Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay, the world's biggest freshwater port, has an extraordinary ethnic mix of 42 nationalities, including the largest Finnish population outside Finland. Gateway to the fabled country north of Lake Superior and within easy reach of four provincial parks, Thunder Bay has Ontario's best alpine and cross-country skiing (and the longest ski season), superb fishing, great camping and hiking, unlimited canoe and boating routes, and even ice climbing. Several amethyst mines have shops in the city. There are also dozens of good restaurants, a growing number of B&Bs, an art gallery, golf courses galore, and nine shopping malls.