Planning a road trip to Northern Ontario? Or do you live in a city like North Bay, Thunder Bay or Sudbury and want to rediscover your hometown? The northern part of the province is filled with natural beauty, hidden gems, inflatable water parks, scenic boating routes, urban rainbow murals, and more waiting to be explored this summer.
Here are 13 fun things to do with your whole family in Northern Ontario this summer.
Bounce on an inflatable water park
Where: 400 Lyon Blvd. W., Thunder Bay, ON
Did you know that Thunder Bay has a summer water park? Open at noon daily, Splish Splash Waterpark is a floating inflatable playground for kids and the kids at heart. Bring sunscreen and a towel to spend the afternoon swimming, bouncing and jumping in Boulevard Lake. It’s like a bouncy obstacle course. Life jackets are provided and required. Sunbathe on the nearby beach and challenge your friends to a mini putt game while you’re there.
Paddle along a tree-lined lake
Where: Multiple locations in North Bay, ON
Northern Ontario has hidden lakes and scenic water routes where you can paddle the day away. If you don’t own a kayak or paddleboard, you can rent one from Sisu Adventures in North Bay. Depending on your skill and preference, different types of watercraft are available in their fleet.
There are many summer adventures to choose from. Do you want to embark on a three-hour portage paddling Trout Lake around Camp Island or a one-hour self-guided city park paddle? There are various other rental options in between, plus packages where you can add on a cabin stay or portable sauna rental.
Hike to a waterfall swimming hole
Where: Bridal Veil Falls, Billings, ON
A magical cascade is hidden at the base of a nature trail staircase on a scenic island. And yes, you can find it in Ontario. You can visit Bridal Veil Falls on Manitoulin Island, just a two-hour drive from Sudbury. Bring your swimsuit to enhance the fairytale experience and cool off in the swimming hole at the bottom of the falls. You can enjoy a day of hiking or park in the nearby lot for easy access to the waterfall.
Take a scenic sailing cruise
Where: Pier 3 – Marina Park, Thunder Bay, ON
Feel the wind in your hair while the beauty of Lake Superior surrounds you on a Sail Superior tour. Head out to charming locations like Thompson Island, the Sleeping Giant at Sawyers Bay, Spar Island, Caribou Island, Otter Cove and pretty corners in between. There are short tours to full-day adventures where you can relax on a sailboat, zodiac or catamaran. Enjoy the scenery and discover a new side of Thunder Bay.
Gaze stars at a dark sky preserve
Where: 960 Hwy. 637, Killarney, ON
Elevate your nighttime star gazing by admiring the celestial scenery at a dark sky preserve. These protected areas in the province are committed to protecting the night sky by reducing or eliminating night pollution. You can see the International Space Station, the Northern Lights or a meteor shower in the right conditions. The Killarney Provincial Park Dark Sky Preserve is one such location which holds special dark sky events and is home to a research-level observatory with a 16-inch telescope.
Discover an urban art gallery
Where: Multiple locations in Sudbury, ON
Each August, Sudbury hosts a colourful art festival called Up Here, which brings muralists, musicians, and installation artists together to transform the downtown region into an urban art gallery. Listen to a lineup of over 50 concerts, watch the creation of giant outdoor murals and stay tuned for pop-ups and surprise shows from August 15 to 18, 2024.
You can explore unique murals throughout the year that have been created during Up Here since 2013. Discover Sudbury’s artwork on a guided walking tour to learn more about the artists, the works and the city’s art scene as you admire close to 30 murals. Alternatively, you can download the Up Here app for a self-guided tour.
Relax on a colourful stone beach
Where: 39 Howe St., Marathon, ON
Stroll along a rainbow shoreline covered in colourful, smooth rocks as the waves crash nearby. Relax with a picnic or stop by scenic Pebble Beach to watch the sunset over Lake Superior. You’ll be able to catch the breathtaking view from the parking lot or steady yourself along a steep trail to the beach. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes! There is a nearby playground for your kids, a picnic area, and some driftwood where you can sit.
Jump and climb through an adventure park
Where: 1066 Barry Downe Rd., Sudbury, ON
Enjoy a day of childhood-like play navigating a ropes course, bouncing on trampolines, practicing acrobatics on an inflatable airbag, soaring to new heights on a Sky Rider, showing your strength on a climbing wall, sliding down in the tubes playground and more. Spend the day at Urban Air Adventure Park, where you can be active and have fun even on rainy days.
Embark on a river canoe adventure
Where: 16 Hwy. 630, Mattawa, ON
Go out into the heart of nature and experience the serene beauty of a Northern wilderness paddle. Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitter has paddle boards and canoes that you can rent for a single day and aluminum boats and kayaks for at least two days. Or grab any of these watercraft for an excess of five days. Rent some camping equipment with your canoe to embark on a multi-day portage adventure. They are also the only outfitter for rentals close to the North access (#29) of Algonquin Park.
Learn something new at a science museum
Where: 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. and 122 Big Nickel Rd., Sudbury, ON
Discover earth and space at Northern Ontario’s popular tourist attraction, the Science North museum. Watch experiments at the Discovery Centre, watch tropical butterflies surrounding you in the Butterfly Gallery, travel through Ontario’s landscapes in Northern Ecosystems, walk in an astronaut’s shoes at Moonwalk, and more. Dynamic Earth is also nearby, where you can visit the Big Nickel and explore earth science and mining experiences.
Scuba dive to shipwrecks
Where: 500 May St. N., Thunder Bay, ON
Thrill seekers and underwater adventurers can explore shipwrecks scarcely visited by humans and scuba dive in Lake Superior. Join a dive charter or technical training with By The Bay Adventures. Even if you’re new to the sport, there are courses for all levels of diving skills and technical diving training that goes beyond traditional scuba diving. There are various wrecks to uncover, such as the most popular Mary E. McLachlan, which sits upright and is an accessible dive.
Check out a railroad museum
Where: 26 Bloor St., Capreol, ON
Roll through Northern Ontario’s railroading, lumbering and mining history at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre. The museum house was built over a century ago and is one of the oldest surviving homes in the community. Antique tools and photographs will help transport you back to the time of early lumber camps in the region. Indulge in some treats and refreshments in the museum’s quaint tearoom.
Discover hidden gems on a walking tour
Where: Thunder Bay Museum, 425 Donald St E., Thunder Bay, ON
Walk through Thunder Bay’s past and learn local history on a walking tour with the Thunder Bay Museum. Five 75-minute city walks take place across the city and feature unique tales. For example, the Court Street Walking Tour features stories of wealth and tragedy, and you will learn hidden tales of almost-lost history on the Fort William tour.
Explore and save with your CAA Membership
Starting at only $30 a year, CAA Members can grab tons of discounts on everything from sporting events, restaurants and fuel to savings on car rentals, travel insurance, and much more. You can view the list of 126,000 partner locations worldwide and join online.