North Bay is a scenic city in Northeastern Ontario on the shores of Lake Nipissing, some 200 miles north of Toronto. The town houses a vibrant local community, as well as opportunities to spot gorgeous sunsets over the waterfront and endless outdoor excursions. The northern landscape is rich in pristine lakes and wildlife-filled boreal forests offering multi-use trails, canoeing routes, great fishing spots, and sandy beaches at the waterfront and off Lakeside Drive. In winter, you can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and outdoor skating at the skating trail and oval at Lee Park.

North Bay offers plenty of opportunities to dine and unwind, with numerous restaurants and great local microbreweries. You’ll also find a fantastic, year-round farmers market, a number of local galleries, and a waterfront miniature railway and carousel.

The closest international airport to North Bay is Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto (YYZ). From there, the quickest option to reach North Bay is to fly into the regional North Bay Jack Garland Airport (YYB). This trip takes less than an hour. Another option is to take the train and transfer to a bus by way of Barrie, or you can take the bus direct from Pearson, either during the day or overnight.

Renting a car is the quicker option for more flexibility once you arrive. The drive takes three to four hours from the airport. North Bay has a flexible, on-demand transit system, but you may still find it useful to have a car to travel outside the town limits. You’ll find many options for cottage rentals and cabins in and around North Bay, and depending on your location, you might find that having a car makes it easier to explore.

The only warm months in North Bay are June through August. Temperatures are comfortable, and rainfall is moderate. It's an excellent time to enjoy North Bay's 43 sandy beach access points or to angle for Lake Nipissing's 44 varieties of fish, including northern pike and walleye. Autumn in North Bay turns chilly, with a chance of rain or early snow. It's still a good time to enjoy the outdoors, perhaps at the nearby Laurier Woods Conservation Area for some birding.

In winter, the North Bay area offers numerous outdoor winter activities. The temperatures drop below zero, with reliable snow for cross-country skiing. Consider the Campus Trails, with more than 12 miles of paths. Spring starts cold, growing gradually milder, making it a great time to take in local culture. You can check out the North Bay Museum, housed in a historic railway station, or the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence. Spring is also a good time to visit North Bay's art galleries or wander along the Kate Pace Way, a 7.5-mile series of leisurely paths along the waterfront.

Duchesnay Falls Trail

One of the area's most popular attractions, the Duchesnay Falls Trail rewards hikers with spectacular views of falls that cascade in stages from the top of the Laurentian escarpment. The trail is a two-mile loop that generally runs parallel to the river and takes you to the top. The effort is rewarding any time of year but is particularly beautiful in autumn when the colors are at their peak. In summer, hikers can scramble along the riverbed, while during spring runoff, the falls are fast-flowing and the river high. The trail is four miles northeast of North Bay and remains accessible in winter.

North Bay Farmers Market

A trip to North Bay isn't complete without a visit to the year-round farmers market. In addition to an abundance of locally grown food, the market's more than 60 vendors offer flowers, fresh preserves, baked goods, and the handiwork of various area artisans.

Laurier Woods Conservation Area

The Laurier Woods Conservation Area lies in the heart of North Bay. The 240-acre site features more than six miles of trails through wetland, rocky outcrops, and upland forest, offering opportunities to spot area wildlife, including aquatic birds and beavers, and more than 30 species of forest birds. Most of the trails are level, and there is signage along the way explaining the various habitats.