17 Things to do in Northern Ontario this summer with the whole family
8 Minute Read
Planning a road trip to Northern Ontario? Or do you live in a city like North Bay, Thunder Bay, or Sudbury and want to rediscover your hometown? The northern part of the province is filled with natural beauty, hidden gems, inflatable water parks, scenic boating routes, urban rainbow murals, and more waiting to be explored this summer.
Here are fun things to do with the entire family in Northern Ontario this summer.
Bounce on an inflatable water park
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Where: 400 Lyon Blvd. W., Thunder Bay, ON
Thunder Bay's Splish Splash Waterpark opens June 28, 2025! This floating inflatable playground on Boulevard Lake offers swimming, bouncing, and new obstacle courses for kids and adults. Life jackets are provided.
Sudbury residents can enjoy similar fun at Splash N Go on Ramsey Lake, which features obstacle courses, trampolines, and climbing challenges. It opens on June 28. Remember sunscreen and a towel.
Paddle along a tree-lined lake
Where: Multiple locations in North Bay, ON
Spend the day on the water and have fun paddling. You can rent one from Sisu Adventures in North Bay if you don't own a kayak or paddleboard. Different watercraft are available in their fleet depending on your skill and preference.
There are many summer adventures to choose from. Do you want to embark on a three-hour portage paddling Trout Lake around Camp Island or a one-hour self-guided city park paddle? There are various other rental options, plus packages where you can add on a cabin stay or portable sauna rental. The paddle season runs from June through September, and you can look forward to new waterway adventures for 2025.
Take a scenic sailing cruise
Where: Pier 3 – Marina Park, Thunder Bay, ON
Experience the thrill of sailing as you uncover the stunning beauty of Lake Superior with Sail Superior tours. Discover breathtaking destinations like Thompson Island, the Sleeping Giant at Sawyers Bay, Spar Island, Caribou Island, and Otter Cove. Whether you prefer a short excursion or a full-day adventure, you can choose from sailboats, zodiacs, or catamarans to explore a whole new side of Thunder Bay.
This season, don't miss the new Signature Experiences, specialized tours designed to showcase Lake Superior's unparalleled beauty.
Stroll across Canada's longest suspension bridge
Where: 275 Valley Rd., Dorion, ON
Stretching 183 meters across a tree-speckled lake canyon, Eagle Canyon is Canada's longest suspension bridge, about an hour's drive from Thunder Bay. It hangs 46 meters above the canyon floor, so you'll feel thrills as you walk across this spectacular footbridge surrounded by wilderness. There is a smaller 91-meter suspension bridge you can also walk across and nature hiking trails to enjoy.
Dance the day away at a music festival
Where: Bell Park, 900 Paris St., Greater Sudbury, ON
Summer in Sudbury means festival season, and the Northern Lights Festival is a must-see from July 4 to 6, 2025. Celebrate incredible talent with performances featuring francophone, Indigenous, and multicultural influences. While the entire lineup isn't out yet, exciting acts like Shad, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Burnstick, and Klô Pelgag are already confirmed. Don't miss this unforgettable weekend!
Hike to a waterfall swimming hole
Where: Bridal Veil Falls, Billings, ON
Tucked away at the base of a picturesque nature trail staircase lies a hidden gem: a stunning cascade that feels straight out of a fairytale. And yes, this enchanting spot is in Ontario. Welcome to Bridal Veil Falls, located on Manitoulin Island, just a two-hour drive from Sudbury. Whether you are planning a day of hiking or prefer the convenience of parking in the nearby lot, this breathtaking waterfall is easily accessible.
Don't forget to pack your swimsuit—cooling off in the refreshing swimming hole at the foot of the falls is the perfect way to elevate your visit.
Stargaze at a dark sky preserve
Where: 960 Hwy. 637, Killarney, ON
Elevate your stargazing adventures by exploring a dark sky preserve—a haven dedicated to protecting the night sky from light pollution. In these pristine spaces, the stars shine brighter, offering the perfect setting to witness breathtaking celestial events. With the right conditions, you can spot wonders like the International Space Station, the Northern Lights, and even spectacular meteor showers.
Discover an urban art gallery
Where: Multiple locations in Sudbury, ON
Each August, Sudbury comes alive with creativity during the Up Here festival. Muralists, musicians, and installation artists transform the downtown into an urban art gallery. From August 15 to 17, 2025, enjoy over 50 live concerts, giant outdoor murals, and surprise performances.
The festival's impact lasts year-round, with nearly 30 murals created since 2013 still decorating Sudbury's streets. Join a guided walking tour to learn about the artists and local art scene, or explore at your own pace with the Up Here app for a self-guided tour and the stories behind these stunning works.
Celebrate at an annual music festival
Where: Explorer's Point and other locations in Mattawa, ON
Get ready for Mattawa Voyageur Days, a must-attend music festival from July 25–27, 2025! Enjoy free daytime activities for all ages and epic evening performances featuring Fefe Dobson, Default, The Reklaws, Jade Eagleson, and top tribute bands for Aerosmith and Bon Jovi. The festival wraps up with a stunning fireworks show on July 27.
Discover hidden gems on a walking tour
Where: Thunder Bay Museum, 425 Donald St E., Thunder Bay, ON
Walk through Thunder Bay's past and learn local history on a walking tour with the Thunder Bay Museum. Five 75-minute urban walks take place across the city and feature unique tales. For example, the Court Street Walking Tour features stories of wealth and tragedy, and you will learn hidden tales of almost-lost history on the Fort William tour. Headsets are provided so that you don't miss a word. The museum plans to begin these annual tours in June 2025.
Soak up rays on a sandy shore
Where: Pancake Bay Provincial Park, 12729 Hwy. 17 N., Batchawana Bay, ON
Spend an afternoon relaxing on a white sandy beach, soaking up the summer sun and splashing around with your little ones. Pancake Bay Provincial Park has a 3.2-kilometre-long stretch of beautiful beachfront and is considered one of the finest beaches in North America. The beach is in a bay, sheltered from the open Lake Superior, so you don't need to worry about rough waves. Admire the view of tropical-looking water, enjoy a paddle out on the lake, take advantage of nearby hiking trails and catch a vibrant sunset as the day ends. While the beach is not open to pets, there is a dog beach section between the Group Camping and West Campground Sites.
Learn something new at a science museum
Where: 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. and 122 Big Nickel Rd., Sudbury, ON
Discover Earth and space at Northern Ontario's popular tourist attraction, Science North. Watch experiment demonstrations at the Discovery Theatre, have tropical butterflies surrounding you in the Butterfly Gallery, travel through Ontario's landscapes in Northern Ecosystems, walk in an astronaut's shoes at Moonwalk, and more. Dynamic Earth is also nearby, where you can visit the Big Nickel and explore earth science and mining experiences.
Looking for ways to keep the kids busy while school’s out? Science North’s summer camps are packed with hands-on science fun and adventure! From cool experiments to interactive activities, these camps are designed to spark curiosity and excitement for kids of all ages.
Did you know CAA Members save 20% on general admission tickets to Science North?
Embark on a river canoe adventure
Where: 16 Hwy. 630, Mattawa, ON
Go out into the heart of nature and experience the serene beauty of a Northern wilderness paddle. Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitter has paddle boards and canoes that you can rent for a single day, as well as aluminum boats and kayaks for at least two days. Or grab any of these watercraft for an excess of five days. Rent some camping equipment with your canoe to embark on a multi-day portage adventure. They are the only outfitter for rentals close to the North access (#29) of Algonquin Park. Start planning your epic waterway treks. Rentals will be available starting at the end of April 2025 and will run throughout the summer.
Jump and climb through an adventure park
Where: 1066 Barry Downe Rd., Sudbury, ON
Enjoy a day of childhood-like play navigating a ropes course, bouncing on trampolines, practicing acrobatics on an inflatable airbag, soaring to new heights on a Sky Rider, showing your strength on a climbing wall, sliding down in the tubes playground and more. Spend the day at Urban Air Adventure Park, where you can be active and have thrilling fun no matter the weather outside.
Scuba dive to shipwrecks
Where: 500 May St. N., Thunder Bay, ON
Join a dive charter or technical training with By The Bay Adventures. Even if you're new to the sport, there are courses for all levels of diving skills and technical diving training beyond traditional scuba diving. Uncover various wrecks, such as the most popular, Mary E. McLachlan, which sits upright underwater and is an accessible dive.
Check out a railroad museum
Where: 26 Bloor St., Capreol, ON
Step back in time and explore Northern Ontario's rich history of railroads, lumbering, and mining at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre. Located in a beautifully preserved century-old home, the museum offers a fascinating look into the past. See antique tools and historic photos that bring early lumber camps to life. After your visit, relax with treats in the museum's tearoom.
The regular season starts May 17, 2025, alongside the 8th Annual Big Truck Showcase. Don’t miss the new ON-30 Model Train Layout, opening later this summer!
Relax on a colourful stone beach
Where: 39 Howe St., Marathon, ON
Stroll along a rainbow shoreline covered in colourful, smooth rocks as the waves crash nearby. Relax with a picnic or stop by scenic Pebble Beach to watch the sunset over Lake Superior. You'll be able to catch the breathtaking view from the parking lot or steady yourself along a steep trail to the beach. Make sure you're wearing sturdy shoes! There is a nearby playground for your kids, a picnic area, and some driftwood where you can sit.
Explore and save with your CAA Membership
Starting at only $30 a year, CAA Members can grab tons of discounts on everything from sporting events, restaurants and fuel to savings on car rentals, travel insurance, and much more. You can view the list of 126,000 partner locations worldwide and join online.
