Accessibility
Rest Easy: Visit Comfortably in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay welcomes visitors of all abilities with barrier-free experiences that make it easy to enjoy the region’s natural beauty, culture, dining, and attractions. From scenic parks and accessible trails to inclusive sports, accommodations, and transportation, there are countless ways to explore comfortably and confidently.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Thunder Bay’s commitment to accessibility helps ensure everyone can experience the best of Northwestern Ontario.
Accessible Adventures in Thunder Bay: Where Everyone Can Explore
Three days of barrier-free sights and bites to welcome everyone
For lunch, settle in at Bight Restaurant + Bar, where barrier-free entry and spacious seating let you enjoy local flavours with a view of the marina.
In the afternoon, visit the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, designed with automatic doors, ramps, and accessible washrooms. The gallery is home to rotating exhibits by contemporary Indigenous and Canadian artists. Continue to the Thunder Bay Museum, where accessible facilities and exhibits make it easy to explore the stories, people, and events that have shaped Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. The Museum offers barrier-free access throughout its public spaces, helping visitors of all abilities comfortably explore its exhibits and collections.
Dinner at Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar , where smooth ground-level access and generous spacing between tables make it easy to relax over a memorable meal.
Finish the evening at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, with accessible parking, seating, and washrooms.
Stop for lunch at Bean and Olive before heading south to Pigeon River Provincial Park or west to Kakabeka Falls. Both feature accessible trails and boardwalks with gorgeous views and cascading falls.
For an overnight stay, Whispering Hills Campground in the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park features barrier-free electrical campsites and a comfort station. After setting up for the night, take a stroll to the Metropolitan Moose Beanery & Café for dinner. If you’re staying in Thunder Bay, wrap up the day at Goods & Co. for drinks and local shopping, then cross the street to The Foundry for dinner and live music or karaoke.
Tour the fully accessible Thunder Bay Conservatory and enjoy its lush, peaceful indoor gardens. For dinner, head to Giorg Cucina é Barra (they’ll put out a ramp if you call ahead), then take in a local show at Magnus Theatre or a Border Cats baseball game.
Explore Accessible Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Boulevard Lake
Enjoy a 5.5-kilometre multi-use trail, accessible beach mat with lift capabilities, inclusive playground, and adult fitness equipment on a rubberized surface.
Vickers Park
Features an inclusive playground, accessible adult fitness equipment, and an 800-metre trail loop.
Soroptimist International Friendship Gardens
Explore cultural monuments connected by accessible pathways in a peaceful garden setting.
Chapples Park
Offers a two-kilometre asphalt trail connected to the Neebing River, Ford Street trail system, and Centennial Botanical Conservatory.
Chippewa Park
Accessible camping, wildlife viewing, and scenic trails make this a great outdoor destination.
Hillcrest Park
Take in panoramic harbour views, floral gardens, and inclusive play spaces.
Inclusive Recreation and Attractions
Wilderness Discovery Centre
A fully accessible resort located just west of Thunder Bay.
Kamview Nordic Centre
Discover winter trails using sit-skis, allowing visitors to enjoy cross-country skiing from a seated position.
Canada Games Complex
An accessible multi-purpose fitness and recreation facility with swimming, fitness, and sports options.
Lakehead Region Conservation Areas
Visit accessible trails and scenic spaces like Cascades Conservation Area, Mission Island Marsh, and Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area.
Accessible Sports
Try adaptive activities including goalball, wheelchair curling and blind curling.
SilverCity Movie Theatre
Wheelchair accessible with hearing assistance services available.
Thunder Bay Public Library
All branches are wheelchair accessible, with adaptive workstations at select locations.
Accessible Services for Travellers
Thunder Bay offers practical services to support a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Transportation
Has introduced the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which discreetly signals that a traveller may need extra assistance.
Two local taxi companies offer accessible vehicles.
- Diamond-Lacey's - 807-622-2227 or 807-622-6001
- Roach's Taxi - 807-344-8481 or 807-345-7721
Thunder Bay Transit buses are wheelchair accessible on all routes. Visit the transit website for all fare, route and schedule information.
Also operated by Thunder Bay Transit is the Lift+ System of specialized transit vehicles. Lift+ is a door-to-door specialized public transportation service for those with disabilities who are unable to use accessible conventional bus service for all or part of the trip.
Before your visit, check out the Lift+ FAQ page for helpful information on using the service.
Attendant Services
The Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card is an identification card for a person with a disability that allows their support person to enter participating recreation facilities free of charge.
For PAL Card information, call 807-684-3338 or email PALcard@thunderbay.ca.
Attendant and home support services are available through local providers, including:
Bayshore Home Health – 807-334-5110
Comfort Keepers – 807-628-8022
Community Services for Independence North West (CSINW) – 807-622-7469
Accessible travel planning
For information and support for travellers with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities, contact Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO). SCIO has a Thunder Bay regional office and provides services throughout Ontario.
Spinal Cord Injury Ontario – 1-877-422-1112
Email: thunderbay@sciontario.org
Assistive Devices
If you need mobility equipment, medical supplies, assistive devices or repairs while visiting Thunder Bay, several local businesses may be able to help:
Connect Hearing – 807-623-0322
Medigas – 807-345-8288
Motion – 807-622-1877
Northland Prosthetics and Orthotics – 807-344-0080
Wellwise Home Health and Wellness – 807-345-6564
Stride Orthopaedics and Footwear – 807-344-9608
SUPERIOR Home Health Care – 807-623-9110
Attendant Services
Thunder Bay features a wide range of hotels with accessible room options, including roll-in showers and mobility-friendly amenities. Visitors should call ahead to confirm specific accessibility features and room availability.
- Best Western Plus Nor’Wester Hotel & Conference Centre: 1
- Best Western Thunder Bay Crossroads: all rooms equipped with bars, bathroom doors not wide enough for a wheelchair
- Comfort Inn Thunder Bay: 1
- Courthouse Hotel: 3 with roll in showers
- Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham: 2
- Days Inn by Wyndham Thunder Bay North: 6
- Delta Hotels Thunder Bay – Marriott: 7 with roll in shower
- Hampton Inn and Suites Thunder Bay: 10 (1 with roll in shower)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Thunder Bay: 9 (1 with roll in shower)
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Thunder Bay: 9 (1 with roll in shower)
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham Thunder Bay: 1 with roll in shower
- Hyatt House Thunder Bay
- Lux Suites
- Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel: 1
- Ramada by Wyndham Thunder Bay: 2
- The Superior Inn: 4
- TownePlace Suites Thunder Bay: 19 total (2 with roll in shower, 4 specialty rooms)
- Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre: 2
Plan Ahead for the Best Experience
Accessibility features and services may vary, so contacting businesses and attractions directly before your visit is the best way to ensure your needs are met.
Thunder Bay continues to grow as an inclusive destination where adventure, relaxation, and discovery are open to everyone. From outdoor exploration to cultural experiences, accessible travel in Thunder Bay means more people can experience all the city has to offer.
