Thunder Bay, on the shore of Lake Superior

Thunder Bay sits at the head of the Great Lakes, where the Trans-Canada Highway bends around Lake Superior. It is the largest city in northwestern Ontario and the gateway to a very large, very empty landscape.

01 A city shaped by the lake

The city grew around a natural harbour. For more than a century it has been a major port for grain moving from the Prairies onto lake freighters and down the St. Lawrence Seaway, and its skyline of grain elevators still shows it.

The lake also sets the weather. Summers are mild near the shore, while winters are long, cold and snowy — plan any trip between November and April around road conditions.

02 The view that names the city

Across the bay lies the Sibley Peninsula, whose rock formations look from the city like a figure lying on its back. The Sleeping Giant is the landmark people picture when they think of Thunder Bay.

03 Something to try

The Persian — a sweet, oval pastry topped with pink berry icing — is a local speciality you are unlikely to find outside the city.