Thunder Bay

A port city on the north shore of Lake Superior, with the cliffs of the Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka Falls and amethyst mines — a natural stopover on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Thunder Bay lies in northwestern Ontario on the north shore of Lake Superior. Formed in 1970 by the merger of the former cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, it is the largest city in Northern Ontario on the Trans-Canada Highway and a major grain port. The city faces the Sibley Peninsula across the bay, whose outline resembles a giant lying on its back — the "Sleeping Giant", Thunder Bay's emblem. The city also has a large Finnish community, and Finnish pancakes and sauna culture are local highlights. Climate: summers (Jun–Aug) are cool and pleasant, ideal for hiking, boating and camping; the boreal forest turns red and gold from late September to early October; winters are long and bitterly cold, with cross-country skiing and ice fishing, and most out-of-town attractions close after mid-October. Getting around: spend half a day in town at Prince Arthur's Landing, Hillcrest Park and the Mount McKay lookout; head 30 km west for Kakabeka Falls, stopping at Fort William Historical Park on the way; an eastern day trip can take in the Terry Fox Monument, the amethyst mines, Ouimet Canyon and the Eagle Canyon suspension bridges; allow a full day for Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to tackle the Top of the Giant or the shorter Sea Lion trail. Transport: Thunder Bay International Airport has flights to Toronto and Winnipeg; Trans-Canada Highways 11/17 pass through the city, and Sault Ste. Marie is about 700 km east. Sights are spread out, so you'll need a car. Mosquitoes and black flies are plentiful in summer, so bring insect repellent, and be bear aware in the backcountry. Plan on 2–3 days.

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