JEWEL OF ONTARIO
Dig beyond the Big Nickel with a road trip that takes in the city’s scenery and culture
JESSICA HURAS SPECIAL TO THE STAR
About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions expected to ease over the next few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of day trips and weekend drives highlights great experiences you can have in the province once conditions allow and show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover” this summer and beyond.
Sudbury has long been known as an important Canadian mining centre but there’s more to northern Ontario’s largest city than the Big Nickel (although, at a weight of 13,000 kilograms, the colossal coin lives up to its famous reputation). With hundreds of freshwater lakes, excellent tourism attractions and an intriguing dining scene, Sudbury’s diverse attractions reward road trippers in search of outdoor adventure, culture and good eats.
DAY ONE
In the morning:
Leave Toronto, driving north along Highway 400 to Highway 69. Depending on traffic, the drive should take about four hours. This route will take you through Parry Sound, a pleasant port town set on the shore of Georgian Bay. Stop for a break and a food fuel up at Parry Sound’s Country Gourmet Cafe, a cheerful spot that offers homestyle fare and includes a small local art gallery.
In the afternoon: After a morning cooped up in the car, you’ll be ready to stretch your legs. Enjoy some fresh air once you arrive in Sudbury at Bell Park, the city’s largest urban waterfront green space. Go for a walk on the Bell Park Walkway, a gentle trail that runs along the scenic Ramsey Lake shoreline, enjoy a swim on Bell Park Main Beach or take your activity level up a notch by booking a hydroflight lesson — where a jet of water propels you in the air — with Flyboard Sudbury.
After leaving the park, make a photo stop at Canada's largest mural. Spanning 74,000 square feet, this multi-hued, wash-style mural covers the exterior of the city’s old St. Joseph’s Hospital building and was completed as part of the 2019 Up Here festival.
Before checking into your hotel, take a detour to Huckleberries Chocolatiers for a sweet snack. This cute confectionary shop carries handmade Belgian truffles and creative treats like chocolate-dipped licorice, making for satisfying nibbles as you continue on to your hotel (or a tasty souvenir to take home).
In the evening: For convenient access to downtown Sudbury’s attractions, check into the Hilton Garden Inn Sudbury. This mid-range hotel, which opened in early 2021, has an on-site saltwater pool and its tidy rooms come with mini fridges and microwaves. If you’re looking for a more distinctive accommodation option and don’t mind basing yourself a short drive from downtown, try the Hacienda Bed and Breakfast. Set on a two-hectare estate, this charming property features Mayan- and Spanish-influenced decor and fresh breakfasts are included in the rate.
Once you’ve settled into your hotel, it’s time for dinner. Respect is Burning is a local favourite known for its rustic Tuscan cuisine — antipasto pastas and pizzas — and lively atmosphere. After, swing by upand-coming hot spot Wander Food & Wine for a nightcap. This stylish wine bar offers an extensive selection of Old and New World vino by the glass, bottle and flight.
DAY TWO In the morning:
Kick off your second day in Sudbury with a morning pick-me-up at Kuppajo Espresso Bar. Whether you prefer a sweet and savoury treat, or a caffeine-only start to your day, this plant-filled cafe has you covered with coffee and espresso-based drinks, homemade baked goods and breakfast choices ranging from avocado toast to sandwich-style bagels.
Next up is one of northern Ontario’s most well-loved attractions: Science North. Explore four floors of hands-on exhibits spread across two buildings — from above they look like snowflakes — connected by an underground tunnel carved through the rock of the Canadian Shield. Take in the mighty 20-metre-long whale skeleton found on the main floor, watch science demonstrations in the Discovery Theatre or interact with live butterflies in the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery.
In the early afternoon: Head to Tucos Taco Lounge for a Mexicaninspired lunch. Everything on the menu at this laid-back restaurant is vegetarian or vegan, but its hearty burritos, loaded nachos and imaginative tacos are known for pleasing carnivores and non-meat-eaters alike.
After lunch, gain a deeper perspective into Sudbury’s mining heritage with a visit to the A.Y. Jackson Lookout. In addition to its geological significance, the site is known for having inspired Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson with its natural beauty. A riverside trail leads to the lookout, which offers lovely views of High Falls and its 55-metre plunge into the Sudbury Basin. The basin was created 1.85 billion years ago by a huge meteorite strike, which is responsible for the region’s wealth of mineral resources.
In the late afternoon: No trip to Sudbury would be complete without seeing the city’s iconic Big Nickel. This nine-metre-high replica of the 1951 Canadian nickel was erected in 1964 and honours the city’s mining heritage. The nickel is located on the grounds of Dynamic Earth, an immersive museum dedicated to earth science and mining that’s worth checking out if time allows.
Ask you make your way south on Highway 69 back to Toronto, consider a pit stop at French River Provincial Park’s visitor centre and see its dramatic suspension bridge before bidding farewell to northern Ontario.