Thunder Bay

From Halal Explorer

Thunder Bay lies at the far northwestern point of the Great Lakes of North America, and is a transportation bridge between the rich agricultural Prairies of Canada and the Atlantic Ocean and the rest of the world. The population of Thunder Bay is roughly 108,000 (2022).

Thunder Bay Halal Travel Guide

European colonial settlement in the region began in the late 17th century with a French fur trading outpost on the banks of the Kaministiquia River. It grew into an important transportation hub as its port was an important link in the shipping of grain and other products from western Canada, through the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway, to the east coast. Forestry and manufacturing played important roles in the city's economy. They have declined and been replaced by a "knowledge economy" based on medical research and education. Thunder Bay is the site of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

The city takes its name from the immense Thunder Bay at the head of Lake Superior, known on 18th-century French maps as Baie du Tonnerre (Bay of Thunder). The city is often referred to as the "Lakehead", or "Canadian Lakehead", because of its location at the end of Great Lakes navigation on the Canadian side of the border crossing.

Thunder Bay developed until 1970 as two rival towns: Fort William and Port Arthur a few kilometers apart. Today the town names are used for neighborhoods.

How is the Climate in Thunder Bay

The Thunder Bay area experiences a humid continental climate that is influenced by Lake Superior, with especially noticeable effects in the city's north end. This results in cooler summer temperatures and warmer winter temperatures for an area extending inland as far as 16 km. The average daily temperatures range from 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) in July to −14.3 °C (6.3 °F) in January. The average daily high in July is 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and the average daily high in January is −8.0 °C (17.6 °F).

Thunder Bay holds Ontario's record for coldest day with wind chill, 10 January 1982, when the local temperature dropped to −36.3 °C (−33.3 °F), with a wind speed of 54 kilometers (34 mi) per hour for a wind chill temperature that dipped to −58 °C (−72.4 °F).

The city is quite sunny, with an average of 2121 hours of bright sunshine each year, ranging from 268.1 hours in July to 86.2 hours in November, sunnier than any city in Canada located to the east of it. Winters are comparatively dry with the snowfall being very limited and temperatures much colder than in Houghton, Michigan on the U.S. side of the lake, where the climate is marked by heavy lake-effect snow.

Travel as a Muslim to Thunder Bay

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Thunder Bay

  • Thunder Bay International Airport IATA Code: YQT 48.371983, -89.312143 - Thunder Bay International Airport Thunder Bay International Airport, 15 minutes west of the downtown centre, has scheduled service to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and various small communities in Northern Ontario; it also has seasonal service to Calgary and a few Mexican and Caribbean destinations. The airport doesn't have any direct connecting Flights to the United States|US. One local transit bus passes each 30-40 minutes daily; the Airlane Travelodge and Valhalla Inn operate hotel shuttle buses.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay has not been served by passenger rail since 1989 due to a right-of-way dispute between Via Rail and Canadian Pacific Railways. The closest rail service is in Armstrong or Longlac, 250-300 kilometers distant.

By car

Thunder Bay is on Trans-Canada Highway 11 and 17. From the east, it is a 7-8 hour (700 kilometers) drive from Sault Ste Marie and from the west, it is a 7-8 hour (720 kilometers) drive from Winnipeg.

There is no easy way to Duluth, across the U.S. border, other than driving there.

Travel on a Bus in Thunder Bay

Kasper Bus runs intercity buses west to Winnipeg and east to White River.

How to get around in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay isn't known for being a walkable city. This is largely due to its Twin-Cities legacy which causes the city to be very spread out. Until 1970 and the city was two separate large communities (Fort William and Port Arthur) separated by a swamp that has since been built up into an area of suburban big-box stores, shopping malls and chain restaurants known as "Intercity". City council seems to be developing the north end (Port Arthur) into an entertainment neighborhood with the Marina Park as its centrepiece, and the south end (Fort William) into a business neighborhood. Within each of these neighborhoods (North end and South end downtown cores) walking is certainly viable in the non-winter months. During the winter months, your face will freeze off.

As a result of this, your best way to get between these two zones is by bus. Up-to-date schedules are available on the Thunder Bay Transit website. There are several taxi services.

The city is increasingly focused on expanding its network of bicycle paths as well. Transport by inline skates can work well on these paths, but sidewalks are often too mottled to afford any speed or efficiency on skates.

What to see in Thunder Bay

  • Fort William Historical Park - 1350 King Road 48.3472, -89.3573 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 5PM A recreation of the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur trade circa 1815. Over 40 buildings on 225 acres, it offers a look at fur trade life, culture, rafts, medicine, business, domestic life and legacy farming. RVs and tent campsites are now available, and pets are welcome.
  • Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park - 48.404476, -89.626670 ☎ +1 807 473-9231 Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario.
  • Sleeping Giant Provincial Park - 48.506370, -88.728676 - Enjoy a hike along one of the beautiful trails at Sleeping Giant. Take Top of the Giant, a challenging 25-km return trail to a spectacular lookout over Tee Harbour, Lake Superior, and a rugged cliff's edge. In March, Sleeping Giant hosts the Sibley Ski Tour , a Thunder Bay tradition.

What to Do

Sleeping Giant Seen from Intercity - Mount McKay looms on the horizon, as seen in this view from Memorial Avenue in Intercity.

  • The area has a large Finnish population, so saunas are common and popular.
  • Silver Islet - 48.3333, -88.8167 - Silver Islet Silver Islet is a well-kept ghost town, and one of the oldest in Ontario. A huge deposit of silver was discovered around 1845, but the volatile weather of Lake Superior prevented exploitation of the ore deposit for several decades. Breakwaters were built to contain the lake’s storms, but they were demolished by storms, ice surges, and a freak tidal wave. Finally, a breakwater of rock and concrete was built that allowed miners to extract silver ore worth $3 million. In 1883, mining operations ceased for lack of fuel for the furnaces and water filled the shafts. Many of the miners' houses have been converted into summer cottages.
  • Take a walk around the harbour.
  • Visit the amethyst or agate mines.
  • Visit Eagle Canyon. Walk across the suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon for stunning vistas.

Ouimet_Canyon,_Ontario_6

  • Ouimet Canyon - 48.7942, -88.6669 83 kilometers NE of Thunder Bay -- follow Highway 17, and turn left onto Ouimet Canyon Road ☎ +1 807-977-2526 Ouimet Canyon Ouimet Canyon--the Length - The gorge is part of Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park (a day-use park with no camping facilities).
  • Drive west of Thunder Bay to Quetico Provincial Park - some of the best canoeing in the world awaits!
  • You can also canoe on White Otter Lake, near Quetico and Atikokan. Visit White Otter Castle , a three-storey wooden cabin single-handedly built by Jimmy McQuat on the shores of the lake. Legend is that Jimmy built it for his sweetheart and then got jilted. There is a walking trail from the castle area that leads to an abandoned World War II prisoner-of-war camp, but this has not been restored for tourists. Be careful of rusted metal and sharp edges in the camp.

Halal Restaurants in Thunder Bay

  • Persian Man - Thunder Bay is also famous for a unique pastry called a Persian. A Persian is similar to a cinnamon bun with a mysterious pink icing. Some say the icing is strawberry, others say it is raspberry, but it certainly is pink. Locals eat their Persians just as they are, but for a special treat, have yours cut, buttered and grilled/toasted. You won't find the Persian outside of Thunder Bay, and can only have it at the Persian Man, which has two locations.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Thunder Bay, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Thunder Bay. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Thunder Bay and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Thunder Bay. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Thunder Bay. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inThunder Bay: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Thunder Bay.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Thunder Bay: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Thunder Bay, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Thunder Bay.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Thunder Bay, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Thunder Bay, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Thunder Bay and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Thunder Bay, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Thunder Bay, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Thunder Bay without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Thunder Bay is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Thunder Bay.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Thunder Bay is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Thunder Bay, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Thunder Bay Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

Islam in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay Masjid

Address: Canada, 591 John St, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1Y8, Canada

Phone: +1 807-766-9644


Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Thunder Bay

Isle Royale, a wilderness park, lies within sight in Lake Superior. Commercial ferries from Grand Portage, Minnesota provide the nearest official access to the island, but it's accessible from Thunder Bay by private boat.

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