Wendy Bangma's Guide to Northern Ontario's Unexpected Charm
When I moved from the Greater Toronto Area to Northern Ontario in 2009, I thought I knew what to expect. Colder winters. Remote landscapes. A slower pace of life. What I didn't anticipate was falling completely in love with a region that has transformed not only how I live, but how I advise my clients about travel within our own incredible province.
As a travel advisor, I'm constantly recommending far-flung destinations to clients. But sometimes the most profound travel experiences are closer to home. I needed to understand this part of Canada firsthand, and now, after years of exploring Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and the shores of Lake Superior, I can say with confidence that Northern Ontario deserves a spot on every traveler's radar.
The Surprises That Changed My Perspective
My biggest surprise? The weather. Living near where three Great Lakes meet (Superior, Michigan, and Huron), the climate is far more temperate than I ever imagined. We get humidity in summer, yes, and a bit more snow in winter, but it's nowhere near as frigid as the stereotypes suggest. The lakes temper everything. On hot summer days, I would stop at Bell Park on my way home from work and swim in Ramsey Lake, right in the center of Sudbury. That kind of spontaneous joy simply didn't exist in my Toronto commute.
But it was the beaches of Lake Superior that truly left me flabbergasted. I've traveled to beaches around the world, and I can honestly say these rival any of them. Picture this: you wade out and the water reaches your knees, then drops back to your ankles at the sandbars, rises to your waist, then returns to your knees again. You can walk out seemingly forever. Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Lake Superior Provincial Park, the entire stretch along the lake offers this magical, shallow coastline that feels almost tropical in its gentleness.
Insider Moments Worth Sharing
What I tell every traveler now is this: take your time and drive. Yes, you can fly to Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie or even Thunder Bay, but the road trip is the experience. Pull over when something catches your eye. Stop at Science North or visit the Big Nickel in Sudbury. In Sault Ste. Marie, explore the Bushplane Museum or take a boat through the locks on the Miss Marie or the US side on the Soo Locks. If your timing is right, you'll find yourself alongside massive lake freighters, the kind of ships reminiscent of the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald. That unexpected proximity to something so enormous is unforgettable.
My biggest tip? Skip the chain restaurants and seek out the local flavor. Sault Ste. Marie has a strong Finnish community. Sudbury has deep Ukrainian roots. Try the chip trucks. Find the mom and pop spots. Let your palate expand alongside your horizons. The cultural richness in these communities adds a layer to travel that no guidebook fully captures.
And if you're visiting in autumn, the Agawa Canyon Fall Colors train from Sault Ste. Marie is absolutely essential. The train travels deep into Algoma, where there are no roads. You see waterfalls, brilliant fall foliage, and wilderness that's accessible only by rail or on foot. It's the kind of experience that reminds you why Canada is extraordinary.
Who Will Love This Journey
This kind of travel is perfect for anyone who wants to slow down and savor the journey. Families with curious kids will adore the science centers and beaches. Couples seeking peaceful escapes will find endless quiet lakeshores. And anyone who loves a good road trip, with the freedom to stop, stretch, and discover, will be right at home here.
What I understand now, having lived this region rather than just passed through, is that Northern Ontario rewards patience. Don't try to cram everything in. If you miss something, you simply have a reason to return. I'm already dreaming about my next Canadian adventure, perhaps the Via Sleeper Car to Calgary and then the Rocky Mountaineer through the mountains. But I know I'll always come back to these lakes, these beaches, these local chip trucks. Northern Ontario has my heart, and I can't wait to share it with my clients.