Hotels in North Bay, Ontario

A little about North Bay...

North Bay (46°32'N 79°46'W, time zone EST) is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada (2001 population 52,771). North Bay takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing, and covers an area of 314.92 square kilometres (121.6 sq mi) It is the seat of Nipissing District.

The city has big plans for the waterfront. In the 1980s a mile long waterfront park/promenade was developed along the Lake Nipissing shoreline adjacent to the downtown core. Eventually such attractions as a mini-train ride and (more recently) two antique carousels (largely crafted by local artisans) were installed and quickly became very popular with tourists and locals alike. Now, work is getting underway on a large new multifaceted community park that will be developed on the former Canadian Pacific Railway yards that separated the downtown core from the existing waterfront park. Several more carousels, botanical gardens, a childrens area and an extended mini-train ride will be among the parks's attractions. The new community waterfront park is planned for completion by the year 2011 and is expected to transform the look and feel of the city centre and become a major tourist attraction for the city and region.

North Bay is the home of Nipissing University, founded in 1992, and of Canadore College, founded in 1967. Approximately 7,000 full-time students (and thousands more part-time students) are enrolled at the two post-secondary institutions, which share a campus in the west end of the city.

The service industry, tourism, and transportation also play a significant role in the city's economy.

In recent years the city has gained prominence as a hub of arts and culture in Ontario, due to its vibrant community of artists, musicians, actors and writers. In 2004, the TV Ontario program Studio 2 selected North Bay as being one of the top 3 most artistically talented communities in the province. North Bay's reputation as a sophisticated university town, desirable retirement community and four season vacation destination continues to grow.