37 Ways to Have the Ultimate Summer in Northeastern Ontario

Whether you’re a local, or visiting for the first time, there are some activities that just scream Northeastern Ontario. If you check off even one of these activities this summer, you’re doing something right!

Now we know we missed some things… so please let us know what you consider to be essential on your Northern Ontario Summer Checklist. Your suggestion could be added to the list!

1. Stand behind a waterfall at Bridal Veil Falls. If you come at the right time, you might even witness a salmon run!
    
2. Eat a fantastic feast. From authentic Thai, to in-house made Mediterranean, to locally inspired delicacies—our restaurateurs create great food.
    
3. Pick blueberries on the Canadian Shield. Eat them straight from the bush, or exercise self-control and use them in a recipe.
    
4. Book a stay at a lodge or cottage resort for the weekend (or a week). Trust us, this can be the ultimate form of relaxation.
    
5. Swim in a lake! Or a river. Or a bay. Just go swimming!
    
6. Trace the footsteps of the Group of Seven and take in an epic view from the Crack—one of Killarney’s most popular hiking trails.
    
7. Look out over Ontario and Quebec from over 300 meters above Lake Temiskaming at Devil’s Rock in Temiskaming Shores.
    
8. Stand in a meteor crater in the City of Greater Sudbury. Bring the entire family and learn about it at Science North & Dynamic Earth.
    
9. Stop for ice cream and fudge at the French River Trading Post on Highway 69. Seriously, this is a rite of passage when entering Northeastern Ontario.
    
10. Get the best view of Manitoulin Island from the Cup & Saucer—one of our region’s most well-known hiking trails. Afterward, head to Little Current for a bite.
     
11. See Lake Nipissing from the deck of a boat. The custom-made catamaran cruiser Chief Commanda II can take you on a cruise to visit the infamous Manitou Islands.
     
12. Meet the polar bears at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat.
     
13. Meet a World Record holder—visit the World’s Shortest Covered Bridge in Latchford.
     
14. Follow the Tragically Hip’s lead, and visit Moonbeam, Ontari-ari-o. Take a selfie with the flying saucer—one of Northeastern Ontario's 9 BIG Photo Ops.
     
15. Reel in the big one! New to fishing? Experience it for the first time on the French River with trained guides to show you the ropes. We promise – you’ll be hooked.
     
16. Release monarch butterflies in Englehart with the Hilliardton Marsh Research & Education Centre at a butterfly release event.
     
17. Plan a paddling getaway—we just happen to know some outfitters who will be happy to help you plan your escape whether you’re a first timer or "old hat!"
     
18. Attend one of the many pow wow celebrations this summer across the region. New to pow wows? Here’s what you can expect.
     
19. Celebrate Canadian heritage and jam out to rock n’ roll where the rivers meet in Mattawa, home of the Mattawa Voyageur Days Festival!
     
20. Gaze up at the night sky, and maybe catch a glimmer of the Northern Lights. Did you know that Northeastern Ontario is home to a Dark Sky Preserve?
     
21. Go seal watching in Moosonee and Moose Factory—Ontario’s only saltwater port.
     
22. Travel through a classic train station, and ride the Polar Bear Express. Spend the night in the train station’s very own hotel.
     
23. Learn about the land and its indigenous peoples with a guided paddling or hiking tour on Manitoulin Island or in Point Grondine Park.
     
24. Climb Caribou Mountain and the Temagami Fire Tower, high above the community of Temagami. Bring your camera—the lookout is breathtaking.
     
25. Pick up fresh cheese curds roadside along Highway 11 at Thornloe Cheese. Can you say poutine? 
     
26. Get up high on a scenic aviation tour with True North Airways or Lakeland Airways.
     
27. Put the rubber to the road (or trails) on some or all of the new cycling networks connecting the North. Recently we’ve connected to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Voyageur Cycling Route!
     
28. Take a historical mining tour in the community of Cobalt, one of Ontario’s most historic towns.
     
29. Bask on a pristine, northern beach on Bass Lake in the community of Coleman. It’s known for its untouched wilderness, so don’t forget your camera as wildlife may present itself.
     
30. Tour through some of the most picturesque farmland in the North in the community of Harley.
     
31. Don’t miss your photo op with Larder Lake’s BIG trout—one of Northeastern Ontario’s 9 BIG Photo Ops.
     
32. Camp (or glamp) out under the stars in one of the many private camping facilities or Provincial Parks scattered throughout the region.
     
33. Experience local art at one of our many art galleries and theatres sprinkled throughout the region and maybe take home a souvenir. Each gallery brings its own local flavour to the mix.
     
34. Put your putt-putt skills to the test at Dinosaur Valley Mini Golf— home to the World’s Largest Steel Skeletal Dragon.
     
35. Celebrate northern culture at one of our many music festivals! There are too many to name, but this list will get you started. 
     
36. Take a road trip—by car, motorcycle, or RV. Like Tom Cochrane said, life is a highway. Here are five suggested touring routes to get you started!
     
37. The stars come to Sudbury in September, and you can too! Cinéfest, Sudbury’s International Film Festival is a great way to say goodbye to summer.

-----------------------------

Whatever your Northeastern Ontario summer adventures, remember to leave only footprints, and take only photos.
Then tag us on Instagram at #neontario or @neontario!

Edited Body Text

Whether you’re a local, or visiting for the first time, there are some activities that just scream Northeastern Ontario. If you check off even one of these activities this summer, you’re doing something right!

Now we know we missed some things… so please let us know what you consider to be essential on your Northern Ontario Summer Checklist. Your suggestion could be added to the list!

1. Stand behind a waterfall at Bridal Veil Falls. If you come at the right time, you might even witness a salmon run!
    
2. Eat a fantastic feast. From authentic Thai, to in-house made Mediterranean, to locally inspired delicacies—our restaurateurs create great food.
    
3. Pick blueberries on the Canadian Shield. Eat them straight from the bush, or exercise self-control and use them in a recipe.
    
4. Book a stay at a lodge or cottage resort for the weekend (or a week). Trust us, this can be the ultimate form of relaxation.
    
5. Swim in a lake! Or a river. Or a bay. Just go swimming!
    
6. Trace the footsteps of the Group of Seven and take in an epic view from the Crack—one of Killarney’s most popular hiking trails.
    
7. Look out over Ontario and Quebec from over 300 meters above Lake Temiskaming at Devil’s Rock in Temiskaming Shores.
    
8. Stand in a meteor crater in the City of Greater Sudbury. Bring the entire family and learn about it at Science North & Dynamic Earth.
    
9. Stop for ice cream and fudge at the French River Trading Post on Highway 69. Seriously, this is a rite of passage when entering Northeastern Ontario.
    
10. Get the best view of Manitoulin Island from the Cup & Saucer—one of our region’s most well-known hiking trails. Afterward, head to Little Current for a bite.
     
11. See Lake Nipissing from the deck of a boat. The custom-made catamaran cruiser Chief Commanda II can take you on a cruise to visit the infamous Manitou Islands.
     
12. Meet the polar bears at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat.
     
13. Meet a World Record holder—visit the World’s Shortest Covered Bridge in Latchford.
     
14. Follow the Tragically Hip’s lead, and visit Moonbeam, Ontari-ari-o. Take a selfie with the flying saucer—one of Northeastern Ontario's 9 BIG Photo Ops.
     
15. Reel in the big one! New to fishing? Experience it for the first time on the French River with trained guides to show you the ropes. We promise – you’ll be hooked.
     
16. Release monarch butterflies in Englehart with the Hilliardton Marsh Research & Education Centre at a butterfly release event.
     
17. Plan a paddling getaway—we just happen to know some outfitters who will be happy to help you plan your escape whether you’re a first timer or "old hat!"
     
18. Attend one of the many pow wow celebrations this summer across the region. New to pow wows? Here’s what you can expect.
     
19. Celebrate Canadian heritage and jam out to rock n’ roll where the rivers meet in Mattawa, home of the Mattawa Voyageur Days Festival!
     
20. Gaze up at the night sky, and maybe catch a glimmer of the Northern Lights. Did you know that Northeastern Ontario is home to a Dark Sky Preserve?
     
21. Go seal watching in Moosonee and Moose Factory—Ontario’s only saltwater port.
     
22. Travel through a classic train station, and ride the Polar Bear Express. Spend the night in the train station’s very own hotel.
     
23. Learn about the land and its indigenous peoples with a guided paddling or hiking tour on Manitoulin Island or in Point Grondine Park.
     
24. Climb Caribou Mountain and the Temagami Fire Tower, high above the community of Temagami. Bring your camera—the lookout is breathtaking.
     
25. Pick up fresh cheese curds roadside along Highway 11 at Thornloe Cheese. Can you say poutine? 
     
26. Get up high on a scenic aviation tour with True North Airways or Lakeland Airways.
     
27. Put the rubber to the road (or trails) on some or all of the new cycling networks connecting the North. Recently we’ve connected to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Voyageur Cycling Route!
     
28. Take a historical mining tour in the community of Cobalt, one of Ontario’s most historic towns.
     
29. Bask on a pristine, northern beach on Bass Lake in the community of Coleman. It’s known for its untouched wilderness, so don’t forget your camera as wildlife may present itself.
     
30. Tour through some of the most picturesque farmland in the North in the community of Harley.
     
31. Don’t miss your photo op with Larder Lake’s BIG trout—one of Northeastern Ontario’s 9 BIG Photo Ops.
     
32. Camp (or glamp) out under the stars in one of the many private camping facilities or Provincial Parks scattered throughout the region.
     
33. Experience local art at one of our many art galleries and theatres sprinkled throughout the region and maybe take home a souvenir. Each gallery brings its own local flavour to the mix.
     
34. Put your putt-putt skills to the test at Dinosaur Valley Mini Golf— home to the World’s Largest Steel Skeletal Dragon.
     
35. Celebrate northern culture at one of our many music festivals! There are too many to name, but this list will get you started. 
     
36. Take a road trip—by car, motorcycle, or RV. Like Tom Cochrane said, life is a highway. Here are five suggested touring routes to get you started!
     
37. The stars come to Sudbury in September, and you can too! Cinéfest, Sudbury’s International Film Festival is a great way to say goodbye to summer.

-----------------------------

Whatever your Northeastern Ontario summer adventures, remember to leave only footprints, and take only photos.
Then tag us on Instagram at #neontario or @neontario!