How To Have A Great Day in Thunder Bay, Ontario

What To Do and See When You Visit Thunder Bay, Ontario

If you’re looking for things to do in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, I’m your girl!

As a lifelong resident of northeastern Minnesota, I’ve spent my whole life traveling across the United States/Canada border at Pigeon River to visit this northwestern Ontario city. In fact, Thunder Bay, Ontario is the closest city to my hometown, Grand Marais. Let me tell you, nothing makes a girl feel fancier than growing up visiting an “international city.”

Now that I own a small business, I’m amused by how intrigued our college-aged summer staff are by the prospect of visiting Canada with an overnight in Thunder Bay. If they have a passport, chances are they’ll head across the border at least once during their Boundary Waters summer.

Over the years, I’ve honed my Thunder Bay recommendations when the staff ask about the best things to do in Thunder Bay. Today, I’ve decided it’s time to share those tips and recommendations with the rest of the world!

In this post, I’ve rounded up all my favorite things to do in Thunder Bay, including donuts, day trips, vistas, shops, and restaurants. For many northern Minnesotans like myself, one of the best things about visiting Thunder Bay is stocking up on Canadian groceries, so I’ll let you know where to grab those ketchup chips and what I personally think is the best kind of gouda to choose at the Thunder Oak Cheese Farm.

It’s always a great day for Thunder Bay! Read on to get exploring northwestern Ontario!

A Quick Introduction to Thunder Bay

Today, Thunder Bay is small Lake Superior city of about 110,000 that serves as a gateway to Northwestern Ontario’s wilderness. You might be surprised to learn that Thunder Bay didn’t actually exist as a city until 1970. Prior to that, Thunder Bay was actually two separate municipalities: Fort William and Port Arthur.

Fort William, originally a fur trading outpost, sat on the southern edge of the modern city along the shores of the Kaministiquia River. Meanwhile, Port Arthur was a railroad town that formed on the Lake Superior waterfront in the second half of the 19th century.

When the two cities combined, the new city was named for the Lake Superior bay it overlooks. The name “Lakehead” almost beat out Thunder Bay as the new city’s name and you still often see Thunder Bay referred to as “Lakehead.”

When you look across that bay, you can’t miss a stunning view of the Sleeping Giant cliff formation on the Sibley Peninsula. It’s hard not to see that giant as a metaphor for Thunder Bay itself. Although Thunder Bay is the center for regional services for the greater Northwestern Ontario area and hosts several industries including a paper mill and the largest grain storage capacity in North America, the city has a sleepy, dated feel.

While you shouldn’t expect a vibrant downtown in Thunder Bay, this Ontario city is well worth a visit, if only for its proximity to spectacular Ontario provincial parks like Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka, and Quetico.

Other Thunder Bay claims to fame include being the hometown of actor Kevin Durand, Paul Shaffer of the Late Show with David Letterman, BMX star Jay Miron, and professional hockey players (and brothers) Eric, Jordan, Marc and Jared Staal.

How to get to Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is the largest city on the largest lake in the world. It sits on Lake Superior’s northwestern shore, about 30 miles north of the U.S./Canadian border. The landscape surrounding Thunder Bay is known for its striking cliffs and forest. The city also abuts the fertile Slate River Valley.

Drivetimes to Thunder Bay, Ontario

Grand Marais, MN to Thunder Bay: 1.5 hours
Sudbury, Ontario to Thunder Bay: 11 hours
Winnipeg, Manitoba to Thunder Bay: 8 hours

Flying in and out of Thunder Bay:

For many Canadians, the fastest way to reach Thunder Bay is by plane. The Thunder Bay International Airport is basically a shuttle service to Toronto with flights departing 5-6 times a day. Flight time from Thunder Bay to Toronto is just under two hours. You fly directly to the Canadian capital, Ottawa, for a fun winter escape.

Thunder Bay tourism tells me that the Thunder Bay International Airport is the 4th busiest airport in Ontario. I’m not sure that qualifies as bragging rights . . . ?

However, I can tell you that this small airport is easy to use and convenient for international travels as a Minnesotan. I used the Thunder Bay airport to fly to Dublin and let me tell you, except for the blizzard, it was a dream to fly directly to Toronto and hop on a transatlantic flight.

Tips for Visiting Thunder Bay from the United States

Grab Canadian currency at Ryden’s

If you totally spaced out getting any Canadian currency before heading to Thunder Bay, you can do so at Ryden’s Border Store, located just half a mile before the Pigeon River Border Crossing. You can also exchange currency at the banks in Grand Marais.

As a millennial, I don’t deal much in cash, although it’s always nice to have some on hand for small purchases. Unlike the Azores, I’ve never had any problems using my AmEx or Visa cards in Thunder Bay.

Don’t forget your passport

If you’re 16 or older, you’ll need to show proof of citizenship when you cross into Canada and upon return to the United States. For most Americans, the easiest way to do this is with your passport, although an enhanced driver’s license also works.

I’ve always heard that border agents prefer passport cards because they indicate that you make land crossings fairly frequently, so I always use that when I drive to Thunder Bay. When you reenter the United States, you can also use your Trusted Traveler card if you have Global Entry.

If you’re traveling with children under 16 years old, a copy of their birth certificate is sufficient. If you’re not the child’s parent or the other parent isn’t traveling with you, be sure to have a signed letter from the absent parents that sum up your travel plans and grant you permission to enter Canada with their child.

Have a DUI? Expect problems at the border crossing

Remember that you’re entering a different country with different laws. A DUI, or other misdemeanors on your record, could be cause for Canadian officials to refuse you entry into a Canada for up to 10 years. Drunk driving is no joke, but Americans in particular are fairly cavalier about it. Maybe just don’t get that DUI in the first place, eh?

Give your car a deep clean first

As an honest person with an apparently pretty trustworthy face, I’ve never been hassled at the Pigeon River Border Crossing. However, I’ve heard plenty of horror stories of people being detained at the border for hours as the agents search their vehicle. FYI: once they clear you to proceed, they don’t help repack your car.

Don’t want this experience? Clean your car before your trip to Thunder Bay!

This might sound silly, but it’s going to be a lot easier for the customs agent to trust that you’re not transporting anything nefarious when you’re not rustling through a layer of discarded coffee cups and breakfast burrito wrappers when you reach for your passport.

Put everything you need for your trip in one or two tidy bags or suitcases. Remove all random clutter, like that 9×13 baking pan you’ve been meaning to return to your mom. And, for the love of all things holy, take out all of your pepper spray or firearms. (I’m pretty sure Canadians think Americans are packing at all times . . . let’s not prove them right.)

Have a travel plan

Understandably, border agents aren’t super impressed if you don’t have a real reason for entering Canada. “Because it’s there” might have worked with Sir Edmund Hillary and Mount Everest, but it’s not going to ingratiate you to the border agent.

Have at least a vague idea of what you plan to do in Canada (i.e. visit a provincial park, pick strawberries, etc.), know how long you’ll be in Canada, and have a reservation if you’re spending the night. The last time I crossed the border, agents on both sides of the border were very keen to know where we spent the night. 

Eat Finnish pancakes

Thunder Bay has the highest concentration of Finnish immigrants in Canada and for over a century, a trip to Thunder Bay wasn’t complete without a meal at The Hoito Restaurant to enjoy Finnish cuisine, especially pancakes. Sadly, in December 2021, a fire destroyed the historic Finlandia Building which housed The Hoito in its basement.

Since then, the Finlandia Co-operative of Thunder Bay has been working to reopen The Hoito. In summer 2023, they started offering a small menu, including pancakes, in a temporary shop in the Thunder Bay Country Market on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

If your Thunder Bay visit falls outside of these hours, you can also get Finnish pancakes at some other Thunder Bay spots, including Kangas Sauna Restaurant.

Find a Persian

Yes, Thunder Bay has a high concentration of immigrants, but a Persian in Thunder Bay has absolutely no connection to the Middle East. Rather, a Persian is a donut and a Thunder Bay specialty!

Often described as a donut crossed with a cinnamon roll, I’d say they’re definitely more donut than cinnamon roll. Basically, it’s a yeasted donut with a faint cinnamon swirl. The berry flavored frosting is usually pink, but if you see a Persian with a different colored frosting, those Persian are probably part of a fundraising effort for a local nonprofit.

Favorite spots to find Persians in Thunder Bay include The Persian Man and Holland Bakery. You can also grab them in grocery stores and you’ll even see them on restaurant menus.

If you order it at a restaurant, don’t be surprised if it comes sliced in half and toasted with butter and icing on the side. In fact, it’s pretty common for people to buy their Persians with frosting on the side so they can take them home, cut them in half, toast the cut sides in a pan with butter, and then frost to their heart’s content.

Terry Fox Monument

In 1980, Terry Fox set out to run across the entire length of Canada, starting at St. John, Newfoundland. As a cancer survivor whose right leg had been amputated because of cancer, he wanted to raise awareness and funds for cancer research with this epic cross-country run, known as Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. For 143 days, he ran approximately 26 miles every day.

However, as he approached Thunder Bay, cancer was discovered in his lungs, forcing him to cut his journey short. He died of the disease less than a year later, but he remains a Canadian hero and inspiration to all.

You can swing by the Terry Fox Monument just north of Thunder Bay on Highway 17 for a fabulous view of Lake Superior and the Sibley Peninsula. There’s a visitor information center here too. The helpful staff can get you all set up with area activity and restaurant suggestions.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

If you’re an art museum fan, you’ll definitely want to check out the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Located in Confederation College, this museum has a permanent collection of more than 1600 pieces of Indigenous artwork. They also often offer special exhibits. In 2025, gallery plans move to a new waterfront location.

Canada Games Complex

Back in my youth, the Canada Games Complex was the reason you went to Thunder Bay!

Built for the 1981 Canada Summer Games, this massive pool complex features Olympic sized swimming pools, multiple kiddie pools, diving platforms, an indoor running track, fitness rooms, and – the big draw when I was little – the Thunder Slide.

While going to the pool might not be at the top of your list of things to do in Thunder Bay, trust me, the Canada Games Complex is like no other pool you’ve seen. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a must-do.

The Games Complex recently underwent major renovations to its building efficiency, washrooms, and changing rooms over the summer of 2023 so expect a fresh, modern experience.

Old Fort William

Old Fort William is the largest living history museum in North America. (Take that Colonial Williamsburg!) Located just south of Thunder Bay along the banks of the Kaministiquia River, Old Fort William features a fully reconstructed fur trading outpost circa 1815.

To visit Old Fort William, you’ll want to arrange a guided tour. These tours, led by a costumed Fort William “inhabitant” takes you through the various fort buildings. During your visit, you can eat period food and learn about the various trades represented in the Fort. While you’ll obviously learn a ton about the twilight days of fur trading in the early 19th century, for me the big appeal is fully immersing yourself in another time. 

The Fort’s hours vary throughout the year, so definitely check their website for operating hours and to see if you need to arrange a tour in advance before you visit. They also regularly offer special events, such as Haunted Fort Nights during October’s spooky season.

Thunder Oak Cheese Farm

No visit to Thunder Bay is complete without a visit to the cheese farm.

Located in the Slate River Valley’s farming area south of Thunder Bay, the Thunder Oak Cheese Farm has a small retail store where you can choose from a vast array of gouda cheese. I recommend the nettle gouda!

It’s also a great place to buy specialty groceries such as quark and veal. Or stock up on Dutch treats like stroopwafel.

Get some Tim Horton’s

If you’re Canadian, you’re not going to be particularly impressed by this suggestion, but for Americans, every trip north to land of Tim Horton’s calls for, well, some Tim Horton’s. Happily, Thunder Bay is home to more than a dozen Tim Horton’s. Whatever you find yourself doing in the city, there’s absolutely no excuse not to swing by the nearest one for a coffee and a donut.

While you might associate coconut with more tropical locations than, you know, Canada, the Tim Horton’s new vanilla coconut latte is so good! (I think Hawaii ruined me and I now only drink coconut lattes.) 

Remember to bring back a box of Timbits for your family and friends!

Get Canadian groceries

Another favorite activity every time I visit is swinging into a grocery store for some quintessential Canadian groceries.

In particular, I always stock up on Canada specific potato chip flavors such as ketchup and all dressed. Of course, I can’t forget some Coffee Crisp chocolate candies. Fresh Co on Court Street is a convenient spot to grab your Canadian groceries if you’re exploring downtown Thunder Bay.

Sauna

Finnish immigrants brought more than pancakes to Thunder Bay. You’ll also find an active sauna culture in the city from stores selling sauna supplies and to spots where you can rent a private sauna for you and your group.

A favorite spot to get your sweat on in Thunder Bay is Kangas Sauna which offers 16 different private saunas complete with changing rooms and showers. You can also grab Finnish pancakes in their adjacent restaurant. Make sure you make advanced reservations for your sauna. For a more informal (and communal) sauna experience, pop into the Canada Games Complex.

Visit nearby Provincial Parks

Arguably the best thing about Thunder Bay is its proximity to amazing Provincial Parks. You can enjoy these parks year-round -yes, you really can visit Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in the winter – so I recommend making them an integral part of your Thunder Bay itinerary regardless of when you visit.

Thunder Bay’s best-known provincial park is Sleeping Giant. After all, you can see this provincial park right across the Lake Superior bay. Sleepng Giant offers hiking, camping, and – in the winter – world-class skiing.

I encourage you to also visit Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. You can drive right up to this park’s main attraction, a 130 ft’ waterfall that’s actually the second tallest waterfall in Ontario and the tallest waterfall located completely inside of the province. (If you’re curious about the taller waterfall, that would be Niagara Falls . . . .)

Further afield, you can access Quetico Provincial Park, which is basically the Canadian equivalent to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters but with far fewer visitors and way better fishing. You can also reach Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park in just an hour drive from Thunder Bay.

Walk along the waterfront or take a sailboat tour

Thunder Bay’s waterfront is currently undergoing a major revitalization. Marina Park, with its developed paths is a pleasant place to stroll along Lake Superior and watch Thunder Bay’s busy shipping port. Unlike Duluth, MN, which ships a lot of iron ore, Thunder Bay ships mostly move grain all across Canada.

As you explore, you can’t miss the historic Canadian National Railway Station. Built in 1906, this “Railroad Gothic” style station operated until 1977. While it had gained new life with gift shops and an ice cream parlor, the station has sat vacant since 2016.

Other waterfront activities to take in including a sailboat tour of the bay in summer and touring the Alexander Henry Museum ship, which is a retired Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker.

Climb to Hillcrest Park

While you can see the Sleeping Giant anywhere with an east view in Thunder Bay, head up to Hillcrest Park for the best panoramic view in the city. Located just outside downtown Thunder Bay, on High Street, Hillcrest Park also includes a playground and military memorial.

Visit Goods and Co. Market

More than two dozen independent vendors fill Goods and Co. Market in downtown Thunder Bay. Here you can pick up everything from groceries to sauna supplies. Whether you need art, souvenirs, or a bite to eat, Goods and Co. has become a favorite Thunder Bay stop in recent years. The market even houses an art gallery. After all that time on your feet exploring the market, you can enjoy a cocktail in the Woodside Bar.

Explore the Bay & Algoma Neighborhood

A favorite Thunder Bay neighborhood to explore is Bay & Algoma.

Named for the two main streets that run through the neighborhood, this corner of Thunder Bay just south of downtown has long attracted Finnish and Italian immigrants. This used to be where you’d find the Finnish Labour Temple and Hoito Restaurant and it’s still home to the Italian Cultural Centre.

It’s well worth a wander to enjoy its collection of small, independent businesses which range from hardware stores to ethnic restaurants to neighborhood hangouts like Calico Coffeehouse.

Take an architectural walking tour in Thunder Bay North

 I always feel like I’ve stepped back in time when I visit Thunder Bay.

A contributing factor to that feeling might be Thunder Bay’s impressive collection of well-preserved architecture from the 1880s – 1920s. In fact, the city has organized more than 20 of those buildings into a self-guided walking tour that takes you past Port Arthur landmarks like the Courthouse, CN Rail Station, theatres, churches, and more.

Visit the Centennial Botanical Conservatory

A beautiful spot to visit, especially in the winter, is the Centennial Botanical Conservatory. Here you can tour multiple gardens, see a variety of cacti and tropical plants, and even enjoy beehives and water features. The conservatory is currently undergoing a renovation and is located near Chapples Park in the Fort William section of the city.

Drink a beer

Fear not, the craft beer scene hasn’t skipped northwestern Ontario! If you’re looking for a brew to close out your day, you have plenty of options. Favorite Thunder Bay craft breweries include Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., Dawson Trail Craft Brewery, and Lakehead Beer Company.

Where To Stay in Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Courthouse Hotel

During my latest visit to Thunder Bay, I stayed in the city’s new boutique hotel, The Courthouse Hotel. As the name implies, the hotel is located in the former Port Arthur/Thunder Bay courthouse.

The building dates back to 1924 and the offices have been cleverly converted into hotel rooms, while the courtroom has a new lease on life as a ballroom. Although the included breakfast was pretty lackluster, I still think this is the best place to stay in Thunder Bay.

Bonus: if you visit in winter, the hotel sits atop a great sledding hill!

Marriott Thunder Bay

Located right on Thunder Bay’s waterfront, the Marriott Thunder Bay is another popular hotel option. You can’t beat its fantastic Lake Superior views and convenient location, especially if you plan to explore downtown Thunder Bay on foot.

The Haven Hostel

Another new and popular addition to Thunder Bay’s hotel landscape is Haven Hostel. This lodging option feels a little bit like a boutique hotel and a hostel had a baby. While private rooms are available, Haven Hostel also features popular hostel amenities such as dorms, shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen, lounge, and fire pit.

Best Restaurants in Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Foundry

This Irish-style pub is a great downtown hangout spot. If you don’t want to venture all the way out of Sleeping Giant Brewing Co at the end of your day, the Foundry has a wide selection of local and regional beers on tap. They also offer a solid array of pub-style food.

Don’t worry, if you have a moment of temporary madness like I did and try to order the spicy buffalo chicken poutine, the very kind wait staff will talk you off the ledge if they sense it might be a little too challenging for you.

Red Lion Smokehouse

This barbecue restaurant is another good downtown option if you’re looking for burgers and beer.

Thai Kitchen

A favorite Thunder Bay restaurant among visitors and locals alike, Thai Kitchen is known for its authentic and delicious Thai food.

Maltese Grocery

While this grocery store is mostly a place to stock up on meat, cheese, and specialty groceries, the Maltese Grocery deli is beloved Thunder Bay lunch spot for Thunder Bay. You can either pick up some grab-and-go sandwiches or check out their daily hot lunch specials.

Wrap-up: You should definitely visit Thunder Bay, Ontario

Even by Canadian standards, Thunder Bay’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. But with so many things to do, Thunder Bay shouldn’t be ignored just because it’s an eight-hour drive from another major Canadian city. It’s an awesome international destination that’s often overlooked by Thunder Bay’s Minnesotan neighbors.

I’ve had so many fun, memorable times in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Whether you’re looking for a great hike or ski in one of Ontario’s provincial parks, some delicious produce and homemade products from Slate River Valley farms, or a little cultural immersion at an art gallery, Thunder Bay offers something for every style of traveler.

If you’ve been putting off a visit to Thunder Bay, I hope this post inspires you to pack your bags and have a great day for Thunder Bay!