Plan Now for Summer Family Fun in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Imagining the warm, sunny days of summer might be hard in the midst of winter, but there is no better time to start planning ahead for family travel. Thunder Bay, nestled along the shore of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada, is the ideal place to take the family this summer for a memorable vacation offering something for everyone.

Thunder Bay isn’t just home to beautiful landscapes and friendly people — it is also one of Canada’s top wildlife destinations and offers great outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking and sailing on Lake Superior.

Families will find no end to the great ways to spend their time, starting with a visit to Fort William Historical Park, which celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. Families can camp; learn the history of the fur trade that helped shape the region into what it is today; and check out the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, a state-of-the-art facility home to one of the largest telescopes in Canada.

The Amethyst Mine Panorama, just less than 40 miles outside of Thunder Bay, is a popular destination for visitors to the area. The mine, closed throughout the winter season and opening each summer June 1, is home to one of the largest amethyst deposits in North America. Families can learn about the history of amethyst mining and easily find some of their own pieces of amethyst to take home with them without having to go underground. The experience is safe; fun; and one that gets the kids engaged and excited, especially when they find their own gems.

You can round out your visit with a trip to Kakabeka Falls, just a short drive west of the city. Located on the Kaministiquia River, at 40 meters tall with two major drops, the falls are a beautiful site and create the perfect backdrop for a picnic lunch at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park.