6 Reasons Why Sudbury is a Hot Destination for Group Tours

Sudbury, Ontario, is an ideal destination for group tours, offering a rich mix of natural beauty, culture, and memorable attractions—plus logistical ease to make travelling with a large group a breeze. Whether visitors are seeking to tunnel into history or get a sample of the city’s current creative energy, there are many appealing ways to experience this northern destination, and reasons it’s a great option for groups.

Here are a few compelling reasons why the waterfront city of Sudbury, Ontario should be on your radar for your next tour group adventure.

1. Sudbury's Stunning (and Tour-Friendly) Natural Landscapes

Sudbury is home to over 300 lakes and plenty of outdoor recreation, with many stunning attractions and ways for groups to enjoy them. For example, groups can take part in a GeoTour—encompassing several diverse locations across the city, learning about metals and the environmental impact of mining at the Copper Cliff Smelter Superstack. Or groups can choose to explore the area’s famed meteorite crater at the A.Y. Jackson Lookout, while enjoying panoramic views of High Falls—a place of inspiration for members of Canada’s Group of Seven. 

Johanna Gatien of Sudbury Tourism highlights Kivi Park, on the south end of Sudbury, as a location of particular appeal for visiting groups. It boasts a 55-kilometre trail that is ideal (depending on the time of year) for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.

“Kivi Park has rentals for kayaking or paddleboarding and all kinds of options for outdoor adventures,” says Gatien. “The park also has guides available, and groups can book private excursions out on the lake.”

Another favourite outdoor destination here for groups is the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. Just 10 minutes from downtown Sudbury, this 950 hectares of protected green space includes a network of trails and options for outdoor group activities for every season—not to mention plenty of bird watching and wildlife spotting.

“If it’s a student group, there are educational programs available, and the staff align programming with the Ontario curriculum,” says Gatien.

2. Sudbury's Varied Culinary Offerings and Experiences

Sudbury offers a wide range of great food and beverage choices for groups, with dining options that can appeal to a variety of palates. Gatien cites a few popular spots for groups, including The Daventry Kitchen & Bar, Made in Canada (M.I.C.) Canadian Eatery & Whisky Pub, as well as the Caruso Club, serving Italian favourites with rentable halls for groups of all sizes.

For those who want to experience a Sudbury local treasure, book a group tour of Maple Hill Farm, a historic site that’s been producing syrup for more than 50 years. Visitors can learn the fascinating history and see how this team continues to produce top-quality syrup sourced from its 35 acres of maple trees. “Maple Hill Farm is a great option for group tours. The hosts are passionate about what they do and have created a welcoming atmosphere,” says Gatien. 

“Sudbury is also a great place for a brewery or distillery tour,” she says. Among Sudbury’s offerings when it comes to locally produced adult beverages are 46 North Brewing Corp. and Crosscut Distillery. Each offers tours and events throughout the year, as well as space that can be booked for groups looking to enjoy some local Sudbury suds (or gin, vodka, or hard seltzer).

3. Sudbury's Arts-Forward Cultural Experiences

For groups that are more creatively inclined, Sudbury is a terrific destination for cultural experiences. These include a visit to the Art Gallery of Sudbury, showcasing rotating exhibitions of a range of visual arts, or a show at the YES Theatre, which features plays, concerts and dance performances at a pair of venues in the city, the Sudbury Theatre Centre and the Refettorio.

“Sudbury has such a large Francophone community—one of the largest outside Quebec—so visiting somewhere like Place des Arts is a great spot to be educated and inspired,” says Gatien.

Place des Arts showcases a variety of Francophone culture, from live performances and concerts to visual arts, talks and readings. Private tours are available for visiting groups looking to delve deeper into this community and its creative works, and groups can book blocks of tickets to its variety of upcoming events.

No visit to Sudbury is likely to overlook the destination’s impressive outdoor gallery—a wide-ranging collection of murals and street art throughout the city depicting everything from futuristic landscapes, awe-inspiring animals, cartoonish characters and even Sudbury’s favourite son, Alex Trebek.

The city is home to the annual Up Here Festival each August. But tour groups unable to make it out in time for this arts and music extravaganza can book a mural tour, where an expert guide provides the backstory of dozens of the works throughout the city. Or a group can take part in a self-guided mural tour on their own schedule.

4. Sudbury's Science North and Dynamic Earth: A Scientific Escape Unlike Any Other

Perhaps the city’s most famous destination is Science North and Dynamic Earth, the largest and sixth-largest science centers in Ontario. Both destinations are perfectly positioned for group visits, with experiences such as a mining cage tour (where visitors are transported underground in a cage, watching the history of Sudbury’s mining industry projected onto rocks) or interactive exhibits that invite visitors to explore fascinating facets of science firsthand.

Science North is also home to a planetarium and IMAX theatre, as well as a number of group spaces that can be booked for private events. Dynamic Earth features the famed Big Nickel as well as fascinating exhibits on mining and geology, all of which are ideally positioned for groups to enjoy—whether seeking something educational or just a good time.

5. A Range of Group-Friendly Accommodations in Sudbury

Sudbury offers a range of properties that can accommodate groups of many sizes. The city’s newest property, Hilton Garden Inn Sudbury, is centrally located and offers an indoor pool, business center and on-site restaurant. TownePlace Suites by Marriott, renovated within the last year, offers all-suite accommodations with fully equipped kitchens as well as an indoor pool complete with waterslide.

Other easy-to-access properties with space for bus parking include Homewood Suites by Hilton Sudbury and Holiday Inn Sudbury.

6. Bonus: Sudbury is Affordable and Accessible

Compared to larger cities, Sudbury offers affordable accommodations and dining options, making it an economical choice for groups. It’s also easily accessible by road or air, and once there, the city is easy to navigate. It's also closer than you think—the city is just a 3.5-hour drive from the GTA.

With its blend of education, outdoor adventure, and culture, Sudbury is the perfect destination to delight and engage your tour group, whatever their interest might be.

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

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