a provincial park with many hiking trails. Unfortunately I have yet to make it out to “climb the giant” but hopefully next visit.
Final Thoughts
Who knew there were so many amazing things to do in Thunder Bay? I hope next time you’re in Thunder Bay you’ll check these places out! Is there something I have missed? Let me know!
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20 responses to “10 Things To Do In Thunder Bay Ontario”
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What a chilled out looking place! That waterfall looks immense, and the view from the hike look amazing!
Kakabeka Falls looks incredible. Definitely a place I’d like to visit. Great read.
This seems like such a fun place to visit. I love hiking and exploring nature so would love it here. Also the cheese!!!
I’ve heard of Thunder Bay before, but I had no idea there was so much to do. And it turns out it’s a pretty reasonable driving distance from where I live.
I’ve never heard of Thunder Bay and it looks like the perfect place to explore. The cheese farm looks awesome. My 5 year old inherited my love of cheese so we would both be in heaven!
It’s great if you love the outdoors! and cheese! haha
I think my top choice of this trip would be eating cheese! Lol. I’m sure you have a great selection of cheese over in Ontario! 🙂
haha I looooove cheese!
What a beautiful spot! So many great activities, I’d love to visit the waterfall and The Cascades! Lovely photos of a fab trip 🙂
Thank you! It’s all so beautiful
That place is so beautiful! The falls looks amazing, definitely a must visit.
myfootprintsaroundtheglobe.com
I love waterfalls 🙂
This sounds so fun! I don’t know if I have ever had Finnish pancakes but I’m willing to try. The waterfall and ice cream shop sound awesome. I’ll be saving this post for future reference. 🙂
oh the pancakes are so good! Similar to crepes in France!
I’m just across the border, and it’s a shame that I haven’t explored more of Canada. I’d love to go for a hike near those falls. I might just have to make a trip next summer.
Come on up! Lots of beautiful places 🙂
you forgot mine for amethyst
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I’ve just learned about that mine in the last month or so! I’ll definitely be checking it out on my next trip to Thunder Bay!
Just east of Thunder Bay is Oulette Canyon, look it up, it is spectacular. Eagle Canyon is also good with a large suspensìon bridge that spans the canyon.
Fort William is a great place to visit as well.
A drive up Mt.McKay which overlooks Thunder Bay is a must.
Those all sound amazing! I’ll definitely check them out next time I visit Thunder Bay, thanks for the tips 🙂