Best Things To Do in Sudbury, Ontario: Sights, Restaurants and More

Take a road trip to Northern Ontario’s largest city. There’s plenty of things to do in Sudbury, from a bustling arts scene, unlimited nature escapes, and popular attractions. Here’s everything you need to know for your own visit to Nickel City: 

How Long Do You Need in Sudbury?

We were there for 2 nights and 3 days and could fit in many activities, but there are still plenty more things to do in Sudbury if you have longer. You can make a quick weekend trip or add on more time to get the full experience. I think 3 nights and 4 days would be even better to add in more activities while going slower to savour each new experience. 

How Long Does It Take To Get To Sudbury?

It’s a beautiful and scenic drive on the highway. With no stops, it takes about 5.5 hours from Ottawa and 4 hours from Toronto. Give yourself some extra time to add some viewpoints along the way (details at the bottom). I think this would be an especially nice drive in the fall with the changing leaves. 

When To Visit Sudbury?

There are amazing activities to do every season in Sudbury.  My top recommendations would be summer and fall. Summer is a great time to visit and enjoy the water temperatures. You could even line up your visit with Up Here Music & Arts Festival (more details below). If you love autumn, you will love Sudbury in the fall. There are so many different places to see the coloured leaves from lookouts, an epic waterfall, and more. 

Things To Do in Sudbury: Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Sudbury is known as the city of lakes. It has more than 330 lakes making it the city with the most lakes in Canada. Whether you’re looking for incredible hikes or hitting the water, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to choose from. Here are some ideas for your trip: 

Kivi Park in Sudbury

Kivi Park is an all-season park with over 480 acres of Precambrian Shield to explore. Enjoy their range of hikes, activities, and more. There’s a great mix of activities for all seasons. 

You can rent paddleboards, canoes, and SUPS at Crowley Lake. We typed Crowley Lake into our GPS, and it brought us to the entrance. Keep in mind there’s a gate that says no trespassing. Continue through it, and you’ll find the rentals and a beautiful lake. All rentals must be returned by 6 pm, so keep that in mind for activities. The water was such a beautiful vibrant blue here.

If you’re there in the winter, make sure to check out Nina’s Way Ice Path, where you can skate through the trees. The path is a 1.3km skating path that winds through birch trees and LED lights for an evening skate. 

A.Y Jackson Lookout at Onaping Falls in Sudbury 

Set your eyes on this stunning multi-level waterfall. This waterfall needs to be on your list of things to do in Sudbury. A quick drive on highway 144, and you’ll be a quick walk from the first lookout, where you’ll get a full view of the waterfall. 

The first lookout is the A.Y. Jackson lookout. This is the exact spot where AY Jackson of The Group of Seven used the falls as his subject for one of his paintings. This lookout is very easy to get to.

The rest of the hike to the bridge is more challenging with different terrain, including rocky parts. There were families with young kids that did this hike but something to keep in mind. Make sure to wear good shoes. 

We were at this waterfall for about 2 hours, but I’d budget more time. There are lots of different viewpoints along the way that you’ll want to stop and admire. 

How To Get To Onaping Falls

You’ll find Onaping Falls 30 minutes from downtown Sudbury along Highway 144.

Papaya Pops 

9 Main St. E, Chelmsford

On your way back to downtown Sudbury, stop into Papaya Pops. Their popsicles are a refreshing and tasty treat after your hike. Go for something decadent like their chunky monkey pop or something refreshing like their strawberry tea pop. 

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area

Only a 10-minute drive from downtown Sudbury, Lake Laurentian Conservation Area offers 2415 acres of protected green space to explore. This scenic natural area offers scenic lookouts, nature trails, wetlands, bird watching areas, and more. We didn’t have time to make it here this trip, but definitely, somewhere I’d like to visit next time. 

Bell Park

Enjoy this beautiful waterfront park downtown. We parked near Science North across the boardwalk along Ramsey Lake. I loved all the different viewpoints, whether it was by the boardwalk, gazebos, or beaches. There are many incredible picnic spots here, including in front of Canada’s Largest Mural (details below). 

Things To Do in Sudbury: Mural Tour

Downtown comes to life with stunning and vibrant murals around every corner. This was one of my favourite activities in Sudbury, and I think the wide variety and talent of these murals will surprise you! Add a self-guided mural tour to your list of things to do in Sudbury. 

These murals come from Up Here Music & Art Festival and are created by Canadian and International artists. This festival takes over downtown Sudbury for three days in mid-August. This would be a great festival to line up your visit with, but you can also enjoy the murals before/after. Visiting during the festival would be an amazing opportunity to see the artists live in action. These murals are such a beautiful way to celebrate the arts community and beautify and transform parts of a city. We loved stumbling across new murals throughout the duration of our trip. 

Download the UpHere Festival app for free for a map of all the murals, as well as an artist statement for inspiration for the mural. 

Here are some of my favorite murals we stumbled upon:

Queer The North by Kirsten McCrea 

This was my favourite mural. I loved all the different designs and colours. Conveniently, we always seem to get parking near this one, coincidence; I think not 😉 I later learned that the artist Kirsten McCrea likes to mix patterns because they are universally present in all cultures. You’ll find this mural at 54 Elgin. Look around because there are a few others to spot from this location. 

The Blue Moose by Hobz

The Blue Moose was created by Hobz, a graffiti artist from Paris. He really wanted to see a moose in Canada, which was his inspiration for this piece. You’ll find it near Old City Hall Lane next to Respect is Burning. 

Alex Trebek by Kevin Ledo

Alex Trebek is originally from Sudbury and went to Sudbury Secondary School in the 1950s (where the mural is found). Kevin Ledo decided to do a retro Alex Trebek mural to create a fun and playful mural for the local hero and reflect the time period closer to when Trebek lived in Sudbury. 

Canada’s Largest Mural 

This is such an impressive mural by RISK, not only from the design but also because it’s a full building, making it Canada’s largest mural! The 74,000 square foot mural was created on the abandoned walls of the old St. Joseph’s Hospital.  This old hospital is now home to Canada’s Largest Mural. I found the best place to see it was from Bell Park. Walk up the large set of stairs in Bell Park, and you’ll be brought to the top with a view of the mural for photos. 

This is just a handful of the murals to explore. Make sure to download the UpHere app and see how many you can get to. 

Things To Do in Sudbury: The Grotto

271 Van Horne St.

The Grotto is one of Sudbury’s hidden gems. It was built in 1907 and recently restored as a beautiful place to escape in nature. You’ll feel like you’re in Europe as soon as you’re at the foot of this beautiful outdoor structure. 

Yes Theatre at The Grotto 

The Grotto is currently the home of YES Theatre, where you can see a live theatre show. They have multiple shows running at this unique location. Bring a camp chair, some snacks and enjoy the show. We got chills as we listened to the performers in front of such an outstanding backdrop. This was such a cool experience, and I would definitely recommend it while you’re there. 

We saw Ghosts of Broadway, a love letter to the power of storytelling, and some of Broadway’s biggest and boldest songs. 

Wander Food & Wine is a restaurant in town that would be the perfect spot to end the night. They even have a YES Theatre special (more details below).

Things To Do In Sudbury: Popular Attractions

The Big Nickel in Sudbury

122 Big Nickel Road

No trip to Sudbury is complete without an iconic photo in front of the world’s largest coin. The Big Nickel is a replica of the 1851 Canadian nickel. This iconic Sudbury attraction is about 64,607,747 times the size of a real Canadian nickel.

Science North

Science North is an interactive museum that has something to offer for all ages. There are plenty of exhibits to explore, including:

• Indigenous Ingenuity, an interactive adventure that invites visitors to experience the innovative processes that give rise to Indigenous knowledge by observing nature as a source of inspiration, listening to bearers of knowledge, experimenting with scientific principles, and sharing acquired knowledge by passing it on to others.
• Go behind the scenes and see what it takes to be a Guinness World Record title holder.
• Nightlife on The Rocks: specifically geared towards adults rediscovering the science centre, all grown up.
• Join Science North Bluecoats for free Saturday night Star Parties from April 10 – September 18, 2021. Star Parties run for 2 hours and are located at the outdoor Pavilion beside the Patio
• Visit tropical butterflies in the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery

That’s just a small glimpse of what you can explore at Science North. You can learn more about Science North programming here.

Dynamic Earth

Dynamic Earth is an immersive, hands-on science center that features earth science and mining experiences. You can even go seven stories underground and explore a mine. It was closed while I was there but kept posted for opening on October 2nd and some Halloween events that might be fun to line your visit up with. 

Things To Do In Sudbury: Wine and Dine

Salute Coffee

You’ll find these popular coffee shops at multiple locations in Sudbury. Grab a coffee before you explore the mural tour or if you need a little caffeine boost.

Breakfast at Salty Dog Bagels

96 Larch St., downtown

Enjoy handcrafted and fresh bagels at Salty Dog Bagels. This is a great spot to grab breakfast. The breakfast sandwich is only $5 and so delicious. I went with the rosemary bagel, and it was so tasty. It comes with Egg, roasted red pepper, greens, cream cheese, and sriracha. Yum! 

Breakfast at Gloria’s Restaurant

469 Bouchard St.

Gloria’s is a traditional family-style diner. Enjoy breakfast classics here. We went with the breakfast poutine and their strawberry cheesecake waffles and split. Best decision! These sweet and savoury dishes were so filling before our next adventure. 

Lunch at Peppi Panini

93 Durham St.

This homemade Italian eatery has a massive selection of authentic Italian paninis. Peppi Panini has traditional panini’s and unique takes like their Chin-Dripper, Philly Cheese Melt, Jay’s BBQ Chicken Pizza, and more. 

Lunch at Sapporo Ichibibang

67 Cedar St. 

Enjoy Japanese specialties at this restaurant in downtown Sudbury. I recommend getting one of their bento boxes for lunch. I enjoyed their spicy tuna and salmon bento box, and it was a great price. 

Ice Cream Stop at Flurples 

593 Kathleen St

If you are craving ice cream, stop at Flurples, a creative vegan ice cream with a cute Instagram-worthy mural, the perfect backdrop for enjoying your cone. 

Wander Food & Wine

112 Durham St.

Wander Food & Wine is a chic, globally-inspired wine bar where you can travel through wine. Enjoy a food and wine menu full of perfect pairings that will take your taste buds on a journey. 

Wander Food & Wine is owned by Stephanie Piché, a Chef, Cooking Instructor, Wine Educator & Travel Presenter. She has traveled the world to 35 countries (and counting) to gather insight and knowledge in international travel, luxury dining, local recipes, and the world’s best wines. 

They have a deal with Yes Theatre in September where if you show your ticket from a show at The Grotto, you’ll receive a free small plate when you purchase a glass of wine from their special themed menu. 

Dinner at La Fromagerie

80 Elgin St

Enjoy artisanal sandwiches and dishes created with specialty cheeses at La Fromagerie. I loved all the dishes here. I recommend getting a bunch of dishes to share. We got their 4 cheese spinach dip, dill pickle sandwich, brie, and cranberry jam flatbread. They also have entertaining cocktails like their glitter lemonade or a special colour changing cocktail. Their patio is the perfect downtown oasis with all the plants, and if you’re lucky, you can even get a spot with a hanging seat. 

Laughing Buddha

194 Elgin St.,

Laughing Buddha has a great tucked-away patio perfect for a meal or drinks. Enjoy one of their bowls, stone-baked pizza, fresh hummus, and more. I got their miso bowl, and it was super filling. This spot was busy, so make a reservation in advance if possible. 

Respect is Burning

You’ll find Italian specialties with their own unique spin at this restaurant. They have a wide selection of pizza and pasta. We couldn’t resist getting the gnocchi bomb appetizer, and it did not disappoint. 

46 North Brewing

1275 Kelly Lake Rd

I loved stopping by this friendly craft brewery. They have a rotating menu of tasty beers and my personal favorite, hard seltzers. Stop by for their $10 flight to try a few drinks. I loved their seltzers, and their Tandy with candy fruit kettled sour caught my eye. When you’re done at 46 North Brewery, pop next door to Crosscut Distillery. 

Crosscut Distillery

1347 Kelly Lake Road

Crosscut Distillery is a 100% grain-to-glass distillery sourcing grains and botanicals from all across Northern Ontario. They craft one-of-a-kind vodka, gin, and whisky. Stop by for an amazing cocktail. Only the retail shop was open when we visited, but we walked away with some “adult juice boxes.” I thought this was such a brilliant idea and the cocktails were so tasty. 

Where To Stay In Sudbury:

We stayed at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Sudbury. It was a great location that gave us easy access to all the activities. After busy days of adventuring, their comfy bed was the perfect spot to catch some sleep. If you want to cook your own meals, there is a kitchenette inside, but we loved trying out the local restaurants. The room was spacious, and I could even set up at their desk and get some work done while I was there.

I stayed here with my friend, and there were also lots of families staying in the hotel. We were out adventuring most of the day, but they have everything needed to make your stay more enjoyable, like a TV, pool, coffee maker, breakfast, and more. There’s also free parking and a huge lot that makes coming back to the hotel at night easy and seamless. The hotel is also pet-friendly if you’re traveling with your furry friend.

Interesting Stops On The Way To Sudbury:

Here are some stops to keep in mind on the drive there if you want to stretch your legs and get a view at the same time: 

• Renfrew Swinging Bridge
• Duchesnay Falls
• Nipissing Lookout
• Brent Crater
• Killarney Provincial Park is an hour from Subdury. The Crack is a popular hike with a beautiful view. 

Sudbury Tourism sponsored this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I hope you enjoy Sudbury as much as I did. With so many incredible things to do, I know you’ll enjoy this road trip 🙂