Sudbury is one of Ontario’s best hidden gems and it should be on every traveler’s bucket list. It’s Northern Ontario’s largest city, and is home to some of the most photogenic trails, scenic lookout sites, and street art spots in all of the region. There’s a ton of culture, natural wonders, and foodie offerings for travelers of every kind in Sudbury, so make sure you don’t miss any of these great destinations. The best part? An awesome activity awaits, every season of the year.

Kivi Park

Kivi Park is an outdoor health and wellness adventure. With over 480 acres to be explored, this park has a fun offering for everyone. From stunning waterways to beautifully biodiverse forests, Kivi Park is a destination for any adventurer looking to snap some great pics in Sudbury. 

This park is open year round. In summer, they offer some of the coolest water-based activities on our list. We recommend paying a visit in the warmer months so you can canoe, kayak, or paddle on a stand-up paddleboard. Then when the temperatures drop, you can hit the trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. 

Dynamic Earth and The Big Nickel

Dynamic Earth is home of The Big Nickel, the world’s largest coin. The Big Nickel is a larger than life replica of the 1951 Canadian nickel, a symbol erected to honor the Sudbury community for their contributions to the Canadian economy through nickel production. The Big Nickel is propped up outside of Dynamic Earth, a world-class science center that’s beloved by locals and tourists alike. 

Visitors to Dynamic Earth can mine for treasures, take a guided tour seven stories underground, explore the outdoor science park, and more in an educational, interactive setting. It’s open from March to October, making it an accessible spot for a day trip nearly any time of year.

Canada’s Largest Mural

Sudbury is also home to Canada’s largest mural, which covers 80,000 square feet (7432 square meters) of the former Sudbury General Hospital in beautifully bright stripes of color. Canada’s largest mural was painted over the course of two days with the help of eight hundred volunteers from The Northern Hills Community Association. This is just one of so many interesting street art murals popping up around the city every year, all of which make a great backdrop for cool pictures. Make this the first stop on your street art tour!

AY Jackson Lookout

AY Jackson Lookout offers stunning views of Onaping High Falls and a geological walking tour. You can walk, bike, or snowshoe this trail, making it an ideal trek for beating the winter blues. High Falls, a 180-foot (55 meter) waterfall on the Onaping River, can be found on this trail, and it is striking. It captured the heart of Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson, lending the trail his name. 

This site is ideal for viewing the gorgeous fall foliage, but the beauty of this spot is more than what you see on the surface. Scientists believe that a 6.2 mile (10 km) diameter meteorite fell to the Earth near this area of Sudbury 1.85 billion years ago, forming Sudbury’s famous nickel, copper, and platinum mines. This area has rugged terrain and so may not be suitable for novice hikers.

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area is just ten minutes from downtown Sudbury yet still offers all the remote tranquility an isolated natural oasis has to offer. (One of the perks of spending time in the City of Lakes.) The scenery at this photogenic spot includes a man-made pond and lake along a self guided nature trail. This is an optimal location for bird watching across its numerous wetland areas, so opt for a spring visit if you can. If you’re itching to hit these trails, you can still snowshoe through the terrain or ski across in the winter before waiting for the seasons to change.

Ramsey Lake Boardwalk

Take a laid back stroll along Ramsey Lake, which once held the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest lake located entirely within the boundaries of a single city. There are many benches along this 1.2 mile (2 km) trail, so walk at your own pace and take in the view. The Ramsey Lake Boardwalk provides access to several beaches along the way and connects to Grace Hartman Amphitheatre so you can catch an outdoor concert or production in the warmer months.

The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

Located on the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Church is a replica of the Grotto in Lourdes, France. In 1871, Cyprien Triolle had the idea of establishing a shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes inspired by the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes grotto in France. The replica statue is a destination for religious tourists that offers comfort and healing to all those who pay it a visit. 

The grotto is a must-see location for photography enthusiasts in search of a beautiful subject. It’s a large stone structure with a beautifully constructed archway over an altar, and is often adorned with flowers, which makes for a great photo op. We recommend visiting this landmark in the summertime when you can enjoy the outdoors, nice weather, and there’s no risk of snow shrouding the beauty of this structure.

Almost as amazing as the postcard-perfect views around Northeastern Ontario are the region’s fantastic food and drink offerings. Find out more about what to do and eat in our Northeastern Ontario Travel Guide.