Searching for one of the best issues to do in Sudbury? This Northern Ontario gem is filled with surprises, suppose 330 glowing lakes, a large regreening transformation, Canada’s most iconic coin, and world-class science sights that youngsters and adults will each love. Whether or not you’re after family-friendly enjoyable, nature escapes, or hands-on experiences you gained’t discover anyplace else, Sudbury delivers.
We’ve explored Sudbury in each season, from skating beneath the celebrities at Kivi Park to sending postcards 60 metres underground at Dynamic Earth. Our newest go to stunned us. Sudbury is in the course of an unimaginable transformation, balancing its mining roots and a rising meals and humanities scene. This information covers every little thing value doing, seeing, and experiencing in Sudbury in 2025, together with native ideas, the place to remain, what to eat, and the can’t-miss highlights that make this one among Canada’s most underrated locations.
High issues to do in Sudbury embrace:
- Exploring Science North’s 4 flooring of interactive displays
- Mountain climbing, biking or paddling at Kivi Park and Lake Laurentian
- Visiting the Huge Nickel and going underground at Dynamic Earth
- Chilling at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake (the world’s 2nd largest city-contained lake)
- Taking in Onaping Falls from the A.Y. Jackson Lookout
- Discovering downtown murals, native eating, and family-friendly occasions year-round
Why Go to Sudbury in 2025?
As a result of this former mining city has pulled off one of many best environmental comebacks in Canada, planting over 10 million bushes and reinventing itself as a inexperienced, family-friendly vacation spot full of lakes, science, waterfalls, and murals. And it’s only a four-hour drive from Toronto.
Issues to Do in Sudbury for Outside Lovers
Sudbury has pulled off one of the vital dramatic makeovers in Canadian historical past. As soon as identified for its blackened rock and moonscape terrain, it’s now a full-blown out of doors paradise, because of over 10 million bushes, 330 lakes, and one of many world’s most profitable regreening tasks. And one of the best half? You don’t have to go far to expertise it. Simply minutes from downtown, you’ll discover forest trails, glacier-sculpted lookouts, and sure, bike trails for each degree that remodel to a skating path that lights up at night time.
We spent a protracted weekend exploring all of it on foot, on bikes, and with our jaws on the bottom greater than as soon as. Right here’s what you shouldn’t miss.
Kivi Park: Biking, Skating, and a View Definitely worth the Climb
We began our day at Kivi Park, a 480-acre pure playground in Sudbury’s south finish. This place is a dream for lively vacationers. We rented mountain bikes and hit the paths, which vary from mellow forest paths to quick, flowy single-track loaded with ramps and jumps. In the event you’re into adrenaline, that is the place Sudbury will get severe.
Don’t miss the climb to the lookout. Belief us, it’s value each pedal stroke. The panoramic view from the highest stretches out over lakes and forest, displaying off simply how inexperienced and wild Sudbury has develop into.
In winter, Kivi Park transforms once more, with fats biking, snowshoeing, and one among Ontario’s most scenic skating trails that glows at night time beneath strings of lights. Leases can be found on-site, so you may bounce in irrespective of the season or talent degree.
Lake Laurentian Conservation Space: From Area Science to Beaver Ponds
Later that afternoon, we made our technique to Lake Laurentian Conservation Space, and it ended up being one among our favorite spots within the metropolis. With over 60 kilometers of trails, you may go as large or small as you need. We caught with three quick hikes, and every one delivered severe wow issue.
Our first was the NASA Path, a 15-minute stroll that passes the positioning of a former satellite tv for pc observatory. It’s a quiet path with an enormous presence, a reminder that Sudbury isn’t nearly mining and regrowth. It’s additionally a spot the place science has actually reached for the celebrities.
We continued to the Duck Path and the Beaver Pond Loop, and that is the place Sudbury’s transformation actually hits you. The rocky moonscape we’d seen in previous photographs is gone. Instead? Lush forest, wealthy wetlands, and peaceable trails that wind via a number of the most resilient nature we’ve ever walked. It’s laborious to consider this was as soon as written off as wasteland. In the present day, it’s a world success story in restoration.
Bell Park and Ramsey Lake: Simple Magnificence within the Coronary heart of the Metropolis
The most effective issues about Sudbury is how shut nature is to on a regular basis life. You don’t have to depart city to seek out it. We took a dawn, noon, and sundown stroll alongside the Bell Park Boardwalk, a 2-kilometre path that hugs the shoreline of Ramsey Lake, the second-largest lake on the earth fully inside metropolis limits.
We handed joggers, households, college students, and even a pleasant native who handed us peanuts to feed the squirrels. It was a type of small moments that stated so much concerning the metropolis. Sudbury has put its prosperity again into the group, and locations like Bell Park are proof.
That is the place you’ll additionally discover boat launches, picnic areas, a supervised seashore, and a commemorative plaque marking the ten millionth tree planted in the course of the regreening marketing campaign. It’s an attractive spot to chill out after a day of mountaineering or to kick off a full day of sightseeing.
Onaping Falls: The place Artwork Meets Apollo
Earlier than we left city, we made the scenic 40-minute drive northwest to Onaping Falls. It’s not only a lovely place, it’s one of the vital fascinating mashups of Canadian artwork historical past and house science we’ve ever come throughout.
The A.Y. Jackson Lookout provides sweeping views of the falls, which plunge 55 metres into the traditional Sudbury Basin, shaped by a meteorite affect 1.85 billion years in the past. Jackson painted this scene in 1953, and once you’re standing on the lookout, it’s simple to see why. You’re feeling the identical inventive vitality, uncooked and actual, that the Group of Seven captured on canvas.
However right here’s what blew our minds: This similar geological web site drew the eye of NASA. In 1971, Apollo astronauts got here to Sudbury to review the shattercones and breccia rocks at Onaping Falls. They wished to grasp what they’d be strolling on up there, and Sudbury was their take a look at web site.
And it labored. When Apollo 16 touched down, astronaut John Younger appeared across the lunar panorama and stated:
“It seems like a Sudbury breccia.”
That’s proper, Sudbury is the one Canadian metropolis ever talked about from the floor of the moon.
Finest Household-Pleasant Sights in Sudbury
Sudbury isn’t only for nature lovers; it’s one among Canada’s finest locations to mix schooling, leisure, and hands-on enjoyable. Town’s two flagship sights, Science North and Dynamic Earth, go method past the common museum. They’re immersive, interactive, and filled with the type of experiences that make each youngsters and adults say “wow.”
We spent a whole day exploring each, and actually, we may’ve stayed longer.
Science North: Interactive Studying on the Canadian Defend
We kicked issues off at Science North, which is ready proper on Ramsey Lake and constructed instantly into the traditional rock of the Canadian Defend. Earlier than we even walked in, the placement itself made an announcement: this place is grounded in science, actually.
Inside, Science North lives as much as its status as one among Canada’s prime science centres. There are 4 ranges of interactive displays protecting every little thing from house and geology to local weather, animals, and well being innovation. It’s not only for youngsters both. We have been simply as fascinated by the shattercone shows (from Sudbury’s meteorite affect web site) as we have been by the butterfly room, the reside animal displays, and the house exploration gallery.
One factor we observed immediately is how accessible the power is, with broad ramps, elevators, and exhibit layouts which might be considerate for guests of all ages and skills.
In the event you’re visiting with household, put together to spend at the very least half a day right here, particularly if you happen to catch a movie on the IMAX with Laser Theatre, Northern Ontario’s solely true giant-screen cinema. We advocate pairing your go to with a stroll alongside the Bell Park boardwalk, particularly if you happen to didn’t get to it earlier. Sundown on Ramsey Lake is pure magic.
Dynamic Earth: Go Deep into Mining Historical past
Subsequent up: Dynamic Earth, dwelling of Sudbury’s most iconic attraction, the Huge Nickel. However this isn’t your common picture cease. It’s the gateway to one of the vital immersive science experiences within the nation.
We grabbed our laborious hats and headed straight underground. That’s proper, you descend seven storeys down into an actual mine tunnel and stroll via the historical past of mining in Canada. From the grueling, hand-drilled strategies of the early 1900s to at present’s state-of-the-art, remote-controlled operations, the tour walks you thru the actual deal.
It’s the type of expertise that provides you an entire new appreciation for Canadian trade and innovation. And the guides? Implausible. They shared tales that made us snort, mirror, and genuinely respect the powerful, good work that constructed this metropolis.
Exterior, you’ll discover extra interactive displays, a mining lab, and one among our favourite picture ops, the 9-metre-tall Huge Nickel, a large duplicate of the 1951 Canadian coin. It’s kitschy in one of the simplest ways, and it proudly reminds you that Sudbury’s mining legacy nonetheless runs deep.
Festivals, Meals, and Sudbury Vibes
Sudbury is aware of find out how to throw a celebration, and it is aware of find out how to feed you when you’re at it. Whether or not you’re visiting within the warmth of summer season or bundled up in winter, the town’s festivals, patios, and native haunts serve up one thing particular.
Summer time Festivals and Reside Occasions
We might love to go to throughout pageant season. There may be the Northern Lights Competition Boréal, Canada’s longest-running music pageant, which attracts unimaginable expertise from throughout the nation and past. Households, buddies, and musicians fill the parks and levels.
One other native favorite is the Up Right here Competition, which blends music, artwork, and large murals in a method that fully transforms downtown. You’ll locate daring new avenue artwork and listen to every little thing from indie rock to throat singing. It’s fashionable, inclusive, and uniquely Sudburian. We particularly cherished the mural of Alex Trebek. A Sudbury native.
And don’t skip the Indigenous cultural celebrations and pow wows. These are a number of the most significant and delightful occasions, full of drumming, dancing, and connection to the land. In the event you get the possibility, go.
The place to Eat, Drink, and Have a good time the North
Sudbury’s meals scene is as down-to-earth and proud as the town itself. You gained’t discover a variety of pretension right here, however you’ll find critically good eats, craft cocktails, and a number of the coolest hidden spots in Northern Ontario. We got here hungry. We left impressed.
We began our mornings at Salute Espresso Roasters and Beni Rise & Shine and Anna Laura Patisserie, the place the espresso is next-level and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. In the event you’re a espresso snob (or simply want gas for the path), that is your go-to.
For lunch, you may’t miss Deluxe Hamburgers, a real Sudbury establishment. Locals jokingly name this a “one-arch city” as a result of Deluxe has been holding its floor for many years regardless of the Golden Arches opening up proper throughout from it. The rooster on a bun and fresh-cut fries are legendary, and it’s simply one of the best deal on the town.
Dinner was an entire journey in itself. One night time, we went full retro at Mr. Prime Rib, a traditional steakhouse the place the meat is king and the service is old-school impeccable. It’s the type of place the place your cutlery is polished, your prime rib is ideal, and the horseradish bites again.
One other night time, we stepped into full Canadiana mode at Made In Canada Eatery. It’s quirky, cozy, and completely enjoyable, with partitions lined in photographs of Canadian icons, and a Caesar with Canadian whisky that deserves its personal spot within the Corridor of Fame. In the event you’re visiting for the primary time, this place units the tone for what Northern hospitality is all about.
Searching for wood-fired pizzas or an off-the-cuff upscale vibe? Ripe Restaurant serves scrumptious, crisp pies straight from the oven, whereas The Daventry Kitchen & Bar provides a strong pub menu with craft beer and comfy vibes. We additionally cherished Gloria’s Restaurant, a Sudbury traditional since 1952, and Eddie’s Restaurant, which locals love for its family-style eating room and separate sports activities bar. Bonus trivia: “Shorsey” was filmed right here, sure, that Shorsey.
However the night time doesn’t have to finish with dinner.
After consuming our method via Sudbury, we capped issues off at The Night time Owl, a secret speakeasy you completely should expertise. Image this: you head down an alley, discover an old-school payphone, and provides the password. The hostess greets you and leads you thru a hidden door behind a wall of books. Inside, it’s a full-on Nineteen Twenties-style cocktail lounge, with pink velvet, jazz vibes, and one of the best Manhattans and Outdated Fashioneds this facet of Toronto. It’s one of many coolest spots on the town, however ensure that to e book upfront; it’s unique for a cause.
And if you happen to’re up for another spherical? Head to The Laughing Buddha for craft cocktails and globally impressed dishes on one of many metropolis’s finest patios. Then stroll subsequent door to the Townhouse Tavern, a dive bar with coronary heart the place Stompin’ Tom Connors discovered the inspiration for his well-known anthem, Sudbury Saturday Night time. You’ll be able to even snap a photograph together with his statue within the park close by.
For our farewell dinner, we had an unimaginable meal at Sapporo Ichibang, the place genuine Japanese and Korean dishes warmed us up from the within out. Every part was recent, flavourful, and comforting.
Sudbury might shock you, but it surely gained’t depart you hungry or thirsty.
A Enjoyable End at Ezentials Nordic Lounge
After just a few days of mountaineering, biking, and sightseeing, we wrapped up our Sudbury journey with one thing a little bit extra indulgent, a day on the Nordic Lounge at Ezentials. This indoor wellness spa was pure bliss. Assume cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, cold-mist showers, and dimmed lights with chill music within the background.
We grabbed a few robes, sipped a glass of wine within the lounge, and simply let all of it go. We even tried the Starlight Go well withe, the place we skilled vibrational sound remedy in a darkish, star-lit room designed for deep rest. It was like floating via house whereas our brains hit the reset button.
Ezentials was the right technique to unwind earlier than hitting the highway, and a reminder that Sudbury isn’t nearly grit and journey. It’s additionally about figuring out when to decelerate and savour the second.
The place to Keep in Sudbury and How A lot It Prices
The most effective issues about visiting Sudbury? It’s simple on the pockets and massive on worth. Whether or not you’re road-tripping via Northern Ontario or flying in for a protracted weekend, you’ll discover an excellent mixture of resorts, reasonably priced eats, and world-class sights, a lot of that are completely free.
The place We Stayed: Hampton Inn By Hilton Comfort with a Northern Vibe
We stayed on the Hampton Inn by Hilton, and it hit all of the marks, breakfast included, a strong gymnasium, a pool to unwind, and an excellent handy location. It’s the type of place the place you see enterprise vacationers, particularly from the mining sector, rubbing shoulders with households and highway trippers. It felt just like the heartbeat of the town handed proper via the foyer.
Charges for a keep like ours run round $800 to $1,000 for 4 nights, relying on the season. However with breakfast included (and superb at that), it covers a variety of mornings, providing extra flexibility to splurge at dinner.
How A lot Issues Price in Sudbury (with Actual Numbers)
Touring in Northern Ontario doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution. Right here’s what we truly spent:
- Mountain bike leases at Kivi Park: $69 for 2 bikes
- Combo cross for Science North & Dynamic Earth: $47 per individual
- Nordic Lounge expertise at Ezentials: $60 per individual
- Theatre tickets: $39 every for a incredible night time out
And a number of the finest issues in Sudbury are fully free:
- Mountain climbing at Onaping Falls
- Trails at Lake Laurentian Conservation Space
- Bell Park boardwalk and Ramsey Lake views
- Snapping photographs on the Huge Nickel
- Exploring Sudbury’s large out of doors mural scene
In relation to meals, price range about $125 to $150 per day for 2 individuals, protecting every little thing from informal lunch stops to good sit-down dinners. Sudbury’s mixture of retro diners, native gems, and upscale surprises made that simple to stretch.
Attending to Sudbury: Street Journey or Fast Flight
In the event you’re coming from Southern Ontario, Sudbury is a traditional Canadian highway journey vacation spot. The four-hour drive from Toronto provides you a front-row seat because the panorama shifts from farmland to forested defend nation. It’s scenic, it’s simple, and there are nice stops alongside the way in which.
In the event you’re quick on time, flying is a breeze. Porter Airways and Air Canada each provide direct flights from Toronto to the Higher Sudbury Airport, getting you right here in about an hour. And for these coming from out west, we’ve heard new direct flights from Calgary are making it even simpler to discover the North.
Getting Round Sudbury
When you’re right here, you’re going to desire a automotive. Sights like Kivi Park, Onaping Falls, and even the Lake Laurentian trails are unfold throughout the town and its surrounding wilderness. Anticipate to pay round $70 to $90 per day for a compact rental automotive, with bigger SUVs costing a bit extra, however completely value it if you happen to’re hauling out of doors gear or touring as a household.
Plan Your Sudbury Getaway
Look, a trip can simply be a trip, or it may be one thing extra.
Our journey to Higher Sudbury felt necessary. We weren’t simply checking off an inventory of sights. We have been connecting with part of Northern Ontario that’s actually rebuilding itself from the bottom up. From biking via reforested trails at Kivi Park to sending postcards from deep inside a mine at Dynamic Earth, we noticed a metropolis that’s not simply pleased with its previous, it’s investing in its future.
Selecting to journey right here seems like an funding in our personal yard.
You’re supporting a family-friendly Ontario metropolis that’s main the way in which in environmental restoration, hands-on schooling, and inventive group constructing. Whether or not you’re right here to discover world-class science at Science North, take within the historical past of the Huge Nickel, or stroll the paths that encompass the 4 flooring of interactive displays on the metropolis’s prime family-friendly sights, there’s one thing right here for everybody.
Sudbury is vibrant. It’s stunning. It’s reasonably priced. And it’s filled with causes to return again in each season.
You’ll eat effectively. You’ll drink effectively. You’ll paddle, hike, soak, skate, and uncover new sides of Ontario you didn’t anticipate. And also you’ll depart with a deeper appreciation for the type of magic that occurs when nature, science, and group come collectively.
So whether or not you’re planning your subsequent lengthy weekend, chasing fall colors, or on the lookout for a winter journey with coronary heart, Higher Sudbury must be on the prime of your listing.
An enormous because of Sudbury Tourism for having us up there and displaying us a tremendous a part of our Canadian historical past.
FAQ: Planning Your Journey to Sudbury, Ontario
A number of the prime issues to do in Higher Sudbury embrace visiting Science North with its 4 flooring of hands-on displays, touring the underground mine at Dynamic Earth, snapping a photograph on the Huge Nickel, mountaineering Onaping Falls, and stress-free at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake. These family-friendly sights make Sudbury the most effective locations in Northern Ontario.
Completely. Sudbury is filled with household sights, from the immersive experiences at Science North to out of doors adventures at Kivi Park and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Space. Many museums and parks are totally accessible, and children love exploring the underground tunnels at Dynamic Earth and assembly actual animals on the science centre.
A combo cross for Science North and Dynamic Earth is round $47 per individual. It’s an excellent worth contemplating the variety of displays, reside demonstrations, and the scale of the amenities, 4 flooring at Science North alone. Reserving the combo ticket upfront helps maximize your go to.
The Huge Nickel is a 9-meter duplicate of a 1951 Canadian coin and one among Canada’s most iconic roadside sights. It sits proper exterior Dynamic Earth and is a must-stop picture alternative when visiting Higher Sudbury.
You’ll be able to drive from Toronto to Sudbury in about 4 hours, making it a straightforward Northern Ontario highway journey. In the event you’re quick on time, each Porter Airways and Air Canada provide direct flights from Toronto to Higher Sudbury Airport, taking about an hour.
Sure! Winter in Sudbury provides unimaginable snow-based experiences like illuminated skating trails at Kivi Park, fats biking, and even heated yurt glamping. Plus, many indoor sights like Science North and the Nordic Lounge at Ezentials provide cozy methods to unwind.
Sure. Most of the finest experiences in Sudbury, Ontario, are fully free. You’ll be able to discover the murals downtown, uncover mountaineering trails at Onaping Falls and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Space, take pleasure in Bell Park’s lakeside boardwalk, and go to the Huge Nickel with out spending a dime.