Ultimate Visitors Guide To Thunder Bay, Canada
Updated: November 11, 2024
Keywords: Thunder Bay Tourism, What To Do Thunder Bay Canada, Where Is Thunder Bay Canada, Thunder Bay Travel, Thunder Bay Tourist Attractions, Is Thunder Bay Worth Visiting, Visit Thunder bay, Thunder Bay RV Campground, NWO Travel, Thunder Bay Travel Agency, Thunder Bay Travel Guide
The Sleeping Giant from Thunder Bay Marina
At Bordersology we aim to create Quality Travel Guides Based on Our Own lived Experiences. We have called Northwestern Ontario home for over 20 years.
table of Contents
Click the links to jump ahead to each section of the blog!
Bordersology Map of Thunder Bay: This map will help you visualize where all of the attractions you want to visit are. An interactive Google Map you can use on your smart phone.
Buy Us a Coffee ($2) and Gain Access To The Ultimate Thunder Bay Trip Planning Tool!
RELATED BLOG
> Celiac and Gluten-Free Guide To Thunder Bay, CA <
Where Is Thunder Bay?
Geographical Location: Located at the Northwest end of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay sits at a crossroads between the Great Lakes, the Boreal Forest, and Western Canada. Thunder Bay is located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.
Thunder Bay is located at the West end of Lake Superior. The Saint Lawrence Seaway connects Thunder Bay to the Atlantic Ocean and world.
Thunder Bay is located on Trans Canada Hwy 11-17.
What Is Nearby Thunder Bay?
The Sleeping Giant Peninsula and Provincial Park create a natural bay where ships from around the world dock at the port of Thunder Bay.
30km West of Thunder Bay is Kakabeka Falls, a natural wonder along the Kaministiquia River.
100km East the Lake Nipigon watershed empties into Lake Superior through popular fishing rivers like the Nipigon, Black Sturgeon, and Wolf River.
100km to the South-West the Pigeon River system connects Lake Superior to Quetico, Rainy River, and Lake of the Woods through a system of portages.
300km to the North, Armstrong provides float plane access to the untouched boreal forest in Wabakimi Provincial Park.
Why Should I Visit Thunder Bay?
Nature & Land-Based Tourism: Thunder Bay is an excellent location for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure tourism. You can easily plan, or hire a local guide, for fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, foraging, rock climbing, water sports, etc.
Indigenous Tourism: Celebrate the resilience of Anishinaabe culture and learn about the ancient teachings that the Anishinaabe have shared for millennia. Visit Fort William First Nation.
Support Local: A thriving Buy Local Culture has been rapidly expanding since the early 2000s. You could plan an entire vacation to Thunder Bay with almost everything locally sourced. Read on for dozens of local recommendations for food, restaurants, activities, arts, etc.
Food & Restaurants: Thunder Bay has an outstanding selection of locally-owned restaurants and bars. As world travellers and foodies at heart, we truly believe Thunder Bay has elite culinary options that can satisfy anyone’s appetite.
Entertainment & Events: Thunder Bay hosts dozens of yearly events from music to food and culture. Read on for a schedule of annual events.
Getting To Thunder Bay
*Flying: Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) is how many visitors choose to arrive in the city. When flying to Thunder Bay in 2025, you have four airline options:
Porter through Toronto or Ottawa (our favourite)
Air Canada through Toronto or Winnipeg
Westjet through Winnipeg
Flair through Toronto
>Thunder Bay Flight Options On Trip.com <
Driving: Thunder Bay is 500+ km from any major city
Winnipeg is 700km west of Thunder Bay, with the tourism hotspot of Kenora at 500km.
Sault Ste Marie is 700km East of Thunder Bay.
The Minnesota-Ontario border is 60 KM south of Thunder Bay. Duluth is 300KM south of Tbay.
Port of Thunder Bay: Recently around a dozen cruise ships have been coming into Thunder Bay every spring/summer and docking in the Port of Thunder Bay.
*Rental Cars: If you are planning to explore Thunder Bay, a rental car will save you time and money!
>RentalCars.com< is the best place to compare rental rates from all the major companies.
Taxis in the city are expensive and unreliable. Uber does not operate in the city but there is a locally owned app called U-Ride that works just like Uber.
Is Thunder Bay Safe For Female & Solo Travellers?
Thunder Bay is as safe as any other major North American city you would consider visiting. Thunder Bay is statistically safer than most cities in USA, but not in CAN.
Thunder Bay Police and Ontario Provincial Police have a strong presence in the city, monitoring streets/highways.
Most areas of concern listed below have schools and families living in the area, they are safe during the day.
Areas of concern or that have a reputation are . . .
East End (Simpson St, Mckenzie St, Ogden St, Donald St E, Kam River Park, Victoriaville)
Picton Park Area and Picton Ave
Limbrick Street Area
Downtown Westfort
Prints Inspire Photography - Thunder Bay Marina
Annual Schedule Of Events/Festivals In Thunder Bay
>Detailed List of Events< by Tourism Thunder Bay
Canadian Forces Snowbirds Air Show (June)
Canada Day Celebrations (July 1)
Teddy Bears Picnic - Family Event (July)
Brew-Ha Beer Festival (July)
Festival of India and Festival of Colours (July)
Wine-Oh Food and Drink Festival (August)
Live On The Waterfront - Free Concerts (Wednesday nights during July-August)
Movie Nights In The Park - Free Outdoor Cinema (Thursday nights in August)
Thunder Bay Bordercats Baseball Games
Thunder Bay Chill FC - Live Soccer Games
Thunder Bay Country Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, all year long)
Thunder Bay Speedway Races (Spring - Fall)
Rock The Fort Music Festival (July)
Rib-Fest (Late August)
Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) - carnival rides and games (early August)
Wake The Giant Music Festival (September)
North Delights Fall Harvest Food Festival
Craft Revival Festival (November)
Winter Fun Days (January through March)
Sleeping Giant Loppet Ski Festival (March)
Lakehead Thunder Wolves Sports - Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball (Winter)
Best Things To Do In Thunder Bay
Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge
Thunder Bay Most Popular Attractions
Thunder Bay Marina, Waterpark, Skateboard Park
Mount McKay Scenic Lookout
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Fort William Historical Park
10+ Golf Courses In The Region
Thunder Bay Museum
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Mine your own Amethyst
Gammondale Family Farm
Mission Marsh - the best place to see deer
Sail Superior Tours - enjoy views from Lake Superior
Boulder Bear Rock Climbing Center
Wacky Wings Arcade & Game Room
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
Eagle Canyon - ziplines and suspension bridges
Eagle Canyon
Thunder Bay Adventure & Nature Tourism:
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (hikes and camping)
Mount McKay Summit Hike
Skiing @ Loch Lomond or Mount Baldy
Centennial Park Hiking Trails
Boulevard Lake Trails
Trowbridge Falls Campground
Shuniah Mines Mountain Bike Trails
Regional Fishing Derbies
Hunting (deer, moose, bears, birds)
Trapping (rabbits, martins, beavers)
Rock Climbing and Ice Climbing
Down-Hill and Cross-Country Skiing
Wolf River Waterfall + Camping
Silver Falls Provincial Park
Wolf River Falls
Best Swimming Spots Near Thunder Bay:
Cascades Conservation Area - hiking + swimming
Dog Lake
Sandy Beach - Lake Superior
McKenzie Point - Lake Superior
Wild Goose Beach - Lake Superior
Silver Harbour - Lake Superior
Kakabeka Beach - Kam River
Cascades Conservation Area
Wolf River Falls
Silver Falls Campground
Oliver Lake
Camping/Fishing Trips From Thunder Bay
Neys Provincial Park - the best camping and beach in Northwestern Ontario
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Silver Falls Provincial Park
Wabakimi Provincial Park - fly-in escape to the untouched boreal forest
Arrow Lake - cottage country
Organized Tours In Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay has world-class fishing. We miss eating Walleye every time we travel abroad!
Support/Buy Local Thunder Bay
A thriving Buy Local Culture has been rapidly expanding since the early 2000s. You could plan an entire vacation to Thunder Bay with almost everything locally sourced. See Tourism Thunder Bay’s >business directory<.
Local Brands:
Heartbeat Hot Sauce
Prime Gelato
The Persian Man Pastries
Thunder Oak Cheese
Ontario Fresh Fruit Stands
Belluz Farms
B&B Farms
Nor’wester Maple Company
Local Shops:
Goods Co. Craft Market
Thunder Bay Country Market
Ungali Clothing
Mars Clothing
The Loop Clothing
Fresh Air Bicycle Shop
Vanderwees Garden Center
3 Ride BMX Shop
Maltese Grocery and Deli
Agostino’s Deli
Cheese Encounter Fromagerie
D & R Outdoor Sporting Goods
Dough Bagel Co.
Gear Up For Outdoors
Rollin’ Thunder Bike and Ski
Sweet North Bakery
The Bannock Lady
Local Breweries
Sleeping Giant Brew Co.
Dawson Trail Brewery
Lakehead Beer Co.
Locally Owned Cafes
Saint Paul Roastery
Bay Village Coffee (Website)
Bean Fiend Cafe
Calico Coffee House
Dolce Coffee House
Habit Coffee and Bakehouse
Kappa Java
Metropolitan Moose Beanery (Kakabeka)
Rose N Crantz Roasting Co
Up Shot Coffee House
Best Restaurants in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay has an exceptional selection of locally-owned restaurants and bars. As world travellers and foodies at heart, we truly believe Thunder Bay has elite culinary options that can satisfy anyone’s appetite.
Listed below are some of our favourite restaurants:
Tomlin Restaurant + Barkeep + Lakehead Beer Co.
Nook
Caribou
The Foundry + Goods Co. + Woodside Bar
Lot 66
El Tres
Roosters Bistro
Red Lion Smokehouse
Thai Kitchen
Prospector Steakhouse
The Sal
Bonobos
Growing Season + Rebel Salad
In Common
Eat Local Pizza + Eat Loco Tacos
Wasabi
Nomad
Both Hands Pizza
Beefcake’s Burger Factory
Daytona’s Kitchen
Nortenos Tacos
Osaka Sushi
Prospector Burger Barn
Sovereign Room
Merla Mae Ice Cream
Eat Loco Tacos
Tomlin + Barkeep + Lakehead Beer Co.
When it comes to high-quality, locally-owned food & drink Tomlin sets the standard in Thunder Bay.
Tomlin has a forever-evolving menu that changes with the season. Some of our favourite menu items that stay around throughout the year are the Pork Belly, Beef Tartare, & Dry Aged Ribeye Beef.
Start your culinary experience at Tomlin off with the best signature cocktails in town. Tomlin’s mixologists will happily serve you a seasonal signature drink or fan favourites like the Sloe Gin and St Paul (espresso martini).
Tomlin only does reservations for parties of 6 or more, so it is best to show up and ask them to call you when a table opens up. While you wait, you have two Tomlin-owned options in walking distance! Barkeep or Lakehead Beer Co.
Barkeep is a small cocktail bar, serving an entirely different menu of signature cocktails than Tomlin. If you are feeling snacky, order their meet & cheese board or house-made chips + dip.
For craft beer fans, Tomlin has even entered that community by opening Lakehead Beer Co. in 2020-21. Stop by Lakehead Beer Co. to try their beer on tap, buy merchandise, or take canned beers home. Lakehead Beer Co. also hosts Subdivision, the best locally-owned deep-dish pizza in Thunder Bay. Subdivision is now also offering sub sandwiches and salads for dine-in or takeout.
As you can tell from our enthusiastic recommendation of Tomlin, this is the restaurant to visit if you are only in Thunder Bay for a short stay.
The Foundry + Goods Co. + Woodside
The Foundry restaurant and bar is a hotspot for good food and great nightlife in Thunder Bay.
Swing by the Foundry for lunch or dinner on their outdoor patio in the summer or dine inside during one of their weekly events.
We recommend the deep-fried pickle chips, nachos, and signature sandwiches.
On Friday and Saturday nights, you can expect The Foundry to be packed near capacity from 11 pm to close, making it one of the best places for a night out in Thunder Bay.
Goods Co. Market, owned by The Foundry, features more than a dozen local vendors selling everything from art, pottery, clothing, baking, sweets, etc. Feeling hungry? Grab a charcuterie board from Charcu, a burrito bowl from Paco Mas, or a roll of sushi. New food stalls are alwasys opening!
Woodside Bar serves up an extensive menu of signature cocktails to suit any palate.
Nook
Nook is our favourite Italian restaurant in Thunder Bay for many reasons.
First, their pasta and pizza are all hand-made. Second, they have the best selection of gluten-free pasta in Thunder Bay. Third, they have a rotating menu of daily special pasta and pizzas.
During the summer you can dine on their spacious outdoor patio with lamps and heaters.
The bartenders mix signature and classic cocktails or recommend a wine to pair with your meal.
El Tres
For those who love Mexican food and cocktails, El Tres should be your first choice in Thunder Bay.
El Tres has the most flavourful, crunchy, & salty homemade tortilla chips we have ever had the pleasure of eating. Try the tortilla chips with guacamole dip, queso dip, nachos, or combine it all by getting a queso-topped nachos with guacamole dip on the side.
El Tres also has house-made tacos with four options; pork, beef, fish, or vegetarian. Taco orders come with four small tacos.
Other items on the menu include chimichangas, burritos, mollates, and other fried tortilla dishes.
Do not forget to try the cocktails! El Tres has one of the most well-balanced & consistent margaritas in town. Other notable drinks are the Fifty-fifty, Hibiscus Sour, and Pula.
Roosters Bistro
Roosters is our favourite brunch restaurant in Thunder Bay and without doubt the best gluten-friendly brunch restaurant in Thunder Bay.
Their well-labelled menu highlights what can and cannot be made gluten-free.
Roosters serves everything from basic breakfast combos, omelettes, and sandwiches, to elite eggs Benedict options.
Bordersology recommends you try the breakfast poutine, Viking Benedict, or the Walleye Benedict.
Red Lion Smokehouse
Red Lion has the largest selection of craft beers on tap in Thunder Bay. The rotating menu of craft beer on tap makes every visit to Red Lion different and exciting. You can always expect staples from Sleeping Giant Brewery and Lake of The Woods Brewery, complemented by a large selection of Ontario and imported beers on tap.
Red Lion also has one of the best pub food menus in the city. Bordersology recommends the fish tacos, deep-fried cheese curds, deep-fried olives, house-smoked ribs, pulled pork burgers or pulled pork nachos.
Starting in 2024, Red Lion also entered the gluten-free conversation, hosting a gluten-free month and now featuring a weekly gluten free menu highlight
Thai Kitchen:
Thai Kitchen is one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Thunder Bay.
You can undoubtedly get Thai food for cheaper elsewhere, but the quality and dining atmosphere at Thai Kitchen is unmatched.
For gluten-free and celiac customers, ask your waiter for options as the menu is not labelled with gluten symbols, but the food can be made gluten-friendly.
We recommend the gluten-free spring rolls
Growing Season + Rebel Salad
Growing Season was the original trendsetter for locally grown, vegetarian, and vegan food in Thunder Bay. Growing Season has a more diverse selection of salad and drink options than their second location Rebel Salad.
Rebel Salad allows you to design your own salad, choosing your base (rice, quinoa, greens), protein (chicken, lentils, cheese) and dressings!
Both Growing Season and Rebel Salad are excellent locally-owned options for those looking for a healthy lunch in Thunder Bay!
Hillcrest Park
Where To Stay In Thunder Bay
>Booking.com< is a great place to start when looking for accommodation in Thunder Bay.
>VRBO< is an excellent website for private rentals. Visitors to Thunder Bay should check VRBO, as you can often rent an entire house for the price of a single hotel room!
Listed below are some accommodations we recommend in Thunder Bay and surrounding area:
Haven Hostel
The Courthouse Hotel
Delta Waterfront Hotel
Best Western Plus Norwester Hotel
Cottage Rentals on Lake Superior, Dog Lake, Whitefish Lake
Campgrounds
K&A RV Campground
Historic Port Arthur
Nightlife & Bar Guide To Thunder Bay
On The Links Virtual Golf Pub
Wacky Wings Arcade + Sports Bar
On Deck
The Foundry
Tilted Turret Pinball Pub
Nortenos Cantina
Red Lion Smokehouse
The Sovereign Room
Woodside
Barkeep
Lakehead Beer Co.
The Outpost
NV Nightclub
The DaVinci
The Social
Madhouse
Thunder Bay Interesting Facts & Travel Tips
Place Names:
Thunder Bay is a settler-colonial city that has had many names during the long history of this land.
Before colonial Canada, the region was part of the Three Fires Confederacy and has been inhabited by Anishinaabe peoples for thousands of years.
The Sleeping Giant was once known as Nanabijou, whereas Mount McKay was called Anemki-waucheu or “the place where Thunderbirds land”.
Bordersology highly recommends a visit to Fort William First Nation to learn about the Indigenous history and culture that this land has supported for millennia.
Fun Facts:
Terry Fox ended his historic run near Thunder Bay. Check out the Terry Fox scenic lookout to learn more about his story and his connection to Thunder Bay.
Thunder Bay has produced many famous hockey players for the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup has visited the city several times in the last two decades. Notable players include Eric Stall, Jordan Stall, Mark Stall, Taylor Pyatt, Robert Bortuzzo, Carter Hutton, Matt Murray, Tyler Tucker, and Mackenzie Blackwood.
Lakehead University and Confederation College are highly ranked post-secondary institutions based in Thunder Bay. Both campuses have ranked in the Top 100 globally for the quality of programs and degrees offered. Local, national, and international students going to these schools bring millions of dollars into the local economy every year.
More Bordersology Travel Blogs
>Ultimate Visitors Guide To Sint Maarten And Saint Martin (SXM)<
>Gluten-Free And Celiac Guide To St Martin And Sint Maarten (SXM)<
>21 Signature Cocktails You Need To Try In St. Maarten And St. Martin (SXM)<
This website uses affiliate links, at no cost to you, to fund our website and grow our business .
