Whether it’s remote adventure into the wilderness you crave or a more urban adventure, Sudbury and the Greater Sudbury area has everything you’re looking for! Sudbury is rich in history and culture, and you can spend days touring the different museums, galleries, and historic sites. The city boasts great shopping, awesome antique and thrift stores, and unique places to eat. There are a ton of sights around the city or just outside, but if you venture thirty minutes to an hour beyond, into the Greater Sudbury area, you can really get into some beautiful, rugged wilderness.
1. See the big nickel
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2. A Dynamic Earth
Looking for a day out that the whole family can enjoy? Head over to the Dynamic Earth science centre. The centre is HUGE and features hands on exhibits, an underground tour, theatres, and an outdoor science park. Both those who are young and those who are young at heart will have a blast. You might just have so much fun, you won’t even realize how much you’ve learned until you’ve left.
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3. Science North
Science North maintains the second and eighth largest science centres in all of Canada. It’s definitely worth taking an entire day to see and experience the centre, if you have the time. Also, be sure to check out the planetarium while you’re there. It’s the first of its kind in Northern Ontario! Explore all the things After a day of fun and learning, take in a movie at the Science North IMAX. The theatre has a host of different movies playing and of course, it changes things up every single week. If you’ve never been to an IMAX, it’s definitely an unforgettable experience, no matter what age you are. You can see some really informative movies that are guaranteed to be interesting and enjoyable.
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4. Take a stroll through Bell Park
Bell Park is a large park right in Sudbury, located on the shores of Ramsay Lake. The park is named after William Joseph Bell, a lumber baron- the very same lumber baron who owned the historic mansion the Art Gallery of Sudbury is located in. Anyway, the park’s boardwalk is that perfect place for an evening stroll. In the summer, the flowers in the park are incredible and of course, the views of the lake are spectacular. There are benches throughout the park, perfect for watching the boats come and go on Ramsay Lake.
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5. Get back to nature right in the city
Visiting Sudbury and looking for that getaway back to nature that you can take in with limited time to spare? Be sure to visit the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. The conversation area is located only ten minutes from downtown Sudbury and has 2415 acres of protected land. The area features beautiful greenspace, leafy trees, sparkling waters, and outstanding views of it all. The area is accessible by car, so you don’t have to worry about being an experienced hiker or outdoors enthusiast to enjoy getting away.
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6. Enjoy a day at the beach
Located just forty minutes from Sudbury, Windy Lake Provincial Park is a great park to base your family’s next vacation. It’s close enough to Sudbury that you could stay at the park and still go for a day trip to see all that Sudbury has to offer, or stay right in Sudbury and take a day trip to the park for a day at the beach. Windy Lake Provincial Park is perfect for a day away or for a week of adventure. The park features sandy beaches and a gorgeous lake that is just right for swimming and watersports. As well as campsites, the park also features four yurts that can be rented. If you’re going to stay, you might want to stay in style!
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7. A four season paradise
Adventure enthusiasts of all ages are sure to enjoy Kivi Park. Located right in the greater area of Sudbury, Kivi Park offers 280 acres just right for those who want to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. The park is a non-profit, is completely volunteer-run, and can be enjoyed in all four seasons. The park boasts some amazing trails that make for great hiking and biking in the warmer months and for awesome cross country skiing in the winter. There is even a skate trail in the winter! If you’re a kayaker or a canoer, you can definitely take advantage of the park’s lakes. For junior adventurers, there is an epic playground that is sure to delight.
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8. Soak up the local history
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9. See the lake in a meteor crater
Lake Wanapitei is unique in that it’s actually a meteorite crater. The lake features sandy areas of beach and is quite scenic. The park actually is protected for the forest and vegetation in the area, but you can still enjoy swimming in the clear lake and relaxing on the stretches of beach. You can also fish in the park and be sure to bring your camera, as there is known to be wildlife and bird sightings.
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10. Take in the Art Gallery of Sudbury
The Art Gallery of Sudbury was established in 1967 as a Centennial Project and is quite a unique place to visit. It’s located in a beautiful mansion that is over 100 years old. It once belonged to the lumber baron, William Joseph Bell, who Bell Park was also named for. Spend a few hours taking in the diverse and informative exhibits that the gallery has to offer. The boutique onsite features works by local artists and artisans. The gallery also offers lectures and classes throughout the year and sometimes hosts special events, so be sure to check their website for schedule.
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11. Mini-golf, dinosaurs, and dragons
There seriously probably isn’t any better family activity in all of Sudbury than the Dinosaur Valley Mini-Golf. Okay, so you don’t have to be a family to enjoy it. You can also treat yourself! Dinosaur Valley opens on May 1st this year and features seven different courses! That’s 63 holes of pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, putting action. Dinosaur Valley is so much more than just golf! It’s called Dinosaur Valley for a reason. There are huge dinosaur sculptures and dragons made of steel all over the property.
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12. A day at the farm
The Anderson Farm Museum was once of the site of one of the largest dairies in the Sudbury area in the 1920’s and 30’s. The farm site is now dedicating to preserving the history of Sudbury’s rich past. You can still see the farmhouse, built in 1914 where the original Anderson family lived. The house has nine rooms you can walk through. You can also take in the barn and milk house. Take in the different farming exhibits and the reconstructed buildings and windmill. Old farm implements and blacksmithing tools are on display, as well as the Creighton log cabin, which was moved to the site for preservation. The cabin features exhibits and information about mining. You can spend a whole day taking in everything the farm has to offer. Pack a picnic and make a day of it!
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13. Score a vintage or antique treasure
Sudbury has a great selection of thrift stores, antique stores, and hidden little gems that are just right for discovery. If your version of treasure hunting is antiquing, scoring a vintage find, or getting an incredible bargain, you’re in luck! Even if you’re absolutely sure you don’t need anything, it’s still fun to shop around and see all the neat things and unique displays out together in the stores. At the very least, you’ll probably learn something new, and on the off chance you do decide to treat yourself, you’ll be supporting local and helping reduce waste by buying used. It’s a win-win all around!
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14. Get a little more remote
Wolf Lake is located only twenty minutes northeast of Sudbury. The Wolf Lake Region is breathtakingly beautiful and is known for its many recreation opportunities. The area is rugged and rustic, the iconic unspoiled Canadian wilderness. If you’d like to spend your getaway reconnecting with nature, immersed in the wilderness, then Wolf Lake is definitely the place to visit. Wolf Lake is part of the Chiniguchi Waterway and is renowned for its backcountry canoe routes. The area is home to the world’s largest contiguous ancient red pine forest. The old-growth red pines are actually part of a critically endangered ecosystem. You can learn all about Wolf’s Lake story and what makes the area so unique.
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15. See the Falls
The Onaping High Falls (also known as High Falls) are located 35km west of Sudbury. The falls are popular for their impressive beauty, but also their ease of access. The Onaping River drops over 150 feet in the area, with the largest of the series of falls dropping 30 feet. If you want to view the falls and take a couple of memorable photos, the A.Y. Jackson Lookout is the place to do it! It’s actually one of three different trails in the area. There is also a self-guided Geological Walking Tour and a driving tour you can enjoy as well.
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16. Spend the day fishing
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Fish Greater Sudbury
If you haven’t thought about fishing in the Greater Sudbury area, it’s about time you get serious about planning a trip! The Great Sudbury area is unique not just for the many unique bodies of water in the area, but also for the many different species that those waters produce. Within an hour drive from Sudbury, you can be out angling for different species of trout, muskie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, pike, walleye, perch, burbot, pumpkinseed, rock bass, and so much more! There are a ton of different outfitters in the Greater Sudbury area, so you can plan your perfect getaway through a lodge or resort. If you already have your own gear, your own boat, and aren’t afraid to adventure out by yourself, you could stay right in the city and daytrip to your lake of choice!
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17. Float downriver
Looking for a unique summer experience that you’ll remember for years to come? Chillin’ And Tubing right near Sudbury, gives you the opportunity to spend a day on a real lazy river. The Vermillion River has a slowly moving current and is only 3 feet deep in most places. Chillin’ and Tubing is exactly what it sounds like. You get to float downriver for anywhere between two and a half hours to four hours on one of the river tubes. There are different sizes for adults and kids so everyone will be sure to be extra comfy! You can swim in the river as well, so don’t worry about falling off your getting too hot on your tube. It’s a pretty neat place to discover and you’ve likely never floated down a river before. Why not give it a try this summer?
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18. Take a daytrip to the lake
Kukagami Lake is located just an hour east of Sudbury. If you’re looking to do some exploring this summer in the heart of the Canadian wilderness, your search is over! The lake is crystal clear and is 20 sqkm. While you can explore the area, or head out on the water, the lake is also a great fishery. The lake abounds with smallmouth bass, lake trout, and walleye. There are several different outfitters in the area, so you could choose to book your stay with them, or stay in Sudbury and take a day trip to the lake!
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19. Go birdwatching
If you love birdwatching or just want to take in some nature in the city, you should definitely plan a trip to the Fielding Bird Sanctuary. Located right in the city, the area is home to many different varieties of birds. Pelicans, swans, eagles, ducks, and geese are just some of the many different birds you might see. Be sure to bring your camera! You can also bring your walking shoes or hiking boots, as there are nice walking trails or longer hiking trails in the area as well.
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20. Say cheese
Cheese lovers rejoice! La Fromagerie restaurant is definitely the place to be in Sudbury for some amazing cheese and charcuterie offerings. They have a cheese plate for one, so if you’re travelling solo, no worries. There’s also boards for two or more so your whole group can get into the cheese tasting groove. The restaurant has vegan cheese options too! They also offer a whole variety of different foods that have cheese and a few that don’t!
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21. Satisfy your sweet tooth
It’s okay to treat yourself. Go ahead, we won’t tell anyone! You can feel extra great about buying the homemade treats and delicious baked goods at Beards Coffee Bar & Bakery. All their tasty offerings are dairy and egg free! Cookies, cupcakes, scones, cinnamon buns- they have absolutely everything you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. Oh, and the coffee is pretty great too!
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22. Premier dining
Locals know that Tommy’s Not Here is the place to go for fine dining in Sudbury. From the salads to the appetizers to the main course, Tommy’s a premier dining option with some really flavourful and imaginative offerings. They have an incredibly thorough wines list for that perfect pairing with your meal. Whatever dish you choose to tantalize your taste buds, it’s sure to be absolutely delicious!
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23. A seriously great pizza
The Laughing Buddha promises great pizza and unique beer and it doesn’t disappoint. This unique hot spot is loved by locals and it’s not hard to see what all the fuss is about. The stone baked pizzas are seriously great! The sauces, soups, sides, and sandwiches are always fresh and delicious. The Laughing Buddha also has a massive selection of craft beer or try a Canadian or an international beer. In addition, they have a large selection of scotch and wines to choose from. You might want to come back a second or a third time just to try everything, as it’s bound to be scrumptious!
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24. Try the local beer
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25. Water Fun in Ramsey Lake
Ramsey Lake is a popular spot for recreational activities like swimming, boating, sailing, and waterskiing.
Want to go on a cruise? Cruise the Lake on the The William Ramsey. The name honours a surveyor who helped to build the rail line through Sudbury, and for whom Ramsey Lake was named. William Ramsey Cruise offers a one hour public cruises from May to October.