Natural wonder and cultural thunder
Discover the rich history and flourishing arts scene of Northern Ontario with flights from Halifax to Thunder Bay.
Move through three storeys of Northern Ontario history at the Thunder Bay Historical Museum. Housed in a former courthouse and police station, catch the arresting showcase of the region’s fur trade and prehistoric artifacts on the main floor.
If you’re looking for things to do in Thunder Bay, see history in action at a living museum. Head to the Fort William Historical Park for a riveting look at life on the northern frontier. Dozens of actors in old-world costumes recreate one of the busiest fur trading posts in North America.
Visit during the Fort Under Siege event for a chronicle of the intense rivalry between the North West Company and Hudson’s Bay Company. Or watch the site transform into a wonderland of ghostly attractions on a Haunted Fort Night tour.
Opt for an equally spirited visit to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Flip through the museum’s archive of scrapbooks and newspaper clippings for triumphant moments in Thunder Bay’s sports history. You may even uncover a familiar face among the more than 200 inductees.
Swing by the Thunder Bay Art Gallery for a different lesson. Get creative at an art class, introducing you to the intricacies of painting, felting, and pottery. Wander through the exhibits of over 1,600 masterpieces, and an amazing collection of First Nations art.
The art gallery continues to collect the traditional and contemporary work of aboriginal artists around the region. Included in its collection are stunning sculptures crafted through age-old woodworking techniques.
Public art is also prominently displayed at Thunder Bay’s Marina Park. The traditional bentwood technique is proudly featured in the arches of the Gathering Circle sculpture. Visit this melding display of indigenous culture and urban design when you fly from Halifax to Thunder Bay.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
The great, big outdoors
Wake up in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park with flights from Halifax to Thunder Bay.
Spend a tranquil night camping under the starlit sky in the park. Choose from the more than 200 campsites at Marie Louise Lake Campground or find a quiet retreat on one of the backcountry trails. You’ll find rest and relaxation in the shadow of the giant and among the rustling wildlife.
Local folklore suggests that the slumbering rock formation is actually Nanabijou. The mischievous spirit was turned into the Sleeping Giant as punishment for revealing the site of a rich silver mine.
Catch superior views of the magnificent giant while kayaking on Lake Superior. Enjoy the sounds of nature accompanied by the gentle dip of your paddle in the water. Within the park, on Marie Louise Lake, you can cast a line for a hopeful bite from northern pike and smallmouth bass.
Over 100 km of hiking trails take you to other picturesque locations around the park The trails accommodate different skill levels, so you can enjoy a brisk hike up a scenic slope or leisurely stroll through the boreal forest.
Try the Top of the Giant trail for a bit of exercise. This 2.7 km hike may be a tad difficult for some, but is definitely worth the panoramic views of Lake Superior and Thunder Bay. You’ll save time and energy by kayaking or biking part of the trail.
During winter, the trails become well-groomed tracks for cross-country skiing. Partake in the Sleeping Giant Loppet, held annually since 1978. The competition can be a personal challenge for participants, but is also a leisurely experience you can enjoy during your trip from Halifax to Thunder Bay.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
The thundering falls of Thunder Bay
Visit the magnificent cascades of Kakabeka Falls with flights from Halifax to Thunder Bay.
Dropping a staggering 40 metres, the Kaministiquia River pours over the Precambrian cliffs in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. An often-overlooked point of interest in Thunder Bay, the allure of the park only begins at the waterfall. Hop on one of its trails for a little adventure in the pristine northern wilderness.
The Boardwalk Trail circles the rim of the waterfall, and is a wooden pathway that descends into the lower regions of the park. From the trail’s scenic lookouts, you may even spot a bald eagle below the mist of the falls hunting for the migrating salmon.
Head over to the Visitor Centre for an informative chat on the many species of songbirds that hide in the leafy forests. The centre falls along the Mountain Portage Trail, a historic route traversed by 17th century voyageurs. Ramble through the rugged terrain down to the banks of the Kaministiquia River.
Beneath the falls in the gigantic gorge, the water has eroded the rock to reveal million-year-old fossils. Signs of the park’s wildlife abound during the warmer months, but you can still catch glimpses of these woodland residents in winter.
Snow transforms the trails into cross-country ski routes for beginners and experts. Snowshoe through the park and see the interesting mix of animal footprints. The Poplar Point Trail near the Whispering Hills Campground is a great place to scout wildlife and see the seasonal change of the park’s foliage.
Head back to the Boardwalk Trail for the frozen spectacle of Kakabeka Falls. Underneath the jagged ice, you’ll hear the continuous crashing of the relentless river. The falls are a picture-worthy destination regardless of the season.
If you’re flying from Halifax to Thunder Bay, you won’t want to miss a trip to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park.
How to get to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Porter’s check-in desk is located on the second floor, in the departures area.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) is about 35 km / 24 mi from downtown Halifax.
Transportation to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Take the Metro Transit 320 bus to the airport stop. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
The Airport Express shuttle bus provides service to the airport from downtown Halifax from May 1 to October 31, with a reduced schedule from November 1 to April 30. The fare is $22 CAD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxi and car service from downtown cost about $55 CAD.
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft offer services to Halifax Stanfield International Airport and can drop customers off alongside regular passengers and taxis.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Landing in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) is about 5 km / 3 mi from downtown Thunder Bay.
Transportation
Taxis to downtown cost about $30 CAD. Car service costs about $85 CAD.
Take the Thunder Bay Transit 3 Memorial / Airport bus from the airport stop. The fare is $2.65 CAD.
Several hotels offer complimentary shuttle bus service from the airport.
Car rental services are available at Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT).
Thunder Bay International Airport Parking
Driving to Thunder Bay International Airport? The airport provides 100 short term spaces at $3.25 per hour and 50 cents for each additional 10 minutes, and 400 long term spaces at $14 per day or $98 per week.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
