Fort William historical park, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Getty Images/All Canada Photos

Fort William Historical Park

Top choice in Northern Ontario


French voyageurs, Scottish gentlemen and Ojibwe scuttle about while re-enacting life in the early 1800s at this historical park. From 1803 to 1821, Fort William was the headquarters of the North West Company. Eventually the business was absorbed by the Hudson's Bay Company and the region's importance as a trading center declined. Today the large heritage center offers 46 reconstructed historic buildings stuffed with entertaining and antiquated props such as muskets, pelts and birch-bark canoes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Ontario attractions

1. David Thompson Astronomical Observatory

0.09 MILES

Peek at the stars through one of Canada's largest telescopes at Fort William Historical Park's fantastic, accessible observatory. Check the website for…

2. Mt McKay

3.97 MILES

Mt McKay rises 350m over Thunder Bay, offering sweeping views of the region’s patchwork of rugged pines and swollen rock formations. The lookout is part…

3. Thunder Bay Museum

5.71 MILES

This century-old museum is engaging for adults and children alike. Displays about Ojibwe culture, fur trading, military history and recent developments…

4. Thunder Bay Art Gallery

5.81 MILES

Thunder Bay's premier gallery offers an eclectic assortment of contemporary art, including works by indigenous artists from northwestern Ontario and…

5. Bay & Algoma Historical District

8.31 MILES

Thunder Bay has a population of well over 10,000 Finnish Canadians, descended from immigrants who began arriving in the late 19th century. Locals happily…

6. Marina Park

8.86 MILES

The focus of exciting development plans, Thunder Bay's marina area is a pedestrianized haven of parkland, fountains, footpaths, a skate park and public…

7. Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

12.56 MILES

About 25km west of Thunder Bay, just off Hwy 11/17, you'll find the spectacular 40m-high Kakabeka Falls, one of Ontario's highest waterfalls and the…

8. Terry Fox Lookout & Memorial

12.9 MILES

This memorial honors Terry Fox, a young cancer sufferer and amputee who began a trans-Canada walk on April 12, 1980 to raise money for cancer research…