Are you looking for some content inspiration in planning your upcoming Thunder Bay media visit?  Here are some ideas for content you can dive into and explore further. We’ll enthusiastically work with you to customize an itinerary that will help you create that perfect story for your audience and their interests.

Taste of Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay enjoys an eclectic culinary scene intimately connected to the nature around it that has become the envy of small cities across Canada.  Influences span the globe including Indigenous, European, Middle East, African and Asian. A strong market farm community supports many local restaurants with fresh produce and agricultural products that delight the palate. We’re well known for the Persian, smoked trout, world class gouda cheese, Hot Beat Hot Sauce and our local craft beer scene boasts four breweries and local goods are plentiful for those seeking a taste of local.

The lighthouse keeper

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a lighthouse keeper on Lake Superior? Enjoy an experience like nothing else. Take a short road trip from Thunder Bay to Silver Islet and cruise with Archie’s Charters over to Porphyry Island on Black Bay. There you will discover the Porphyry Island Lighthouse, the second oldest light house which was built in 1873. You will experience peace and tranquility while you hike the nature trails, discover unique vegetation, get up-close to wildlife, enjoy beaches of black volcanic rock, and learn about the history of the island.

Get out on the Largest Fresh Water Lake

Ever wonder what it’s like to be in a boat on Lake Superior? The largest of the great lakes and largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior offers amazing sights and sounds. Head out on the lake with Sail Superior aboard one of their boats that includes the sailboat, Frodo, a high-speed zodiac known as the Superior Rocket or their luxurious catamaran, the Welcome. You can choose any number of Big Lake adventures from a harbour or wine and cheese cruise, exploring the Welcome Islands or even head over to the Sleeping Giant for the day.  

Custom itineraries and charters are also available that are pure bucket list adventures on the Inland Sea.

Urban Base Camp to the Great Outdoors

Located on the edge of the planet’s largest contiguous boreal forest, Thunder Bay and area boasts ample hiking and cycling trails. Bikers can enjoy the newly reconstructed trails of the Trowbridge Trail system, including Shuniah Mines, Centennial and the Trowbridge Trail Park. Thunder Bay is a year around cycling destination known for rural road routes, and ample mountain and fat biking trail networks and events.  Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring some of Canada’s best known  provincial and national parks that are perfect for nature lovers and those adventurers seeking a paddling or climbing challenge. 

Bringing Life to History at Fort William Historical Park

Ever wonder what life was like at the height of the Canadian fur trade?  Travel back in time at Fort William Historical Park where costumed characters re-enact the 1816 fur trade era. While exploring the park, you will learn about the North West Fur Trade Company and the important relationship between the Indigenous people and the French voyageurs and Scottish company owners.  Visit the many authentically recreated  buildings that make up the inland fort that includes the ornate great hall. Time your daily visit to experience the arrival to fur traders by canoe, or voyageurs dancing and singing in the main square.  The David Thompson Observatory, named after the famed cartographer that mapped out much of Canada, offers the opportunity to see the stars in a entertaining and educational way.

An Angler’s Dream

Some of North America’s best fresh water fishing is found right here in Northwestern Ontario and Thunder Bay is the urban basecamp to hundreds of area angling lodges and a variety of fish species that attract sport and conservation anglers from around the globe.  Drive into a full-service fishing lodge or take an iconic float plane trip into a remote wilderness lodge or outpost cabin.  Walleye, trout and muskie are some of the more popular species.  Spring brings fantastic trout fly fishing opportunities right within the city at one of the numerous creeks that feed Lake Superior while salmon, trout and walleye are just some of the eighty plus species of fish that call the Big Lake home. 

Ancient Rock, Fossils and Arctic Tundra

Ancient rocks, fossils, and artic plants can be viewed from platforms at two Provincial Parks all within 45 minutes from Thunder Bay. Located 20 minutes west of Thunder Bay you will find Kakabeka Falls. Known as Niagara of the North, you can walk down the paths to viewing platforms where you can enjoy the roar and the mist of the 40 metre (131ft) high waterfalls and view some of the oldest fossils found anywhere and are believed to be 1.2 billion -years-old layered within the rock walls along the Kaministiquia River. An hour’s drive east of Thunder Bay brings you to Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park, where after an easy one kilometre hike you will arrive at two viewing pods where you can look deep into the rock of the Canadian Shield and learn about the canyon floor that includes species of arctic plants normally found 1000 kilometers north.

Ski like a Local

Thunder Bay-ites love Nordic skiing and nestled in the trees on the edge of Thunder Bay are two popular ski areas, Lappe Nordic Centre and Kamview Nordic Centre.  Filled with dozens of kilometers of Nordic skiing trails, there is nothing better than spending an afternoon winding your way through wilderness and boreal forest. For those that like downhill, Thunder also boasts two ski hills, Loch Lomond and Mount Baldy.  Given our huge Scandinavian population, we’re also known for our saunas. After an afternoon of skiing there is nothing better than relaxing in a traditional Finnish sauna at Kangas Sauna.  It’s all enough to work up an appetite and complete your adventure with one of the city’s amazing culinary experiences.                                               

Experience Indigenous Culture

Thunder Bay is located on the traditional lands of the Anishnawbae Peoples of Fort William First Nations. Without the knowledge and assistance from the Indigenous people about the land, plants, and waterways the original settlers of Fort William wouldn’t have survived. The Indigenous culture is present throughout the city through art, events and culinary experiences.   Located on Fort William First Nations, Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) features amazing view of the City of Thunder Bay, a monument and is home to a pow wow grounds that comes alive throughout the year for ceremonies. The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is home to one of Canada’s largest indigenous Woodland permanent collections, while the Ahnisnabae Art Gallery is dedicated to the memory of the late Roy Thomas, and carries on his legacy and dreams of showcasing his works as well as many other regional Indigenous artists. Explore Indigenous businesses including  Mamakeesick Roots and Cree Stevens Designs in Goods and Co Market, Dene Cree or stop by the Bannock Lady for a bannock burger.

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