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Thunder Bay lies on the northwestern shore of Lake Superior, the largest city in northwestern Ontario and a major grain port. It was formed in 1970 from the merger of Fort William and Port Arthur, both of which grew from fur trade and shipping roots. Across the bay, the Sibley Peninsula forms the outline of the Sleeping Giant, a landform tied to Anishinaabe legend.
The Sleeping Giant viewpoint at Hillcrest Park and the waterfront at Marina Park offer the classic views over the bay, and the north end of the city has its own cafés and Finnish heritage. Fort William Historical Park recreates a North West Company fur trade post with costumed interpreters. East of the city, the Terry Fox Monument and Lookout marks the area near where his Marathon of Hope ended in 1980. The Thunder Bay Museum and Art Gallery cover regional history and Indigenous art. Nearby nature is the main draw: Kakabeka Falls plunges into a gorge west of town, Ouimet Canyon is a deep, steep-walled cleft, and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park offers hiking to clifftop views, with the old mining village of Silver Islet at its tip. Eagle Canyon has suspension bridges over a gorge.
Thunder Bay suits road-trippers, hikers, and anglers. Summers are short and pleasant, while winters are long and snowy.
WiserMap travel guideThunder Bay Ontario Sleeping Giant and Kakabeka FallsPlan a trip to Thunder Bay, Ontario: Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka Falls, Ouimet Canyon, Fort William Historical Park, Persian pastries and Lake Superior views.Read the guide
Thunder Bay's waterfront park in the north core has walking paths, public art, a splash pad, a skating rink in winter and the marina. It looks straight out to the Sleeping Giant across the bay. Restaurants and the farmers market area are close by, making it a good start to any visit.
A hilltop park above the north core of Thunder Bay with flower gardens and one of the best views across the harbour to the Sleeping Giant formation. Benches line the lookout terrace. It is free and quick to visit, and sunset is the nicest time to come.
East of the city on Highway 11/17, a bronze statue marks the spot near where Terry Fox ended his Marathon of Hope in 1980. The lookout faces Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant, and there is a visitor centre in summer. It is an easy stop when driving in or out of town.
Mount McKay, called Anemki Wajiw, rises on Fort William First Nation land just south of the city. A road leads to a lookout ledge with wide views over Thunder Bay and Lake Superior. A small fee is charged at the gate in season, and the area should be treated with respect as a sacred site.
A large reconstruction of the North West Company's fur trade depot as it was in 1815. Costumed interpreters work in the canoe shed, fur store, kitchens and Great Hall, and an Ojibwe encampment shows Indigenous life. Allow at least half a day, and check the summer events calendar.
A tiny historic village at the tip of the Sibley Peninsula, near what was once one of the richest silver mines in the world in the 1870s and 1880s. Old miners' cottages and the general store remain, with views across Lake Superior. It is at the end of Highway 587, beyond Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Housed in the old police station downtown, the Thunder Bay Museum covers the region's history, from Indigenous peoples and the fur trade to mining, railways and the grain trade. Exhibits change through the year. It is a good rainy-day stop of an hour or two.
Located on the Confederation College campus, this gallery focuses on contemporary Indigenous art and keeps a large collection, including works by Norval Morrisseau and other Woodland School artists. Exhibitions change regularly. Check whether it has moved to its planned new waterfront home before visiting.
Known as the Niagara of the North, Kakabeka Falls drops about 40 metres into a gorge on the Kaministiquia River, half an hour west of the city. Boardwalks and viewing platforms circle the falls, and the park has trails and a campground. Spring runoff brings the most dramatic flow.
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park protects a deep gorge about 150 metres wide and 100 metres deep. A short trail leads to platforms that look straight down at rare arctic plants growing on the cold canyon floor. It is about an hour east of Thunder Bay and is a day-use park open in the warmer months.
The park covers most of the Sibley Peninsula and its famous mesa, which looks like a reclining giant from the city. Over 100 kilometres of trails lead to the Top of the Giant lookout and lakeshore coves. The full Top of the Giant hike is a long day, so start early and carry plenty of water.
Eagle Canyon Adventures, west of the city near Dorion, has two suspension footbridges, including one of the longest in Canada, strung high above a narrow canyon. There is also a zipline across the gorge. Bridges sway a little, so it is not ideal for anyone uneasy with heights.
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