Thunder Bay feels like it was designed for people who believe adventure should be a lifestyle, not just a vacation hobby. As Eastern Canada’s sunniest city, tucked along Lake Superior’s rugged northern shores, it offers endless adventurous things to do. This vibrant town seamlessly blends epic outdoor experiences with a surprising food and arts scene that keeps you coming back for more.
We recently spent Canada Day and an entire week soaking up outdoor adventures in Thunder Bay — the sunniest city in Eastern Canada. It completely exceeded our expectations. Now, we’re excited to share all the fun we discovered, along with our best tips and tricks to help you make the most of your summer days in Thunder Bay.
Map of Thunder Bay Ontario (Downloadable & Interactive)
Check Into Your Waterfront Retreat
Start your Thunder Bay odyssey by checking into the Delta Hotel by Marriott, an ideal launch pad for lakeside views and quick access to the city’s pulse.
Signs throughout town proclaimed that Delta Hotel was Thunder Bay’s only waterfront hotel, and the locals all complemented us on our choice. We found the rooms to be spacious and comfortable, featuring premium-quality bedding.
Pro-Tip: The city allows up to four hours of free parking in the marina, which starts counting at 9:00 AM, so you have options instead of parking in the limited above-ground spots or paid underground parking if you arrive late.
Enjoy a Hearty Breakfast
Canadians take their breakfast seriously, and you’ll need to fill up to make it through Thunder Bay’s 17-hour-long summer days. We enjoyed local favorites like:
- Finn pancake at Kangas Sauna Restaurant
- Breakfast poutine at Daytona’s Kitchen
- Eggs benedict at Roosters and Anchor & Ore (Delta Hotel’s in-house restaurant)
- Peameal bacon at Tina’s Breakfast and Lunch
Pro-Tip:Try at least one persian on your visit, Thunder Bay’s famous deep-fried cinnamon roll with pink fruit icing on top.
Pick up a Picnic
We loved picnicking in Thunder Bay. Every park had a beautiful picnic area, and there was a plethora of boutique local stores to purchase grab-and-go lunches before heading out.
Maltese Grocery offered freshly made sandwiches and legendary Italian imports. George’s Market & Celebrations is a family-owned business that offers fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced produce and baked goods. Fox on the Run offered a selection of sandwiches and delicious coffee to fuel your day of exploring.
Pro-Tip: Look for local products like jerky from Bay Meats or curds from Thunder Oak Cheese Farm.
Waterfall Wonders
Our first adventure was an hour’s drive south of town to Pigeon River Provincial Park, specifically to High Falls, a 120-foot-tall waterfall. We hiked a 2.5-mile double loop, which included longer and more scenic trails through the lush forest behind the visitor center and along the riverfront. We could have cut a half-mile off our hike if we made it an out-and-back on the roadside trail and along the top half of the High Falls Trail, but the diversity of views made the extra mileage worthwhile. We had our passports but didn’t cross the border to hike on the U.S. side for more vantage points, nor did we take the short drive to Middle Falls.
Not far away, Kakabeka Falls—nicknamed the Niagara of the North—thunders down 130 feet into a rocky gorge. We followed the boardwalks and lookout platforms for views that felt like something straight out of a fantasy film.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to bring plenty of mosquito protection when hiking around Thunder Bay.
Voyage to Past at Fort Williams Historical Park
Fort Williams Historical Park is one of North America’s largest living history sites. We strolled down the fern-covered nature trail on a 20-minute walk that took us back in time to 1815. We met our guide, John Baptiste, in the Anishinaabe encampment outside the fort. He explained what life was like as a voyager for the North West Company as we toured many of the 50 authentically reconstructed buildings and structures. Along the way, we met other reenactors who were going about their daily lives.
We particularly enjoyed the singing and dancing in preparation for the annual Rendezvous, which provided an opportunity for people from Indigenous, French-Canadian, and Anglo-Scottish communities to come together to trade goods, share knowledge, exchange ideas, and build relationships. John Baptiste told us this area was always a trade center, with local copper being traded as far south as Mexico and trade routes stretching west to British Columbia and east to Europe. In the middle was Fort Williams, the largest fur trading hub in the history of the world.
Pro-Tip: Check the daily reenactment calendar to find the ones that interest you the most.
Canyon Conquests
Travel an hour east of town to reach Ouimet Canyon, a massive chasm with mysterious origins. Scientists believe glaciers formed it, but they don’t know if it was split open by the weight of advancing glaciers or the large volumes of water released during their retreat.
Our first stop was Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park, where we took a short, 1.2-mile loop hike along the rim to vantage points. Interpretive signs informed us about the fascinating geologic history and how the cold canyon floor contains Arctic liverworts, separated by 600 miles from their nearest northern neighbors.
A short drive away, we hiked the bridges of Eagle Canyon Adventures. The 1.3-mile lollipop loop hike featured two canyon crossings on suspension bridges. This hike features Canada’s longest suspension bridge which extends an 600 feet across the canyon and hangs at a height of 152 feet above the canyon floor.
Pro-Tip: Plan extra time at Eagle Canyon Adventures to hike down the canyon wall to Bat Lake or ride Canada’s longest zipline.
Crystal Hunts
Amethyst, a violet variety of quartz, is Ontario’s official gemstone, which makes it a unique keepsake for your visit. We visited Amethyst Mine Panorama for a brief mine tour and an afternoon of crystal hunting. We returned with a collection that included several fully formed points.
We considered visiting the Diamond Willow Amethyst Mine, which allows you to use your own hammer to separate specimens. Still, it didn’t sound like it included a formal tour and introduction, and we didn’t have our tools with us.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to bring sunscreen for rock collecting
Underwater Thrills (and Chills)
Not all of the trade ships survived their journey across Lake Superior. Lake Superior has earned the nickname “graveyard of the Great Lakes” due to the large number of shipwrecks within its depths. The lake’s most famous wreck, the Edmund Fitzgerald, inspired Gordon Lightfoot’s titular ballad. She rests at a depth of 530 feet near Sault Ste. Marie. We visited Wally Peterson, the owner of Thunder Country Diving, aboard the Alexander Henry Museum Ship. There, he showed us maps of local wrecks and commercial diving equipment he had collected through the years.
The next day, we met him at the shop to get suited up for cold water diving. He fitted us with 7-mil suits, gloves, and hoods for the water temperatures in the high 50’s. He was a master of neoprene, offering some of the best advice for cold-water diving we’ve ever heard.
He took us to the Silver Harbour Scuba Park for a check-out dive on a marked course through a half-dozen small wrecks. Winds and weather kept us from journeying out by boat to one of the local wreck sites, but the water was warmer than expected, and Wally’s expertise gave us great comfort. Returning to Lake Superior for more scuba adventures is definitely on our bucket list.
Pro-Tip: Bring your own booties because the shop has a limited selection
Sailing Chills
We booked a sunset sail with Sail Superior from Prince Arthur’s Landing, which was only a two-minute walk from our hotel. There was something magical about gliding across the world’s largest freshwater lake as the horizon glowed orange and pink.
We started by heading past the lighthouse and then south to the cruise ship terminal and CGCS Alexander Henry before heading north to the grain terminals. There was a time when Thunder Bay had the largest grain terminals in the world. Today, it still has the largest grain storage capacity in North America, with hundreds of thousands of tons of wheat, canola, soybeans, flax, and oats stored in the towering silos. We passed by the defunct Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company, which built the Alexander Henry and operated from 1911 through 1993 before returning to the harbor.
It was a fine and pleasant sail filled with history and scenery.
Pro-Tip: Check the Sail Superior website for the dates of their signature wine and cheese cruise.
Concerning the Sleeping Giant
No adventure checklist is complete without Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. All week long, we saw “The Giant” glistening in the distance across the bay. Ojibway legends identify the giant as the powerful and benevolent god Nanabijou. Storms reverberating off its sheer cliffs give rise to the town’s name – Thunder Bay. The Sleeping Giant is so intertwined with Thunder Bay that we simply had to visit.
Even though we could see the Sleeping Giant from our hotel room, it was still an hour’s drive away. The Top of the Giant Trail is an epic, sweat-inducing ascent, but the payoff is unrivaled: jaw-dropping views over Lake Superior and endless sky. It’s a spiritual moment for anyone who makes it to the top. However, the threat of rain put us on the second most popular trail, a simple 1.7 mile out-and-back down the Sea Lion Trail. The views were still stunning as we saw the Sea Lion rock formation and the giant’s head wrapped in a shroud of fog and rain.
We rewarded ourselves with a stop at the Silver Islet General Store. Initially built for miners, this quirky shop now serves homemade treats and quirky souvenirs.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to pick up your day-use pass at the Marie Louise Lake Campground before proceeding to the trailhead.
Feast Your Way Through Town
Thunder Bay’s food scene is surprisingly dynamic, especially in the Waterfront District, which was within walking distance from our hotel. We found local cuisine at The Foundry gastropub and international fare at Norteños Cantina, and Thai Kitchen Restaurant.
When we were ready to up our culinary game, we headed to Caribou Restaurant & Wine Bar or Bight Restaurant. Expect elegant dishes showcasing local ingredients and perfectly paired wines, all served with laid-back northern hospitality. Between plates of fresh fish and wild game, we could taste the wild spirit of the region in every bite.
Pro-Tip: The City of Thunder Bay offers two hours of complimentary on-street parking until December 31, 2027.
Mountain Biking Through Trowbridge Forest
The Trowbridge Forest trail network consists of 30 miles of mountain bike trails broken out into two main areas, Kinsmen Park and Shuniah Mines.The Kinsmen Park section has about 10 miles of double track and 6 miles of single track trails in the rolling hills above the Current River. A single large mesa dominates the topology with many of the trails in the area either climbing or descending the slopes.
The Shuniah Mines area found in the center of Trowbridge Forest is the original legacy trail system containing 12 miles of purpose-built single track winding through a century-old silver mine with plenty of rocks and roots. This section is where you’ll find signature trails such as Grand Chasm, Dagobah, Doctors and the downhill progressive flow lines Drift and Hilltop Trail. Snakes & Ladders or The Otherside take full advantage of the rugged terrain.
I met up with Anders Pylypchuk from Fresh Air to see what all the hype was about. We parked in Kinsmen Park and hit a few wooden features before checking out the iconic views of Trowbridge Falls from a footbridge. The skies got angry as we were riding Conveyor Belt to Shuniah Mines. The boreal forest darkened to an eerie black before the skies opened up. The slick conditions kept us from hitting the jumps at Hydro Connection or venturing out to The Otherside and kept my speed down on Drift. I still enjoyed the sightseeing off the Chasm Bridge and foggy views of the Sleeping Giant from Dagobah.
Pro-Tip: Fresh Air offers a wide selection of mountain bikes for rent
The Final Word
Thunder Bay isn’t just a place—it’s an invitation to get outside, push your limits, and embrace unexpected moments. Whether you’re crossing dizzying canyons, mining your own amethyst crystals, or hiking so high the world feels endless, each experience here becomes a story you’ll tell for days to come.
Lace up those hiking boots, charge your camera, and pack an appetite for adventure. Thunder Bay is waiting to surprise you at every turn—and you’ll leave wondering when you can come back for more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? These Links Will Make It Easy:
Airfare:
Car Rental:
Insurance:
- Protect your trip and yourself with Squaremouth and Medjet
- Safeguard your digital information by using a VPN. We love NordVPN as it is superfast for streaming Netflix
- Stay safe on the go and stay connected with an eSim card through AloSIM
Our Packing Favs:
- We LOVE Matador Equipment for their innovative products and sustainability focus. Their SEG45 is a game changer when you need large capacity while packing light.
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Knack Bags
- Packing cubes make organized packing a breeze! We love these from Eagle Creek
Disclosure: A big thank you to Visit Thunder Bay for hosting us and setting up a fantastic itinerary! For more Medora travel inspiration, check out their Instagram and Facebook accounts.
As always, the views and opinions expressed are entirely our own, and we only recommend brands and destinations that we 100% stand behind.
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Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.
