Sudbury, Ontario: the Nickel City
Famous as the site of the Big Nickel, which marks the world’s largest integrated mining complex, Sudbury, Ontario is much more than some hole in the ground. The city is also home to 330 freshwater lakes—more than any other municipality in Canada—and stunning Boreal forest shot through with hiking trails and canoeing routes, not to mention the country’s second largest science centre. Accommodations here range from international chain hotels to woodsy fishing lodges, four-season cottages, and old-fashioned inns with plenty of space to park your snowmobile, canoe, or ATV.
Catch a delicious bass…
Studded with glittering, well stocked lakes and home to a friendly community of outfitters and guides, Sudbury attracts expert anglers by the boatload, yet it is also an excellent place for a first-ever fishing trip–even in the winter! Ice fishing is very popular here, though there is a fish for every season. Walleye, pike, bass, and muskie are the most dominant, but they are just a few of the area’s numerous native species. The “fly-in” lakes, locals say, offer some of the area’s absolute best fishing, as well as that healthy change of perspective that comes with being truly “out in the woods.” Anglers who prefer paddles to planes are thoroughly spoiled, however, by Sudbury’s proximity to the French River; the country’s first Heritage waterway offers a 65-mile canoe route of interconnected lakes, gorges, and rapids leading to Georgian Bay. And don’t forget to pack your paintbrush; this exceptionally beautiful part of Northeastern Ontario was once a rich source of artistic inspiration for Canada’s famous Group of Seven.
Get having fun down to a science…
Sudbury’s Science North is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ontario. In addition to a wide range of interactive exhibits, the centre offers an IMAX® theatre, butterfly gallery, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium. If you’ve ever wanted to become a human gyroscope, try on a pair of real moose antlers, or tap out a tune on a xylophone made of rocks, this is the place for you. Science North is also neighbours (and partners) with Dynamic Earth, an innovative earth sciences centre with a focus on the city’s most famous industry. Big “kids” particularly love to visit in October, when the grounds feature thousands of hand-carved, internally lit pumpkins, and the underground mining exhibit, which descends seven stories below the earth’s surface, is transformed into the Zombie Tunnel of Terror! And no one should leave Dynamic Earth without getting their picture taken with the city’s most famous landmark. An exact replica of the 1951 Canadian nickel, the Big Nickel is 30ft high and weighs about 13 tonnes.
Happy trails…
Though new visitors travelling through the beautifully thick, thriving Boreal forest in and around Sudbury may find it hard to imagine, the city’s landscape was once nearly devastated by slag, a by-product of the mining process. However, thanks to an extensive, award-winning restoration project, the area is once again a hot spot for all kinds of outdoor activity, with protected green spaces and an ever-evolving network of well-maintained trails for travellers to explore: hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing are all very popular here. The greater Sudbury area is also famous among snowmobile enthusiasts for the Sudbury Trail Plan, which offers 1200 miles of exceptionally scenic, well-groomed snowmobile trails. The Chiniguchi Wolf Loop winds through one of Ontario’s largest old growth forests and features spectacular lake views, while the Cartier Moose Loop takes riders through a ghost town; Sellwood, once a thriving sawmill community, was abandoned in 1978. All routes also offer at least one (still open!) hotel or restaurant where sightseers can rest and re-fuel.
Catch a movie (or a hundred)…
Hotels in Sudbury may be particularly packed in September, when the city hosts one of Canada’s major film festivals. Cinéfest Sudbury is often called “the people’s festival” for the access granted to the 34,000 movie buffs who attend. Over 100 of the best Canadian and international films are screened here each year, in addition to a host of talks, presentations, and programming. Cinéfest Sudbury is just one of many food, holiday, and sporting festivals hosted by Northern Ontario’s largest city, which also offers a vibrant arts and culture scene. At any time of year, travellers can enjoy exceptional classical music at the city’s Symphony Orchestra, catch a live show at the Sudbury Theatre Centre, or tour the handsome Art Gallery of Sudbury before heading out on the town. Downtown Sudbury offers a place for every taste, from an elegant wine bar with over 2500 bottles in its cellar to a cosy pub with draft beer and a game on the big screen.