Sudbury Attractions 

On this page, for your convenience, we have listed some of the many things to see and do in the Sudbury area. Where the particular attraction has a website, we have provided a convenient hot link for you to connect to it directly

For a pleasant walk in the morning or early evening, we suggest a visit to the Art Gallery of Sudbury. This is housed in the mansion built by early lumber magnate William J.Bell in 1907 a few years after the Crooked Tree was built by William McVittie a few blocks away. Affiliated with Laurentian University the gallery presents exhibitions of historical and contemporary Canadian art. Exhibits change regularly. (705-674-3271).

William Bell endowed the city with a large acreage close to his mansion that has become known as Bell Park. This is largely situated on the shores of Lake Ramsey, the largest city contained lake in North America. This park is the venue for many of our festivals including the Snowflake Festival in February and the Northern Lights Festival Boreal in July. Throughout the summer months, there are a popular series of free Sunday evening Bell Park Gazebo Concerts featuring local orchestras and artists. The 70 passenger, rest room equipped, pleasure boat Cortina docks at Science North and offers one hour tours on Lake Ramsey. 

The Ramsey Lake boardwalk links the park to Science North, northern Ontario's most popular tourist attraction. It features easy-to-use laboratories that allow visitors to explore the science in their everyday lives. Every exhibit is designed for hands-on use. Scientists are available to answer questions. Visitors can handle live animals, forecast weather, power a hydroelectric station, play in a solar playground and more. There is an IMAX theatre and first class restaurant at the facility. (1-800-461-4898). 

In the opposite direction, using the footbridge across the CPR line and an easy climb up the hill to the north is the Grotto of Lourdes. This was erected in 1907 by another distinguished early resident of Sudbury, the French count, Frederic Romanet du Caillaud. It was commissioned from the Denonville Founderie in France to celebrate his wife's recovery from a serious injury. (705-522-2273).

In the downtown area, a pleasant 10 minute walk from the Crooked Tree Bed and Breakfast. You will find many other locations of interest. The Grand Theatre Centre at 28 Elgin Street, (705-674-7263) for example is a 1,180 seat venue which combines comfort and elegance in one of Sudbury's heritage landmarks. Enjoy major touring acts and local productions year round.

The Sudbury Arena is the fifth largest in Ontario and a popular venue for local events and entertainment acts. It is also home to the Sudbury Wolves hockey team. (240 Elgin Street. 705-675-7595).

The Sudbury Symphony Orchestra is something of which we are particularly proud. An annual concert series is presented from October to May at Laurentian University and Grand Theatre Centre. (705-673-1280)

The Sudbury Theatre Centre is one of Canada's most successful professional regional theatres. The 297-seat theatre stages a series of live professional productions from September to May. (170 Shaughnessy St. 705-674-8381).

La Galerie du Nouvel Ontario is a Francophone artist-run gall;ery which presents local contemporary and explorative art as well as high quality touring exhibitions. Open Wed - Sat, 12pm-5pm at 132 Durham Street (705-673-4927).

N'Swakamok Shop is operated by the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre and features consignment art and crafts by local native artists. Open Sept-June, Mon-Fri,10-5 at 110 Elm Street (705-674-4252).

Sudbury Paint and Custom Framing has consignment artwork and exhibitions by local artists including Bruno Cavallo, a renowned student of the Group of Seven who maintained a studio at the store. 168 Elgin Street, (705-675-7493).

The Attic is operated by the Sudbury Crafts and Arts Foundation. Original crafts and artworks from fashion to pottery. Monthly arts and crafts exhibitions. Open Mon.-Wed and Sat. 10-5.30, Thurs. and Fri.10-9. At the City Centre mall, 2^nd Floor (705-673-5141).

Sudbury Public Library - Reference Library hosts the Mary C. Schantz Room with historical photographs, maps and telephone books and directories dating back to 1910. There are microfilm records of the Sudbury Journal and Sudbury Star dating back to 1891. Open Wed.-Sat. 9-5; Tues. 9-9. At Tom Davies Square, 200 Brady Street (705-673-1155).

Centre Franco-Ontarien de Folklore is internationally known thanks to Father Lemieux and his works on Franco-Ontarian culture. There is an impressive collection of tools, household implements and musical instruments used by the first settlers of the area. The Library boasts the largest collection of Franco-Ontarian historical books and traditional songs, tales and legends in the world. Open weekdays 9-4, sat and Sun by appointment. Call ahead for personal tours. 38 Xavier St. off St. Anne's Rd. (705-675 8986).

The Canadian Pacific Railway Station recalls Sudbury's first employer dating back to 1893. Railroad crews laying the CPR tracks discovered the nickel. The present location was constructed in 1907 and has served as the gateway to Sudbury and northern Ontario. 233 Elgin Street.

Church of the Epiphany. In 1911 W.Gowan Gillmor, Sudbury's first Anglican missionary, purchased land from the CPR to build a church for his congregation. Though the original Gothic style church was destroyed by fire, it has been reconstructed to emulate the original turn-of-the-century design. 85 Larch Street.

D'Youville Orphanage was originally built as a French separate school in 1894 and has later served the needs of the community as an orphanage. The building now houses the Centre franco-ontarien de folklore. 38 Xavier St.

Memorial Park, in 1917 a municipal board was established to remedy Sudbury's lack of parkland. The boards first act was to acquire a 4 acre parcel from the CPR that would become Memorial Park, now the site of numerous community festivals and events.

Old City Hall was built in 1913 and served as the City Hall for Sudbury for over 35 years. 83 Cedar St.

Ste. Anne's Rectory. Father Nolin, a Jesuit Missionary, built the rectory in 1892 amongst a stand of red and white pines near what is know today as Durham St North. It was bricked over and enlarged in 1890 and remains as one of Sudbury's oldest buildings. 6 Beech Street.

While all the above sites of interest are within easy walking distance of the Crooked Tree Bed and Breakfast there are several very worthwhile places to visit within a day's trip from Sudbury by car.

A.Y Jackson Lookout.

The site overlooks High Falls, a waterfall formed by the Onaping River as it drops 150 feet at Onaping, 45 kms northwest of Sudbury on Highway 144 just north of Dowling.

The fall colors are particularly attractive in this area. (705-966-3461)

The Andersons were turn of the century Finnish immigrants. Their farm has been carefully restored and now contains an operating hand made loom, original furnishings, restored agricultural machinery, mining artifacts, dairy farming equipment, and a large photo collection depicting the area's early settlement. 25 Black Lake Rd, Lively. Regional Rd. 55 to Regional Road 24, north 2 kms.(705-692-4448)

Big Nickel Mine

This Science North sponsored attraction includes demonstrations of various mining methods and allows visitors to go underground in a safe and accessible environment. On the surface, the famous 30ft high "Big Nickel" towers over the site. Big Nickel Mine Rd, 5 kms west on Regional Rd 55. (1-800-461-4898)

Capreol Prescott Railway Museum.

This features one of the original steam engines that helped open up the north as well as other historical railroad equipment. In downtown Capreol, 40kms north on Regional Rd 84.

This pioneer log cabin, built in the early 1900's is furnished as it was when lived in by the early settlers of this mining camp. Balsam and Power Streets, Copper Cliff. (705-674-3141 ext.2453)

The world's largest freshwater island. Just a couple of hours west of Sudbury south of the highway to Sault Ste Marie. The drive to get there is very scenic and the charming limestone scenery of the island will enchant every visitor. The ferry to Tobermory on the Bruce peninsula sails from South Baymouth 3 or 4 times daily.

This clapboard house was built in 1903 to house the foreman of the flour milling company. The museum's collection is housed in a log cabin and includes antique furniture, early hand tools, weapons and farm implements. Downtown Sudbury at St Charles St. off Notre Dame. (705-674-3141 ext. 2453) 

Here you will find some 50 kms of well-marked hiking, biking, jogging and cross-country ski trails. Self-guided nature trails explore the flora and fauna including a wetland area created by Ducks Unlimited. There are excellent bird watching and photographic opportunities. On South Bay Rd via Ramsey Lake Rd. (705-674-5249)

From May through October you will find live and teletheatre harness racing twice weekly. In Chelmsford, Regional Rd 35 to Montee Principale, north 1 km. (705-855-9001).

Ontario has an enviable network of provincial parks available for your enjoyment. Many of these make a pleasant day excursion from Sudbury. 

There are tremendous varieties of destinations a short distance away from the Crooked Tree in Sudbury. You can access a map showing all nature reserves, historical sites, recreation parks, natural environment parks, wilderness parks and water way parks within an easy days drive from Sudbury on the MNR Parks website, or go directly to an alphabetic listing that will provide you with full details about that location.

As a final service we are providing below a list of Internet links to sites that may be of interest:

The Snowflake Festival - February at Science North

Cinefest - Sudbury's international film festival, September

Sudbury Neutrino Observatory - located 6,800ft down in INCO's Creighton Mine

Theatre du Nouvel-Ontario - in operation for 26 years

Sudbury Theatre Centre - professional theatre in operation September to May.

Sudbury Wolves - our own OHL hockey team. Games in the Sudbury arena just a few blocks from the Crooked Tree!

INCO Ltd.- Sudbury's main employer

Falconbridge Ltd. - the other major nickel mining company in Sudbury.

Cybersudbury - general information about Sudbury and its economy

Sudbury Regional Development Corporation - helpful information about the Sudbury region.

City of Sudbury information site - a comprehensive site with listings of current festivals, conferences and other events, well worth a visit !

Parks Canada - information about nearby national parks and national historic sites.

Parks Ontario - information about the provincial parks network.

Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines - headquarters in Sudbury.