> North Bay Ontario travel guide: Lake Nipissing, Dionne Quintuplets Museum, francophone culture, fishing and outdoor adventures in Northern Ontario.

*Source : https://voyagesontario.com/en/cities/north-bay/*

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[Home](https://voyagesontario.com/en) › Cities › North Bay

# North Bay

Gateway to New Ontario — on the shores of Lake Nipissing

North Bay, a city of 50,000 on the shores of Lake Nipissing, is often called the "Crossroads of the North". Located 350 km north of Toronto on the Trans-Canada Highway, it marks the transition between Southern Ontario and the vast Canadian Shield. Lake Nipissing — one of the largest lakes in the province — gives the city a remarkable natural setting that draws visitors year-round for fishing, boating and waterfront exploration.

## Top Things to Do in North Bay

-   **Lake Nipissing:** World-class walleye fishing, summer cruises, sandy beaches and water sports. The lake is the city's centrepiece attraction.
-   **Dionne Quintuplets Museum:** North Bay is the birthplace of the famous Dionne quintuplets (1934), a global media sensation of their era. The museum tells their extraordinary and often tragic story.
-   **Chief Commanda II:** A heritage cruise boat offering guided tours of Lake Nipissing in summer — a wonderful way to appreciate the scale of this inland sea.
-   **Duchesnay Falls Park:** A short walk from downtown, these falls and forest trails offer a quick escape into nature.
-   **Laurentian Ski Hill:** A family ski area with views over Lake Nipissing — winter activities are a big part of North Bay life.

## Franco-Ontario Culture

North Bay is one of the most actively bilingual cities in Ontario. Over 20% of the population is French mother-tongue, and the city is home to Nipissing University as well as strong French-language educational institutions. The city is an excellent base for exploring the broader Franco-Ontario heartland — from Sudbury to Hearst and Timmins.

The Franco-Ontarian presence here is living history: this was the territory of the Algonquin people and later of French missionaries and fur traders who left their mark on place names, culture and language throughout the region.

### Getting There

Distance from Toronto: 350 km (3h30 via Hwy 400 then 11). Airport: Jack Garland Airport (YYB). Accommodation: many hotels and motels along Lake Nipissing waterfront. Excellent base for a Northern Ontario road trip.

### More Ontario Destinations

[Thunder Bay](https://voyagesontario.com/en/cities/thunder-bay) [Little Current](https://voyagesontario.com/en/cities/little-current) [Fishing Ontario](https://voyagesontario.com/en/activities/fishing) [Ontario Guide →](https://voyagesontario.com/en)