Summer in Sudbury, Ontario is a special time—make the most of it with plenty of outdoor and indoor adventures, events, venues and delicious things to eat and drink in 2024. Here’s our roundup of some of the best of Sudbury, from A to Z!
Sleeping Bear by Lümen
Sudbury is lucky to have dozens of beautiful, colourful murals (including Canada’s largest!) adorning a variety of buildings. Take a stroll or a bike ride and discover them all! We’ve also got a list of can’t-miss places to take a photo to create your own personal art.
What’s a Blue Flag Beach? Well, it’s a special designation by the Foundation for Environmental Education, meaning that the beach has to meet and maintain particular environmental, educational, safety and access-related criteria. Sudbury is proud to be home to two Blue Flag Beaches at Bell Park and Moonlight Beach, both wonderful swimming spots.
Enjoy coffee and fresh pastries from Salute Coffee Company
Nothing beats a good cup of coffee and a snack to fuel your outing. Check out some of these excellent independent coffee shops.
Science North and Dynamic Earth, Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist destinations, are both open seven days a week. Check out their special exhibits for summer 2023. Have fun and learn about everything from space to butterflies to earth science through interactive, creative displays. Plus there’s the IMAX theatre, the planetarium, and free Friday night Star Parties to learn about the night sky.
Did you know that Thomas Edison has a connection to Sudbury? Find out more about the history of the great inventor in the city here and see where his impact is still evident today.
Summer is the perfect time for festivals, and Sudbury has lots, from microbrews and movies to minerals and music. Plan your visit with this 2023 Sudbury Festival Guide.
The Sudbury area is home to hundreds of lakes, creeks and rivers of every size, just right for fishing. Try your luck at landing trout (brook, rainbow, splake and lake), bass, pike, and walleye.
…and other brewing ingredients too! Three craft breweries and a distillery mean that aficionados can sip and sample their way around the city.
From classic vanilla soft serve to way-out-there flavour combos and creative offerings (can you say dessert nacho?), ice cream and gelato are a summer must for many. Find your favourite at Sudbury’s best ice cream parlours.
Alex Trebek mural by Kevin Ledo
The late Alek Trebek was one of Sudbury’s most famous and well-loved residents. Check out some hometown pride in this Jeopardy! Lover’s Guide to the City.
Locals love Kivi Park, a natural jewel at the south end of the city where you can swim, fish, paddle, hike, bike, play, picnic and relax.
Want to canoe, kayak or SUP? Bring your own or rent a vessel—Sudbury is a paddling paradise and getting out on the water gives you a whole new perspective on the area.
There’s info on float planes and flyboarding too!
From the Northern Lights Festival Boréal July 6-9 to local acts throughout the summer you can groove to live music—punk, jazz, Latin and much more—in a variety of Sudbury venues.
Head to the theatre to take in a play, or try something new (axe-throwing, perhaps?).
And of course, N is also for Nickel—the famous big Nickel!
Dill Pickle Poutine Potato Skins from M.I.C. Canadian Eatery
Thai, Indian, Mexican and Mediterranean fare, plus classic North American dishes are all represented at Sudbury’s delicious eateries.
Long, leisurely summer afternoons and evenings call for patio time. Fortunately, Sudbury has a number of restaurants with patios where you can kick and back and enjoy fantastic food and drink while watching the world go by.
STEM enthusiasts, take note: Sudbury is the site of SNOLAB, the only laboratory of its kind in Canada. This underground site (2,000 metres below the surface, wow) is on a quest to understand fundamental particles of the universe. Because it’s located in an active mine site, it’s not open to the public, but you can still find examples of its impact around town (in coffee and beer!) and through virtual outreach projects.
Indulge in a little pampering at one of the area’s spas such as the Touch of Heaven Nordic Spa and Retreat, Ezentials Wellness Escape and Eco-Luxury Spa or La Renaissance Day Spa.
Make some memories and share them on social with the best selfie spots in town, from A. Y. Jackson Lookout to Lake Laurentian Conservation Area to holding a giant spider at Science North.
Photo credit: Goh Iromoto
Hikers and cyclists love Sudbury's outdoor playgrounds. Be sure to check out some of the area’s best trails.
Finding something a little out of the ordinary for your home or closet is the perfect souvenir! Don’t miss the city’s independent shops and boutiques or check out this list of the city's shops for more ideas.
Tucos Taco Lounge is a popular spot for fresh vegan cuisine.
Vegans, rejoice: delicious plant-based dining is easy when you visit Sudbury. The city’s eateries offer quite a few tasty vegan options. And even if you aren’t vegan, this is a great time to try something new.
If you love to support women-owned businesses, Sudbury has you covered! Check out the Indigenous-owned Raven Rising chocolates, boho-inspired Stitch & Stone, elegant eats at The Cedar Nest and more.
Road trip! Here are five top Sudbury and area day trips to consider when you’re in the area.
Families will find lots of kid-friendly options here, including parks, venues and restos. Here’s a suggested two-day kid-friendly itinerary if you want someone else to take care of the planning.
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A comfortable home base to sleep and relax is a must for vacationers and staycationers alike. Here are some of our favourite Sudbury accommodations including suites, resorts and a B&B.
Find your favourite letter of the alphabet in Sudbury this summer, or if you’re up for a challenge, try them all!
