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City in Ontario, Canada
Photo: Hgsyro at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Thunder Bay lies at the far northwestern point of the Great Lakes of North America. It is a transportation bridge between the rich agricultural Prairies of Canada and the rest of the world, via the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway which connects it to the Atlantic Ocean. In 2021, it had a population of approximately 109,000.
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A recreation of the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur trade circa 1815. Over 40 buildings on 225 acres, it offers a look at fur trade life, culture, rafts, medicine, business, domestic life and heritage farming. Serviced campsites are available for $35/night until mid-Oct, and pets are welcome.
Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario. The Boardwalk Trail (750 m) is an easy, wheelchair-accessible trail from the main parking lot to spectacular views of the falls from viewing platforms on both sides of Kakabeka Falls. Other trails up to 4 km long are available.
Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout
This park features the sculpture of Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research after losing his right leg to cancer. His cross-country trek began in the east coast and would end in the west coast. A site of national importance in the late 20th century, this memorial is the approximate location where he was forced to stop his marathon after the cancer has spread that ultimately costed his life. (The exact spot where Terry Fox stopped is approximately 4 km west of the memorial, but not visible from the road). The location provides a panoramic view of Thunder Bay.
A three-floor museum with varied exhibits, including historical and cultural displays.
A public art gallery that focuses on the contemporary artwork of Indigenous and Northwestern Ontario artists
Their mission is to collect and preserve the aviation history of the western half of Ontario.
Enjoy a hike along one of the beautiful trails at Sleeping Giant. Take Top of the Giant, a challenging 25-km return trail to a spectacular lookout over Tee Harbour, Lake Superior, and a rugged cliff's edge. There are many other hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. In March, Sleeping Giant hosts the Sleeping Giant Loppet, a Thunder Bay tradition.
Silver Islet is a well-kept ghost town, and one of the oldest in Ontario. A huge deposit of silver was discovered around 1845, but the volatile weather of Lake Superior prevented exploitation of the ore deposit for several decades. Breakwaters were built to contain the lake’s storms, but they were demolished by storms, ice surges, and a freak tidal wave. Finally, a breakwater of rock and concrete was built that allowed miners to extract silver ore worth $3 million. In 1883, mining operations ceased for lack of fuel for the furnaces and water filled the shafts. Many of the miners' houses have been converted into summer cottages. There is a convenience store that is open Th-Tu noon-5PM.
May-August. Baseball. The only Canadian team in the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate baseball league based in the midwestern United States.
The gorge is part of Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park (a day-use park with no camping facilities).
A private attraction that has a 90-m suspension bridge and a 180-m suspension bridge (Canada's longest) that offer beautiful views. Also has Canada's longest zip line — 800 m — that takes over the canyon at up to 70 km/h. Free shuttle service available to the bridges for seniors & disabled.
This is a Greek restaurant that has strayed from a core-Greek menu to include decent burger-and-fry combos. The chicken souvlaki with fries or Greek salad is delicious. They're light on the fries though, so you might want to ask them to double up. You should specify thick for the milkshakes. Popular with high school students and business people alike at lunch, due to its proximity to public and Catholic high schools, city hall and the civic centre.
Popular pub, the menu features North American pub faves with some added flair (like duck confit poutine), as well as a variety of Continental cuisine. Whatever you like to eat, wash it down with something nice from the cellar or choose from the best selection of beer in the city.
Calico is a charming independent coffee shop, with fair-trade coffee and locally baked treats.
Thai Kitchen Restaurant
This husband-and-wife operation began as a caterer for special events, and has been a reasonably-priced local Thai restaurant since 2007. Both owners speak Thai (one is an immigrant from Northern Thailand) and most of the main dishes are $9 (including rice or noodles). Try the Kaeng Penang (#33). This establishment is busy at dinner (5-5:30PM) on Friday and Saturday nights, so arriving early may provide more prompt service and provide the cooks more time to spend on your food.
It offers excellent fine dining.
A fantastic steakhouse with an amazing cut of Prime Rib, fantastic sides, and a delicious soup and salad bar.
Thunder Bay has a couple of sushi places: Wasabi and Sushi Bowl. They are tasty, but visitors from larger cosmopolitan centres or the coast will likely be disappointed as sushi is much more expensive than they may be accustomed to. Sushi is approximately twice the price here as in Toronto for example.
Thunder Bay is also famous for a unique pastry called a Persian. A Persian is similar to a cinnamon bun with a mysterious pink icing. Some say the icing is strawberry, others say it is raspberry, but it certainly is pink. It is also available with chocolate-coloured and orange-coloured icing. Locals eat their Persians just as they are, but for a special treat, have yours cut, buttered and grilled/toasted. You won't find the Persian outside of Thunder Bay, and can only have it at the Persian Man, which has two locations.
Amazing vegetarian food. Ovo-, lacto-, vegan-friendly, organic, western, take-out. Small organic café using some fresh produce grown by the owners.
Greek food. Great for lunch or dinner!
Loose leaf tea.
A tea house.
A local coffee house that serves espresso-based coffees. A wonderful café experience with cosy fireplaces and bench seating.
Taproom connected to the craft brewery. Beer and snacks for sale, outside food is allowed.
Cash only.
Beds start at $21 per night.
An old but clean "railway hotel" in downtown Prince Arthur with views of the marina and the Sleeping Giant. Portside Restaurant on site.
Full breakfast, family friendly.
Boutique hotel that used to be the Superior Court for Thunder Bay. It is about 3 blocks from the waterfront.
One of Thunder Bay's oldest shopping centres containing 102 stores.
By train
Thunder Bay is not served by passenger rail.
By car
Thunder Bay is served by Highways 11 and 17, which are both part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
By bus
By public transit
By taxi
By bicycle
The city is expanding its network of bicycle paths. Transport by inline skates can work well on these paths, but sidewalks are often too mottled to afford any speed or efficiency on skates.
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Thunder Bay · Regional · YQT
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