Elevated Adventures, Fun & Food in North Bay, Ontario

Published September 25th, 2025

Photography and videography by Jay Kana except the ones with me in it; those were taken by Steph Wallcraft of roadtripper.ca

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Found in the North Bay Museum and no, I didn’t save the Bay but I would if called upon.

After spending a few days in North Bay, the gateway of the north, I half-jokingly thought of calling it “North Jay” given the excellent experience I had. I don’t think their tourism department would approve but it makes for an interesting hashtag on socials.

I’ve spent a few hours in each of my handful of visits to and through North Bay in recent years but it was time to devote three days here and find out what I’d been missing. And was I ever missing out on great grub, picturesque paddling, intriguing attractions and a waterfront cottage. 

Distance-wise via road trip, North Bay is only and approximately 3.5 hours from the Toronto area and 4.5 from the Ottawa area and the Niagara region.
You can fly there as well and rent a car to explore the area.

There’s certainly a charming, small-town feel here, heightened by being warmly welcomed throughout my visit. The was kindness and friendliness wherever I went and their approachability compass points straight north.
Here’s my North Jay, err, North Bay adventure and I invite you to either follow my footsteps and paddle strokes, use this as a guide for your own explorations or balance a bit of both.

I hope this inspires you to spend time in North Bay and if it does, tag Modern Traveller in your social posts.

WHAT’S THERE TO DO IN NORTH BAY?

Spend the day in nature portaging with local adventure company, Nature Bound.
This cool canoe adventure is called “Paths & Paddles; A La Vase Portages Experience” and is led by owner, Shelly.
The tour takes you thorough one of North Bay’s most significant historical routes, combines scenic waterways and trails, Indigenous heritage, wildlife and flora, and you’ll explore the same pathways the Voyageurs did.

Will there be beaver dam crossings? Definitely maybe. And while my experience saw seven, yours will vary depending on when you go.
A packed lunch is provided and there’s a canoe cart available to help make the road-portion of the journey easier.
The tour is approximately six hours and worth every second. 

A stunning waterfront is made better with North Bay’s Chief Commanda II’s boat cruise tours.
While I’m sure all their tours are terrific, I can personally vouch for the 90 minute Manitou Islands Scenic Cruise.
With a licensed bar, a BBQ-style menu and snacks, enjoy your time on the water either inside or outside as you soak in the ambiance of Ontario’s third-largest lake, Lake Nipissing.
Interestingly, there’s a small smoking section at the rear of the boat, something I haven’t seen in decades!
Do your best Jack and Rose reenactment (the part at the beginning of the movie; not the end,) take plenty of pictures of the five-island tour and even snag a selfie at the stern.

Stroll the streets of downtown North Bay while keeping your car at the waterfront. It’s a short walk from disembarking the aforementioned boat ride, through a pedestrian tunnel and into the bustling yet quaint downtown.

The tunnel itself brings you to a community area, including a massive park, basketball courts, skatepark, North Bay Museum, Dionne Quints Museum and where the Farmers’ Market takes place. Or find a bench, sit down and admire the area with the lake to the south and city vibes to the north.
From cool coffee shops to indie shops galore, restaurants plus astounding street art and murals, the local arts and culture scene is strong.

If you’re visiting either on a Wednesday and or Saturday, check out the local award-winning North Bay
Farmers’ Market, filled with a variety of vendors, fresh food, entertainment and smiling faces from end to end. They’re open year round and only on Saturday in winter. 

On the Farmers’ Market grounds is the North Bay Museum.
Do I like museums? Sure! I’m all about learning the history of where I am.
Do I like museums that have interactive an aspects? You bet!
Is there, coincidentally, a book called “Jay Saves the Bay” front and centre when you walk in?
Yep!
It’s housed in Canadian Pacific railway station, has interactive exhibits highlighting not only it’s rich rail history but also canoe-focussed historical pieces,
Upstairs, the discovery continues with a video and other well-presented pieces of North Bay’s history. 

Less than 300 metres from the museum is the Dionne Quints Museum, the actual house the famous five spent their early years in. Part of what makes them so memorable is they were the first quintuplets in the world to survive infancy, especially in the 1930’s where medicine wasn’t as modern as it is in this generation.
The story is tragic, cruel and enveloped in government greed and exploitation, however, learning about their story and is fascinating and visiting the house itself brings you back nearly a century into their early lives.

Spend some more time in nature by doing the moderate hike to Duchesnay Falls and it’s fairly close to downtown North Bay. You’ll feel like your secluded from the city here as there are various vantage points to admire the waterfalls. Extend your adventure through one of the many hiking trails surrounding the area. 

WHERE TO EAT IN NORTH BAY

All five spots I dined at were delightful so without playing favourites, they’re listed in alphabetical order.
Oh, all five also have gluten-free options as well!

Cecil’s Brewhouse & Kitchen was where I had dinner with good friend, Clayton, in the summer of 2022 when we kayaked to two nearby lighthouses.
I made a return visit and the service was splendid and the wings were delicious. 

gd2go describes themselves as  “healthy fast food” and with a hearty, versatile menu full of fresh made food, they deliver that. They’ve got smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, salads and decadent desserts. 

Moose’s Cookhouse boasts over 100 flavours of wings, so there’s likely something for nearly every taste. There’s also staple bar favourites, from burgers to nachos to sandwiches and more. 

Syls Neighbourhood Kitchen serves up a solid breakfast and for those looking to dine on a budget, they deliver quality food at a reasonable price. Locally owned, this family restaurant is a staple in the community. 

Terry’s Place has such a welcoming vibe balancing a crop of regulars, occasional visitors and new friends.
Sure, the food was quite good but it’s the service here that sets them apart.
They recently won Best Breakfast Spot in North Bay, and rightfully so.
Wanna save some cash? Pop by between 7 and 9 a.m for a $6.99 breakfast. And no, it’s not a tiny serving; it’s eggs, bread, meat and potatoes. I’d go back just for that and pay full price!

WHERE TO STAY IN NORTH BAY

The Finch Beach Resort offers four unique cottages but only one that truly meets the shores of Lake Nipissing, that’s the Corky cottage. Named after the owners grandmother, this stunning cottage features a deck that’s steps away from the water and if the weather cooperates, the most sensational sunset is your reward.
Inside the spacious cottage sleeps up to six with a quaint environment in a larger-sized footprint.
As a bonus, the wooden barrel sauna, available to all visitors, is located beside this cottage making it quite convenient to decompress and relax.