Sudbury

Northern Ontario's largest city, where Science North, Dynamic Earth and the Big Nickel tell the story of nickel mining. The city is full of lakes and serves as the gateway to Killarney.

Greater Sudbury is in northeastern Ontario, with a population of about 170,000, and is the largest city in Northern Ontario. The city sits on the rim of the Sudbury Basin, formed by a meteorite impact about 1.85 billion years ago. The basin holds rich nickel and copper deposits, which have made it a world-class mining and smelting centre for more than a century. The city covers a large area with over 300 lakes. It was once barren from smelting pollution, but after decades of reforestation it has become a city of lakes and forests. Vale's large smokestack has been dismantled year by year since 2025.

The core activities are one day at Science North (butterfly conservatory, IMAX and interactive galleries) and one day at Dynamic Earth, where you can ride down a mine tunnel and take a photo with the Big Nickel. In the evening, stroll the boardwalk around Ramsey Lake to Bell Park. Outdoors, visit Kivi Park or hike in the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. Or head northwest on Highway 144 to Onaping Falls and the A.Y. Jackson Lookout, and go swimming at Windy Lake. About 70 km south is Killarney Provincial Park, which is covered as a separate destination.

Getting there: it is about 4 hours' drive from Toronto via Highways 400 and 69. Sudbury Airport has flights from Toronto, and VIA Rail's The Canadian stops at Capreol and at the Sudbury Junction station. Attractions in the city are spread out, so driving is recommended. The best season is June–September, and autumn foliage is also lovely. Winters are cold and suited to skiing and ice activities. A stay of 2 days is suggested.

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