Planning a memorable family vacation takes time and we know that time is one thing that busy parents have little of. So, if you’re thinking about where to go with the kids, how to keep them entertained, and have a little fun yourself, we’d like to take some of the guesswork out of it for you.
So, think Northeastern Ontario and let the BIG fun begin! We’ve got you covered.
Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time visiting Science North, you will never run out of things to see and do at the Region’s largest attraction. With loads of hands-on exhibits and thrilling presentations for kids of all ages—from flying squirrels to free-flying butterflies . . . from the Gravity Well to the human gyroscope . . . from the Planetarium to the 200-seat IMAX® Theatre . . . Science North never disappoints. Its unique architecture of a snowflake perched atop a rock crater encompasses four floors of awesome science overlooking a panoramic view of Ramsey Lake, located right in the heart of the City of Greater Sudbury.
No visit to Sudbury is complete without a stop at Dynamic Earth with its interactive exhibits, multimedia shows, and underground mine tour that highlight the area’s unique geology and rich mining history. And you’ll want to pose for a picture with the biggest coin in the world—the Big Nickel. Built in 1964, it symbolizes the wealth that Sudbury has contributed to the Canadian economy through nickel production.
Built along the shores of Lake Nipissing, North Bay offers plenty of family-friendly activities all year round. After a relaxing cruise on the Chief Commanda II, take a walk on the Kate Pace Way, located alongside North Bay’s scenic Waterfront Park. Learn about the people and places of North Bay’s past and present in the Discovery North Bay Museum located in the historic Canadian Pacific train station. Or see what’s happening on the arts and entertainment scene at the Capitol Centre.
For centuries, explorers set off on their travels from Mattawa and rested there when they returned. For your family fun Mattawa adventure, the Canadian Ecology Centre offers a wide range of activities, courses, and beautiful eco-friendly accommodations. For the music lovers, there’s Mattawa’s biggest event of the summer—Mattawa Voyageur Days—featuring three days of music and fun in the sun on legendary Explorers Point where the Mattawa and the Ottawa rivers meet.
Whether you take Highway 6 to Little Current and drive across the oldest swing bridge in North America, or sail the MS Chi-Cheemaun from Tobermory to South Baymouth, even getting to Manitoulin Island is fun! From Bridal Veil Falls to the Cup and Saucer Trail, Manitoulin is home to some of the most breathtaking scenic vistas in the province. Gordon’s Park Eco Resort is a unique outdoor destination that offers a multitude of activities such as tipi tenting, birdwatching, educational hiking trails, an 18-hole mini putt, star parties, and so much more. Check out their summertime calendar of events for details.
The Great Spirit Circle Trail is an experience like no other. Tours and activities hosted by Aboriginal people truly reflect the history, traditions, and culture of the region and its original inhabitants—the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi peoples.
When you visit Timmins, you’ll find a city with a “heart of gold” that’s chock-full of history, charm, and the great outdoors. Your family fun vacation starts at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa where mom and dad can relax in the renowned Nordic Baths while the kids enjoy a wagon ride Wilderness Tour through the 100-acre wildlife park.
For an experience you will long remember, come visit Ganuk and Henry, the resident darlings of the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat. It’s the only captive bear facility in the world dedicated solely to polar bears. The Habitat features educational Bear Talks and the truly unique adventure of swimming inches away from one of these majestic creatures, separated only by a piece of shatterproof glass.
Ever wonder what the life of an early miner was like during Cobalt’s silver boom? Through photographs, newspaper clippings, videos, and hundreds of artifacts, the Cobalt Mining Museum brings the early Cobalt Camp to life. Other activities include the Heritage Silver Trail and the Cobalt Walking Tour. Cobalt is also renowned for its Classic Theatre, bringing standing ovations to Cobalt since 1926, and the Cobalt Military Bunker Museum, which proudly displays a unique collection of artifacts form the Boer War to present day conflicts.
With over 185 works of art in its permanent collection, the Temiskaming Art Gallery in Haileybury is a must see on your tour of Temiskaming Shores. Many of the works are about the environment, capturing the region’s landscape and history.
The Little Claybelt Homesteaders Museum in New Liskeard reflects the area’s rich agricultural roots while the Haileybury Heritage Museum focuses on the Great Fire of 1922, which has been called one of the 10 worst natural disasters in Canadian history.
Once your museum touring is done, and it’s time to stretch your legs outdoors, see Temagami from the highest point on Caribou Mountain from the top of a restored forest fire tower that provides exhilarating views of Lake Temagami, the town of Temagami, and the old growth forest.
