10 Summer Musts in Sudbury

Add these Sudbury activities to your summer bucket list

With another year of local travel ahead of us, it’s just one more reason to explore more of our own backyard. If you’re looking for some inspiration for things to do, don’t miss this Sudbury summer bucket list! Whether you enjoy a couple or all of these fantastic summer activities, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable visit in Sudbury.

1. Grab Some Ice Cream from Flurple’s

Photo credit: Sudbury Tourism

It isn’t summer if you haven’t had some ice cream from Flurple’s! This colourful and tiny vegan ice cream shop might only have a walk-up window but their creativity and heart spans much further. You can enjoy both hard and soft serve ice cream, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches and edible cookie dough. Dog owners, bring your furry family member along as they have pup cups so your canine can enjoy a tasty treat too! This is one summer spot you don’t want to miss.

2. Hit Up a Patio

Photo credit: Tuco's Taco Lounge Facebook

As the warm weather has finally arrived, patio season is in full swing! Sudbury is home to a number of fantastic patios as we soak up the summer sun. Check out Crosscut Distillery with its brand new cocktail menu, perfect to sip while on their recently updated patio. If you’re looking for some solid eats to pair with your patio time, you can’t go wrong with stone-baked pizza or freshly-made hummus on the charming Laughing Buddha patio. Though if you want a seat at what’s arguably the cutest patio in Sudbury, Tuco’s Taco Lounge is the place to be!  For more patio ideas, read the Patio Perfection blog

3. Swim at a Blue Flag Beach

 Blue Flag at Moonlight Beach. Photo credit: Sudbury Tourism

Did you know that Sudbury has not one but two blue flag beaches? Both Bell Park Main Beach and Moonlight Beach meet the strict environmental standards for quality, safety, education, information and services as laid out by the Foundation for Environmental Education. What does this mean for you as a beach goer? It means you’ll be treated to some of the best beaches in the province. Grab your swimsuit and enjoy a day of fun in the sun!

4. Pack a Picnic

 Bell Park Main Beach. Photo credit: Sudbury Tourism

Not only are Bell Park and Moonlight Beach great spots to swim, but they’re also prime locations for a picnic! Pack some eats and treats before heading to them and fully enjoy a day of fun in the sun. Looking for a few other spots to enjoy a picnic? Kivi Park, Laurentian Beach and Lake Laurentian Conservation Area are great alternatives. Not sure what to pack for a picnic? Wander Food & Wine has you covered with their fantastic picnic kits!

5. Quench Your Thirst with a Craft Beer

Spacecraft Brewery. Photo credit: Sudbury Tourism

The craft beer scene has been exploding in Ontario and Sudbury has a number of fantastic local breweries to check out. Stack Brewing is Sudbury’s very first craft brewery, which now offers two locations. Winning five awards in 2020 alone, be sure to stop by and enjoy one of their Northern Ontario-inspired beers! Next, head to 46 North Brewing and enjoy a refreshing pint on their patio as they have over 10 of their beers on tap. Looking for something a little out of this world? Head to Spacecraft Brewery where you’ll always find something new on their rotating beer list of in-house beer and in their Bottle Shop a selection of carefully selected Ontario Craft beers, sparkling waters and kombucha. Last but not least, Optimist Brewery & Kitchen is Sudbury’s newest craft brewery.  You will find a cheery vibe that is sure to pick up your mood and keep the good vibes rolling.

6. Take a Hike

 Lake Laurentian. Photo credit: Lindsay Davies

There is no shortage of amazing trails to be found in Greater Sudbury. The majority of Sudbury’s trails are maintained thanks to the non-profit Rainbow Routes Association (RRA) as they oversee 30+ trails across the area. From the Kelly Lake Trail in town to the A.Y. Jackson Trail outside of Onaping, we have the RRA to thank for these beautiful hikes!  Kivi Park is a wonderland of outdoor activities. It has over 15 kilometres of hiking trails and expanding. Keep an eye out for the wishing tree.  Of course, we can’t forget that Sudbury has a 93km section of the epic Trans Canada Trail that connects our country from coast to coast to coast!

7. Explore Sudbury By Bike

Lake Laurentian trails. Photo credit: Goh Iromoto

If you’re an avid cyclist, you won’t want to miss Sudbury’s cycling trails! Circumvent the city’s second largest lake on the Ramsey Lake Cycle Tour de Sudbury as you traverse through the city as well as the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. The Great Waterfront Trail is always a great option for a more leisurely cycle and beginner riders. If you’re an experienced mountain biker, you won’t want to miss the Walden Mountain Bike Club’s Short’n Sweet, Second Lap and Kitchen Sink runs as they offer some of the most challenging routes in Sudbury! Check out this post for even more mountain biking recommendations in the city.

8. Enjoy One of Sudbury’s Festivals

 Photo credit: YES! Theatre Facebook

Festival season might look a little different right now but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a number of them to enjoy! The Up Here Festival will once again be returning for a seventh year to “lift” the community. The YES! Theatre Summer Festival Concert Series will be running three shows with dates starting August 31 until September 19th. For the foodies, you won’t want to miss Sudbury’s Greek and Italian Festivals, both of which take place in July. For updates on your favourite summer festivals, read the Sudbury Festivals 2021 blog

9. Hunt For Street Art

Ola Volo mural. Photo credit: Lindsay Davies

To say there is no shortage of gorgeous murals in Sudbury is an understatement. There are over 20 murals in the downtown core alone and the Up Here Festival is adding more this summer! Take a stroll through downtown Sudbury using the mural guide:  And how can you miss, Canada’s largest mural located in Sudbury on Paris Street. The former St Joseph Hospital was transformed into this 74,000 square foot brilliant work of art in 2019. It will blow you away.

10. Snap a Selfie with the Big Nickel

Photo credit: Lindsay Davies

No visit to Sudbury is complete without stopping by the Big Nickel. Of course, pictures or it didn’t happen, right? So be sure to stop by and snag a selfie!  Don’t forget to tag @sudburytourism on Instagram so they can see your smiling face!

About Lindsay Davies

Bit by the travel bug, Lindsay Davies loves to explore Ontario, Canada and beyond! You may be able to spot her as she rocks funky-coloured hair or a wacky pair of tights while chasing waterfalls, sunsets and incredible vistas. Follow along with her adventures at IveBeenBit.ca or on Facebook and Instagram.

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