6 Reasons We Love Downtown Sudbury

As a hub of activity in Northern Ontario, Sudbury is a must-visit city for any traveller. At first glance downtown Sudbury may seem quiet, but look closer and you'll find it's a vibrant hub for some of the most charming shops, innovative eateries, and welcoming people in town. Downtown's bustling streets are host to many of the city's great events and festivals, including the bi-weekly Sudbury Market, the Elgin Street Craft Beer Festival and the Sudbury Ribfest and more! If you're visiting, new to Sudbury, or live here and are looking for some fun things to discover downtown, we encourage you to explore some of the gems that make downtown Sudbury so special. Here are a few that we love to get you started!

top five places to visit in downtown sudbury

1. Café Petit Gâteau

This tiny blue storefront is home to some amazing coffee and pastries. 

Trust us when we say that big things come in small packages. Indulge in Parisian pastries at Café Petit Gâteau, whose tiny slice of a storefront certainly lives up to its name. Self-taught pastry artist Yoshiko Kurogi, whose intimate café is located at the tip of a historic flat-iron building on Durham Street, serves up stunning pastries and desserts, all made on-site with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Sit down to enjoy your Kusmi Tea or Social Coffee, served with a fresh slice of dacquoise, or grab a box of artisan cookies to-go.

Bonus:

• Vegan and gluten-free cupcakes and treats are often available.
• Best espresso in town!

Address: 149 Durham Street
Hours: Tue-Fri: 9:00am–5:00pm, Sat: 10:00am–4:00pm
Visit the Café Petit Gâteau website for more information. 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CafePetitGateau

2. Myoga

Getting bendy with Myoga in the historic Capitol Theatre building. Photo: Westmount Photography

Are you an active person who doesn't want to let their fitness routine take a back seat while on vacation? Myoga welcomes drop-in visitors, which is great for those who want to throw in a little zen while travelling! Hidden upstairs in the historic Capitol Theatre building on Cedar Street, Myoga's warm atmosphere and experienced instructors offer a rejuvenating escape. Choose from a variety of classes, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, and Hot Yoga.

Bonus:

• Squeeze in a weekday lunch class, only 45-minutes long.
• Pre-Natal and Post-Natal classes available for new and expecting moms (dads and caregivers welcome). 

Address: 70 Cedar Street (upstairs)
Hours: Mon-Fri: 5:00–9:00pm
Visit the Myoga website for more information. 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Myoga

3. The Open Studio

Local artists showcase work at the friendly Open Studio space. Photo: Tom Beltrame

 Do you like connecting with the local Arts community when you travel? Start your discovery at the The Open Studio, an exhibition space for students, faculty, and alumni of the Cambrian College School of Art and Design. Also available to various local artists and groups, The Open Studio is a community space for artistic interaction, expression, conversation, and collaboration. Past exhibits include the The BitterSweet exhibit, presented by Cambrian College's graduating Graphic Design Class as well as Rwanda20, an event commemorating 20 years since the Rwandan genocide. 

Address: 93 Cedar Street, unit 303 (upstairs)
Hours: Wed-Thu: 12:00–3:00pm, Fri: 4:00–7:00pm, Sat: 12:00–4:00pm
Visit Open Studio on Facebook for more information. 
 

4. the alibi room

If you've got a hankering for excellent cocktails, rare whiskies, and delicious eats, Alibi offers a relaxed, upscale vibe right in the downtown. Feel at home with your friends sipping on cocktail classics in this cozy spot. Be sure to check out their patio where you can catch some sun and watch the world go by! 

Address: 113 Durham Street
Hours: Mon-Sat: 4:00pm–2:00am
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabilirm/

5. Boo-Bah-Lou 2 (The Candy Store)

The Candy Store

Step into Boo-Bah-Lou 2  for a trip down memory lane. This vintage candy shop is the only one of its kind in Sudbury and offers the best selection of candy, confectionaries, and soda in the North. Feel like a kid again browsing retro favourites, international classics, and novelty selections including everything from Harry Potter to bacon-flavoured goodies! Your sweet tooth will thank us later.

Address: 156 Durham Street
Hours: Tue-Sat: 10:00am–6:00pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooBahLou2

6. The Townehouse Tavern

Downtown Sudbury

The Townehouse is widely known as Sudbury's music mecca, a staple for any musician or music fan in the North, and the place where Stompin' Tom Connors' wrote Sudbury Saturday Night. The thing you may not know is that they recently started serving food that is equally legendary. Pop in during the day with friends or family and you'll find the best burger this side of the Muskokas. These burgers are prepared using locally raised, grass-fed, steroid/hormone-free beef. Vegetarian? Their Beet and Hemp burger will raise the bar on veggie burgers forever. Made using fresh, premium ingredients, The Townehouse menu serves up huge portions and accommodates special requests for vegan, vegetarian, allergy or gluten-free needs.

Bonus:

• Kids welcome until 9pm.
• Located in a historic building built circa 1902.
• Live music booked 363 days of the year.

Address: 206 Elgin Street
Hours: Mon-Sun: 12:00pm–2:00am
Visit the Townhouse Tavern website for more information.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Townehouse-Tavern

Where to stay in sudbury 

Cosy with lots of character, Parker House Suites welcomes visitors from all over the world. Photo: Parker House Suites

A variety of hotels and accomodations are available downtown but for those seeking cozier accommodations or a home away from home, try lodging at Parker House Suites, nestled just north of downtown at 259 Elm Street. Set in a restored estate home, this relaxing Inn offers rooms and apartments ideal for both brief and extended stays.

Bonus:

• Elm Street provides quick access to Dynamic Earth (home to the iconic Big Nickel), as well as routes to Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins.

Address: 259 Elm Street
Visit the Parker House website to book. 

where to park in downtown sudbury

• Metered parking is available throughout downtown and is free after 6pm and on weekends. See a list of downtown parking lots that offer hourly and daily rates here. 
• Your first two hours are free when parking on Beech Street or Energy Court (Lorne and Elm Street). More information on free parking here. 
• When you do need to pay for parking, it's easy with the HotSpot parking app. Signup by downloading the app from the app store.

Find more things to do and places to stay in Sudbury!

Find Your True North

Sign up now to get stories, news, and travel tips

First name

Email address

Subscribe

We will never spam you and will never share your e-mail. Please see our privacy policy.

Thank you for subscribing!

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.