Back in January it didn't seem like it would ever arrive but it's almost March Break now. Some of you may have made escape plans to some warmer climes but for those of us who relish in the winter wonderland that is Northeastern Ontario we know there are amazing opportunities to engage our children right here in our own backyard. Spending March Break in your own town or city is a good way to teach…

We’re at the peak of Big Winter in North Bay with Snowmobile, Skiing, Ice Fishing & Battalion OHL Hockey all going on. I can’t think of a better way to spend some warmer hours by wetting your whistle and filling up on some good grub than a visit to one of a couple of the trending food stops in North Bay! In this BIG Bite mission, I set out to discover the changing local landscape in…

I have a soft spot for tourism and hospitality. When people think of their travels as one long romantic novel, they tend to become snobs and can't just enjoy the moment. We are lucky and don't have to travel to see the beauty of the outdoors, awesome beaches, great parties, amazing people, it's all right here in North Bay. I have worked serving tourists in different ways, from flipping burgers to promoting tourism itself. This…

New Look North Bay Let’s play a game of word association. North Bay: endless forests, lakes of with bass and pike, an outdoorsman’s dream, a place to refuel and restock when camping or cottaging. In some ways, North Bay retains many of the charms forged in the days of early twentieth century resource exploration. Modest but historic buildings still line the classic main street, the railroad still cuts a path along the sparkling waters of…

So you’ve got your ride planned and you’re heading out, do you have everything you need to be safe while out on your adventure? If you’ve ridden the Gold Rush Tour or The Abitibi Cnayon Loop and areas like Timmins, Cochrane & Sudbury just to name a few, you will know first-hand that often your riding consists of “middle of nowhere” trails, often no cell phone signal exists, and you can go hours on trails…

As you cross the largest snowmobile bridge in the world on the French River, consider the magnificent view.  At one time, if history had become reality, you might be looking at ocean going freighters!   In the history of humankind, it is difficult to pinpoint events that changed the course of history. Generally many series of events lead to momentous circumstances. Never mind Northern Ontario, Canada would be a different place if the Georgian Bay…

Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to explore winter. It’s a relatively inexpensive sport that doesn’t depend on a lot of sophisticated gear or a strong skill set. That’s why it’s hitting the mainstream in a big way and more and more places are offering snowshoeing trails across the Northeastern Ontario region.   Ontario Parks Are Open Provincial Parks like Windy Lake and Killarney have dedicated trails for snowshoeing, and also have the added…

The term “All Inclusive Getaway” often conjures images of white sand beaches, suntan lotion and an endless conveyor belt of food. But that’s just one interpretation of the term. If, however, your “significant other” is a snowmobile, the term all-inclusive means complete access to the thousands of miles of trails just outside your door. The Valois’ Motel & Restaurant in Mattawa, Ontario, is just such a place. Sure it has comfortable rooms, friendly staff, good food…

If you’re new to the idea of ice fishing, are looking to introduce a friend or are trying to get the kids involved, the fast-approaching Family Fishing Weekend, Feb. 14-16, is a great opportunity, where Canadians can enjoy licence-free fishing across the province. Hugging the shores of Lake Nipissing, which is famous for its ice fishing, North Bay is a great location to start your family fishing trip to Northeastern Ontario.     When the lake…

What’s the best thing about Northeastern Ontario, you ask? Well, it could be that you can drive less than 10 minutes from any urban centre and find yourself in our #1 attraction: Nature. Northeastern Ontario is a four-season destination, but with the onset of winter, we have a whole other playground to offer.   Head north to North Bay, offering a variety of winter activities to cater to all types of enthusiasts, from catching a…