Things to Do & Places to Go in Sudbury, Ontario

Set on the edge of Kukagami Lake, Sportsman’s Lodge offers a relaxed and “at home” atmosphere no matter what season of the year we’re in. Boasting an authentic, rustic, and quaint ambiance, your getaway is sure to please everyone in your clan. The charm of the north shines through year-round at Sportsman’s Lodge. Whether you’re looking to be quiet on your own to rejuvenate, or looking for stimulating adventure away from your everyday city routines, this lodge on the Lake is sure to please. However, if you’re coming to visit us here in Northern Ontario, we also want to share with you some of our other favourite, fun things to experience that are on route to us!

Less than an hour south of Sportsman’s Lodge Wilderness Resort lies Greater Sudbury, a city filled with great food, parks, and a variety of other activities. Below, we’ve shared a few of our favourite places with you, featuring the best things to do. We believe you should get the most out of your trip, and we appreciate all great experiences along the way!

We All Need to Eat!

Nothing beats a great meal in a great atmosphere to enhance your travelling experience. Here are our recommended stops, in no preferential order, to refuel yourself while you’re in Wahnapitae/Sudbury.

• P & M Kouzzina - http://www.patandmariossudbury.com

  Located at 1463 Lasalle Blvd, P & M Kouzzina’s boasts an unrivalled local neighbourhood dining experience with an upbeat atmosphere. The menu specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and they offer a selection of high-quality wines to further enhance their Mediterranean menu which is tailored to suit all tastes.

  You really can’t go wrong dining at P & M Kouzzina!

• Oscar’s Grill - http://www.oscarsgrill.ca

  Oscar’s Grill, located at 86 Durham Street, offers a classy, yet casual dining experience with the option to sit by large windows to view the street activity, or to be tucked away in a cozy, private booth. If you visit on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll also experience live piano music, great for a romantic dinner for two.

  The menu specializes in hand-packed burgers, steaks and other classic grilled meats which are cooked to your specification, and also offers vegetarian and children’s options. The menu changes with the season and always includes daily specials.

• Herbert Fisheries - https://herbertfisheries.ca

  Herbert Fisheries is located at 1942 Regent Street, is best known for its generous portions of lightly-battered fried fish caught daily by the Herberts in their own fishing boat in Georgian Bay. You can even see where they process their fresh caught fish!

  While it is usually white fish available, you can sometimes get pickerel as well. They also have a take-home selection of smoked fish for purchase that is far superior and decently priced compared to any grocery store variety.

  Herbert Fisheries also offers a selection of craft beers from Sudbury Brewery to compliment their famous fish and chips.

Experience Nature

One of the great things about visiting Northern Ontario is the abundant places to hike and really experience nature up close and personal. A couple of our favourite places to experience nature are;

• Lake Laurentian Conservation - https://conservationsudbury.ca/en

  Conveniently located only ten minutes from downtown Sudbury, this easily accessible natural area has 2,415 acres, (that 950 hectares), of protected green space. This area is ideal for everyone, including families.

  With a man-made lake and pond, scenic lookouts, a self-guided nature trail, multiple wetland areas, and high bird populations, Lake Laurentian Conservation Area is a “must visit” destination for any season.

  Regardless of your interests, this conservation area can meet them. You’ll find trails for hiking in any season, and in winter there are trails specifically for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. It offers something for everyone – the photographer, the nature watcher, the recreationist – everyone will find satisfaction at the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area.

  It even has activities for kids to learn and prides itself on environmental education. At Lake Laurentian you can touch a frog, eat blueberries, feed the birds, learn to survive if lost in the woods, learn about the animals through animal displays, and plant a tree.

• A.Y. Jackson Lookout Trail - https://goo.gl/maps/AsTLmpV66Ya3HgEeA

  The A.Y. Jackson Lookout Trail is a 2.1-kilometer all-season loop trail located near Greater Sudbury that features a fantastic forest setting. It is most popular for hiking, trail running, and bird watching. If you visit in the right season, you can even pick big juicy blueberries along the way.

  The trail is said to accommodates all skill levels, but we say it can be very up and down and a little bit rocky – AKA, pleasantly challenging. It has a mixed terrain and offers a moderate workout with a well indicated path that takes you to a lookout with an incredible view of Onaping Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in Ontario.

  The A.Y. Jackson Lookout Trail is a shorter trail that is sure to please any nature lover looking for great forest and waterfalls views.

Northern Golfing

If you’re an avid golfer and have never experienced the game with scenic fir trees bordering the course, we’ve got a couple of recommendations for a great game experience.

• Pine Grove Golf Club - https://www.golfpinegrove.ca/en

  Pine Grove Golf Club, at 3767 Hwy 69 South, is an 18-hole facility only 20-minutes from downtown. Beautifully designed and magnificently maintained, it is ranked as one of the most challenging courses in Canada. Most greens are on a slope, one way, the other way, or both!

  With reasonable prices and fast greens, it is recommended that you use a golf cart as the course is long and covers a large area. Cart paths take you through cool, shady areas and you can rarely see the next tee box from the last hole’s green.

  If you visit Pine Grove for an 18-hole game, the back nine is beautiful. It includes a hole called “The Chasm” which has an elevated tee box with a great view of a heavily overgrown gully. The beauty of this course alone is well worth taking the time to play. This course has a lot of water and little sand. They also have a twilight rate!

• Forest Ridge Golf & Country Club - http://forestridgegolf.ca

  Located at 3525 Forest Ridge Road, Forest Ridge Golf & Country Club boasts a challenging and rewarding course as it is built on land that originally had several rock outcrops, swamps, low and high lands, and water ponds. This is an extremely fun playing experience, regardless of your ability.

  Whether you’re looking to play 9-holes or 18-holes, a golf cart is recommended due to the spacious layout between holes. This well-kept course is also known for the abundant wildlife that dwells there. A game here brings a relaxing and fulfilling experience regardless of your skill level.

  If you visit for a game, be sure to visit the clubhouse afterwards. It has a reputation for good food and a large but cozy atmosphere. A terrific way to complete a day on the course!

Popular Things to See & Do

The Wahnapitae/Sudbury area has an abundance of awesome places of interest to visit that are appropriate for all ages. We’ve included some of our personal favourites for you below.

• Science North & Dynamic Earth - http://sciencenorth.ca/ , http://sciencenorth.ca/dynamic-earth/

  Located at 100 Ramsey Lake Road, Science North is a educational resource for children and adults alike. Aside from phenominal exhibits and science experiences, Science North also boasts an IMAX® theatre, digital Planetarium, butterfly gallery and Special Exhibits Hall.

  When you visit, you can learn about a multitude of topics such as biology, chemistry, nature, physiology, physics, space, technology, and so, SO much more. All learning is done through exhibits, object theatres, special events, and live-science demonstrations.

  Don’t forget about Dynamic Earth – Home of the Big Nickel. Dynamic Earth is an earth sciences center and part of Science North.

  Check with them about which admission purchase best suit your needs. Be sure to ask them about Child, Youth and Senior prices and packages that will grant you admission to both facilities rather than single admission prices to only one.

  If you’re going to visit Science North and/or Dynamic Earth, we recommend setting aside at least one entire day for it, if not two!

• Northern Ontario Railroad Museum - http://m0h.b5d.mwp.accessdomain.com

  There are three components to the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre.

  1. Northern Ontario Railroad Museum - http://normhc.ca/museum-house-2

     Located in the first Victorian style house built in 1916, you can now see exhibits that show the tools and histories of Sudbury’s existence. It’s rooms have been converted into themed displays focusing on Lumbering, which was important to the region before mining and railroad developments; Mining, which will teach you about the ore deposits found in the area and how they were mined in the good old days; and Railroad, which will exhibit the tools and equipment that were historically used in the industry.

  2. Prescott Park - http://normhc.ca/prescott-park

     Located behind the museum house is Prescott Park. It is home to lush gardens and a railway themed and interactive playground with picnic table for those wishing to bring their own lunch.

     Prescott Park also exhibits various engines and cars and underground mining equipment that visitors can learn about.

  3. Heritage Centre - http://normhc.ca/heritage-centre-2

     Steps away from the museum, you can see the former Capreol Municipal Building which was once the Fire and Police departments. This building showcases various exhibits that reflect on the region’s social heritage and early history.

     With rooms broken into themed exhibits, visitors can learn about the region’s social heritage, sporting history, will be able to see the jail cells and kids can be finger printed and have their mug shots taken, see the truck bay and the last remaining fire truck, as well as see the model railway room with running model trains.

Playgrounds for the Kids

Kids need to play and blow off some steam too, and the Wahnapitae/Sudbury region has some excellent playgrounds where kids can be kids.

• Kupp Centre - https://www.kidsultimateplaycentre.ca

  The Kupp Centre at 1965 Lasalle Boulevard is home to both an awesome indoor playground and a laser tag center. If you get rained out and you have children with a lot of energy, Kupp Centre has you covered 7-days a week.

  1. Indoor Playground - http://www.kidsultimateplaycentre.ca/playground

     This ultimate indoor playground provides a diversified family play area combining recreation, entertainment, and restaurant facilities. Activities are packaged into a safe, clean, climate-controlled environment for children aged 12 and under.

     The space allows kids to exercise and socialize while stimulating their imagination and challenging them physically.

  2. Laser Tag - http://www.kidsultimateplaycentre.ca/lasertag

     With the entrance at the back of the Kupp Centre, kids must be 5-years old to play. Any children under 8-years old must be accompanied by an adult. Socks are mandatory to play, but not to worry if your children aren’t wearing any, you can purchase socks when you purchase your tickets!

     Be forewarned, a waiver will need to be signed before you or your children are permitted to enter the arena.

• Morel Family Foundation Park

  You can find Morel Family Foundation Park at 270 2nd Ave N in Sudbury. This newly renovated park has beautiful play structures, swings, (one is handicap accessible), and also features a splash pad. There are benches for adults to sit on as well as lots of space to accommodate picnics. There is also an outdoor rink that doubles as a basketball court in the summer months. This park also has a washroom facility.

  The only thing this park is lacking is shade, so be sure to sunscreen your little ones and bring a shade umbrella if you have one!

• DJ Hancock Memorial Park

  Located in the south end at 1428 Ramsey View Court, DJ Hancock Memorial Park offers a decent playground with slides and swings for the kids and workout equipment for the adults. It also features a very enjoyable hockey-themed splashpad.

  This park does have a double swing with a baby sit, but does not have a lot for small toddlers.

  A port-o-pottie is on site, but the park does lack shade.

• The Honourable James Jerome Sports Complex

  Visit The Honourable James Jerome Sports Complex at 112-198 Centennial Drive.

  The playground equipment at this complex is great for all age groups and developmental stages. It’s squishy ground surface is ideal for toddlers, and it is accessible for handicapped children.

  This complex also provides football and soccer fields, a baseball diamond, and tennis courts.

  Furthermore, there are clean washrooms near the Lily boardwalk that are open on weekdays, a water fountain, and lots of parking.

Happy Exploring!

While we’ve only provided you with our top favourite things to do in this article, we hope you’ll have fun exploring our beloved Wahnapitae/Sudbury region. We’re certain you’re going to love it as much as we do.

If you’re coming to stay with us and found our recommended destinations helpful, please let us know about it. We love to hear about our visitors enjoying their visit to our region. Equally, if you’ve found someplace or something noteworthy not mentioned here but that you think we should be sharing with travelers, please tell us about that too. We’re always looking for new adventures to try and share!

Happy travelling! May adventures and new experiences always be just around the corner for you!

Spring Improvements at Sportsman’s Lodge So, You Want to Go ATVing?