1. Skating on Ramsey Lake
One of the most iconic activities to do in Sudbury during the winter is to skate on Ramsey Lake by Science North. A wide, clear path winds its way along the shoreline from one end of the lake to the other. Typically, the perfect time to skate on the lake is in January and February due to the water freezing to the correct depth. In addition, if you skate all the way to the end, you get a free hot chocolate! Give yourself the afternoon to get the full experience.
2. Onaping’s High Falls
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! About a 30-minute drive northwest of Sudbury is the beautiful natural cascade of Onaping’s High Falls! As you drive west on Highway 144, make a right into the parking lot of A.Y. Jackson Lookout visitor’s centre. There are plenty of activities to do such as: picnic and 1.5 hours of nature trails and lookouts that can easily fill up your day. If you want to get the most of this area, I’d recommend staying here for about 3-4 hours to explore as much as you can! Need a place to camp? Check out Windy Lake Provincial Park just down the road from Onaping Falls.
3. Skate/Snowshoe/Hike at Kivi Park
If you are specifically looking for a variety of winter activities, Kivi Park is your go to place! Popular activities include; snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter biking, sliding and of course skating! Nothing beats Kivi Park's skating experience as you skate through a winding path through a magical forest of birch trees! The path is open until 9pm for a tiki torch lit path which gives you a whole new experience compared to daytime skating. If you get a chance to go in the summer, there are plenty of other activities to do along with hiking such as basketball, paddle boarding and disc golf!
4. Take in a Wolves Game
(Sudbury Wolves Indigenous logo from the 2022-23 OHL hockey season)
Any hockey lovers?! The city of Sudbury sure loves their local major junior hockey team the Sudbury Wolves that play in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). If you are around the city during the months of September - May, be sure to stay the night and take in a hockey game at the Sudbury Community Arena! If you are with a group of friends, the experience will be that much more enjoyable.
5. Spend the day at Science North
If you are a person who is eager to learn something new, Science North will not let you down! There are plenty of attractions and exhibits to feast your eyes on and scheduled special events throughout the day. The science museum’s built in Imax theatre also has family friendly films and documentaries that will capture the interest of any viewer! To review all the available attractions before visiting, click here.
6. Camp at Fairbanks Provincial Park
For adventurers who love camping, you are going to love Fairbanks Provincial Park! Aside from the Windy Lake Provincial Park, Fairbanks hosts a beautiful campground beside the local lake. If you are coming from Sudbury, head west on highway 17 towards Beaver Lake and turn right at the lights onto Worthington Road for about 30 minutes. From birdwatching to canoeing to fishing and swimming at the park's beach, you will have a great time outdoors at Fairbanks!
7. Night out at the Plaza Bowl
Staying overnight in Sudbury? Come out to the Plaza Bowl for a night full of fun with a group of friends! Go for a round of bowling (equipment provided) and see who can reach the top score! Looking for something a little slower? There is a large room filled with pool tables for rent for an hourly fee. The night time experience hits differently at the Plaza Bowl because of all the dance lights and music raising the heart rate in the room!
8. Golf at any of Sudbury’s 11 Courses
There is definitely no shortage of golf courses in the Sudbury area. It may be difficult to play a round at all courses during your stay in Sudbury, but do your best to experience at least one of them before you leave! Below is the list:
Lively Golf Club
Stone Hill Golf Course
Cedar Green Golf Club
Idylwylde Golf and Country Club
Timberwolf Golf Club
Pine Grove Golf Club
Twin Stacks Golf Club
Onaping Golf and Beach Club
Monte Vista Golf Club
Chelmsford Golf Course
Forest Ridge Golf and Country Club
A popular tourist attraction that many may not know about is located in Chelmsford! To be honest, I did not know what to expect on my way to the launch into the river. After you register and pay, a bus transports you right to the river! There are different types of tubes you can choose from including a cooler tube! This tube can carry all of your refreshments and snacks down the slow moving river! Along the journey, there are multiple beachy areas for a relaxing stop to eat your picnic or even take a swim! Enjoy the trip, take your time and make sure it is a clear sunny, mid-summer day and you will have no regrets!
10. Go on a Dynamic Earth Tour and Visit the Big Nickel
As a branch of Science North, Dynamic Earth offers a complete new experience such as the underground tour. In addition to the amazing underground tour, there is an outdoor science park along with engaging exhibits and events similar to Science North. After you have finished touring Dynamic Earth, you MUST visit Sudbury’s most iconic attraction… The Big Nickel! This should be on any tourists' to do list when visiting Sudbury. The iconic attraction was built in 1964 and represents Sudbury’s contribution to the Canadian economy through nickel production. Be sure to take a selfie or group photo with the largest coin in the world!