While many people flee to sun destinations when winter hits, Thunder Bay offers a different kind of escape — one filled with culture, creativity and natural beauty. Rooted with strong Indigenous and Finnish influences, the city brims with creative activity: art, theatre, music and a culinary scene that celebrates local flavours. Paired with stunning snow-draped landscapes and easy access to outdoor adventures, Thunder Bay has something for everyone all winter long. Here’s how to make the most of three winter days in this northern gem.

If You Have 24 Hours

Morning

During these winter months, mornings must start with a hot beverage. Find your first of many delicious drinks at Bay Village Coffee, a family-owned and community-grown spot offering locally sourced beverages, baked goods and healthy breakfast sandwiches. Dine in and sit amongst the beautiful local artwork on display, or take your breakfast across the street to Marina Park. Enjoy their golden milk latte or a cold brew coffee while walking the paths and finding Nanabijou (a land formation that resembles a legendary sleeping giant) on Lake Superior.

Afternoon

It’s best to balance indoor and outdoor activities during a Thunder Bay winter, which can get as cold as -30° C. Treat yourself to lunch in the Bay & Algoma District. With choices such as healthy and colourful greens at The Growing Season, Italian cuisine at The Nook, and a hearty platter at Sukhanov Ukrainian Kitchen, you’ll likely encounter a flavour for every craving.

Afterward, drive to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery (TBAG). The permanent collection — started with one painting sourced in 1981 — highlights contemporary Indigenous artists of the region and from all over Turtle Island. Today, visitors can find over 1,800 paintings, photographs, sculptures, beadwork pieces and more by artists such as Thunder Bay locals Gayle Church, Jean Marshall and Justine Gustafson.

Tip: Admission to the Gallery on Wednesdays is free courtesy of the John Andrews Foundation.

Evening

No matter how cold it may get, Thunder Bay’s starry night skies are worth taking in. To fully immerse yourself in the magic of winter, go to Prince Arthur’s Landing Ice Rink and end your first night with a skate under the stars, then have a cuddle by the fire or sip a drink at the nearby Bight Restaurant to warm up.

As the day comes to a close, Thunder Bay offers a range of places to settle in for the night. If you’d like contemporary, modern and close to the city, try the Delta Hotel. If you’d prefer close to the city but with a bit more history, opt for the Courthouse Hotel, a modern hotel housed in a classical, Edwardian Beaux Arts-style courthouse originally built in 1924.

If You Have 48 Hours

Morning

For the early risers, take in a T-Bay sunrise. Head up to Hillcrest Park and catch a spectacular sight in pinks and gold. Afterward — (or first, if you prefer to sleep in), stroll on over to Kangas Sauna for Thunder Bay’s famous Finnish Pancake Breakfast and feel the sisu — meaning strength in Finnish — of the city.

Afternoon

This northern city prides itself on a local economy fueled by a wide variety of small businesses. Check out the local shopping scene with Goods and Co., a market that’s home to local eateries, an art gallery and many small businesses. For your shopping fix, sift through the beautiful racks of The Loop Clothing Boutique. For a change of scenery, head to Bay & Algoma and view the finest Finnish collectibles at Finnport and The Finnish Bookstore, then treat yourself to some local artisanal cheese at The Cheese Encounter.

Evening

Thunder Bay has a thriving arts scene. Catch some live music with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, which plays a wide range of music, from Tchaikovsky’s masterworks to a Celtic kitchen party. It’s a nice way to cap off the night and satisfy the auditory senses. Or, if you’re a theatre buff, Magnus Theatre is a professional theatre which plays classics, contemporary works and even world premieres, such as Drew Hayden Taylor’s new thriller, On Thin Ice, starting February 2026.

If You Have 72 Hours

Morning

If your idea of morning fuel leans toward the sweeter side, Sweet North Bakery is the place to be. With two locations in the city, they’re known for their soft pretzels, which are baked fresh daily in a variety of sweet and savoury flavours. Whether you’re craving a Port Arthur’s Fog (an Earl Grey tea latte made with organic loose-leaf tea and house-made vanilla syrup), a sticky bun, or both, this local bakery and cafe is the sweet heartbeat of the North.

Afternoon

Your next adventure takes you on a drive out to Kakabeka Falls. Home to a stunning, world-famous waterfall, this provincial park is worth the drive, especially when the falls are frozen in shimmering icicles. The provincial park also offers trails for walking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If all that leaves you in dire need of food, Kakabeka’s The Eddy is a comfort food haven for travellers and locals alike.

Evening

After a post-Kakabeka Falls and Eddy nap, spend your last night in T-Bay with dinner and drinks at a local hot spot. On Red River Road and Cumberland Street, you’ll find a wide variety of pubs and restaurants, from local brewery staples The Red Lion and Lakehead Beer Co., to the chic Woodside Bar. Explore all the options — you may find yourself doing karaoke at The Foundry, playing adult bingo at Pocketchange or rocking out to live music at Norteños Cantina.

Planning a trip to Thunder Bay? Read more about the must-see spots in CAA Magazine’s Winter 2025 issue, then visit caamanitoba.com/travel to get started.