10 Things to Do in North Bay, Ontario This Fall

Fall is probably my favourite season in Ontario. The days are often still sunny, the temperatures are cool enough for my cozy sweaters, and of course, the autumn colours are gorgeous.

One perk of heading north in September is getting an earlier look at those colours. North Bay is about a 3.5-hour drive from Toronto (4 hours from Ottawa), making it very doable for a weekend. The drive north is pretty scenic too, especially once the leaves start changing.

I visited in late September, when reds, oranges and golds were already showing up across North Bay and the surrounding area. Over the weekend, I hiked to a waterfall, rode a chairlift above the fall colours and went paddling on Lake Nipissing. You can also experience fall here through cycling, boat tours, farm visits and seasonal events.

What I liked about North Bay was how easy it was to mix time outside with time in the city. Downtown and the waterfront are close together, and many of the trails and outdoor experiences are a short drive away. I also had time to browse local shops, eat at local restaurants and check out some of the fall events happening around the city.

If you’re thinking about a fall trip to North Bay, here are 10 of my favourite things to do in North Bay in autumn.

North Bay is on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation, including Nipissing and Dokis First Nations, and within the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850.

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1. Ride Above the Fall Colours at Laurentian Ski Hill

One of my favourite things I did during my fall trip to North Bay was the Fall Colours Tour at Laurentian Ski Hill.

For a few weekends each autumn, the ski hill runs its chairlift so you can see the changing colours from above. 

When you arrive at Laurentian Ski Hill by car, you’re already at the top of the ski hill. From there, you walk down the hill and then take the chairlift back up.

I found the walk down just as beautiful as the chairlift ride. There are open sections along the way with wide views over the fall colours toward North Bay and Lake Nipissing. 

Then, on the ride back up, you get to see the trees and views of North Bay and the lake from above.

Once you’re back at the top, you can climb the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority tower for another viewpoint over the surrounding area. 

This is also where the other Fall Colours Tour activities take place, including the Friday evening bonfire and live music.

After riding the chairlift, I enjoyed toasting marshmallows over the fire and had bowls of warm vegetable soup, which was the perfect way to wrap up a beautiful fall evening.

If you can, plan your visit for Friday evening just before sunset, because the late evening light makes the fall colours look especially good. 

The Fall Colours Tour is weather dependent, so I recommend checking the schedule and conditions before heading to Laurentian Ski Hill.

The 2026 Fall Colours Tour runs on Fridays and Saturdays from September 18 through October 3, and tickets are $10.

2. Hike to Duchesnay Falls

One of my favourite hikes from this weekend in North Bay was Duchesnay Falls. The falls are just west of the city, off Highway 17, so it only takes about 10 minutes to drive there from downtown North Bay.

The Duchesnay Falls loop is about 3.2 kilometres and follows Duchesnay Creek through the forest, with several spots where you can stop to see the cascades and falls. There’s a free parking lot at the trailhead, but no toilets or other facilities, so keep that in mind before you arrive.

I stuck mainly to the waterfall loop. The trail isn’t long, but there are rocky sections, exposed roots and a few spots where I had to scramble. 

I was glad I had my hiking shoes on, particularly around the wetter sections near the water. The rocks around the falls can also be slippery, so take your time and watch your footing.

Partway through the hike, I found a spot along the cascades where I could sit on some smooth rocks beside the water. 

I stayed there for a while just listening to the water before continuing. If you bring a packed lunch, there are quiet spots along the creek where you can park yourself to enjoy a picnic.

I hiked Duchesnay Falls in late September, so the leaves were starting to change throughout the forest. I’d definitely recommend this hike for a visit to North Bay in fall.

It doesn’t take up a huge portion of your day, but there’s enough variety in the terrain to make the hike interesting, and you can make it longer by connecting to the surrounding trails if you want.

The waterfall trail also connects to the much larger Education Centre trail network around Nipissing University and Canadore College. 

There are about 12 kilometres of trails here, so you can easily extend your hike if you have more time. One option is to follow the trails farther up the escarpment to the small lookout tower, which has views over Lake Nipissing and the Manitou Islands.

I should also mention that if you aren’t up for the 3.2km loop, you can simply walk out and back to the first bit of the trail (about 500 meters) to reach the first cascades. 

A quick reminder while you’re on the trails: pack out everything you bring in, stick to marked trails and be responsible around wildlife. Give wildlife plenty of space. Never approach or feed wild animals, and avoid leaving food scraps behind, even if they seem harmless. 

Around the falls, staying on the trail also helps protect the surrounding vegetation and keeps you away from slippery or unstable areas.

3. Walk Through the Fall Colours at Laurier Woods

For an easier walk through the fall colours, head to Laurier Woods Conservation Area. I think it’s worth doing both Laurier Woods and Duchesnay Falls if you have time, since the trails and landscapes are quite different.

Laurier Woods is just a few minutes from downtown North Bay and has more than 10 kilometres of trails winding through forest and wetland areas. The trails I walked were mostly flat and easy, which made this a nice change from the rocky terrain and scrambling at Duchesnay Falls.

There are several interconnected trails, so you can choose your route based on how much time you have. 

I visited in late September when the leaves were starting to change, and I really enjoyed walking through the mix of colourful forest and wetlands. I didn’t have a particular route planned here and ended up wandering through a few of the interconnected trails for about an hour.

Laurier Woods is also a fantastic spot for birdwatching. More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the conservation area, including black-capped chickadees, blue jays, belted kingfishers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons and several species of warblers. 

What you see will depend on the season, especially as migratory birds move through the area. I thought it was very cute that at the start of the trail they have a billboard with a community wildlife-watching ledger, where people can mark down what they saw and on what date.

You should also keep an eye out for the Laurier Woods Bee Hotel! It was installed around 2015 as a nesting space for solitary native bees like mason and leafcutter bees. 

The wooden structure has holes of different sizes and is also used as an educational tool to teach visitors about native pollinators.

There’s free parking at the main entrance on Brule Street, with direct access to the trail network. As with any natural area, stick to the marked trails, pack out anything you bring with you and give birds and other wildlife plenty of space.

4. Walk the Kinsmen Trail to Miskwaadesi

You don’t have to head far outside downtown North Bay to get outside. The Kinsmen Trail runs right through the city, following Chippewa Creek and connecting several parks and green spaces along the way.

I walked a section of the trail to Miskwaadesi, an Indigenous gathering and teaching space on the traditional territory of the N’bisiing Anishnabeg. Created by the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre in partnership with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, Miskwaadesi means “painted turtle” in Anishinaabemowin. 

The space centres around a large turtle-shaped petroform that represents Turtle Island and the Anishinaabe Creation story.

Miskwaadesi was developed with guidance from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers as a place for ceremony, teaching, gathering and connecting with the land. 

I think it’s worth taking some time here rather than simply walking through. There are interpretive elements that share more about the space and its significance.

I visited Miskwaadesi while walking the Kinsmen Trail before heading toward the waterfront, so you don’t need to set aside a full afternoon to come here. In fall, you’ll also see some colour along Chippewa Creek as you walk.

5. Paddle on Lake Nipissing

One of my favourite ways to see the fall colours in North Bay was from the water. The city sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Nipissing, and you can launch a kayak or SUP from Shabogesic Beach right along the waterfront.

I booked a morning kayak rental in advance with Boathouse Rental Co., a family-owned business based on the Lake Nipissing waterfront. They rent kayaks and SUPs and cater to paddlers with different levels of experience.

You can book ahead through their website, which is what I did, or simply stop by during their opening hours. They were great when I visited and even helped me carry my kayak down to Shabogesic Beach so I could launch right from the sand.

Once I was out on Lake Nipissing, I could look back toward the shoreline and see the fall colours from the water. I went on a sunny Sunday morning and the water was perfectly calm, which made for easy paddling.

If you’re paddling in autumn, check the weather and conditions before heading out. Lake Nipissing is a large lake, and conditions can change.

6. Walk Along the North Bay Waterfront

Even if you’re paddling on Lake Nipissing, I recommend spending some time walking along the North Bay waterfront too. There’s a paved waterfront path that makes for an easy walk along the lake, and it’s only a short walk from downtown.

Along the way, you’ll pass the North Bay Heritage Railway and Carousel, where you can ride a miniature train or hop on the hand-carved carousel.

Both are run by volunteers and are especially worth knowing about if you’re visiting North Bay with kids. The rides are seasonal, so check the operating schedule before you go if you’d like to ride them.

I also recommend walking out onto King’s Landing Pier. The pier extends out into Lake Nipissing, giving you views across the lake and back toward North Bay.

Since the waterfront is only a short walk from Main Street, it’s easy to combine this with some time downtown. I did both during the weekend without needing to get back in the car between stops.

7. Spend Time Wandering Downtown North Bay

North Bay’s central area is only about a five-minute walk from the waterfront, so I spent part of an afternoon wandering around downtown.

Main Street has quite a few locally owned businesses worth popping into, and it’s a great place to pick up a locally made souvenir from your time in North Bay.

I recommend The FARM, a shop that focuses on Canadian-made fashion, art, accessories and gifts. Antiques At Deegan’s is fun if you like browsing antiques and collectibles.

Allison The Bookman is a long-running independent bookstore specializing in used and rare books. And Anishwe is an Indigenous-owned shop and creative space where you can find work from Indigenous artists and makers.

I also recommend popping into Opera Bakery Cafe on Main Street. It’s a popular local spot for coffee (the line was out the door when I went!), with a big selection of baked goods, pastries and desserts made in-house. 

There’s also quite a bit of public art downtown, so keep an eye on the sides of buildings and down alleyways as you walk. 

One piece to look for is the colourful installation high on the wall at 133 Main Street West. The panels were created during a 2017 painting workshop hosted by White Water Gallery and organized by Akawe Dadaakokii and Black Water Arts Collective.

Primarily Indigenous youth participated in the workshop, which was facilitated by artists Chief Lady Bird and Mo Thunder, formerly known as Aura. The designs grew out of storytelling during the workshop and reflect the young artists’ experiences and artistic styles.

 You’ll find more murals around Oak Street West and in the walkway between the McIntyre parking garage and Main Street West.

I’d also wander over to Oak Street. Along with more shops and public art, you’ll see some of downtown North Bay’s older buildings and you’ll be getting closer to the waterfront.

I liked that I could spend some time shopping and looking at the murals, then walk back toward Lake Nipissing without having to get in the car again.

8. Visit the North Bay Museum

While I was downtown, I also stopped into the North Bay Museum, which is inside the city’s historic Canadian Pacific Railway station. The station was built in 1903 and restored in 2004 to house the museum.

The building itself is an important part of North Bay’s history. This was actually the third CPR station built on the site, and North Bay’s growth was closely tied to the railway. The arrival of the CPR in 1882 helped establish North Bay as a railway centre, and by 1916, three railway lines ran through the city.

Inside, the first-floor permanent exhibit covers the history of the Nipissing people and the local fur trade, along with the lumber industry and the development of the railway. You’ll also find exhibits about local firefighting and North Bay’s military history, including the city’s contributions during the First and Second World Wars.

Upstairs, there’s an exhibit that recreates Main Street during the 1920s through 1940s, with replica storefronts based on businesses that once operated downtown. 

I enjoyed this part because we’d already spent time walking along Main Street, so it gave me some context for what the same part of North Bay looked like decades ago.

The museum isn’t huge, so it’s easy to work into a day spent downtown and along the waterfront. I think it’s a worthwhile stop if you want more context for the history behind some of the places you’re seeing around North Bay.

9. Visit the North Bay Farmers’ Market

If your trip falls over a market day, stop by the North Bay Farmers’ Market. The market runs year-round, but from May through October it moves outdoors to 100 Ferguson Street, right by the North Bay Museum. 

During the summer season, it runs Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

I visited on a Saturday morning and the market was super busy! It was packed with people doing their weekend shopping, families with kids in tow and lots of dogs. I ended up lingering for quite a while because there was so much going on, and it felt like a real Saturday morning gathering place for the community.

There was lots of local produce, along with baked goods and prepared food. Depending on when you visit, you might find seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, eggs, preserves and maple syrup. 

There were also plenty of local makers selling soaps and skincare products, jewellery, pottery, knitted goods, artwork and clothing.

I especially like visiting farmers’ markets when I travel because purchasing something is an easy way to directly support people growing and making things in the region. I ended up buying a summer sausage to bring home from TLC Family Farms. 

Something to note is that the North Bay Farmers’ Market requires its producers and growers to participate in the MyPick Verified Local Farmer program, which verifies what farmers are growing and selling from their Ontario farms. 

If you’re visiting outside the outdoor season, you can still go. The market moves indoors to 222 McIntyre Street West for the winter, where it runs on Saturdays.

10. Watch the Sunset Over Lake Nipissing

Try to catch at least one sunset over Lake Nipissing while you’re in North Bay. Because the city sits on the northeastern shore of the lake, there are several spots where you can look west across the water as the sun goes down.

If you’re already downtown, the waterfront is an easy option. Walk out onto King’s Landing Pier for views across Lake Nipissing, or find a spot along the waterfront path to watch the sun go down.

My favourite sunset spot is a little farther south: Sunset Park. This park has a sandy beach and a wide view across the lake. I went here one evening and sat by the water for sunset, and there was plenty of room along the shoreline to find a spot.

You can also head to Champlain Park at the mouth of the La Vase River. The park sits where the river meets Lake Nipissing and has another west-facing view across the water. 

Sunset times shift pretty quickly in fall, so check the time before heading out. By late September, you won’t have to stay out particularly late to catch it.

How to Get to North Bay

For a fall trip to North Bay, I recommend driving. Having a car makes it much easier to get between downtown and some of the trails and outdoor areas around the city, and the drive itself is particularly nice once the fall colours start.

Driving From Toronto to North Bay

North Bay is about 350 kilometres north of Toronto, and the drive takes approximately 3.5 hours via Highway 11, making it a very doable short trip from Toronto for a weekend.

I recommend driving because it’s useful to have your car with you, for getting to places like Duchesnay Falls, Laurentian Ski Hill and other trails around North Bay without having to arrange transportation each time.

There is also an Ontario Northland bus connecting Toronto and North Bay. And another transportation option is also expected to return: the Northlander passenger train.

Ontario Northland is working toward restoring the service between Toronto and Northeastern Ontario, with North Bay included as one of the stops. 

As of September 2026, the Northlander train hasn’t yet returned to service, but Ontario Northland says it’s expected to launch later this year, so keep an eye out for that. 

Driving From Ottawa to North Bay

From Ottawa, North Bay is about 350 kilometres west and the drive takes approximately four hours via Highway 17.

I’d recommend driving if you can. Four hours is manageable for a weekend, and having a car gives you much more flexibility once you arrive, particularly if hiking and seeing the fall colours are priorities for your trip.

Ontario Northland also operates bus service between Ottawa and North Bay if you’d prefer not to drive.

Where to Stay in North Bay

For this fall weekend in North Bay, I stayed at Lakeshore Suites, a locally owned property on Lakeshore Drive near Lake Nipissing.

The property has a range of rooms and suites, many of which have kitchenettes or kitchen facilities with a fridge and microwave. 

There’s also free parking, which is especially useful if you’re following a similar itinerary to ours and driving between downtown, the waterfront and North Bay’s hiking trails.

I also liked being based near Lake Nipissing. I spent quite a bit of the weekend around the waterfront, and Lakeshore Suites puts you on the south end of the city with easy access to Lakeshore Drive.

If you’re looking for somewhere practical for a weekend in North Bay, particularly if you’re arriving by car, Lakeshore Suites is a good option.

Where to Eat on a Fall Trip to North Bay

I ate very well during this weekend in North Bay. Here are a few of the places I’d go back to.

Breakfast in North Bay

• Twiggs Coffee Roasters is a longtime North Bay coffee shop that roasts its coffee in-house. There’s a full breakfast menu alongside the coffee and baked goods, with options like eggs, pancakes, French toast and breakfast sandwiches.
• For something quick before heading out for the day, try gd2go. They serve breakfast sandwiches, burritos, bowls and other casual options, with choices for a range of dietary needs. I had the avocado toast here before heading out for the day, and it was delicious.

Lunch in North Bay

• If you’re spending time downtown, Northern Himalayan Café is right on Main Street and an easy place to stop for lunch. The menu focuses on Nepalese and Himalayan food, including momos, curries and noodle dishes.
• I also really liked Crossroads Convenience, which is much more than the name suggests. It’s a locally owned restaurant inside a heritage building, with a retro-inspired interior and a menu of sandwiches and other casual food. I ordered the chicken, bacon and brie sandwich and would absolutely get it again.

Dinner in North Bay

• If your visit lines up with the Fall Colours Tour at Laurentian Ski Hill, you can have dinner at the top of the hill. When I visited, they were serving fall-inspired soup, chili and homemade pizza. I ate outside as the sun started going down over Lake Nipissing.
• Another option is Cecil’s Brewhouse & Kitchen, a locally owned brewpub downtown. I visited during North Bay’s Taste the Bay Fall Harvest Experience, when participating restaurants offer special menus featuring seasonal ingredients and flavours.

Evening Drinks in North Bay

• For local beer, head to Gateway City Brewery. Their taproom serves beer brewed in North Bay, and you can order pizza if you’re hungry.
• And if you liked Crossroads Convenience at lunch, it’s worth going back in the evening. Along with its daytime food menu, Crossroads has a cocktail menu, so it works just as well for a drink later in the day. 

When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colours in North Bay?

If you’re planning a trip specifically to see the fall colours in North Bay, late September through to mid October is a good window to aim for.

One reason North Bay is particularly interesting in fall is its location between the northern boreal forest and the deciduous forests of southern Ontario. That mix of tree species means you can see different colours across the landscape as the season progresses.

Of course, there’s never a way to guarantee peak colours when you book a trip in advance. Temperature, rainfall and other weather conditions can affect when leaves change each year. 

To help time your trip, I recommend checking the Ontario Parks Fall Colour Report before you head to North Bay. 

While the report doesn’t track North Bay itself, nearby parks including Restoule, Mikisew and Samuel de Champlain can give you a good indication of how the colours are progressing in the region.

If your dates are flexible, I’d plan for the last week of September or first week of October, then check current conditions as your trip gets closer.

Is It Worth Visiting North Bay in Fall?

Yes! After spending a weekend in North Bay in late September, I think what I appreciated most (alongside the beautiful fall colours!) was how much variety I could fit into a couple of days.

I was able to hike through the fall colours, paddle on Lake Nipissing and spend plenty of time enjoying the downtown area without having to drive long distances between everything.

At about 3.5 hours from Toronto, North Bay is also close enough to make sense for a weekend. If you can time your visit for late September or early October, you’ll have a good chance of catching some fall colour while still having plenty of outdoor activities and seasonal events to choose from.

This trip was a great reminder that you don’t always need to plan a big trip to make the most of fall in Ontario. You can just head a few hours north for a weekend and still fit in plenty of time outside, good food and a change of scenery.

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I want to thank  Tourism North Bay  for hosting me as media. All opinions expressed are my own.