5 things to do while you're visiting Thunder Bay for the Ontario Winter Games
From art to the outdoors, there's lots to explore in the northern Ontario city
The Ontario Winter Games are getting underway in Thunder Bay this weekend. The event will draw young athletes aged 12-18 from across the province to Thunder Bay, along with other visitors.
Apart from Winter Games competitions and activities, there's plenty for those visitors to enjoy while in the northern Ontario city.
From stunning views to the local food scene, here are some ideas of things to check out in between sporting events.
Check out the beadwork exhibits at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery
The gallery is currently hosting an exhibit called Radical Stitch, which features contemporary beadwork by artists from all across North America. It has paired that with the Wall Pocket exhibit, showcasing beaded bags, dating as far back as the 1920s. They are some of the oldest works in the gallery's permanent collection.
Check out the food scene
Thunder Bay has become quite a foodie city. The downtown north core is very walkable, with many restaurants lining the main streets.
On Red River Road you can find Norteños Cantina, a popular new spot in the area for Mexican style food. The Foundry Pub is known to have live acts and The Sovereign Room is a little place with great food and drinks.
If you head down St Paul Street you will see a busy cocktail bar called Barkeep. You'll also find Rooster's Bistro, well-known for its breakfasts.
If you venture just a little outside the downtown area to the Bay and Algoma neighbourhood you'll find spots like Nook Restaurant, which serves Italian food, and the Madhouse Pub is in close proximity.
You'll also find many locally-owned eateries in other parts of the city, such as the Seler Restaurant, located in the Intercity area (this area is also home to some familiar chain restaurants).
At the Titled Turret Pub, located in the city's south-core, you can play pinball while you wait for your meal.
Do karaoke
Thunder Bay happens to be a big karaoke town with many locations throughout the city offering you the chance to sing your heart out this weekend.
If you like the sports bar scene, you can sing karaoke at the bar called The Bar, on Friday and Saturdays. Just down the road, The Social also hosts weekend karaoke nights. The Current River area has The Hodder Bar and they host Friday and Saturday karaoke nights as well.
If you're in the downtown north core there is karaoke at the Waterhouse… a fairly small venue with no food options but a room with a pool table right off the front entrance.
Eat a Hoito breakfast
The Thunder Bay Country Market on the CLE grounds is always open Saturday mornings and is a good place to meet up for a Hoito breakfast. The home of the original Hoito Restaurant burned down in 2021, but a satellite location at the market started up in 2023, allowing people to once again enjoy its famous Finnish pancakes.
At the market you can also grab an array of local foods from vendors including Boreal Bakery, Cornell Farms, Eat the Fish, and Thunder Oak Cheese Farm, just to name a few.
Don't forget to venture upstairs at the market for local craft vender booths on display, such as Metis Sash Gallery, The Beads Go On and, Embrace Embroidery.
Visit Kakabeka
Located only 20 minutes from the city, Metropolitan Moose is a great place to grab a coffee on your way to Kakabeka Falls. It's one of the largest waterfalls in Ontario with year-round viewing. If you get hungry on your way back out, The Eddy Restaurant is a great place to dine in our take out.
Check out the post-secondary options
Youth who are here for the Ontario Winter Games may be considering their post-secondary options, and a trip to Thunder Bay is a chance to visit both the Confederation College and Lakehead University campuses.
Both institutions have beautiful walking trails, including along the McIntyre River near the college, as well as the Thunder Bay Golf course trails that connect to the university trails.
Although some services might be closed for the weekend, that doesn't stop you from walking around, grabbing pamphlets, and checking out the surrounding area.