Thunder Bay

The North - Ontario

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Altitude above sea level: Thunder Bay
653 ft

YUMMY FOOD

Our hotels

Rated 4 out of 5

Our visits: So far 1 visit in October 2025

Interesting facts about Thunder Bay

Description: The city is located on Thunder Bay in the west of Lake Superior and is the second largest city in northern Ontario. The city was founded in 1970 when the cities of Fort William and Port Arthur merged. Both the city itself and the beautiful surrounding countryside offer tourists a number of highlights. 

Our rating: Thunder Bay is certainly not a beauty. For us, however, the city was a good base from which to explore the highlights of the surrounding area. It has all the infrastructure a tourist needs for a enjoyable stay. There are numerous places to stay, as well as many restaurants and shops to pass the time. We enjoyed spending a few days here and would love to come back.

Rated 3.5 out of 5

Fort William Historical Park

Description: Fort William Historical Park is a reconstruction of Fort William, a fur trading post founded in 1818. It was officially opened on July 3, 1973. The site is located on the banks of the Kaministiquia River in Point de Meuron. This location is a few kilometers upstream from the site of the original fort, Fort Kaministiquia, which was built over as part of the city of Thunder Bay. During the peak summer season, Fort William can be explored on your own. At this time, all buildings are staffed with actors who tell visitors about life here. During the off-season, guided tours are offered where you can visit the fort in a group. 

Admission fees: from CAD 16 per person – seasonal variations
Opening hours: Open year-round, opening hours vary depending on the season

Our rating: Since October is considered the off-season, we visited the fort as part of a guided tour. The tour was very informative and interesting and took us through the most important buildings of the fort. We particularly liked the canoe workshop, where traditional canoes are still made today. We highly recommend a visit here, as it provides a great insight into the time when this was an important fur trading post.

Rated 4 out of 5

Kakabeka Falls PP

Description: At around 40 meters, Kakabeka Falls are the highest waterfalls in northern Ontario. They form the heart of Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, which was established in 1955. Its name originates from the Anishinabe language and means “thundering water.” The waterfalls are very easy to reach. No hike is necessary. The parking lot is right next to the viewing points. There are several platforms from which you can marvel at the huge waterfall. If you cross the bridge over the river, there are even more opportunities to admire the waterfall from all angles on the other side.

Entrance fees and opening hours

*The Day-Use Vehicle Pass is a “flat-rate” pass for all provincial parks in Ontario. You can choose from an Annual Pass (full calendar year – CAD 99), a Summer Pass (April 1 to November 30 – CAD 75), and a Winter Pass (December 1 to March 31 – CAD 60). 

Our rating: The huge waterfalls are very impressive. Even in October, there was still a lot of water in the river. If you are in the area, you should not miss a detour here.

Rated 4 out of 5