North Bay
Around North Bay
Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Ontario · 71k people
North Bay
“Gateway to the North”, “The Bay”
Big skies, deep lakes, and a warm northern welcome.
North Bay Battalion greenNipissing Lakers blue
Welcome to North Bay, where the lake meets the Shield and every season has its own rhythm. Whether you're here for the hockey, the fishing, or just the friendly vibe, you'll find your place by the water. Come say hi and share what you love about this corner of Ontario.
Clubs for North Bay
No clubs for North Bay yet.
The room
One room for everyone around North Bay. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around North Bay. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lake Nipissing Large lake central to the region, popular for fishing and boating.
- North Bay Waterfront Scenic promenade with parks, events, and the iconic 'North Bay' sign.
- Capitol Centre Performing arts venue hosting concerts, theatre, and community events.
- Memorial Gardens Arena and home of the North Bay Battalion hockey team.
- Discovery North Bay Museum showcasing local history, culture, and heritage.
- Duchesnay Falls Scenic waterfall near Nipissing University, accessible by trail.
- Outdoors Hiking the Laurentian Escarpment
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Nipissing
- With kids Visit Discovery North Bay museum
- With kids Splash pad at the waterfront
- Evenings Downtown pub crawl
- Evenings Live music at Capitol Centre
- Locals love Ice fishing huts
- Locals love Cottages on the lake
Through the year
- North Bay Winter Carnival February February winter festival with ice sculptures, games, and outdoor fun.
- Summer in the Park July-August Free concert series at the waterfront during July and August.
- North Bay Dragon Boat Festival June Dragon boat races and festivities on Lake Nipissing in June.
- Sturgeon Falls Summerfest July Summer celebration in Sturgeon Falls with music, food, and family activities.
- North Bay Battalion home games September-March Ontario Hockey League action at Memorial Gardens from September to March.
North Bay has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, pleasant summers. Best: Late spring through early fall (May to September) is the best time to be out, with warm days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “The Bay”
- Short for North Bay.
- “The Falls”
- Short for Sturgeon Falls.
- “The Lake”
- Refers to Lake Nipissing.
- “The Shield”
- The Canadian Shield, the rocky landscape.
Getaways
- Greater Sudbury Larger city with science centre and mining heritage.
- Wasaga Beach Longest freshwater beach in the world, great for a summer day trip.
- Algonquin Provincial Park Iconic park for canoeing, camping, and wildlife viewing.
- Petawawa Outdoor recreation and military museum nearby.
Local flavour
Teams
- North Bay Battalion OHL
- Nipissing Lakers U Sports
Eat and drink
- pickerel (walleye) dishes Freshwater fish from Lake Nipissing and area lakes
- maple syrup Produced in local sugar bushes, especially around Sturgeon Falls
- poutine Canadian staple widely available, often with local twists
Where people go
- sugar shacks Maple syrup production sites in the surrounding countryside
- ice fishing huts Winter tradition on Lake Nipissing and other lakes
- cottages Summer and weekend retreats along the many lakes
- the waterfront North Bay's scenic Lake Nipissing waterfront
- Canadian Shield rock formations Ancient granite outcrops characteristic of the region
Heritage and traditions
North Bay is proud of its identity as the 'Gateway to the North', a bilingual city with a strong French-Canadian heritage and a deep connection to the outdoors.
This time of year in North Bay
- Fall colours and apple picking Fall Enjoying autumn foliage and local orchards.
Say it like a local: “double-double” — Coffee with two creams and two sugars.
Festivals
- La Nuit sur l'étang July Franco-Ontarian music festival in Sturgeon Falls.
- North Bay Jazz and Blues Festival July Local jazz and blues performances.
- North Bay Multicultural Festival June Celebrates the city's diverse communities.
- Mattawa Voyageur Days July Historical re-enactments and canoe races on the Mattawa River.
- North Bay Pride June Pride parade and events.
Landmarks with a story
- Dionne Quints Museum Museum in Corbeil dedicated to the Dionne Quintuplets.
- North Bay CPR Station Historic railway station from the early 20th century.
- Historic Downtown North Bay District with early 20th-century architecture.
- Mattawa Museum Local museum in Mattawa.
Food traditions
- Tourtière French-Canadian meat pie, especially at Christmas.
- Sugar pie (tarte au sucre) Sweet French-Canadian dessert.
- Bannock Indigenous bread often cooked over a fire.
Music and arts
- Franco-Ontarian music Traditional and contemporary French music in Sturgeon Falls.
- North Bay Symphony Orchestra Community orchestra performing classical music.
- Local blues and jazz scene Venues and festivals featuring blues and jazz.
A little history
- 1934 Birth of the Dionne Quintuplets in Corbeil
- 1880s Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, making North Bay a transportation hub
- 1800s Fur trade era – North Bay was on historic canoe routes
Rivalries
- North Bay Battalion vs Sudbury Wolves OHL hockey rivalry with the nearby city.
- Nipissing Lakers vs Laurentian Voyageurs University sports rivalry.
- North Bay vs Sturgeon Falls Friendly town pride in sports and events.
- Game day Ice fishing derbies
- Game day Snowmobile races
- Outdoors Camping
- Outdoors Swimming
- With kids Visiting the Dionne Quints Museum
- With kids Skating at the waterfront
English with a Canadian accent; French is common in francophone areas like Sturgeon Falls. Phrases reflect Canadian English and a touch of French influence.
Only here
- Birthplace of the Dionne Quintuplets.
- The 'Gateway to the North' sign at the waterfront.
- A large French-speaking community in Sturgeon Falls.
- The city's location on the historic canoe route.
New here? A few tips
- Dress in layers; winters are very cold.
- Learn some French if you're in Sturgeon Falls.
- Try the local pickerel fish.
- A car is essential; public transit is limited.
- The waterfront is a great place to meet people.
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Nearby
Every areaNipissing DistrictOntarioA land of lakes, pines, and warm welcomes.MuskokaOntarioWhere every lake feels like homeTémiscamingueQuebecBig skies, deep lakes, and the quiet hum of the north.Parry Sound DistrictOntarioWhere the pines meet the bayGreater SudburyOntarioRock solid, nickel strong.Timiskaming DistrictOntarioLakes, pines, and northern skies.PetawawaOntarioWhere the river runs deep and the pines stand tall.MidlandOntarioWhere the bay meets the shield
North Bay. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.