15 Unique Things to do in Greater Sudbury – For Everyone
There are many fascinating and unique things you can do in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Northern Ontario’s largest city, Greater Sudbury is a multicultural city, having vibrant Italian, French, Ukrainian, Finnish, Polish and Aboriginal communities. Its core is completely urbanized, with smaller communities scattered around the numerous lakes that surround the city center.
The former mining town is a major retail and commercial center, as well as acting as a gateway to Northeastern Ontario. It is a city known for its arts, music and outdoor recreation activities, making it a gem for tourists. Visitors will feel right at home in Greater Sudbury thanks to its friendly residents and flourishing culture. There is much to see and do, both indoors and out.
These article explores some of the unique things to do in Greater Sudbury for Everyone.
Where is Greater Sudbury Located
Greater Sudbury is a city in Ontario, Canada. By land area, it is the largest in Ontario and the fifth largest in Canada. It is administratively a unitary authority and thus is not part of any district, county, or regional municipality. The City of Greater Sudbury is separate from but entirely surrounded by Sudbury District.
What is the population of Greater Sudbury?
Greater Sudbury is the largest city in Northern Ontario by population, with a population of 166,004 at the 2021 Canadian Census. It is a multicultural city, having vibrant Italian, French, Ukrainian, Finnish, Polish and Aboriginal communities.
Neighboring Cities Near Greater Sudbury
Whether you are in Greater Sudbury for holidays, business trips, tour or honeymoon, you may wish to visit some of the nearby cities. This enables you and your loved ones to catch more fun within a close proximity. Some of the neighboring cities include, Oshawa, Toronto, Mississauga, North Bay etc. Each of this cities takes not less than 3 hours on road trip.
How to get to Greater Sudbury
If you wish to visit Greater Sudbury, there are different ways you can use to get to the city. These include flying in, road trip , and rail transport.
If you are flying in The nearest airport to Greater Sudbury is Sudbury (YSB) Airport which is 20.9 km away. Other nearby airport include North Bay (YYB) (121.3 km). Once you’re in the city, getting around is easy thanks to a comprehensive public transportation system that includes buses, light rail and a commuter train.
Things to do in Greater Sudbury – For Everyone
#1. Visit Science North
Exploring Science North, one of Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attractions, can easily occupy the greater part of a day. Located above the shoreline of attractive Ramsey Lake, this fascinating interactive museum opened in 1984 and covers two large snowflake-shaped buildings – joined together by a tunnel that passes through a geological fault line formed over a billion years ago – with exhibits and displays spread across four levels.
If you’re on a tight schedule, be sure to plan your route around the site carefully. Highlights include the planetarium and the 3D IMAX theater; a fun and educational firefighting game; indoor and outdoor kids’ play areas; hands-on mining exhibits, including learning how to cut and polish rocks; and a butterfly house.
#2. Grab a Selfie at the Big Nickel
The nine-metre high Big Nickel is the city’s most famous landmark. It is a replica of a 1952 Canadian nickel that sits on the grounds of the Dynamic Earth science museum.
Staring at the nickel will not take long and should be followed up with a visit to Dynamic Earth. This interactive science museum focuses on the city’s mining history.
There are numerous exhibits at the museum where the kids can learn how to mine, climb a mineral wall, look at diamonds and identify different minerals. They can also go on an underground tour of the mines.
#3. Spend time in a park
There are a few in Greater Sudbury, although Bell Park is the most visited of them all. This large park sits along the edge of Ramsey Lake near Downtown Sudbury.
Bell Park is home to an amphitheatre, a children’s playground, numerous flowerbeds and two gazebos. It also boasts a beach complete with summer lifeguard supervision. The park also features a number of sculptures to showcase the city’s mining history. It also hosts many of the city’s top cultural events.
#4. Visit a few museums
There are four small heritage museums in the city that are a must for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the area. Three of them are located within a heritage building, with the fourth being in a library.
The Anderson Farm Museum is a 57,000 square metre historic dairy farm that was once owned by Finnish immigrants Frank Anderson and Gretta Anderson. Housed in a log cabin, the Copper Cliff Museum depicts the lifestyle of a miner’s family.
The Flour Mill Museum has been devoted to the history of the city’s Franco-Ontarian community since 1974. Visit the Rayside-Balfour Museum to learn about the agricultural history of the region.
#5. Check Out the Views of Onaping Falls at the A.Y. Jackson Lookout
Onaping Falls is another area of outstanding natural beauty that should be visited. Located in the community of Dowling and just a 30-minute drive west of Sudbury, this stunning waterfall is where the Onaping River drops 55 meters over a sheer cliff to the riverbed below. Immortalized on canvas by the Group of Seven’s A.Y. Jackson, it’s an especially impressive site in autumn when the fall colors are at their peak (usually early to mid-October).
#6. Hike, Paddle, or Enjoy the Beach at Killarney Provincial Park
Located just over an hour’s drive southwest of Sudbury, Killarney Provincial Park is one of Ontario’s most impressive parks. Rolling hills and silica mountains, dramatic lakeside scenery, and dense forests provide the landscape for the park’s incredible hiking trails. The dramatic coastal scenery of the northern shores of Georgian Bay are what draw many people to this area. You’ll find ample boating opportunities, including sailing, kayaking, and canoeing adventures.
#7. Look at art
Greater Sudbury has a pretty vibrant artist community, so it should be of no surprise that there are a couple of good art galleries to visit. Both galleries focus on local or regional art.
La Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario mainly focuses on contemporary art by Franco-Ontarian artists. It is run completely by artists themselves, with both permanent and special exhibitions.
The Art Gallery of Sudbury sits in a beautiful turn of the century arts and crafts movement mansion. Inside the gallery you will see artwork by local artists.
#8. Go snowmobiling
Sudbury has one of the largest systems of groomed snowmobiling trails in the world. In fact, there are over 1,200 kilometres of trails that connect the city with surrounding communities.
Go snowmobiling and you will not only enjoy the thrill of it, but also the magnificent scenery. These are maintained trails, complete with parking, washrooms and designated rest areas.
If you really want to have fun, spend a few days snowmobiling around, staying in lodges along the way. There are also restaurants where you can relax and enjoy a hot chocolate and a meal.
#9. Visit the Anderson Farm Museum
Set in the quaintly named community of Lively, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Fielding Memorial Park and Bird Sanctuary, is Anderson Farm Museum. Though one of the smaller attractions in Sudbury, it’s a great place to spend an hour or so for those wanting to learn a little more about farming life in the region in the early 20th century.
Highlights of a visit to what was once Sudbury’s largest dairy farm include a well-preserved farmhouse, a historic pioneer-era log home, the original milk house, and an interpretive center.
#10. Relax on a lake
Head northeast of the city and spend a weekend on Kukagami Lake. There are two lodges on the shores of the lake where you can kick back, relax and enjoy the serenity.
Get a log cabin for a night and enjoy canoeing, sailing, kayaking, fishing, water-skiing and more. You can even visit the lake in the winter for ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Both of these lodges offer home cooked meals that are served in a main hall. This is a great way to meet other guests and the families that run the resorts.
#11. Eat & drink
There are of course a plethora of restaurant and bar options in Greater Sudbury where you can enjoy a meal or a snack, and a cold pint or classy cocktail. No matter what you crave, you will most likely find it here.
Enjoy cheap eats or feel like royalty at a fine dining establishment. Please your taste buds with Indian, Italian, Chinese or Greek cuisine. Afterwards, head to one of the city’s bars, lounges, clubs or pubs. Sip on craft beer, a martini or a glass of wine, or have a pint or an imported beer.
#12. Go skiing
If you are visiting in the winter, Greater Sudbury is a great place to go skiing. In fact, there are four downhill ski facilities right in the area.
All four ski centres offer ski rentals, so you don’t have to worry about lugging your skis with you all the way there. Ski runs are well-maintained and well-lit for night skiing. If you would prefer to cross-country ski, there are a plethora of trails in and around the city. There is also the 10 kilometre Naughton Ski Trails that run through a lovely forest.
#13. Gaze at a collection of trains
This is possible at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre. The museum preserves and displays things to demonstrate the city’s history in railroading.
There are both indoor and outdoor displays, with the indoor area being housed in a lovely Victorian era house. On display are items to showcase not only the city’s railroad heritage, but also its history in the mining and lumber industry.
#14. Head to the races
During race season, head to the Sudbury Downs on a Wednesday or Saturday night. The harness racing track has been hosting races since 1974.
Off season you can still visit the racetrack and try your luck at the slots. Sudbury Downs is home OLG Slots, where there are over 400 machines to choose from. There are also special events held here throughout the year, like outdoor motorsports shows and car shows. Finish the day off with a meal in its onsite restaurant.
#15. Enjoy scenic views
These are all over the place, however the most impressive one is the A.Y. Jackson Lookout. This spectacular lookout provides scenic views of the 55-metre cascading Hall Falls.
The lookout is accessible by hiking along one of three trails. It is also accessible by driving, where there is a welcome centre at the entrance. The A.Y. Jackson Lookout is around 43 kilometres northwest of the city centre. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying the views and the surrounding nature.
Things to do at Night in Greater Sudbury
- Trivia Nights. Spend a night with friends at one of Sudbury’s local eateries by playing an exciting round of Trivia! …
- Photos taken at Peddler’s Pub Trivia Night hosted by Two Thumbs Trivia. Lakeside Patio. …
- Escape Rooms.
- Board Game Lounge.
- Photos courtesy of Scabbalatte.
Free things to do in Greater Sudbury
With great attractions like these to visit, you won’t even need to bring your wallet or credit card. Below are places you can visit in Greater Sudbury for free.
- Bell Park Walkway / Boardwalk.
- Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. Nature & Wildlife Areas.
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Fielding Memorial Park. Parks.
- Onaping Falls. 190.
- Bell Park. Bodies of Water • Beaches.
- Bay Used Books. Points of Interest & Landmarks.
- Stack Brewing. Breweries.
Best time to visit Greater Sudbury, Ontario
The best time to visit Greater Sudbury depends on what you’re looking to do while you’re in town. Preferable, Summer is the best time to visit. The weather is warm and there’s plenty to do, from hiking and biking, museum centers and canoeing.
