Nestled into the heart of the beautiful and rugged Northern Ontario, Timmins and Cochrane both offer a ton of different things to do. You can stay right in Timmins and enjoy an action-packed adventure, or you can choose to make your getaway a little more remote and enjoy one of the many parks in the area. Both Timmins and Cochrane offer some unique sites you won’t be able to see and things you won’t be able to do anywhere else. Ride the rails, see the polar bears, experience a remote fishing destination, or take in all the arts, history, and festivals- you’ll be sure to make a ton of great memories along the way.
1. Go deep into nature at Kettle Lakes Provincial Park
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2. Discover history and culture at its finest at Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre
Spend a day learning all about the culture and history of the area at the Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre. The museum hosts a variety of different exhibits every year. They’re constantly changing, so you can come back summer after summer and see something new. The galleries at the museum feature exhibits dedicated to local history, as well as a large collection of images, many about the gold rush and mining in the area. Be sure to stop at the gift shop before you leave. It features different works from local artists and artisans as well as souvenirs.
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3. Enjoy some me-time at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a little, or a lot, of luxury time on your vacation this year, you should consider Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa. Located right in Timmins, the resort is the perfect place to book your stay. The rooms are beautiful, the dining options are delicious, and the spa services are out of this world. Try the incredible Nordic Baths, or treat yourself to a facial or a therapeutic massage. The spa is unique in that it pairs all that pampering with the flare of the rugged wilderness. You can get out and experience all the biking, walking, and hiking trails that the spa has access to. You also might just spot some of the area’s wildlife, so be sure to bring your camera. The spa is a unique destination that lets you get out and explore and enjoy a little me time after too.
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4. Have a summer blast at Hersey Lake Conservation Area
Looking for a day trip that still features all the fun summery things to do? Look no further than the Hersey Lake Conservation Area. The area is nestled into a beautiful part of the country not far from Timmins. You can walk, hike, and bike through the iconic Jack Pines and rugged landscape. The area actually also has fishing and swimming, so bring your rods, your tackle, and your bathing suits. There are a couple great lookout points and boardwalks that you can explore to round out your visit.
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5. Take a break right in the city at Gillies Lake Conservation area
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6. Take a paddling challenge like no other during Great Canadian Kayak Challenge Festival
If you love kayaking and canoeing, you can’t miss the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge Festival in Timmins. The festival has been called the best in its class and draws people from all over the province and even the country to compete in the events, competitions, and workshops held at the festival. The festival runs from Aug 23-25th this year and includes some pretty amazing entertainment, live music, vendors, and fireworks.
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7. Hike along a splendid set of falls
You can’t plan a summer adventure to Timmins without including a hike to see High Falls on the Grassy River. High Falls has been described as being dramatic, with a forceful rush of water creating the spectacular site. Framed by the gorgeous scenery that the Canadian Shield is iconic for, the hike is sure to be a picture-perfect, memorable one. If you continue on the trail, you’ll come to a set of rapids further downstream, called Low Falls, which are also picturesque.
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8. Sample the local brews at Full Beard Brewing
If you’d like to kick back and support a local business, consider Full Beard Brewing. The craft brewery brews a large selection of beers brewed right in Timmins. You can sample and sip at the brewery’s tasting room and get a great view of the entire operation. There are a whole host of different beers to sample, plus the company’s logo is pretty cool. They do have a lineup of apparel so you can proudly sport some new merch too.
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9. Visit a quaint museum – Connaught & District Pioneer Museum
Looking for a small road trip or an afternoon out of the city? You should venture out to see the Connaught & District Pioneer Museum. Located only thirty minutes from Timmins, the museum has something that everyone can enjoy. The area is steeped in history and the museum was created with the purpose of preserving the local heritage. Take in and learn about all the many different artifacts. Open during July and August, you’ll be glad you stopped in.
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10. Score a unique treasure at Thurston Stained Glass & Studio
If you’re on the hunt for a unique treasure to add to your home, stop in at Thurston Stained Glass & Studio. Nothing feels better than supporting local artists and artisans. The shop sells some pretty incredible items and the prices are quite affordable. They do take on commissions or enquire about their lessons and classes if you’re going to be in the area for a week or two.
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11. Search out the amazing murals across Timmins
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12. Taste mouth-watering delights at The Fishbowl Restaurant
If you’ve worked up an appetite doing and seeing all the great things that Timmins has to offer, never fear! Locals know that The Fishbowl Restaurant is one of the best stops in Timmins for hungry bellies. The restaurant has come a long way, from being a small fish and chips shop to being a mouth-watering destination with a large and varied menu. Come and sample some of the many unique dishes. Chances are, you’ll be back for more!
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13. Splash the day away
If you’re in Timmins with the kiddos this summer and strapped for ideas, or maybe the heat is getting you down, we have the perfect solution! Timmins has two splash pads that the kids will sure to have a blast at! The different locations are open during the summer from eight in the morning until nine at night. That’s a ton of hours just made for soaking wet summer fun.
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14. Water Adventures at Timmins Wake Park
No boat? No problem. The Timmins Wake Park, located right in the city at the Gillies Lake Conservation Area promises to be a wet and wild time, all without the need for a boat at all. Now you can enjoy wakeboarding, waterskiing, and knee boarding by just hanging onto the state of the art electric cable system that pulls you through the water. Challenge the crazy jumps if you’re more experienced or just enjoy a more relaxing course if you’re a newbie. There’s something everyone can enjoy!
15. Dream of alpacas
Located just east of Timmins, the Dream Acres Alpaca Farm spells fun for the whole family. There really isn’t anything better than going and seeing all the adorable alpacas. You can take a tour of the farm and go for a walk on the nature trails in the area. They have some pretty unique products that you can buy right on site, too, so be sure to check out the store.
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16. A radical experience at Radical Gardens
It won’t be hard to see why the Radical Gardens has been as one of the must-visit restaurants in Timmins. The dishes aren’t just super delicious and unique, though they definitely are that. Many of the ingredients that go into making the yummy offerings are sourced locally. You’ll be amazed not only at how good everything is, but also at the wide selection. Pro insider tip- the desserts at the bakery are simply AMAZING.
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17. Satisfy your sweet tooth
Go ahead and give in to your cravings, just this once. You won’t be sorry you did! Just Because Chocolates and Confections is one of those hidden gems and it’s located right in Timmins. Everything they make is absolutely incredible and totally creative! Seriously, you won’t even believe that some of these combinations exist. There’s a good chance they might have invented a few! Whether you love with cookies or chocolates or some of both and everything in between, you’ll be sure to satisfy any sweet tooth you might have.
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18. Taste both savory and sweet at Pine Dairy Bar ice cream shop
The Pine Dairy Bar ice cream shop is another sweet hidden gem that Timmins has to offer. Locals know it’s the place to go for everything from sweet to savoury. The poutine is amazing and the burgers are incredible. With over 65 different milkshake flavours, a ton of delicious ice cream flavours, and a whole host of ice cream related awesomeness like sundaes, you can’t go wrong!
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19. Ride the rails on the Polar Bear Express Train
There really isn’t a better or more unique way to see the rugged Canadian wilderness than to get on board the Polar Bear Express Train. The train has been touted as one of the few great rail excursions still running. The trip not only allows you to see the gorgeous scenery, you might even catch a glimpse of wildlife along the way. The area is steeped in history. You’ll be travelling through and along many of the same routes that First Nations people and fur traders traversed. The train runs between Cochrane and Moosonee four times a week and runs twice daily on those days.
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20. Learn all about the bears at Polar Bear Habitat
You can’t plan a trip to Cochrane without working in time to see the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat. The non-profit habitat is currently home to five polar bears who live on twenty-four acres that closely resembles their natural environment. The habitat studies these bears and plays an important role in conservation in the face of changing wild environments and climate change. The habitat doesn’t just conduct research for themselves. They share that research with the public through educational visits and tours. If you’re interested, but can’t make it to the habitat, you can watch videos of the bears online too.
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21. Home of a legend
Anyone who is from Cochrane will proudly tell you that it’s the birthplace of NHL legend, Tim Horton. Yes, of course, the very same Tim Horton whose name is known across the country for the iconic coffee and doughnuts. It’s fitting that the town’s recreation centre was named after him. The Tim Horton’s Events Centre boasts a rink and a fitness centre, but that’s not all. They also have a huge pool that comes complete with a waterslide, lazy river, and simulated beach. It’s a great place to take the kids to splash around, year round.
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22. Enjoy a festival of fun
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23. Summer fun at Commando Lake
Cochrane is just as great as any other destination when it comes to summery fun. Commando Lake, located just a few minutes from town, is a hot spot destination when it comes to fishing and beaches. Bring the rods and tackle and try your luck at catching smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, or pike. The beaches are great, perfect for a sandy escape, and the swimming is fun too, though the beaches are unattended. There are some excellent ATV trails in the area too, if you’re looking to add on to your adventures.
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24. Try the local fare at Cochrane
Don’t worry about showing up hungry. Cochrane has a large selection of delectable restaurants just waiting to be discovered. Foodies and famished travelers alike will be amazed by the unique dishes and flavorful offerings. There are so many amazing places it’s hard to choose just one. If you’re looking for comfort food, Cochrane has it. If you’re in the mood for fine dining, great pizza, or a great family atmosphere, they have that too!
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25. Go off the grid
If you’ve been thinking about planning that remote fishing or hunting vacation for years, but let uncertainty hold you back, don’t hold back any longer. Cochrane Air Services has been in the business of perfect, remote, northern hunting and fishing adventures for over four decades. With over thirty different outposts on different lakes, you can literally design your perfect vacation. If you love angling for monster-sized fish, you’ll love the quality of the fishing. Whatever kind of adventure you’re after, you’ll be sure to be amazed by the unspoiled beauty of Northern Ontario along the way.
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