The Ultimate 3 Days in Thunder Bay Itinerary

3 Days in Thunder Bay Itinerary: Day 1

For the first day of this itinerary for 3 days in Thunder Bay, we'll head to an unmissable waterfall a short distance from the city. Then, we'll return to spend the rest of the day in Thunder Bay itself.

Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

Start your trip to Thunder Bay off with a bang! Visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the province. Kakabeka Falls is often referred to as "Niagara of the North".

It's the second highest waterfall in Ontario at 40 metres high. Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is home to this stunning waterfall, and there are viewing platforms to see it from multiple angles.

First, witness Kakabeka Falls from a viewing platform straight from the parking lot. Then, walk across a bridge near the top of the waterfall (crossing the Kaministiquia River) to the other side to admire it from new perspectives.

If you have more time, go for a hike on the Mountain Portage Trail and Little Falls Trail. There's another lesser visited waterfall called Little Falls. This is a 3.5km round trip journey that will take around an hour to complete.

Also, if you'd like to stop for a coffee and a sweet treat, pop into The Early Refill in the village of Kakabeka Falls. This coffee shop is actually located inside a pharmacy, so be sure to stop by for your "daily dose" of caffeine!

International Friendship Gardens

Now that you've visited Kakabeka Falls, it's time to spend the rest of the day in the city of Thunder Bay itself. Our first stop is a unique city park, especially if you love travelling and the world. It's Thunder Bay's International Friendship Gardens.

This is a 15-acre park and garden that pays tribute to 18 different countries and ethnic groups from around the globe. It was created in 1967 as a Centennial gift by the Soroptimist Club of Fort William-Port Arthur.

Every country that's represented in the park (18 in total) has its own monument and display. These include: Canada, China, Croatia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, India, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

For lovers of the arts, head straight to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. While it's a smaller gallery with only a few rooms, it packs a punch with insightful and thought-provoking displays.

When we visited, there was an entire gallery devoted to the works of Benjamin Chee, a self-taught Ojibwe artist. I also love that there's a room dedicated to showcasing locally produced films.

And stay tuned, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery has a bright future. In 2027, they are slated to open the brand new museum at their new home: Prince Arthur's Landing at the waterfront.

Thunder Bay Historical Museum

Next, the Thunder Bay Historical Museum is not to be missed. Located in a historic building that was once a police station and a courthouse, the Thunder Bay Museum showcases the rich history of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.

The first floor exhibit demonstrates 10,000 years of history in the region. I love the gallery that makes you feel like you're walking through a historic main street, complete with various shops, recreated buildings and artifacts.

There are permanent and rotating exhibits across three floors. Admission is on a pay-what-you-can basis ($8.00 is recommended).

Goods & Co (and Downtown Thunder Bay)

After the museums, spend the rest of the afternoon walking around downtown Thunder Bay. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as bright displays of street art.

I suggest popping into the Goods & Co Market. It's a public marketspace located inside the former Eaton's building. This 20,000 square foot space is totally renovated and transformed into a modern art deco space.

There are 25 little stalls and booths featuring small businesses and gift products, like a feminist bookshop, a pottery and ceramics store, a candle shop, handmade clothing and much more.

There are also food and drink vendors, a coffee shop and more. This is often a place that small businesses can call home, and can also serve as a business incubator to help small businesses get off the ground. Be sure to shop local here!

Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay)

Anemki Wajiw ("Thunder Mountain" in Ojibwe), also known as Mount McKay, is the highest and most northern of the Nor'Wester Mountains. It's an imposing mountain, specifically a "mafic sill", is located on the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation.

There's a beautiful overlook at Anemki Wajiw that you can reach by car. Drive up the mountain and purchase a daily permit for $10. Enjoy panoramic views overlooking Thunder Bay.

Sometimes there are special events here, like Pow Wows. Whether you manage to incorporate an experience like this into your visit or you simply check it out for the scenery, a trip to Mount McKay should be on any Thunder Bay itinerary.

Thunder Bay's Waterfront

After dinner, go for a walk along the Thunder Bay Waterfront. Walk past the marina and watch the sailboats drifting around the waters of Lake Superior.

Gaze off into the distance at Sleeping Giant and the Thunder Bay Lighthouse. Go for a walk to discover the public art and sculptures around Prince Arthur's Landing.

There are also activities for the kids, like a splash pad in the summer and a skating rink in the winter. On Wednesday evenings in the summer, Live on the Waterfront showcases live music, great food, artists and makers, and so much more.

If you visit the waterfront a bit earlier in the day and want to add another museum to the day, the Alexander Henry Museum Ship is a floating museum that highlights the transportation history of Northwestern Ontario.

3 Days in Thunder Bay Itinerary: Day 2

On day two of our 3 days in Thunder Bay itinerary, it's time to experience some of northern Ontario's natural wonders. We'll visit some breathtaking canyons, go hunting for treasure and more.

Ouimet Canyon

To start the day, drive about an hour northeast of Thunder Bay to Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park. Ouimet Canyon is a 150 metre wide gorge with 100 metre tall cliffs.

The cliffs drop straight down to the canyon below. The floor of the canyon is a unique microclimate, typically only observed 1000km north of Thunder Bay in the arctic. Arctic plants naturally grow here, miraculously!

Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park offers a loop trail with two observation lookout points of the gorge. It is a 1km loop and can easily be visited in under an hour. Ouimet Canyon is open seasonally from May to October.

Eagle Canyon Adventures

One of the most thrilling adventures in Thunder Bay is Eagle Canyon Adventures. It's home to two suspension bridges that extend across the gorge. One of them is Canada's longest pedestrian suspension bridge.

This is a loop hike of 2.5km, and you'll cross two suspension bridges in your adventure. I hope you aren't afraid of heights. In this case, I think it's worth facing your fear for these once in a lifetime views.

Here's my tip: walk across the bridge on your own or with a friend close by. If you walk across while multiple groups of people are on it, the bridges will sway more and it will be hard to keep your footing.

The scenery as you gaze across the gorge from both sides is phenomenal. This is a bucket list adventure in Ontario for sure! Eagle Canyon Adventures is also open seasonally from May 1st to October 15th.

Amethyst Mine Panorama

Did you know that the Thunder Bay region has Canada's largest concentration of amethyst? It's also the official gemstone of the province of Ontario. You can have your very own amethyst experience at Amethyst Mine Panorama.

There are a few amethyst tourist operations near Thunder Bay, so feel free to take your pick. We went to Amethyst Mine Panorama because there is a short tour before you can dig for your own amethyst.

For instance, I had no idea that there were different kinds of amethyst, including a more rare red gemstone. It was also interesting to see such mammoth rocks filled with amethyst crystals!

This is a family owned and operated business, and it is an active mining site. They mine large amounts of amethyst each year at their quarry.

After the tour, grab a bucket and go on the hunt for amethyst. It's everywhere and it will be difficult to decide which pieces should come home with you. It's sold by the pound and you can bring home as much as you'd like.

Terry Fox Information Centre

When you're driving back from Amethyst Mine Panorama, plan to stop at the Terry Fox Tourist Information Centre. There's a 9-foot high bronze statue and monument dedicated to Terry Fox, a Canadian hero. The base of the monument is made from granite and locally mined amethyst.

Terry Fox lost his leg to cancer, but he attempted to run across Canada in his Marathon of Hope for cancer research. Sadly, his cancer returned, and he was unable to continue on his entire journey. His trip came to an end just outside of Thunder Bay.

At the monument, there's a wonderful view of Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant (Nanabijou). There's also a small picnic area, washrooms, and a visitor's information center.

Trowbridge Falls

Here's another gorgeous waterfall to visit in Thunder Bay that doesn't require much effort to see. Trowbridge Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall that's only a short walk from the parking lot.

Observe Trowbridge Falls as the Current River flows gently over collections of flat rocks and boulders, forming a series of cascades. Many people also visit Trowbridge Falls for the walking trails, biking trails, mountain biking opportunities, and to camp.

3 Days in Thunder Bay Itinerary: Day 3

Save the best for last! (It's also a good idea to put this activity on your final day in Thunder Bay, as you might be sore afterwards). It's time to hike the most iconic trail in Ontario, the Top of the Giant Trail at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Hiking the Top of the Giant Trail

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is home to many brilliant trails, including the Top of the Giant Trail. If you're serious about this hike, I suggest checking out my dedicated blog post all about hiking the Top of the Giant.

From start to finish, this trek is about 23km. It takes anywhere from 6 to 10 hours, depending on how many breaks you take and how quickly you walk.

This is an out and back trail. As the first several kilometers of the trail are relatively flat, many hikers will bike the first and last sections of the trail.

I hiked the entire journey to the Top of the Giant gorge and it took 8.5 hours with stops for photographs, a snack, and a lunch break. I was so proud that I completed this epic Ontario day hike and I highly recommend it to you, if you're into long distance hiking.

Now, if you're not interested in spending a whole day hiking, allow me to provide you with an alternate version of day three. Instead of hiking, I suggest you spend your last day of this 3 days in Thunder Bay itinerary doing this.

Fort William Historical Park

If you'd rather not do the Top of the Giant hike, don't worry, I've got you covered! I suggest spending a couple of hours at the Fort William Historical Park. This is one of the most popular historic attractions in the region.

Travel back in time to the year 1815. Fort William was the inland headquarters of the North West Company, the world's largest fur trading company.

Take a fully guided tour of one of the largest living history sites in North America. Characters in period costume (and complete personalities of the time) stroll the property and you'll be able to interact with them.

There are plenty of hands-on experiences, too. Paddle a voyageur canoe on the Kaministiquia River, fire a musket, or eat freshly baked bread prepared in the old ovens.

Cascades Conservation Area

Next, this is an amazing short hike with a water feature that I am sure you'll really enjoy. Cascades Conservation Area is a series of small cascading waterfalls that flow over massive boulders on the Current River.

Walk from the parking lot straight to the cascades that make this conservation area such a beloved one. There are other interconnected paths through the forest if you'd like to add some additional moments in nature.

On a hot day, you might find many people sunbathing on the rocks or dipping their toes in the river. It's a sight to behold, the geologic formations of the Canadian shield and the endlessly flowing stream over the rocks.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Rather than hiking the lengthy Top of the Giant Trail, embark on some shorter jaunts within the park itself. One of my favourites is hiking the Sea Lion Trail.

Roundtrip from the Kabeyun Trail parking lot, it's only about 2.5km in total. The Sea Lion Trail itself is under 1km out and back. Admire this incredible rock formation, carved by Lake Superior across the centuries.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park also has a lookout that doesn't require much effort to visit. Drive down a slightly bumpy dirt road until you reach the lookout itself.

Walk across the expansive surfaces of the Canadian Shield to a small platform that protrudes over the cliffs. The trees cling to the rugged cliffs, and the deep blue waters of Lake Superior extend far into the distance.

Sailboat Harbour Tour

Now that you've explored Thunder Bay's beauty by land, it's time to get out on the water with Sail Superior. Board one of their vessels and go sailing around Lake Superior.

Their sunset tour is one of their most popular excursions. While you admire the serene views all around, the informative crew members will teach you about the history of Thunder Bay.

Learn about the Thunder Bay Main Lighthouse, Sleeping Giant, the marine vessels in and around Thunder Bay, and the nearby islands. In addition to sailboat tours, Sail Superior also offers catamaran sailings and zodiac boat tours.

Where to Stay in Thunder Bay

I've stayed at a few accommodations in Thunder Bay, and this time I had the opportunity to rest my head at the Delta Hotels Thunder Bay. It's conveniently located by the waterfront and our room offered spectacular views of Lake Superior.

The check-in process was very warm and inviting, thanks to the staff members at the front desk. The rooms are spacious and have everything you'd need for a comfortable stay.

There's also a fitness center, an on-site restaurant (Anchor & Ore), complimentary water bottles in the room (and ice water always on offer in the lobby) and an on-site coffee shop with Starbucks coffee.