Welcome to Thunder Bay, in Northwestern Ontario
Summer days stretch out long into the evening, with full daylight lasting until almost 11pm at the summer solstice. This offers lots of time to get outdoors, enjoying scenery and activities in the fresh, clean air of the city and surrounding region. Camping, hiking, sailing, swimming and fishing are just the start of a long list of summer activities that can be enjoyed in the wilderness playground that starts in the city’s 4000 acres of parkland and extends to the forests and lakes of the area. More than 600 of the city’s parkland surround the man-made Boulevard Lake, from the scenic overlook area at The Bluffs to the dam on the lower Current River. The Bluffs are also fun for bouldering and mountain climbing. Boulevard Lake is a great destination for canoeing and kayaking destination and features a beach and outdoor swimming area. It is also home to the annual Dragon Boat Races and the trails around the lake host charity walks and runs throughout the summer.
Residents are often heard talking about going out to ‘camp’ for the weekend – a term which to many means roughing it in a tent, but to locals means a trip out to the family cottage on one of the region’s many lakes.
Designated as The Cultural Capital of Canada in 2003, attractions include Fort William Historical Park, the Centennial Conservatory, Chippewa Zoo, and the 1,500 seat state-of-the-art Thunder Bay Community Auditorium that hosts a diverse range of theatrical, dance, musical and concert events. It is also home to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra who offer a full range of concerts for connoiseurs and family alike from October to May.
In the North End Downtown area you’ll find the newly renovated Magnus Theatre – from there it’s just a short walk down past the shops and restaurants of Red River Road to Marina Park at the waterfront, where in the summertime you can attend the Thunder Bay Blues Festival, Summer in the Parks Concert Series and much, much more. Looking out over the harbour is the famous Sleeping Giant Nanabijou – a mountain formation with deep roots in history and legend.
The Sleeping Giant was voted Audience Choice for CBC’s “Seven Wonders of Canada” contest in 2007. Over on Bay Street, be sure to eat authentic (and delicious!) Finnish pancakes any time of day at the world famous Hoito Restaurant. The Bay and Algoma Shopping District offers work by some of Thunder Bay’s finest Local Artisans and other treasures from all over the world. Be sure to check out the Bay Street Film Festival in October and the Thunder Bay Charity Casino which is a few short minutes away at the corners of Cumberland & Pearl Streets.
Local shops can be found in both the North and South end Business Cores and on Fort William Road, The Intercity Shopping Centre and Thunder Centre offer hundreds of shops and stores and even more bargains. When you’re tired out from shopping, rejuvenate at any one of the local day spas located nearby.Then relax in the evening and take in a movie at the Silver City Movie Theatre on Memorial Avenue. Also on the city’s south side, The Mount McKay Scenic Outlook Area offers an unparalleled view of the city and out over the lake.
The Thunder Bay International Airport offers daily shuttle flights to and from Toronto for business and connecting flights to every other major North American City and direct flights to Tropical Destinations.
Just minutes to the great outdoors
In the winter, outdoor activities include ice fishing, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, ice-climbing and exploring over 4000km of groomed snowmobile trails. Just a short drive from town, you’ll find three alpine ski hills and a world class nordic ski centre. Thunder Bay is also home to several professional class hockey rinks and curling arenas.
And don’t forget your Passport, because a quick 45 minute drive down Highway 61 gets you to the Pigeon River U.S. Border crossing, where many residents travel to enjoy shoppping and entertainment. Stop for with lunch at Sven & Ole’s Pizza in Grand Marais and then on to the Minnesota cities of Duluth and Minneapolis/Saint Paul. On your way back, don’t forget to stop, shop and pose for a photo with the Black Bear at Ryden’s Border Store and Duty Free Shop.
Arts & Culture
ThunderBayCulture.com
T.B.S.O.
Community Auditorium
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Magnus Theatre
Cambrian Players
Thunder Bay Museum
Thunder Bay Blues Festival
Bay Street Film Festival