A city of more than 330 lakes on the Canadian Shield, with a boardwalk park on Ramsey Lake, conservation trails, a science centre on the shore, and the Big Nickel above an underground mine tour.
12 things to do10 free1 ready-made trip
Photo: Ramsey Lake from the gazebo at Bell Park in Sudbury, Ontario, Platttenbau, CC BY 4.0
Greater Sudbury sits on the Canadian Shield in northeastern Ontario, on the Traditional Territory of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation. Official city pages call it the City of Lakes: more than 330 lakes, with public beaches and a long waterfront at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake. Lake Laurentian Conservation Area and a network of Rainbow Routes trails run through the boreal forest and along the creeks.
Science North stands on Ramsey Lake, and Dynamic Earth, home of the Big Nickel, is a short drive west. Downtown has Memorial Park and, on Saturdays, a year-round market. Manitoulin Island is about two hours south by road, over the swing bridge.
Show
Free No charge to enter · Cheap A small entry, permit or parking fee · Paid Tickets, tours or rentals
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Lake Laurentian Conservation Area
A conservation area of lakes, wetlands, lookouts and a bird-watching blind, with trails used in all four seasons for hiking, cycling, walking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The main access, P1, is at 2309 South Bay Road, with free parking; P2 at 2420 South Bay Road also has free parking. A trail also reaches Moonlight Beach. Official pages point to a posted rules of conduct. Free.
Season Trails are used in all four seasons. Official pages list free parking at the main South Bay Road access points (check before you go).
A city-wide network of hiking and cycling trails, including Junction Creek Waterway Park, the Lily Creek Boardwalk, the Bell Park Walkway and links from Lake Laurentian to Moonlight Beach. Official city pages said most recreational trails are maintained from 1 May to 31 October. Free.
Season Official city pages said most recreational trails are maintained from 1 May to 31 October (check before you go).
A large waterfront park on Ramsey Lake, with a boardwalk, a gazebo, an amphitheatre, a playground and paths along the shore. Official park pages list festivals and concerts here in summer. The Bell Park Walkway is also on the Rainbow Routes network. Free.
A supervised municipal beach on Ramsey Lake, listed as Blue Flag certified, with a wheelchair-accessible waterfront, a Mobi-Chair, washrooms and a change area. Official pages said the Elizabeth Street parking lot fills on hot days, and suggested parking at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre and walking the boardwalk down to the beach. Lifeguard hours are seasonal. Free.
Season Official pages said lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, from 13 June to 23 August 2026 (check before you go).
A supervised municipal beach on the east end of Ramsey Lake, also listed as Blue Flag certified and wheelchair accessible, with change rooms, a playground and volleyball courts. Official pages said the two parking lots fill on hot days. A Lake Laurentian trail access point has free parking here. Lifeguard hours are seasonal. Free.
Season Official pages said lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, from 13 June to 23 August 2026 (check before you go).
A boardwalk trail on the Rainbow Routes network, through the wetland at the edge of the city lakes. Official city pages said most recreational trails are maintained from 1 May to 31 October. Free.
Season Official city pages said most recreational trails are maintained from 1 May to 31 October (check before you go).
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Memorial Park
A downtown park with summer programming, a short walk from the shops. Official pages described a refreshed 2026 season of lunchtime and weekend events. Free to wander.
A large science centre on Ramsey Lake Road, with hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theatre and a planetarium. Official hours were posted as daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is required; check the official visit page for tickets and current hours.
Season Official hours were posted as daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is required (check before you go).
An earth-science centre at 122 Big Nickel Road, home of the Big Nickel, with exhibits and two guided underground tours, a heritage mine tour and a next-generation mine tour. Official hours were posted as Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A notice on the official site, read on 12 November 2026, said underground tours would be unavailable from 16 to 20 November. Admission is required; check before you go.
Season Official hours were posted as Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A notice on the official site, read on 12 November 2026, said underground tours would be unavailable from 16 to 20 November (check before you go).
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
The Market
A year-round farmers and makers market at Elm Place, rain or shine, with free parking and a transit stop. The official market site listed Saturday hours as 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Season The official market site listed the market as year-round at Elm Place, rain or shine, Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (check before you go).
Tourism: Visitor Information is the City of Greater Sudbury official visitor page.
Beaches: Official pages said lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, from 13 June to 23 August 2026 (the third Saturday in June through the third Sunday in August). Bell Park Main Beach and Moonlight Beach, both on Ramsey Lake, are listed as Blue Flag beaches. The Elizabeth Street lot at Bell Park and the lots at Moonlight Beach fill on hot days; official pages suggest parking at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre and walking the boardwalk to Bell Park beach. Check the official beaches page before you go.
Trails: Official city pages said most recreational trails are maintained from 1 May to 31 October. Rainbow Routes publishes trail maps and a digital trail guide.
Science centres: Official hours, read on 12 November 2026, were daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Science North, and Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dynamic Earth. A notice on the official site said underground tours at Dynamic Earth would be unavailable from 16 to 20 November. Admission is required; check the official visit page before you go.
We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Ramsey Lake from the gazebo at Bell Park in Sudbury, Ontario, Platttenbau, CC BY 4.0
Photo: The boardwalk along Ramsey Lake at Bell Park in Sudbury, Ontario, Platttenbau, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Science North on Ramsey Lake, seen from Bell Park in Sudbury, Ontario, Platttenbau, CC BY 4.0
