Things to Do in Canada 290

North Bay Feature

Author

Matthew Bailey
August 19, 2026

Presented in partnership with Tourism North Bay

Did you know? Lake Nipissing is one of Ontario's largest inland lakes — and its name essentially means “little water.”

At more than 870 square kilometres, Lake Nipissing is anything but little. Its name comes from the Anishinaabe word N'biising, meaning “little water,” a reference to its size compared with the much larger Great Lakes.

The lake is also surprisingly shallow for its size, averaging only about 4.5 metres deep. With its enormous shoreline, beaches, islands and relatively shallow waters, it's a huge part of life and recreation around North Bay.

And now that WestJet offers nonstop flights from Calgary to North Bay, we finally had a chance to see it for ourselves.

We recently visited North Bay for the first time and were surprised by how much there is to do. From beaches and outdoor adventures to family-friendly attractions, local restaurants and a beautiful waterfront, there's plenty to fill a few days — and everything feels remarkably accessible.

In fact, there are 43 beach access areas around the North Bay area, making it incredibly easy to find a spot to enjoy the water.

What surprised us most was how easy it is to experience a little bit of everything. You can be walking along the waterfront, enjoying the beach, exploring a trail or grabbing something to eat downtown — all without feeling like you're constantly driving from one attraction to the next.

So, if you've never considered North Bay for your next Ontario getaway, maybe it's time to take a second look.

This week, we're sharing some of our favourite discoveries from our first visit, including the best things to do, where to eat and why we think North Bay deserves a spot on your Canadian travel list.

Enjoy!

Read

17 Best Things to Do in North Bay, Ontario

You probably haven't given North Bay enough credit

We recently spent some time exploring North Bay while filming a new travel video with our kids, and honestly, it surprised us.

We expected a nice Northern Ontario stopover. What we found was a city that could easily fill a couple of days — especially if you love getting outdoors.

There’s the beautiful Lake Nipissing waterfront, a surprisingly fun little heritage train and handcrafted carousel, sandy beaches, waterfalls just minutes from downtown, hiking trails, great local restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water.

And perhaps best of all? It doesn't feel nearly as crowded as some of Ontario's better-known getaway destinations.

We put together a complete guide to 17 of the best things to do in North Bay, including where to eat, where to stay, what to do with kids, and how we'd spend a couple of days there.

North Bay Waterfront.

3 REASONS TO PUT NORTH BAY ON YOUR LIST

1. It's all about the lakes

Lake Nipissing is massive, beautiful, and practically begging you to get out on the water. Add Trout Lake into the mix, and you've got plenty of options for swimming, paddling, boating and fishing.

2. Nature is ridiculously accessible

One of our favourite things about North Bay is how quickly you can go from downtown to the outdoors. You can be strolling the waterfront one minute and hiking beside waterfalls or through forest trails shortly after.

3. It's surprisingly good for families

The waterfront, beaches, Heritage Railway & Carousel, museums, trails and other attractions give families plenty to do without spending the entire day in the car.

And after travelling with our own kids, that's something we really appreciate.

North Bay Events.

WHAT'S COMING UP IN NORTH BAY?

Thinking about visiting North Bay later this year? Here are a few events worth putting on your radar.

Summer Concert Series — Now through September 9

There's still time to catch North Bay's free Summer Concert Series, with live music every Wednesday evening at the Kiwanis Bandshell on the waterfront. There are four concerts still to come:

Aug. 19: The County
Aug. 26: Cliché Collective
Sept. 2: J Houston Band
Sept. 9: Just Press Play

Concerts run from 7–9 p.m., and they're free to attend. Not a bad way to spend a summer evening by Lake Nipissing.

Fall Colours

Fall is a pretty spectacular time to visit North Bay. As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold, the surrounding forests, lakes and trails become a colourful playground for outdoor adventures.

Winter Market Series — November

Looking a little further ahead, North Bay's Winter Market series will bring seasonal shopping, local vendors and a festive atmosphere to the city in November.

Watch

Our North Bay Adventure

Reading about a destination is one thing. Seeing it is another.

We brought the kids along and spent our time exploring North Bay's waterfront, riding the Heritage Railway, checking out the area's natural attractions, getting out on the water, eating our way around town, and seeing what makes this Northern Ontario city worth a visit.

So if you're wondering what North Bay actually looks like — and whether it's worth adding to your Ontario road trip — explore it with us.

International Departures

A New Way to Get to South America

Brazil just got a little closer for Canadian travellers.

Starting November 8, WestJet will launch new nonstop flights between Calgary and São Paulo, creating the first nonstop connection between Western Canada and South America.

For those in Alberta, it's an especially easy way to get there. But even if you're elsewhere in Canada, Calgary can be a convenient connection point — and São Paulo opens the door to a whole new part of the world.

From São Paulo, travellers can connect onward to destinations across South America, including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima and Santiago.

So whether Brazil has been sitting on your bucket list for years or you're looking for somewhere completely different for your next adventure, South America just got a little easier to reach.

Beaver Bites

  • The Calgary kid who designed Canada's flag
    Turns out the maple leaf flag has serious Alberta roots. Historian George Stanley grew up in the Beltline, and when Ottawa was deadlocked over what to fly in 1965, it was his stripped-down "one leaf is better than three" pitch — quietly smuggled into committee by a friend — that won the vote. He'd later say the design's simplicity was its whole strength — kids should be able to draw it. Fitting, for the guy from a city that still doesn't put his name on anything but a junior high.

  • BC's most legendary hike is officially back
    The Berg Lake Trail — that jaw-dropping 42- 48 km route beneath Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies — has fully reopened five years after a heat dome and flood wrecked bridges and trail sections. The bonus this time: a brand-new 12-person Robson Pass Hut run by the Alpine Club of Canada, so you can trade the tent for a bunk near the alpine's best views. BBC just crowned it a must-see, and honestly, we're not arguing.

  • Nova Scotia's tick problem now has feathers
    With N.S. holding the dubious title of tickiest province in Canada, homeowners are turning to guinea fowl as backyard pest patrol — and breeders can't keep up with demand. One New Glasgow flock owner says her tick sightings dropped hard once her flock hit 13 birds. Experts are more measured, calling guineas a "supplementary" fix at best — plus they're loud, not especially bright, and like to sleep in trees during snowstorms. Effective bodyguards, questionable roommates.

  • A tiny Manitoba diner just went global
    Population: 420. International fame: unexpected. The Somerset Food Bar & Lounge — a 45-year-old family diner known for fried chicken — set out to get visitors from 60 different towns in 60 days. It blew way past that, with road-trippers now showing up from as far as Amsterdam, France, and Belgium. Owner Wes Friesen says it's flipped the family's whole relationship with travel: instead of going to see the world, the world's coming to see them.

  • A jaw-dropping car collection in a town of 300
    In Swift Current, NL, Vernon Smith has quietly built one of the finest private classic car collections in North America — 50-plus rare and limited-production automobiles, from a 1908 Buick to a 1970 Ford Mustang Twister, all restored, fuelled up, and ready to drive at a moment's notice. No ropes, no barriers — Smith's usually right there in the museum himself, happy to talk specs with anyone who wanders in. Proceeds go straight back into the community: the school, the fire hall, local groups. Not bad for a guy who calls himself "just another jackass from Newfoundland."

  • A nostalgic comeback
    Temagami Dry ginger ale, gone since 2019, is back in production — the local community reportedly rallied to save it.

💡 WORK WITH US

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If you’re part of a tourism board, hotel, or experience and want to be featured in front of 60,000+ Canadian travellers each week, feel free to reply or reach out—we’d love to collaborate.