March Break Activities in Timmins for the Whole Family!

by | Mar 14, 2016 | Attractions and Festivals, Big Blog, Nature and Outdoors | 0 comments

Since moving to Northeastern Ontario, I have been busily checking off my bucket list items during my limited time in the north. I’m taking advantage of every opportunity that I can get my hands on to get out and experience the best in the area. Timmins is a great place to be to check off items on your bucket list, with the variety of activities available in the area and its convenient location for travel north or south. With the winter season coming to an end, I’ve been in a mad rush to accomplish the remainder of my winter wish-list items. Regardless of how you want to spend the rest of your winter season, Timmins offers an assortment of indoor and outdoor happenings to keep the whole family busy.

I don’t think I would have made it through my first northern winter season without a balance of relaxing indoor activities to follow my frigid outdoor expeditions. I needed something to sooth my cool body and frost bitten skin after being outside for hours on end. Thanks to Tourism Timmins, I never ran out of things to do with their weekly Top 10 Things to do This Week in Timmins & Area publications to spark my interest. As a newcomer to the area, I found Tourism Timmins to be an excellent service in aiding me to find the perfect things to do in each season, places to stay, attractions and events, vacation packages to meet my needs, and how to get there. To my surprise, the winter season has been my busiest season in the north. I can understand why winter is Northeastern Ontario’s beloved season.

My highlights:

Porcupine Ski Runners – Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

South Porcupine Ski Runners

Visit Porcupine Ski Runners‘ new chalet and approximately 30 kilometers of scenic and spectacularly groomed trails—some of which are fully illuminated for night skiing—for the perfect winter escapade. You might see lynx, moose, weasels, snow hares, partridge, and a snowy owl. No such luck for me, but probably because I was enjoying myself so much I was crying out with laughter. Trying cross-country skiing for the first time since my childhood was an incredible experience and a success—no broken bones. I can’t wait to hit the trails one last time before my departure. The trail system is well marked with detailed signs, arrows, and maps and designed for the novice and experienced alike.

Sk8te Hollinger

Sk8te Hollinger (2)

Outdoor skating at Sk8te Hollinger’s figure 8 ice rink is the perfect outdoor experience for the whole family. Ready, set, race! Bundle up, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and stay toasty warm by the facilities new outdoor wood stove.

Fly to Moosonee with Thunder Airlines

Thunder Airlines

Get out of the city of Timmins and venture to the town of Moosonee with Thunder Airlines. It’s incredible that I had the chance to fly to a northern community with no permanent road access on the James Bay in a King Air 100—a true Canadian experience. Explore more of northern Ontario by air and see the landscape from above to get a different view. While in Moosonee, don’t forget to visit the largest wetland area on earth, eat at Sky Ranch Restaurant, enjoy some nightlife at the Regular Stop, see the Northern Lights, and touch the edge of the arctic!

Neo Laser Tag

Neo Laser Tag

Neo Laser Tag is known as Timmins one-stop shop for indoor family fun for the young at heart. Neo Laser Tag offers glow in the dark laser tag, glow in the dark mini golf, spin zone bumper cars, cannonball air blasters, arcades, and the Kids Zone—home of cotton candy, slush puppies, and prize games. I had a blast running for my life while playing a game of laser tag with my new friends.

Nordic Spa at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa

Nordic Spa

Why not go swimming outside in a pool set at 16°C this winter season? Tip toe through the snow and submerge your body in the cold water. I think that’s what we call a polar bear dip! Afterwards, treat yourself to the outdoor whirlpool set to 40°C while snowflakes melt before reaching the tip of your nose. Would you do it? The relaxing year-round Nordic baths are used to rejuvenate the body and stimulate the senses through a series of temperature treatments: dry sauna, steam bath, hot whirlpool, cold salt pool, Nordic waterfall, cold shower, and warm relaxation rooms. It is easy to spend hours at the Nordic spa relaxing the afternoon away.

Spa Grande Nature at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa

Cedar Meadows Spa

Get pampered at Spa Grand Nature, Timmins’ premier day spa. Enjoy any one of their spa services from a massage, body wrap, facial, manicure, to a hydro fusion spa jet in a nature-inspired, nurturing environment. Each service is specifically tailored to your needs and the options are endless.  I enjoyed a pedicure while sipping tea in a fuzzy robe on a cold winter’s day.

The Voyageur Dining Room  at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa

Cedar Meadows Restaurant (2)

Cedar Meadows is known for its impressive lodging and exquisite food at the rustic Voyageur Dining Room. I enjoyed a delicious meal by the fireplace in the up-scale, cottage-like restaurant and felt right at home. Meals are made to order with colorful fresh ingredients, and topped with fresh herbs and spices. The restaurant offers diners a private, relaxing experience of executive taste, serving traditional dishes with the heritage and customs of Northern Ontario’s culture and legacy stirred in.

 

Tubing at Kamiskotia Snow Resort

Kamiskotia

As a first time ‘snow tuber’ I was shocked to realize just how fast you can fly down the hill! It’s exhilarating! After my first run, I was instantly hooked. Whether you’re zooming straight down the hill, turning in circles, or linked to a friend, it’s one of the most thrilling outdoor winter activities you can do. The pictures speak for themselves.

Each week, my Northeastern Ontario bucket list continues to get longer and longer after learning the range of indoor and outdoor goings-on in the area that I want to try. I’m hopeful that I’ll accomplish everything on my list before my time is up—but I’m starting to think that there will never be enough time to do it all. I’m having a hard time deciding whether I prefer my indoor or outdoor adventures best, but needless to say, you don’t have to look far to find something to do in Timmins.

For a list of March break activities in Timmins, click here.

About Turquoise Compass

Jessica from Turquoise Compass is a teacher at heart, but her true passion is traveling (especially to turquoise beaches), adventure, and trying new things. She has been to 32 countries and is ready to see more. She has completed hundreds of items on her bucket list and encourages others to live life to the fullest, while taking advantage of every opportunity that comes up. She attempts to try something unique in each country/destination that she visits. As you can tell, this hyperactive traveler loves visiting beautiful destinations whether abroad and locally.