In search of the very best issues to do in Sudbury? This Northern Ontario gem is full of surprises, assume 330 glowing lakes, a large regreening transformation, Canada’s most iconic coin, and world-class science sights that children and adults will each love. Whether or not you’re after family-friendly enjoyable, nature escapes, or hands-on experiences you received’t discover wherever else, Sudbury delivers.
We’ve explored Sudbury in each season, from skating underneath the celebs at Kivi Park to sending postcards 60 metres underground at Dynamic Earth. Our newest go to shocked us. Sudbury is in the course of an unbelievable transformation, balancing its mining roots and a rising meals and humanities scene. This information covers all the pieces price doing, seeing, and experiencing in Sudbury in 2025, together with native suggestions, the place to remain, what to eat, and the can’t-miss highlights that make this considered one of Canada’s most underrated locations.
High issues to do in Sudbury embody:
- Exploring Science North’s 4 flooring of interactive displays
- Mountain climbing, biking or paddling at Kivi Park and Lake Laurentian
- Visiting the Massive Nickel and going underground at Dynamic Earth
- Chilling at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake (the world’s 2nd largest city-contained lake)
- Taking in Onaping Falls from the A.Y. Jackson Lookout
- Discovering downtown murals, native eating, and family-friendly occasions year-round
Why Go to Sudbury in 2025?
As a result of this former mining city has pulled off one of many best environmental comebacks in Canada, planting over 10 million timber and reinventing itself as a inexperienced, family-friendly vacation spot full of lakes, science, waterfalls, and murals. And it’s only a four-hour drive from Toronto.
Issues to Do in Sudbury for Out of doors Lovers
Sudbury has pulled off one of the vital dramatic makeovers in Canadian historical past. As soon as identified for its blackened rock and moonscape terrain, it’s now a full-blown out of doors paradise, due to over 10 million timber, 330 lakes, and one of many world’s most profitable regreening tasks. And the very best half? You don’t must go far to expertise it. Simply minutes from downtown, you’ll discover forest trails, glacier-sculpted lookouts, and sure, bike trails for each stage that rework to a skating path that lights up at night time.
We spent a protracted weekend exploring all of it on foot, on bikes, and with our jaws on the bottom greater than as soon as. Right here’s what you shouldn’t miss.
Kivi Park: Biking, Skating, and a View Well worth the Climb
We began our day at Kivi Park, a 480-acre pure playground in Sudbury’s south finish. This place is a dream for energetic vacationers. We rented mountain bikes and hit the paths, which vary from mellow forest paths to quick, flowy single-track loaded with ramps and jumps. For those who’re into adrenaline, that is the place Sudbury will get critical.
Don’t miss the climb to the lookout. Belief us, it’s price each pedal stroke. The panoramic view from the highest stretches out over lakes and forest, exhibiting off simply how inexperienced and wild Sudbury has develop into.
In winter, Kivi Park transforms once more, with fats biking, snowshoeing, and considered one of Ontario’s most scenic skating trails that glows at night time underneath strings of lights. Leases can be found on-site, so you may leap in irrespective of the season or ability stage.
Lake Laurentian Conservation Space: From Area Science to Beaver Ponds
Later that afternoon, we made our option to Lake Laurentian Conservation Space, and it ended up being considered one of our favorite spots within the metropolis. With over 60 kilometers of trails, you may go as large or small as you need. We caught with three quick hikes, and each delivered critical wow issue.
Our first was the NASA Path, a 15-minute stroll that passes the location of a former satellite tv for pc observatory. It’s a quiet path with an enormous presence, a reminder that Sudbury isn’t nearly mining and regrowth. It’s additionally a spot the place science has actually reached for the celebs.
We continued to the Duck Path and the Beaver Pond Loop, and that is the place Sudbury’s transformation actually hits you. The rocky moonscape we’d seen in outdated images is gone. As an alternative? Lush forest, wealthy wetlands, and peaceable trails that wind by way of among the most resilient nature we’ve ever walked. It’s laborious to imagine this was as soon as written off as wasteland. In the present day, it’s a worldwide success story in restoration.
Bell Park and Ramsey Lake: Straightforward Magnificence within the Coronary heart of the Metropolis
The most effective issues about Sudbury is how shut nature is to on a regular basis life. You don’t have to go away city to seek out it. We took a dawn, noon, and sundown stroll alongside the Bell Park Boardwalk, a 2-kilometre path that hugs the shoreline of Ramsey Lake, the second-largest lake on this planet totally inside metropolis limits.
We handed joggers, households, college students, and even a pleasant native who handed us peanuts to feed the squirrels. It was a kind of small moments that stated lots concerning the metropolis. Sudbury has put its prosperity again into the group, and locations like Bell Park are proof.
That is the place you’ll additionally discover boat launches, picnic areas, a supervised seaside, and a commemorative plaque marking the ten millionth tree planted in the course of the regreening marketing campaign. It’s an attractive spot to chill out after a day of mountain climbing or to kick off a full day of sightseeing.
Onaping Falls: The place Artwork Meets Apollo
Earlier than we left city, we made the scenic 40-minute drive northwest to Onaping Falls. It’s not only a stunning place, it’s one of the vital fascinating mashups of Canadian artwork historical past and house science we’ve ever come throughout.
The A.Y. Jackson Lookout presents sweeping views of the falls, which plunge 55 metres into the traditional Sudbury Basin, shaped by a meteorite influence 1.85 billion years in the past. Jackson painted this scene in 1953, and whenever you’re standing on the lookout, it’s straightforward to see why. You’re feeling the identical inventive vitality, uncooked and actual, that the Group of Seven captured on canvas.
However right here’s what blew our minds: This similar geological web site drew the eye of NASA. In 1971, Apollo astronauts got here to Sudbury to check the shattercones and breccia rocks at Onaping Falls. They wished to know what they’d be strolling on up there, and Sudbury was their check web site.
And it labored. When Apollo 16 touched down, astronaut John Younger regarded across the lunar panorama and stated:
“It appears like a Sudbury breccia.”
That’s proper, Sudbury is the one Canadian metropolis ever talked about from the floor of the moon.
Greatest Household-Pleasant Sights in Sudbury
Sudbury isn’t only for nature lovers; it’s considered one of Canada’s finest locations to mix schooling, leisure, and hands-on enjoyable. The town’s two flagship sights, Science North and Dynamic Earth, go approach past the typical museum. They’re immersive, interactive, and full of the type of experiences that make each youngsters and adults say “wow.”
We spent a complete day exploring each, and actually, we may’ve stayed longer.
Science North: Interactive Studying on the Canadian Protect
We kicked issues off at Science North, which is about proper on Ramsey Lake and constructed straight into the traditional rock of the Canadian Protect. Earlier than we even walked in, the situation itself made an announcement: this place is grounded in science, actually.
Inside, Science North lives as much as its status as considered one of Canada’s prime science centres. There are 4 ranges of interactive displays protecting all the pieces from house and geology to local weather, animals, and well being innovation. It’s not only for youngsters both. We had been simply as fascinated by the shattercone shows (from Sudbury’s meteorite influence web site) as we had been by the butterfly room, the stay animal displays, and the house exploration gallery.
One factor we observed instantly is how accessible the power is, with extensive ramps, elevators, and exhibit layouts which might be considerate for guests of all ages and talents.
For those who’re visiting with household, put together to spend no less than half a day right here, particularly should you catch a movie on the IMAX with Laser Theatre, Northern Ontario’s solely true giant-screen cinema. We advocate pairing your go to with a stroll alongside the Bell Park boardwalk, particularly should you didn’t get to it earlier. Sundown on Ramsey Lake is pure magic.
Dynamic Earth: Go Deep into Mining Historical past
Subsequent up: Dynamic Earth, dwelling of Sudbury’s most iconic attraction, the Massive Nickel. However this isn’t your common picture cease. It’s the gateway to one of the vital immersive science experiences within the nation.
We grabbed our laborious hats and headed straight underground. That’s proper, you descend seven storeys down into an actual mine tunnel and stroll by way of the historical past of mining in Canada. From the grueling, hand-drilled strategies of the early 1900s to in the present day’s state-of-the-art, remote-controlled operations, the tour walks you thru the true deal.
It’s the type of expertise that offers you a complete new appreciation for Canadian trade and innovation. And the guides? Implausible. They shared tales that made us snicker, mirror, and genuinely respect the powerful, good work that constructed this metropolis.
Outdoors, you’ll discover extra interactive displays, a mining lab, and considered one of our favourite picture ops, the 9-metre-tall Massive Nickel, a large reproduction of the 1951 Canadian coin. It’s kitschy in one of the simplest ways, and it proudly reminds you that Sudbury’s mining legacy nonetheless runs deep.
Festivals, Meals, and Sudbury Vibes
Sudbury is aware of the right way to throw a celebration, and it is aware of the right way to feed you when you’re at it. Whether or not you’re visiting within the warmth of summer time or bundled up in winter, town’s festivals, patios, and native haunts serve up one thing particular.
Summer season Festivals and Dwell Occasions
We’d love to go to throughout competition season. There may be the Northern Lights Pageant Boréal, Canada’s longest-running music competition, which pulls unbelievable expertise from throughout the nation and past. Households, pals, and musicians fill the parks and levels.
One other native favorite is the Up Right here Pageant, which blends music, artwork, and large murals in a approach that fully transforms downtown. You’ll hit upon daring new road artwork and listen to all the pieces from indie rock to throat singing. It’s fashionable, inclusive, and uniquely Sudburian. We particularly beloved the mural of Alex Trebek. A Sudbury native.
And don’t skip the Indigenous cultural celebrations and pow wows. These are among the most significant and exquisite occasions, full of drumming, dancing, and connection to the land. For those who get the possibility, go.
The place to Eat, Drink, and Rejoice the North
Sudbury’s meals scene is as down-to-earth and proud as town itself. You received’t discover loads of pretension right here, however you’ll find critically good eats, craft cocktails, and among the coolest hidden spots in Northern Ontario. We got here hungry. We left impressed.
We began our mornings at Salute Espresso Roasters and Beni Rise & Shine and Anna Laura Patisserie, the place the espresso is next-level and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. For those who’re a espresso snob (or simply want gasoline for the path), that is your go-to.
For lunch, you may’t miss Deluxe Hamburgers, a real Sudbury establishment. Locals jokingly name this a “one-arch city” as a result of Deluxe has been holding its floor for many years regardless of the Golden Arches opening up proper throughout from it. The hen on a bun and fresh-cut fries are legendary, and it’s simply the very best deal on the town.
Dinner was a complete journey in itself. One night time, we went full retro at Mr. Prime Rib, a traditional steakhouse the place the meat is king and the service is old-school impeccable. It’s the type of place the place your cutlery is polished, your prime rib is ideal, and the horseradish bites again.
One other night time, we stepped into full Canadiana mode at Made In Canada Eatery. It’s quirky, cozy, and completely enjoyable, with partitions coated in images of Canadian icons, and a Caesar with Canadian whisky that deserves its personal spot within the Corridor of Fame. For those who’re visiting for the primary time, this place units the tone for what Northern hospitality is all about.
In search of wood-fired pizzas or an off-the-cuff upscale vibe? Ripe Restaurant serves scrumptious, crisp pies straight from the oven, whereas The Daventry Kitchen & Bar presents a stable pub menu with craft beer and comfortable vibes. We additionally beloved Gloria’s Restaurant, a Sudbury traditional since 1952, and Eddie’s Restaurant, which locals love for its family-style eating room and separate sports activities bar. Bonus trivia: “Shorsey” was filmed right here, sure, that Shorsey.
However the night time doesn’t have to finish with dinner.
After consuming our approach by way of Sudbury, we capped issues off at The Night time Owl, a secret speakeasy you completely need to expertise. Image this: you head down an alley, discover an old-school payphone, and provides the password. The hostess greets you and leads you thru a hidden door behind a wall of books. Inside, it’s a full-on Nineteen Twenties-style cocktail lounge, with pink velvet, jazz vibes, and the very best Manhattans and Outdated Fashioneds this aspect of Toronto. It’s one of many coolest spots on the town, however ensure that to e book prematurely; it’s unique for a purpose.
And should you’re up for yet one more spherical? Head to The Laughing Buddha for craft cocktails and globally impressed dishes on one of many metropolis’s finest patios. Then stroll subsequent door to the Townhouse Tavern, a dive bar with coronary heart the place Stompin’ Tom Connors discovered the inspiration for his well-known anthem, Sudbury Saturday Night time. You may even snap a photograph together with his statue within the park close by.
For our farewell dinner, we had an unbelievable meal at Sapporo Ichibang, the place genuine Japanese and Korean dishes warmed us up from the within out. All the things was recent, flavourful, and comforting.
Sudbury might shock you, however it received’t depart you hungry or thirsty.
A Stress-free End at Ezentials Nordic Lounge
After a number of days of mountain climbing, biking, and sightseeing, we wrapped up our Sudbury journey with one thing a little bit extra indulgent, a day on the Nordic Lounge at Ezentials. This indoor wellness spa was pure bliss. Suppose cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, cold-mist showers, and dimmed lights with chill music within the background.
We grabbed a few robes, sipped a glass of wine within the lounge, and simply let all of it go. We even tried the Starlight Go well withe, the place we skilled vibrational sound remedy in a darkish, star-lit room designed for deep rest. It was like floating by way of house whereas our brains hit the reset button.
Ezentials was the right option to unwind earlier than hitting the highway, and a reminder that Sudbury isn’t nearly grit and journey. It’s additionally about understanding when to decelerate and savour the second.
The place to Keep in Sudbury and How A lot It Prices
The most effective issues about visiting Sudbury? It’s straightforward on the pockets and large on worth. Whether or not you’re road-tripping by way of Northern Ontario or flying in for a protracted weekend, you’ll discover a fantastic mixture of lodges, reasonably priced eats, and world-class sights, a lot of that are completely free.
The place We Stayed: Hampton Inn By Hilton Comfort with a Northern Vibe
We stayed on the Hampton Inn by Hilton, and it hit all of the marks, breakfast included, a stable fitness center, a pool to unwind, and a brilliant handy location. It’s the type of place the place you see enterprise vacationers, particularly from the mining sector, rubbing shoulders with households and highway trippers. It felt just like the heartbeat of town handed proper by way of the foyer.
Charges for a keep like ours run round $800 to $1,000 for 4 nights, relying on the season. However with breakfast included (and excellent at that), it covers loads of mornings, providing extra flexibility to splurge at dinner.
How A lot Issues Value in Sudbury (with Actual Numbers)
Touring in Northern Ontario doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution. Right here’s what we really spent:
- Mountain bike leases at Kivi Park: $69 for 2 bikes
- Combo cross for Science North & Dynamic Earth: $47 per particular person
- Nordic Lounge expertise at Ezentials: $60 per particular person
- Theatre tickets: $39 every for a incredible night time out
And among the finest issues in Sudbury are fully free:
- Mountain climbing at Onaping Falls
- Trails at Lake Laurentian Conservation Space
- Bell Park boardwalk and Ramsey Lake views
- Snapping images on the Massive Nickel
- Exploring Sudbury’s huge out of doors mural scene
In relation to meals, finances about $125 to $150 per day for 2 individuals, protecting all the pieces from informal lunch stops to good sit-down dinners. Sudbury’s mixture of retro diners, native gems, and upscale surprises made that straightforward to stretch.
Attending to Sudbury: Highway Journey or Fast Flight
For those who’re coming from Southern Ontario, Sudbury is a traditional Canadian highway journey vacation spot. The four-hour drive from Toronto provides you a front-row seat because the panorama shifts from farmland to forested defend nation. It’s scenic, it’s straightforward, and there are nice stops alongside the way in which.
For those who’re quick on time, flying is a breeze. Porter Airways and Air Canada each provide direct flights from Toronto to the Higher Sudbury Airport, getting you right here in about an hour. And for these coming from out west, we’ve heard new direct flights from Calgary are making it even simpler to discover the North.
Getting Round Sudbury
When you’re right here, you’re going to need a automobile. Sights like Kivi Park, Onaping Falls, and even the Lake Laurentian trails are unfold throughout town and its surrounding wilderness. Anticipate to pay round $70 to $90 per day for a compact rental automobile, with bigger SUVs costing a bit extra, however completely price it should you’re hauling out of doors gear or touring as a household.
Plan Your Sudbury Getaway
Look, a trip can simply be a trip, or it may be one thing extra.
Our journey to Higher Sudbury felt necessary. We weren’t simply checking off a listing of sights. We had been connecting with part of Northern Ontario that’s actually rebuilding itself from the bottom up. From biking by way of reforested trails at Kivi Park to sending postcards from deep inside a mine at Dynamic Earth, we noticed a metropolis that’s not simply pleased with its previous, it’s investing in its future.
Selecting to journey right here looks like an funding in our personal yard.
You’re supporting a family-friendly Ontario metropolis that’s main the way in which in environmental restoration, hands-on schooling, and artistic group constructing. Whether or not you’re right here to discover world-class science at Science North, take within the historical past of the Massive Nickel, or stroll the paths that encompass the 4 flooring of interactive displays on the metropolis’s prime family-friendly sights, there’s one thing right here for everybody.
Sudbury is vibrant. It’s shocking. It’s reasonably priced. And it’s full of causes to come back again in each season.
You’ll eat properly. You’ll drink properly. You’ll paddle, hike, soak, skate, and uncover new sides of Ontario you didn’t count on. And also you’ll depart with a deeper appreciation for the type of magic that occurs when nature, science, and group come collectively.
So whether or not you’re planning your subsequent lengthy weekend, chasing fall colors, or searching for a winter journey with coronary heart, Higher Sudbury needs to be on the prime of your record.
FAQ: Planning Your Journey to Sudbury, Ontario
A number of the prime issues to do in Higher Sudbury embody visiting Science North with its 4 flooring of hands-on displays, touring the underground mine at Dynamic Earth, snapping a photograph on the Massive Nickel, mountain climbing Onaping Falls, and enjoyable at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake. These family-friendly sights make Sudbury probably the greatest locations in Northern Ontario.
Completely. Sudbury is full of household sights, from the immersive experiences at Science North to out of doors adventures at Kivi Park and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Space. Many museums and parks are absolutely accessible, and children love exploring the underground tunnels at Dynamic Earth and assembly actual animals on the science centre.
A combo cross for Science North and Dynamic Earth is round $47 per particular person. It’s a fantastic worth contemplating the variety of displays, stay demonstrations, and the dimensions of the services, 4 flooring at Science North alone. Reserving the combo ticket prematurely helps maximize your go to.
The Massive Nickel is a 9-meter reproduction of a 1951 Canadian coin and considered one of Canada’s most iconic roadside sights. It sits proper outdoors Dynamic Earth and is a must-stop picture alternative when visiting Higher Sudbury.
You may drive from Toronto to Sudbury in about 4 hours, making it a straightforward Northern Ontario highway journey. For those who’re quick on time, each Porter Airways and Air Canada provide direct flights from Toronto to Higher Sudbury Airport, taking about an hour.
Sure! Winter in Sudbury presents unbelievable snow-based experiences like illuminated skating trails at Kivi Park, fats biking, and even heated yurt glamping. Plus, many indoor sights like Science North and the Nordic Lounge at Ezentials provide cozy methods to unwind.
Sure. Lots of the finest experiences in Sudbury, Ontario, are fully free. You may discover the murals downtown, uncover mountain climbing trails at Onaping Falls and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Space, take pleasure in Bell Park’s lakeside boardwalk, and go to the Massive Nickel with out spending a dime.
