Explore Thunder Bay with Driftscape: Self-Guided Tours, History, and Hidden Gems

Discover Thunder Bay at Your Own Pace with Driftscape Self-Guided Tours

There’s something special about exploring a place on your own terms—wandering at your own pace, lingering at the spots that capture your imagination, and uncovering stories that make a city come alive. In Thunder Bay, that kind of experience is just a tap away.

Thanks to the Driftscape app, visitors can dive into the city’s rich heritage, vibrant arts scene, and breathtaking landscapes with ease. Driftscape’s self-guided tour platform is intuitive, immersive, and deeply rooted in community voices, perfect for travelers who want more than a checklist of sights. 

“By involving local storytellers, historians, and community groups, like the Thunder Bay Heritage Advisory Committee, Public Art Committee, and the Thunder Bay Museum, the tours offer an experience that feels uniquely tied to the city’s culture and history,” says Karen Martin of Tourism Thunder Bay.

There are 42 tours and points of interest ready for you to check out in the Thunder Bay area (and that number keeps growing), and the app is completely free to download at the App Store or Google Play. If apps aren’t your thing, you can also use it on your web browser. 

Explore at Your Own Pace: Flexible Thunder Bay Tours for Solo Travelers, Families, and Groups

If you’re anything like me, you like to keep your travel plans flexible so that you spend more time in areas that offer a lot to explore, or adapt your plans with the ever changing weather. Whether you’re an early riser eager to catch the morning light on Lake Superior or a night owl drawn to the glow of city murals, Driftscape lets you explore Thunder Bay on your schedule.

With GPS-powered navigation and turn-by-turn directions, the app guides you through historic neighbourhoods, scenic trails, and cultural landmarks without the pressure of keeping up with a group. It’s perfect for solo adventurers, curious families, and anyone who wants to experience the city in a way that feels personal.

Local Voices, Living Stories: Thunder Bay History and Culture Through Local Storytellers

What makes Driftscape truly special is its storytelling. Thunder Bay’s tours are narrated by local historians, artists, and community members; people who know the city not just as a destination, but as home. For those who prefer reading or need accessibility options, on-screen transcripts make the content inclusive and easy to follow.

These are heartfelt stories that shaped the city you see today, from early Indigenous communities to the fur trade, Canadian Pacific Railway’s first spike, and the experiences of early grain and shipping industry workers. You can stroll through historic neighbourhoods and take a deep dive into architecture and also learn about local food producers. 

Hidden Gems and Interactive Landmarks Around Thunder Bay

As you approach key locations, the app delivers pop-ups highlighting nearby attractions. “This interactive feature encourages exploration and adds a sense of adventure, which is perfect for visitors who want to uncover hidden gems,” says Martin. 

Popular Thunder Bay Driftscape Tours: Haunted Houses, Lights, and Heritage

According to Martin, the Halloween Haunted Houses Tour and the Christmas Lights Tour are also hot. The numbers speak for themselves: last year alone, the haunted houses tour saw over 25,000 downloads, while the Christmas lights tour dazzled with more than 22,000!

Thunder Bay’s heritage tours are also among the most popular, and it’s easy to see why. When you visit a new place, learning its history adds depth and meaning to everything you see. A house offers a lesson in geology and mining while a footbridge offers a lesson in settler history. 

Driftscape’s heritage tours invite you to walk through historic neighbourhoods and feel the pulse of Thunder Bay’s past. You’ll learn about the city’s role in industrial growth, its shipping legacy, and the cultural mosaic that makes it so unique. 

Designed for Travelers and Locals Alike: Thunder Bay Tours and Experiences Tailored to Your Interests

Whether you’re visiting Thunder Bay for the first time or rediscovering it as a local, Driftscape adapts to your journey with features like:

• Tour autoplay for hands-free exploration

• Trip itineraries that combine culture, cuisine, and nature

• Multilingual interface for global accessibility

• Site-specific notifications that reveal hidden gems as you walk

• Tailored content based on your preferences

• Audio & video exploration that brings locations to life

It’s an easy way to turn outings into a personalized adventure.

Offline Driftscape Tours for Exploring Thunder Bay Without Wi-Fi

Worried about burning through your data plan or racking up roaming charges? Driftscape offers offline access, so you can download tours in advance and explore without worrying about data or Wi-Fi.

It’s a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts and heritage buffs alike. You can hike, paddle, or drive through remote areas and still have a rich, guided experience at your fingertips.

Experience Thunder Bay’s Culture, History, and Nature with Driftscape

So whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore more deeply, download the Driftscape app. Step into the stories. Wander with purpose. And let Thunder Bay reveal itself—one voice, one landmark, and one unforgettable moment at a time.

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.