10 BIG Northeastern Ontario Photo Ops

Don't forget the selfie stick!

By The Seven—Northeastern Ontario Welcome to The Seven, starting three hours north of Toronto and stretching as far as your imagination. We’re the memories you’ve made—and are yet to make—with the people you love. Ready? Let’s go. We’re outside.

February 9, 2025

As you tour around our BIG region, you may notice that Northeastern Ontario has some larger-than-life roadside attractions. We're counting down the top roadside photo ops and selfie stops you've got to check out! Start your tour on Highway 11 with...

10. Big Fish

This school bus-sized fish is proudly located on the property of The Rock Pine Motel and Restaurant in Marten River, just north of North Bay. The massive fish has been slowing travellers down since the 1960's.

9. Big Joe Mufferaw

Big Joe Mufferaw was a larger-than-life French Canadian folk hero perhaps best known today as the subject of a song by the late Stompin’ Tom Connors. Look for this towering pine statue of Big Joe Mufferaw in Mattawa.

8. Ms. Claybelt

Holy cow! Watch for Ms. Claybelt, a BIG replica of a Holstein cow, grazing just off of Highway 11 in New Liskeard. Ms. Claybelt symbolizes the significance of agriculture in the Temiskaming Shores area.

7. Manitou the Bison

Manitou the BIG bison is located off of Highway 11, just as you enter the town of Earlton. He used to stand guard at the entrance to the Earlton Zoo, which is no longer in operation. Manitou still makes for a great photo op, so make sure to stop and say hello!

6. Guy-Paul Treefall

Guy-Paul Treefall, axe in hand, beckons visitors to Iroquois Falls. The massive lumberjack is an homage to the paper town's rich forestry history.

5. Chimo the Polar Bear

When you roll into Cochrane, you’ll be welcomed by the town’s mascot, Chimo. Cochrane is home to some real polar bears at the Polar Bear Habitat and it’s the starting point of the Polar Bear Express, the train that travels to Moosonee.

4. A BIG Flying Saucer

Nope, you’re not seeing things. There really is a BIG flying saucer outside the Welcome Centre in Moonbeam. Moonbeam got its name from the pioneers who often saw flashing lights in the sky, which they called “moonbeams.” Those flashes came to be known as the Northern Lights.

3. Muskwa the Bear

There’s a BIG bear in front of the Chamber of Commerce—Travel Bureau on Highway 11 in Kapuskasing. Muskwa represents one of the largest bears ever killed in Kapuskasing and the importance of hunting to the area.

2. McIntyre Gold Mine Headframe

Built in 1927, the McIntyre Gold Mine Headframe is a monument to Timmins’ legendary mining history. Reaching over 12 metres (40 feet) into the sky, this iconic headframe oversees Pearl Lake, and lights up at night.

1. The Big Nickel

The Big Nickel is an exact replica of the 1951 Canadian nickel. Built in 1964, it symbolizes the wealth that the City of Greater Sudbury has contributed to the Canadian economy through nickel production. Did you know that the Big Nickel is roughly 64, 607, 747 times the size of a real Canadian nickel? Now, that’s BIG!

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Where are your favorite Northeastern Ontario roadside stops? We want to know! Let us know on Facebook, and share your photo ops in the comments.

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About The Seven—Northeastern Ontario

Starting three hours north of Toronto and stretching as far as your imagination.

Welcome to The Seven: To the loon call at dawn and sand in your toes. Bug bites, sunburns, and marshmallows charred just right. The stars you forgot existed, and that cozy cabin glow after a midnight swim. We’re festivals, family, and unforgettable moments—rain or shine. We’re the memories you’ve made—and are yet to make—with the people you love. Ready? Let’s go. We’re outside.