How to Spend Two Days in North Bay: A City and Nature Lover’s Guide to Ontario’s Gateway to the North
North Bay has the perfect blend of city and nature for a weekend getaway. From hiking, paddling, biking, cruising on Lake Nipissing and appreciating its downtown events and restaurants, there are plenty of ways to fill a two day trip to North Bay!
Chris and me enjoying sunset on Lake Nipissing at The Finch Beach Resort
As much as Chris and I love to travel across Canada and internationally, taking time to appreciate lesser-visited corners of our home province of Ontario more intentionally is always the best. This recent return trip to North Bay was one of those kinds of trips.
North Bay is an easy 3.5 hour drive from Toronto, and about a 4 hour drive from Ottawa. Given its name, it’s a lot closer than a lot of people think, and offers visitors the perfect blend of city activities and restaurants, plus it’s surrounded by incredible nature trails, waterfall hikes, and plenty of places to go cycling. On this trip, our goal was to spend a few days appreciating all there is to do in the city and check out a preview of The Voyageur 200 summer bike race.
We loved our fall getaway to North Bay a few years back, so it was fun to return in late spring ahead of summer to see what’s going on in other seasons. This article outlines what I’d recommend for a weekend trip for two days in North Bay, but if you have a little flexibility, I’d highly recommend extending your trip to appreciate more of the beauty and nature of nearby Northeastern Ontario. There’s a section at the end of this post explaining how you can do just that!
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Where to Stay in North Bay: The Finch Beach Resort
The Finch Beach Resort is the perfect nature meets city stay in North Bay
My favourite place to stay in North Bay is hands down The Finch Beach Resort. It gave Chris and me the feeling of being at “the cottage”, while only being a short five minute drive from the heart of the city.
The Finch is a local and independently-owned property (always a bonus in my books!), with four private cottages, each designed with their own style. Three of their cottages feature three bedrooms, and one cottage has two bedrooms. All cottages have a full kitchen, a living space and a private outoor porch and BBQ space.
Chris and I stayed in the “Gordon” cottage, which can sleep up to 6 guests in its three bedrooms—certainly more than enough space for just the two of us! It has a lot of mid-century, retro touches, like a vinyl collection and turntable, and a bright and modern Malm fireplace. All of the cottages at The Finch are perfect to book for a getaway, but if the “Corky” happens to be available during your visit, it’s the only beachfront cottage of the four.
No matter which cottage you stay in, they all have access to the property’s shared amenities, which include:
water and beach access on Lake Nipissing
Muskoka chairs and lounge chairs on the beach
kayaks and canoes
lawn and beach games
beachfront fire pit
lakeside barrel sauna
a small indoor laundry and game space
The Finch’s west-facing views over Lake Nipissing really put you in vacation mode right from the start of your trip. We loved ending each day watching the sunset from the beach.
In the event that The Finch is fully booked during your stay, you can also book a stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton North Bay. We’ve stayed here on a few trips to the city and their staff is friendly, the suites are comfortable and you’re within walking distance to downtown North Bay from the hotel, too.
How to Spend 2 Days in North Bay
Now that I’ve taken a few trips to North Bay, this is exactly how I’d recommend you spend your time here. You can feel free to mix up these activities by days and times, but this should be the general gist for your two day trip:
Day 1: Morning Hike, Bike Ride or Farmers’ Market
Even though there’s plenty to do in North Bay, I love starting the morning surrounded by nature here. The city has some excellent places to go walking, hiking or biking within and just outside the city. Take your pick:
Hiking around the Duchesnay Falls Trails is a must when in North Bay. It’s only a 10-minute drive from downtown, and the falls are beautiful on a morning hike.
Start at the parking area on Highway 17, and you can either start on the path directly beside the parking area (East of the falls), or walking a short ways parallel to the highway to connect to the West Duchesnay Falls trails. You can spend a whole morning walking along both sides of the falls and into the surrounding forested trails.
Take a walk or rent bikes along the Kate Pace Way, the Kinsmen Trail and/or the Waterfront Trail. All of these connected trails are part of the Trans Canada Trail, and are a great way to appreciate the city’s green spaces on foot or by bike. Make sure to stop at the Miskwaadesi Painted Turtle Ampitheatre along the Kinsmen Trail and the Gateway to the North sign where the Kinsmen Trail meets the Kate Pace Way.
If you aren’t bringing your own bikes, you can arrange rentals with Cycle Works downtown.
Go for a morning walk in peaceful Laurier Woods Conservation Area. The area has a few small lakes and boardwalk trails, all of which total around 4km. It’s the perfect place for a stroll to stretch your legs to start the day.
If you happen to be visiting North Bay on the weekend, their Farmers’ Market runs all year round on Saturday mornings, plus it’s open on Wednesday mornings in the summer, too. It’s a popular and bustling market with a lot of stalls, especially in the summer, and helps you feel really connected to the community of the city!
For extremely avid adventure cyclists, definitely make plans to come to North Bay in August for the annual Voyageur 200 bike race.
Day 1: Afternoon Shopping & Gallery Hopping
Walking past the vibrant shops on Oak Street in downtown North Bay
The afternoon is the perfect time of day to spend some time shopping and gallery hopping in the city. Main Street and Oak Street are the best sections to mosey around.
I always love to pop into The Annex for colourful and beautifully curated womens’ wear, Talbot’s Throwbacks for unique vintage and thrifted finds, and The FARM for fun accessories and gifts.
When it comes to gallery hopping, Bloch Bauers Gallery of Fine Art has an incredible selection of local and Canadian artworks, and White Water Gallery is also worth visiting.
Day 2: Take a morning Paddle or bEACH Day
You’ll notice there’s a theme here! Starting the morning on the water is a regenerative way to begin a day in and around North Bay. Here are a few options for you to get out on the water:
If you’re staying at The Finch Beach Resort, feel free to use one of their communal kayaks or canoes to paddle along the shore from the property.
Shabogesic Beach is a beautiful, white sand beach close to the Waterfront Marina on Memorial Drive. It’s a great place to hang out and relax, or you can rent a stand up paddle board to take out on Lake Nipissing from Boathouse Rentals right beside the beach.
For the more experienced paddlers looking for a little more of a challenge and time on the water, I’d recommend getting in touch with SISU Adventures to rent kayaks or paddle boards to take out on different lakes near the city. Chris and I arranged to rent kayaks on Trout Lake on our previous fall trip to the city, and we loved it!
Day 2: Manitou Islands Cruise on the Chief Commanda II
Again, feel free to mix these half-day itinerary suggestions up, but you really do have to get out on the water in some way when you’re in North Bay if you’re comfortable with it.
If paddling isn’t your thing or you’re just looking for a nice way to spend the afternoon, the Chief Commanda II takes visitors on afternoon cruises to the Manitou Islands from downtown North Bay between May and late September every year. The scenic cruise offers beautiful views of Lake Nipissing, and travels through the Manitou Islands, sharing stories about them as you go.
There’s also a kitchen and licensed bar on board for passengers. Cruises typically depart at 1pm on days they’re running (the middle of summer offers the most options), and you can purchase your ticket online or from the Dock Shoppe Ice Cream pier.
While you’re down by the water and Memorial Drive, don’t forget to visit the Heritage Carousel and the Mini Train. Both are fun for all ages, and typically open on weekends.
Restaurants & Cafes to Stop At
During your trip, you’re going to want to know where to go for meals. Here are a few of my favourite stops in the city:
Culture Club: A small gourmet grocery store and cafe with delicious coffees and a selection of freshly baked breads. It’s tucked at the back of The FARM, and there’s an entrance and outdoor patio at the back in the colourful alley downtown.
Twiggs Coffee Roasters is a Northern Ontario staple, with a few locations in North Bay. It’s the perfect locally-owned alternative to larger chains for a quick breakfast or coffee to enjoy in or take to go. They have a drive-thru, too!
Hoagie’s Diner is a classic, 1950s-style diner just off of Highway 11. Chris and I enjoyed classic Canadian breakfasts with sausages, toast, eggs and pancakes here (they also offer lunch and dinner), and loved the retro interior and friendly service.
Crossroads Convenience is another fantastic breakfast and lunch spot. Highly recommend coming here for unique sandwiches to enjoy in their vintage cafe space.
Northern Himalayan Cafe is a Nepalese-owned and run restaurant. You can count on authentic Nepalese dishes here for lunch or dinner, like momos, thukpas, fresh juices and more.
Churchill’s Prime Rib House has been a staple in North Bay for over 40 years. If a classic prime rib dinner is your kind of dish, then you’ll definitely have to order that on your visit. But there are many other dishes on the menu, too! It’s also a close walk from The Finch Beach Resort.
The Boat Bar & Grill is the only waterfront restaurant in North Bay just off of Memorial Drive. It’s located in the permanent shoreside home of the now-retired Chief Commanda I vessel, and has a large waterside patio, perfect for classic pub fare on a sunny day!
La Casa De Maria is an authentic, Latin-American fusion restaurant by day and a bumping place to go dancing by night. There are plenty of Mexican staples on the menu like tacos and margaritas, plus they have a fun atmosphere and friendly staff.
After North Bay, Extend Your Trip in Northeastern Ontario for a Few Days!
Sunset on the dock at Otter Pointe Resort in Calvin, Ontario
If you aren’t quite done with nature and you have a few extra days to play with, I’d highly recommend spending a few extra days just outside of North Bay along the Mattawa River. Chris and I spent a few extra days relaxing and unwinding here and were grateful we made the decision to extend the trip.
Stay at Memorable Otter Pointe Resort
Spring Violet Glamping Dome
The night sky filled with stars over our dome
This quaint, rustic resort is a short 25-minute drive from North Bay, but really feels like a remote nature retreat. Located in Calvin, Ontario, Otter Pointe is just off of Highway 17 in Pimisi Bay on the Mattawa River.
Otter Pointe is a boutique resort, with your choice of two cabins, two glamping domes or four campsites to stay at when you visit. Chris and I stayed in the Spring Violet Glamping Dome, which sleeps up to four guests in one Queen and two Twin beds, making it perfect for a family or friends’ getaway.
All glamping domes have a wood stove, a hot plate, microwave and toaster, a fridge, and a sink inside. They also provide several board games, activities and puzzles, perfect for unwinding inside. I characterize this as a rustic resort, since all bathrooms and showers are in a separate space with running water, but each cabin and glamping dome has access to their own private, comfortable and clean 3-piece bathroom.
All guests of Otter Pointe Resort also have access to the property’s extensive waterfront, communal docks, kayaks and canoes, two wood-burning, waterside saunas and plenty of firepits and BBQ areas. Owners Abi and Ian also run a bakery on-site with freshly baked cookies and other confections, plus you can order a dozen farm-fresh eggs from their chickens ahead of your stay!
We loved our stay at this peaceful resort, and it’s the perfect nature escape not only in summer, but any time of year.
Things to Do in and Around Otter Pointe
Staying at Otter Pointe is an experience in itself. But if you’re looking for a few worthwhile activities and things to do nearby, here’s what I’d recommend:
Paddle to Talon Chutes. Take a round-trip paddle from Otter Pointe down the Mattawa River to Talon Chutes in a canoe. I’d say it’s approximately a 3km paddle one-way, and the whole journey takes around 2 hours, depending on your pace. While the waterfall at Talon Chutes is beautiful, the whole paddle is awe-inspiring with the dramatic rocky cliffs on the shoreline of the Mattawa River.
This is only recommended for experienced canoeists, as there can be currents and wind along the Mattawa River.
Hike at Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area. This area has a short 2km walking trail that takes you from the parking area down to the Amable du Fond river, which has a series of cascades and rushing water. The area was once used for logging, so it has a historic a log slide and dam from the 1870s, and a rebuilt loggers’ cabin on the trails.
Pop over to Mattawa. This small town is at the forks where the Ottawa River meets the Mattawa River, and has a long history connected to Canada’s fur trade which you can learn about at the Mattawa Museum. Walk around Timmins Park, too, for beautiful views of the rivers and surrounding hills and cliffs. You can also walk around Mattawa Island Conservation Area.
Grab dinner at Le Voyageur Inn. The restaurant here has an extensive menu with plenty of Canadian staples, but since the restaurant is Southeast Asian-owned, I’d highly recommend ordering some Thai dishes from the menu. It’s truly delicious, and perfect for a dinner out!
An Underrated Corner of Ontario
Pimisi Bay sunset on the Mattawa River
Not as many people visit North Bay and Northeastern Ontario as other places in Ontario, and I think that’s a mistake. There is a lot of community and warmth in both the city and surrounding areas, and I think my favourite thing about coming to North Bay is how it offers many of the comforts of a city, while still being a great place to slow down and appreciate nature.
Whether we were enjoying sunset from The Finch, setting out on a SUP from Shabogesic Beach downtown or playing a game of Scrabble at Otter Pointe while snacking on delicious homemade cookies, Chris and I loved how many ways there were to slow down and unwind on this trip.
I’d like to thank Tourism North Bay and Northeastern Ontario Travel for hosting Chris and me as media on this trip to North Bay and Northeastern Ontario. All opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own.
Bri Mitchell
Bri Mitchell is a travel writer and content creator from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to highlight all things nature, food, wellness, sustainability and adventure in her work. Bri writes and shares her travel experiences from across Canada, the United States and around the world on Instagram and TikTok (@brimitchelltravels); in her articles for travelingmitch, Ultimate Ontario, and We Explore Canada; and in her weekly travel newsletter, The Weekly Traveller.