Top 5 things to do in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is a great place to be. The air is fresh, the pace isn't too fast (or too slow), and there's so many cool places to see. In this article, I'm going to cover my favorite things to do in Thunder Bay.

For those of you who don't know where Thunder Bay is, it's located on Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world, in the heart of Ontario, Canada. We're within a few hours of many different cities, and our neighbors to the south. We're surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and many bodies of water. The image shown above is the view from Hillcrest Park, a local landmark, and the best view of the "Sleeping Giant" off in the distance.

Now that you know a little bit more about Thunder Bay, let's get started!

Now when you hear that, what do you think of? Is he telling me to get a rug? Or a cat? In Thunder Bay, persians are a hot-selling food item that you can't find anywhere else. It's basically a cinnamon roll, with a sweet pink icing on it (made from strawberries or raspberries).

I am a huge fan of persians. And you can get them almost everywhere in Thunder Bay. They are always very reasonably priced. Once you try one, you'll agree that they are definitely one of the best parts of Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay has been blessed by Lake Superior, and you can only truly experience it's majesty from up close. Marina Park, or Prince Arthur's Landing, as it is now called, is a truly beautiful experience for all to enjoy. The city of Thunder Bay has been putting a lot of effort into the waterfront in the last few years, and it shows.

The city has built several different attractions at the waterfront to encourage people to visit. They have erected a museum to showcase the history of Thunder Bay's waterfront area, and Lake Superior. As well as local businesses that were vital to the growth of Thunder Bay as a whole. Multiple "history markers" have been set up along a very scenic route through the marina, each of them detailing something important about Thunder Bay's culture, business, or the waterfront itself. A park has been built for those with children, as well as the splash pad (a miniature water play area that doubles as a skating rink in the winter). There are a plethora of events that take place here every year as well.

I do enjoy eating, and that's why I can't stress this one enough. A local confectionery, named one of the wonders of Thunder Bay, is another hot spot for some great local food. They don't have an extremely large menu, but their convenient location, great taste, and very reasonable prices make them a great idea.

McKellar Confectionery serves coney burgers and coney dogs. Sure you can get this elsewhere, but it doesn't compare to theirs. I'm not exactly sure what they do differently, but it hits the spot every time. This local family-owned business is something you have to try!

Mount McKay is a great spot to go for some great hiking, and a pretty amazing view of the city. If you're a hiker, bring a lunch and make use of the picnic area to take a quick break and enjoy the view. The sheer beauty of the area is enough to make you want to stop and "take it all in".

If aerial views and skylines are more your thing, head up to the top and enjoy the view. Bring the kids and enjoy a picnic in the picnic area with an amazingly scenic view, they'll surely remember it for the rest of their lives. If you enjoy the outdoors, and a good hike, I definitely recommend it.

Silver Harbor is a beautiful conservation area (one of many in Thunder Bay) located off of Lakeshore drive. It features a large field area with built-in BBQ pits, a boat launch, cliff diving, and a one-of-a-kind view of Lake Superior. This is also a prime spot for ice fishing during the winter.

There's no greater sight for an ice-fisher than pulling up to your destination, all packed and ready to fish, and seeing ice-huts on the lake as far as the eye can see. You've got your hut, your lunch, your gear, and a buddy or two, you're ready to bring home the bacon -er- fish. If ice fishing isn't exciting enough for you, perhaps a quick hike and an even quicker drop into fresh water is more your speed.

For the adrenaline junkie, the brief hike up the small cliff is the gateway to a great time, and some great pictures. Bring your friends (and your camera) and make a day out of it. The surrounding area is beautiful, and if you have a canoe or kayak, you can head out on the lake for a nice relaxing ride around the surrounding islands. So no matter what you're in to, This amazing place is sure to have something for you.

When it comes down to it, Thunder Bay is a great place to live. The cost of living here isn't nearly as high as it is elsewhere (but it's coming close!) so that's a definite plus as it takes a lot of stress off. But hands down these are my 5 favorite things to do here. There are so many more things to do here, but I'll save that for another day. Be sure to check all these out if you're ever in town, you won't regret it.

As always, stay excellent.