North Bay is a city of approximately 53,000 people, which sits between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake in Northeastern Ontario. North Bay takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing. A must visit is the North Bay Waterfront. Here you can stroll along the shore of Lake Nipissing, relax on the beach or take in some of the many activities offered here. North Bay's Waterfront is home to special events including Canada Day Celebrations on July 1 and the Heritage Festival on the Civic Holiday Weekend in early August. Visitors in the fall can climb aboard the Dream Catcher Express, a fall colour train which travels 100 km northward from North Bay to Temagami, Ontario and returns on the same day. This captivating train excursion allows you to enjoy brilliant fall colours through large viewing windows in the comfort of your passenger car.
Things to do in North Bay
Beaches
One of the great things about life in North Bay is that it's situated right between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake. Lots of sandy beaches can be found with a total of 43 beach access areas in North Bay! Three of these beaches are supervised; Marathon Beach on Lake Nipissing at the Waterfront, the Birchaven Cove and Olmsted Beach on Trout Lake. So make sure you bring your bathing suit and sunscreen when you visit us. For more information about local beaches please contact Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services. Call 705-474-0400 for more information.
Canadore College
Here in the beautiful city of North Bay you will discover three easily accessible campuses – the new Aviation Campus, Commerce Court and the Education Centre, which is situated on a stunning 720-acre wooded escarpment overlooking the city. Within the walls of our campuses, you’ll find a personalized environment where you can excel in smaller than average classes and where you’ll have your own academic advisor. Canadore students have a unique opportunity to turn their college diploma into a university degree. Canadore shares a campus with Nipissing University and the two schools have a formal agreement which provides degree completion opportunities for all diploma graduates. Call 705-474-7600 for more information.
100 College Avenue Drive, North Bay, ON
Capitol Center
Featuring shows, concerts and performances of all types. Please contact us for a current listing of events, dates and ticket prices. Our box office is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 11am – 4pm; closed Sunday. Call 705-474-4747 for more information.
150 Main Street East, North Bay, ON
Chief Commanda II
A 300-passenger, all aluminum, twin hull vessel that features three decks. The main and second deck areas are enclosed with outside viewing areas; the third deck is open with seating and standing room, where passengers can enjoy the sunshine and a first class view. A trip on this vessel offers the perfect opportunity for picture taking. Daily cruises on majestic Lake Nipissing offer something for everybody. Thousands of visitors each year enjoy breathtaking sunsets and an historical adventure of the lake's rich Native history. Cruises run from mid June - September and are 1 ½ - 5 hours in length. Call 866-660-6686 for more information.
99 Champaigne Street, North Bay, ON
Dionne Quints Museum
The Museum is a not for profit institution, operated by the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce with the co-operation of Annette and Cecile Dionne. The museum is housed in the original Dionne homestead and it contains many artifacts from the Quint’s early days and their growing years. The Quints attracted 3 million visitors to North Bay and area during the peak of the depression. Open mid May - June 30 9am - 5pm; July & August 9am - 7pm; September - mid – October 9am - 4pm.
Heritage Railway Company Mini-Train
When visiting the North Bay Waterfront, be sure to wander over to the Heritage Railway Company. See the miniature railway that runs on 2700 feet of 15" gauge track. Using both an actual steam engine and a diesel engine you can experience travel in an old fashioned way as you buy your ticket at the station and once on the train, the conductor punches your ticket just like the old days. Open mid - May weekends only 10am - 8:30pm; end of June to Labour Day daily 10am - 8:30pm; Labour Day - Thanksgiving weekends only 10am – dusk. Call 800-465-1882 for more information.
Kate Pace Way
The Kate Pace Way and the Kinsmen Trail combine to offer 28 km of multi-use paved trails from one end of the City to the other. The Education Center Trails give you a majestic view of the City along with a seven kilometer pathway, named in honour of this Olympic skier and native daughter, Kate Pace. The trail is ideal for walking, jogging, cycling and in-line skating along half of its length. Those on foot can use the lockstone walkway which follows along North Bay's scenic waterfront. The recreational trails in North Bay are intended for the shared use of walkers, cyclists, in-line skaters and other non-motorized vehicle users.
Kennedy Gallery
The W.K.P. Kennedy Gallery serves its community by providing a balanced program of contemporary and historical art. The programming is planned approximately twelve to eighteen months in advance.
150 Main Street East, North Bay, ON
Laurier Woods Trail
This beautiful trail is located at the south end of Laurier Avenue. The trail loops through Laurier Woods, along a scenic wetland teeming with aquatic life. The trail offers a great escape from the City, within the City.
Lee Park
The Park features the famous “Gateway to the North” arch, erected in 1928, to divide Southern Ontario from Northern Ontario. A CF-100 fighter plane, the last Canadian aircraft designed and built by the Canadian Air Force, is mounted in Lee Park. Nearby you will find the Bomarc missile (which replaced the Avro Arrow). Both played a major part in the city's military history. Lee Park is the site of the North Bay Heritage Festival and Airshow.
North Bay Area Museum
The Museum has been the local voice of heritage preservation and education for a number of years. Come in and see our exhibits, browse the Museum Shop for a unique gift or call ahead to arrange some research time in the museum archives. A gift shop and book store full of unique gifts suitable for any occasions are also on site. Those interested in local history will find the most current books available that examine portions of our community's past. Open Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 10am – 5pm. Call 705-476-2323 for more information.
100 Main Street East, North Bay, ON
North Bay Heritage Carousel
The Carousel was a dream, with horses made of fiberglass and die cast aluminum. Unfortunately the cost was to be prohibitive for this community. The City donated a parcel of land and carvers and artists were thus recruited. More than 350 people donated their time and talent. The Carousel consists of three concentric rows of horses that ring the carousel. The largest horses are found on the outer edge with the smallest ones near the center pole. The horses represent a collaboration of the styles – the past with the realistic Philadelphia style, the ornate with the Coney Island style and the simpler with the Fairground style. Open October – April 10am – dusk; May – August Monday – Friday 10am – dusk; Saturday & Sunday 10am – 10pm; September Monday – Friday 4pm – dusk; Saturday & Sunday 10am – 10pm. Located at the Waterfront in downtown North Bay. Call 800-465-1882 for more information.
North Bay Waterfront
The Waterfront area has become the flagship attraction of North Bay and offers a break to thousands of people who frequent the area on a regular basis. Each summer you will find swimming, boating, fishing, rollerblading or just plain relaxing while watching a beautiful Lake Nipissing sunset. Concerts are featured at the bandshell and the North Bay Heritage Festival & Air Show is an event you do not want to miss. During the winter months, North Bay's waterfront becomes a main attraction for ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and main events such as the North Bay Winter Carnival. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Nipissing you will find two miles of walkway, lots of parking, an arboretum of plants, trees and ornamental grass, a 250 boat slip marina picnic shelters, band shelters, plenty of beaches for swimming, the Heritage Mini-Train and Heritage Carousel. Call 705-474-0400 for more information.
Snowmobile Trails
You will find an extensive network of snowmobile trails serving the area. These trails form a section of the TOP Trail system (Trans Ontario Provincial) that provide long distance regional and provincial connections. Locally the North Bay Snowmobile Club has established and maintained the trails network. A few of the popular routes include the LaVase Portage route from Champlain Park to Dugas Bay on Trout Lake, connections to Bonfield and Astorville and connections to trails north of the Mattawa River.