School me on Thunder Bay ON Canada

The wife and I are riding around Lake Superior in September. I've got all of my hotel / AirBnB's booked with the exception of Thunder Bay. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay, and what to do there? I've been looking at the Prince Arthur Hotel but for some reason I get the Shining feeling from it. With that said, we are NOT stay out by the airport people. We'd prefer to be within walking distance of restaurants, etc.

I am planning on eating breakfast at Hoito, my Finnish Grandmother (RIP) would kill me if we didn't get some Pannukakku and coffee there. Any other ideas for dinner, drinks, etc? Our next night is in Red Rock / Nipigon which is a fairly short ride so we'll have some free time to explore a bit. TIA

 

been around the lake multiple times, personally staying cities for us are sault ste marie mich (kewadin casino), anywhere in the Keweenaw peninsula, Duluth (on the water front, the Sheridan has a covered parking ramp for safety), thunder bay (we stayed at the vahalla inn with restaurant onsite), then wawa (Viking restaurant has great food), and back to the soo.

while in thunder bay take time to go to kakabeka falls, the terry fox botanical garden, and ouimet canyon park.

downtown thunder bay can get "ugly" I understand the wanting to walk but, some places you just don't do that.

we have a place just north of wawa Ontario, a little french Canadian lumber, mining town called Dubreuilville (magpie relais hotel offers 20% off rooms for motorcycle guests). the road (hwy 519) was just paved last summer, lots of curves, views, and elevation changes. it is a dead end hwy approx. 20 miles in length but, a great road none the less. seek out sandy beach, high falls, and silver falls in wawa. there is a GREAT lake superior sunset view at sandy beach. between wawa and the soo stop at old woman bay, and the agawa pictorgraphs.

depending on the dates, if we are up there, we could meet for a drink, you can relax at our place for the evening, we have a great view of the magpie river at our place. have canoes, kayaks, if you want to paddle. enjoy your trip. for us, the north shore of superior from duluth the about schriber, and then wawa to the soo on the east shore is the best part of the trip for views.
Ski

 

points of interest... in Ontario there are these TINY SIGNS with picnic tables only on the sign, some of these are not to be missed, ESPECIALLY THE one near nipigon bay where you ride in about a half mile on pavement, then walk back to an UNBELIEVEABLE OVERLOOK on lake superior.

and I just remembered there is a girl in thunder bay who opened a biker friendly hostel in thunder bay. cant remember much about it or the name but, I think I read about it on whataride. I think it may be the haven hostel. ski

 

Thanks for the tips!

"downtown thunder bay can get "ugly" I understand the wanting to walk but, some places you just don't do that."

I was "driving" around Thunder Bay on google maps and you can pretty much tell it's kind of hit or miss, hence this thread. We leave Madison, WI on 9/8 and we are going clockwise around staying in Duluth (family), Thunder Bay, Red Rock, Wawa, SSM, Munising, Watersmeet (family), then home. We're skipping the Keweenaw since I've spent a good chunk of my life up that, but it is god's country in my mind!

we have a place just north of wawa Ontario, a little french Canadian lumber, mining town called Dubreuilville (magpie relais hotel offers 20% off rooms for motorcycle guests). the road (hwy 519) was just paved last summer, lots of curves, views, and elevation changes. it is a dead end hwy approx. 20 miles in length but, a great road none the less. seek out sandy beach, high falls, and silver falls in wawa. there is a GREAT lake superior sunset view at sandy beach. between wawa and the soo stop at old woman bay, and the agawa pictorgraphs.

We've got an AirBNB booked on Long Beach in Michipicoten which is right by Sandy Beach. We'll be that way on 9/11. If you're up there I'll buy the first Molson.

points of interest... in Ontario there are these TINY SIGNS with picnic tables only on the sign, some of these are not to be missed, ESPECIALLY THE one near nipigon bay where you ride in about a half mile on pavement, then walk back to an UNBELIEVEABLE OVERLOOK on lake superior.

Are these the provincial parks? My parents made a trip around probably a decade ago now, but said that we should absolutely hit the provincial parks. They said they turned out to be some of the highlights of their trip.

 

Trip pics please.

 

9/11 will be my first day back to work from 10 days off, we may be up there that week before you, or down to the smokie mountain area of tn, nc, ga. so, probably will miss you. if the weather is bad down south, we may go around the big lake (weather permitting) labor day week. that time period is generally a great time to tour the big lake. usually dry, cool at night, warm enough to be comfortable in the day.

the provincial parks are pretty big and have large signs the agawa pictographs is one, old woman bay is one, kakabecka falls, ouimet canyon all are provincial parks. the little picnic signs are just road side areas to stop and stretch your legs. understand there are no "rest areas" on this route so you will schedule bathroom breaks around food, fuel, towns, and the provincial parks (which you would need a permit to access). you can buy daily use permits. the area between marathon and just south of wawa will be lakeless, and from marathon to wawa is pretty flat but, lots of rock outcroppings to view.

you will have a great trip. we enjoy it up there so much, we bought a place. Ski

 

toe, you understand this is north of the 45th parallel, and is covered in snow (hence the name great white north) 7 months or more out of the year? should I draw you a map to me now, or later? just pointing out you are a tropical people... pokes Carlton with stick.

my gen4 zx10r before the color change, on alona bay between sault ste marie, and wawa on hwy 17. Ski

 

I was just through there last week. The Best Western Norwester is a nice hotel. It is outside Thunder Bay. You have to see the falls for sure. Thunder Bay proper is not a real great town in my opinion. But the area is nice. Make sure to stop at Old Woman Bay before you pass Wawa. It is one of my favorite places. Enjoy the ride.

 

old woman bay coming south from wawa down the hill (the same way the OP will see it). Ski

 

pic from fall 2011 on some of our older bikes, colors up there in mid to late sept are AWESOME! Ski

 

Good stuff guys. Thanks!

Maybe a stupid question, but any issue with the local popo or Mounties? We’ll be two up and on a touring bike so we won’t be crazy but My right wrist gets tired and I sometimes need to stretch it

 

Toe, this was last week need a map, it’s nice up here

 

these are our current bikes, at Sinclair cove at Agawa pictographs provincial park last summer. the park splits in two, when you get to the T, right takes you to Sinclair cove launch for this view of a calm lake superior bay. and the left fork takes you to the parking area, to walk down to view the pictographs on lake superiors agawa bay bluff wall. they are interesting, and have been there for thousands of years. Ski

 

on hwy 17, you can run about 105-108 km/hour (posted limit is 90 km'hour) and the OPP (Ontario provincial police) will leave you alone. in towns mind your manners, and you will be ok. Ski

 

Like Ski said you’ll get away with 20 kmh over the speed limit but don’t exceed 50kmh (30miles). They’ll take your license on the spot & impound your bike for one week . Also it will cost a small fortune to get your bike back & I believe you have to appear in court too.

 

lower silver falls near michipicoten village, near wawa. Ski

 

upper silver falls (sorry for the pixilation) Ski


Sinclair cove, agawa bay provincial park, notice how clear the water is. Ski


I"ll stop now. Ski

 

I just asked a buddy who grew up there and his text response was, “IDK- the town is a dump. I’d find the best rated hotel on google and prepare for the worst!”

Best of luck.

 

I would contact the biker people at the haven hostel, if you didn't want to stay at the vahalla inn. sounds like it is within walking distance to stuff, and they are 2 wheeled enthusiasts that will help you any way they can. Ski

 

I’m pretty sure the wife is a no go on the hostel. Valhalla Inn looks to be the lucky choice

Also, WTF is the deal with Tim Hortons?