Make the most of your summer by checking out all that North Bay has to offer. An easy and scenic four-hour drive from Ottawa, Kitchener and Toronto, the friendly small city of North Bay on Lake Nipissing has lots of fun to discover! Here’s our complete A-Z guide to summer adventures in North Bay.
Capitol Centre encompasses two excellent venues: the Betty Spears Theatre, which showcases live entertainment and film showings, and the WKP Kennedy, a free gallery with a range of historic and contemporary art. This summer’s centennial exhibit (running until July 31) features 100 perspectives for 100 years of North Bay, each in one square foot. On July 11, don’t miss the Downtown Gallery Hop, a free arts event downtown that celebrates creativity, art and community. August 6-10 is the On the Fringe Festival, showcasing everything from beat poetry and folk music to stand-up comedy and contemporary dance.
North Bay residents and visitors are fans of the Bay Block Party on August 23. This year, the free all-ages, all-day downtown event features plenty of good food, music and shopping, including music by The Trews as well as local vendors, artisans, musicians, breweries and family-friendly activities.
Set sail on Lake Nipissing aboard the Chief Commanda II, a 320-passenger cruise ship. Get a unique perspective of the lake and the city as you explore the Manitou Islands, Upper French River or Callander Bay. Some cruises have live local music, and a local favourite is the Canada Day Fireworks cruise.
Touted as one of the province’s best four-season waterfalls, Duchesnay Falls is a must for many visitors. The waterfall walk, which is considered moderate, takes about an hour.
Summer is definitely the time to enjoy delicious food, and you’ve got lots of choices in North Bay. Download the Eat + Drink list to get an overview of the local cafes, restaurants, food trucks and more. Poutine Feast runs from June 12-15, and keep an eye on social media for details of Shake the Lake RibFest in July.
Lake Nipissing is right on your doorstep in North Bay, not to mention a range of other smaller lakes and rivers nearby. You can try your hand at catching any of the 44 species of fish found in the area, from walleye and pike to smallmouth bass and muskie.
Take your pick of five local golf courses! You’ll be surrounded by great scenery and plenty of challenges thanks to the region’s natural terrain.
The film and television industry is a significant part of North Bay, with an average of 20 domestic and international productions filming throughout the year. Take a self-guided tour and see if you can spot the setting of one of your favourite holiday movies!
The lands, rivers, and lakes around North Bay have been home to Indigenous peoples for untold generations. The annual Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow takes place at Lee Park on the second weekend in June, and features music, dancing and a community feast. You can also get a deeper understanding of the rich heritage and culture through Indigenous artists, teachers and entrepreneurs.
There are more than 40 public beach access points in North Bay, so you can live your best beach life on the shores of Lake Nipissing, Trout Lake and other area lakes. The clear waters and sandy beaches are perfect for kicking back, swimming and water sports, and many of the public beaches have playgrounds, free parking and picnic areas.
This paved pathway, named for local Olympic skier Kate Pace, links North Bay’s waterfront with green spaces at the south end of the city. It’s a great place to stroll or cycle.
The first-ever Boatapalooza takes place this year on July 20 and August 10, at Trout Lake. Bring your boat to enjoy live music on the water all afternoon long. Wednesday nights are for free summer concerts at the Kiwanis band shell at the North Bay Summer Concert Series while the Hot Summer Night Music Festival is August 1-2.
Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, the North Bay Farmers’ Market is a vibrant community hub for locally produced food, crafts and more.
The Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense and the North Bay Museum are the perfect spots to dig deeper into the region’s rich heritage.
Sip and sample some local brews at two local microbreweries: Cecil’s Brewhouse and Kitchen and Gateway City Brewery.
Canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the city’s beautiful lakes and rivers, or use North Bay as your home base for longer paddling trips.
The Dionne Quintuplets Museum is a century-old home where the five identical sisters grew up and gained worldwide recognition.
Shop at a variety of independent shops and boutiques to find just the right memento of your visit.
The new Driftscape app makes it easy to discover North Bay’s natural beauty and rich heritage at your own pace, with self-guided tours, interactive maps and info on points of interest.
Hike the area’s beautiful trails at local conservation areas, provincial parks and other scenic destinations.
Relax and rejuvenate at your home away from home—choose from a range of hotels, motels, and unique accommodations like the beachside The Finch Beach Resort.
Motor sports enthusiasts can go off-roading to discover rugged terrain and memorable northern landscapes. The extensive Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System is a definite draw too.
Have bike, will travel: Try the Voyageur Cycling Route if you want to head out for a longer trip. Or you can go mountain biking at Three Towers or pedal some smooth paved trails in town.
Camping and day trips to provincial parks are a summer highlight for many, and fortunately there are seven parks within a short distance from North Bay. Hike, swim, boat, bird, fish and more!
Visiting with kids? Don’t miss this guide to family-friendly venues, eateries and activities in North Bay.
It’s easy to access the water from North Bay’s boat launch facilities and marinas. Whether you’re motoring or sailing, scenic waterways are close at hand.
This summer, head to North Bay to discover quintessential northern landscapes, outdoor adventures, culinary and cultural events, and plenty of memory-making moments.
