Thunder Bay

Now that I’ve been settled in Northwestern Ontario for just over a month, I’ve had a chance to explore the surrounding area.

My first stop was Thunder Bay. It is about two and half hours east from Atikokan. This was my first time in the city so I spent a while doing touristy things.

First, I stopped at the Terry Fox Monument located just outside the city. This was a great place to start as the site also had an information centre where I was able to get maps of the city and talk to the tour guide about further places to visit.

The site itself overlooks Thunder Bay where you can see the Sleeping Giant; it’s a rock formation named after its resemblance to a giant sleeping on the horizon. This formation also doubles as a provincial park, though I chose not to go as it is about 50 minutes from the monument.

Terry Fox Statue. All Photos by Patti Nagle.

My next stop was Marina Park, which has another beautiful view of the Sleeping Giant as well as Lake Superior. This park is within the city and contains a series of paths that take you along the waterfront.

While in the city, I also stopped at the Thunder Bay Museum. This is a three-floored gallery focused on Thunder Bay’s history. It had exhibits on music, military history and the overall development of the city. The museum also currently has a travelling exhibit Killing the Indian in the Child — Generations Lost: The Residential School System in Canada that relates the history of residential schools in Canada with other historical events by way of a timeline.

Kakabeka Falls.

On my way back home, thirty minutes west of Thunder Bay, is Kakabeka Falls. A beautiful waterfall that is a part of the Kaministiquia River. This river was once used by Voyageurs as a route to transport furs and they would have to portage around the falls. This site is now a provincial park with two short trails, one taking you along the gorge and around the falls, while the other goes through the surrounding forest.

There were a couple places I didn’t get to check out, including the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Fort William Historical Park but I would recommend both if you are ever in the city.

Next up on my list of places to visit is Dryden, Ontario.