The city of North Bay is located in the northeastern part of Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of the Nipissing District; it sits by the shore of Lake Nipissing. North Bay is nicknamed the “Gateway of the North” for the lakes surrounding the city are also major waterways of trade and travel in the northern part of Canada.
North Bay is famous for its lakes, beaches, and nature parks that are used for summer retreats. There are numerous activities that tourists and adventurers alike can do when visiting North Bay. Just make sure to check out the Airbnb vacation rentals in the area so you can make the most of your vacation. There are also hotels with a hot tub if you prefer more luxurious stays. From skiing to hiking to just chilling out - here are the best things to do in North Bay, Canada!
1. Hike through Discovery Routes Trails Organization
There’s no reason to stay holed up in your hotel or short-term rental when Discovery Routes Trails Organization exists. This charity offers outdoor adventures for those who want to take a break from the bustling tourist spots in North Bay. Some of the areas covered by Discovery Routes include the Almaguin Highlands, Burk’s Falls, and Emsdale. Apart from hiking, there are also cycling, gravel riding, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding opportunities for visitors to enjoy. For the best experience, they can even join the North Bay Nordic Ski Club to avail of ski lessons for all ages and equipment rentals.
Discovery Routes Trails Organization
Address: 205 Main St E, North Bay, ON P1B 1B2, Canada
Website: Discovery Routes Trails Organization
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4 pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
2. Tour the historic Dionne Quints Museum
Dionne Quints Museum is a historic attraction in North Bay dedicated to exhibiting the life and legacy of the Dionne quintuplets. Run by a non-profit corporation, this museum admits visitors for free. Here they can observe the different artifacts owned by the Dionne family, including the actual cribs, beds, and even dining ware used by the quintuplets. Video archives showing a glimpse of their life are also available.
For groups who want to tour the museum at their own pacing, there are private tours offered by the museum.
Dionne Quints Museum
Address: 181 Oak St W, North Bay, ON P1B 1W8, Canada
Website: Dionne Quints Museum
Price: Free
3. Enjoy sunset paddling on Lake Nipissing (from USD 54.0)
Seeing the sunset is one of the most invigorating things you can do during a vacation. Lake Nipissing gives you the opportunity to see North Bay’s beautiful sunset skies while also enjoying engaging water activities. You will be taught to safely paddle on lake waters. The best part about this two-hour-long activity is that you don’t need paddling experience to appreciate the sunset view since you will get instruction from the host. This is definitely one activity you shouldn’t miss.
Sunset Paddle-Lake Nipissing
Duration 2 hours
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4. Cruising along Lake Nipissing on the Chief Commanda II
Lake Nipissing is the third-largest lake in Ontario. North Bay is one of the cities along Lake Nipissing. The lake is as historical as it is grand. The cruise ship Chief Commanda II was specially built to navigate across Lake Nipissing. Docked at the North Bay waterfront, the cruise traverses 4 major places: the French River, the Manitou Islands, the Callander Bay, and the North Shore. The Chief starts to sail from May up until the end of September. They offer day and night cruises, with on-board entertainment and fine cuisine.
5. Visit Discovery North Bay Museum
Discovery North Bay Museum is a community museum that showcases artistic, historical, and socialistic pieces. The exhibits in this North Bay tourist attraction fall largely between the era between the late 1800s to the 1960s. It is located at the old Canadian Pacific Railway Station. The museum also offers event rentals, summer camps, themed parties, guided tours, and downtown haunted hikes. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Mondays to Fridays, and from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. If you don’t know what to do in North Bay, Ontario you can’t go wrong with a visit to this museum!
Discovery North Bay Museum
Address: 100 Ferguson Street, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Website: Discovery North Bay Museum
6. Visit the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense
One of the best places to visit in North Bay, the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense is dedicated to showcasing the aerospace defense technologies that are present in the Canadian Forces. So if you love history and aeronautics, this place is definitely for you! This North Bay attraction is open from 12 pm to 4 pm from Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Visitation is upon appointment or group booking— admission is by donation.
Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense
Address: 22 Wing / Canadian Forces Base, North Bay, Canada
7. Visit the Laurier Woods Conservation Area
Wondering what else is there to do in North Bay? The Laurier Woods Conservation Area offers a relaxing trail for easy hiking across forests and wetlands. There are a lot of features along the woods, such as interpretive stops, and the Haist Lookout.
Laurier Woods Conservation Area
Address: Brule Street, North Bay, Ontario P1A 3Z5, Canada
Website: Laurier Woods Conservation Area
8. Ski down the Laurentian Ski Hill
Discover North Bay during the winter and head to Laurentian Ski Hill. This slope is a small one and is great for those who are only learning how to ski. The hill has slopes for skiing and snowboarding. The ski resort offers 2 lifts along the slope; accommodations are also available on-site. They are open from 9am to 4pm, (although they also offer night skiing).
Laurentian Ski Hill
Address: 15 Janey Avenue, North Bay, Ontario P1C 1N1, Canada
Website: Laurentian Ski Hill
9. Walk along the shore of Marathon Beach
The Marathon Beach is one of the many beaches in the waterfront area of North Bay. Beside the beach there is a grassy park area with a playground for the kids. There are nearby restaurants near the beach that are easily accessible while walking. Marathon Beach is a great venue not only to walk along and watch the sunset (or even the sunrise!), but also it is a great place to swim, fish, and boat.
Marathon Beach
Address: Memorial Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
10. Visit the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption
This grand cathedral is a picturesque structure that showcases beautiful white edifices with a fountain by its entrance. Aside from being one of the magnificent buildings in North Bay, it is also the center of the Catholic faith in North Bay.
Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption
Address: 480 McIntyre Street West, North Bay, Ontario, P1b 2Z4, Canada
Website: Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption
11. Have fun at the North Bay Heritage Train & Carousel Theme Park
Also known as The Heritage Railway & Carousel Company, this theme park showcases various locomotives and carousels throughout history. Most rides are vintages, which are constantly maintained for continuous use. So if you’re a car or vintage enthusiast, you’ll surely find an enjoyable afternoon here. Both kids and kids-at-heart are welcome too - so get ready for some family fun!
North Bay Heritage Train & Carousel Theme Park
Address: Memorial Drive (North Bay Waterfront), North Bay, Ontario P1A 2T5, Canada
12. Visit local breweries
There are a lot of breweries at North Bay; one of the most notable is the New Ontario Brewing. They pride themselves as being “North Bay’s original brewery”. They offer craft beers produced using fresh ingredients, and are frequented by both locals and tourists alike. So if you’re thinking of going for a laid-back night out, these local breweries are here for you.
New Ontario Brewing
Address: 1881 Cassells Street, North Bay, Ontario
Website: New Ontario Brewing
13. Check out Silver Beach Park
Silver Beach Park is not as crowded as those parks that are situated closer to the main downtown area of North Bay. Access to the park is made easy as there is a bus does stop located near the beach. Bring along a beach chair, towel, and a book. Sit along the shoreline and enjoy the sound of the rolling waves. This area is a. perfect family hangout - where young and old can have fun in the sun.
The scenery is very pretty and if you go there in the late afternoons, sunsets make for some superb photographs.
Silver Beach Park
Address: 488 Lakeshore Drive North Bay, ON | Matthew Street, North Bay, Ontario P1A 2E1,n Canada
14. Picnic and swim at The Cove - Trout lake
The Birchaven Cove, home of the Trout Lake, provides a good place to jump in and swim. There are lifejackets available at the lifesavers’ stand. Pack along a picnic as there are shady spots and some tables where you can sit. The kids can enjoy swimming there as there are no weeds and they don’t need to wade for a long way to get into the deeper water.
The cove is in a sheltered bay that has a clean and sandy beach. The site is well maintained. During the day, you could easily spend the whole morning there. The place provides plenty of parking. In July and August, the Parks recreation staff use the area to teach children how to swim.
The Cove - Trout lake
Address: 429 Lakeside Dr, North Bay, Ontario P1A 4H3, Canada
Website: The Cove - Trout lake
15. Hiking at the Duchesnay Falls Trails
If you’re looking for outdoorsy North Bay activities, check out Duschesnay Falls Trails, which is located on the northwestern border of the city and accessible via Highway 17. The trails follow beautiful sceneries of a river and two main waterfalls surrounded by the majesty of the forest. The Duschesnay waterfalls are one of the major reasons why tourists trek in this place. It is especially picturesque during the autumn season.
Duchesnay Falls Trails
Address: Trans-Canada Hwy, North Bay, ON P1B 8G5, Canada
Website: Duchesnay Falls Trails
Fill your itinerary with unlimited fun at North Bay
The city of North Bay offers a lot of fun and enjoyable activities all year round— whether it be in the middle of a hot summer or during the cold Canadian winters. North Bay is not just a tourist attraction, however, it is also a very historical city which is striving to protect its heritage and natural beauty. What are you waiting for? Visit the Gateway to the North soon! For more information on the activities listed above, check the out the links listed after each.