Amethyst Mine
Ontario's official gemstone, amethyst, is one of the many
natural resources found on the north shore of Lake Superior. The
violet-coloured semiprecious stones native to this area come in
beautiful shades, like Precious Purple and Thunder Bay Lavender.
Visitors can mine their own at the Panorama Mine, 35 miles (56km)
east of Thunder Bay. The site contains the largest deposit of
amethyst in Canada. The mine currently produces 40 percent useable
amethyst by volume, and has a large digging area open to the public
that contains 20 percent useable amethyst. All visitors need is a
bucket and spade to enjoy a fun mining experience.
Address: East Loon Road
Amethyst
Zopilote0
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is set on a rugged peninsula near
Thunder Bay. Known as the 'park of legends', it was once home to
the region's natives, who fished and hunted the rolling, forested
terrain for some 9000 thousand years.
Today, hikers will enjoy the park's trails, which run to the
tops of granite cliffs and open onto spectacular views of Lake
Superior. Winter travellers can explore these on skis or snowshoes.
The park also supports an exceptional mix of plant life, with two
rare orchids, the Adder's Mouth and the Striped Orchid, growing in
the southern end.
In fact, 24 types of orchid grow in the park, as do ferns.
Wildlife includes more than 200 species of bird, white-tailed deer,
red foxes, porcupines, moose, bears, wolves and lynx.
Address: Thunder Bay
View of Sleeping Giant
Graham M Fawcett
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes of North
America. Ontario shares this vast expanse of water with the
American states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The main
attractions for visitors are the rugged shoreline and beautiful
wilderness landscapes, which, together, can keep lovers of nature
interested for hours.
Visitors tend to feel life slowing down as they immerse
themselves in all the area has to offer. Scenic tours, hiking
trails and kayaking on the world's largest body of fresh water are
among the most popular things to do.
Address: Ontario, Canada
Lake Superior, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Tony Webster
Thunder Bay's humid continental climate produces hot summers and
cold winters. However, Lake Superior influences conditions and
gives the city cooler summers and warmer winters than other places
in the region.
The best time to visit is from June to September, when
temperatures are warmer. The average high temperature in summer is
around 73.4°F (23°C). The hottest month is July, while January is
the coldest, when temperatures can dip to -2.2°F (-19°C). Winters
can be bitterly cold for visitors not used to extreme
temperatures.
Thunder Bay International Airport
Location: The airport is located three miles (5km) from Thunder Bay
city centre.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT-4 from the first Sunday in March to
the first Sunday in November).
Getting to the city:
The airport is serviced by local buses, on line #3 Memorial -
Airport. Taxi services at the airport are provided on-demand by
Roach's Yellow Taxis.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis,
Budget, Enterprise, National and Hertz.
Airport Taxis:
Taxi services at the airport are provided on-demand by Roach's
Yellow Taxi.
Fascilities:
Airport facilities include wifi, shopping, a restaurant, a
lounge and security services.
Parking
Long-term and short-term parking are available at the airport's
500-plus bays.
Thunder Bay has a large fleet of fully wheelchair accessible
buses that service the city and surrounds. The local council has
also transformed the city into a pleasant place to walk or bike,
meaning locals and visitor can enjoy an extensive network of cycle
lanes, recreational trails, wide sidewalks and active living
corridors. Taxi services are available; drivers will find ample
parking.
Ontario boasts about 330 parks, attracting more than 10 million
visitors annually. Many of these lovely protected areas are
clustered near Thunder Bay and around the massive Lake Superior,
offering travellers numerous options for outdoor recreation. Lake
Nipigon and the township of the same name are close to Thunder Bay,
and are also a hub for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping and
water sports.
The region has some cultural diversions as well. The Amethyst
Mine Panorama is a working quarry offering walking tours. It is a
great favourite with visitors, who get to poke around for souvenirs
in one of the largest Amethyst deposits in the world. The Fort
William Historical Park is a living history attraction that
recreates the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur
trade. Also, the Magnus Theatre gets rave reviews.