Family Fun in Sudbury: Two Day Itinerary

As a travel loving family living in downtown Toronto, we have often looked across the globe for our next adventure. We have taken our kids to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, but have failed to look more closely at our own backyard in Ontario. Since Canada’s most populous province is larger in area than the vast majority of countries on earth, there is a lot to see. So this summer, our mission is to sneak out on weekends to explore nearby cities. Sudbury was on our radar because of the many educational attractions it has to offer. After spending 3 nights in the city of the Big Nickel, we discovered that it’s an ideal destination for families looking for a bit of learning and a lot of fun. If you’re wondering how to spend an ideal weekend in Sudbury with kids, we’ve got the inside scoop!

Things to do with Kids in Sudbury

First Day
Start your first day by visiting Science North, an interactive science museum that features hands-on exhibits, live animals, an IMAX theatre, a planetarium, and tonnes of fun. There is so much to see here that you can easily spend 6 hours exploring and not even notice the time go by. Since the exhibits are indoors, this is where you want to be on hot days. Visitors, from toddlers through to tweens and even adults, will all find something to like. Be sure to visit the Nature Exchange, where kids can bring in natural items from the wild (think rocks, shells, bugs) and swap them for points to redeem gems, rings, fossils and so much more. Holding an African Snail and meeting a beaver face to face were definitely highlights for our kids.

Assuming you only had time to grab a quick lunch at Science North, you’ll then want to head towards downtown Sudbury, where you can spot some interesting murals lining some of the buildings. Be sure to pop into a café for a nibble (Kuppajo, Salute and Old Rock are all great options) or take the kids to The Candy Store if they need a bit of a boost.

Sneak in some down time at the playground in Memorial Park and unwind before heading to Tucos Tacos for a vegan dinner. With plenty of delicious choices, as well as a wide array of hot sauces available, their menu surprised our meat loving family. For picky eaters, there is always rice and nachos! And if the kids have been extra good, you may want to swing by Flurples across the street for some ice cream. If you want to keep with the vegan and gluten free theme, pop into Beards next door for a treat and a coffee to end the evening.

Second Day

Get ready for another educational, fun day - this time at Dynamic Earth, where you can take some great family pictures by the Big Nickel after learning all about the mining history of Sudbury. Older kids will love going underground to the mine, while the younger ones might want to stay at the outdoor science park all day long. Dynamic North builds on the city's mining heritage and the staff on site are ready to help the kids interact with the exhibits or explain what is happening in one of the many interactive displays.

For dinner we recommend di Gusto for some fresh Italian fare that is made in-house. The wood fired pizza is definitely a popular choice here and they have gluten free options as well! To end your day, we highly recommend visiting Ramsey Lake, taking a dip at Bell Park Beach or relax on the grass to enjoy the sunset.

As you can see, we kept the kids very busy in Sudbury. The two museums we visited blew us away. Our family has explored children’s museums all across the world, and Dynamic Earth and Science North are amongst the most impressive places we have visited. The educational aspect of these two Sudbury attractions is first rate, and they aren’t just for kids. My husband and I learned a lot, and we were entertained as well. Sudbury is a city to keep in mind if you’re looking for a weekend road trip in Ontario!

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