COME visit the Train Station!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a Sudbury Information Booth in the Via Rail Station on Elgin Street!!

Whenever I tell friends and family where I work I get the same response, "Wow, I never knew there was a tourist booth in the train station". I spend half of my working days in the train station in the very back corner surrounded by brochures, maps and visitor's guides. There are people in Sudbury who don't even know this place exists, and most people have no clue that there is an information booth located in it. Well I'm hoping whoever reads this will pass the message along, that the summer students and I would enjoy visits from anyone looking for information on the events and happenings of the city. I, especially, like to help people and find a joy in improving one's time in Sudbury. We don't see very many people in a day, I think our record high last year might have been 8 individuals/families! So even though you may not be a tourist you should drop by one one day and let us enlighten you with the many things there are to do in Sudbury!

Since working for the toursim department I have visited many places in the Sudbury Area that most people would never take the time to check out. And I have to say, that I think you're missing out! The summer students and I spent almost a month visiting all the parks, museums, farms, attractions hotels and much more so that we could spread the word about all the great things Sudbury has to offer. I feel like I've learned so much about the history of Sudbury, that it makes me proud to have grown up here. Many people that live in Sudbury have never even been to Dynamic Earth and Science North, and that's a great place to start your adventure of discovering Sudbury. I have come across people travelling from all over the world to see these attractions, and if you live in Sudbury, why wouldn't you take advantage of living so close to there great attraction sites?!

Now, if you've been to Science North and Dynamic Earth, don't think for one second you've seen it all. I am by no means an artsy person, but I really enjoyed the art gallery and their summer exhibit, Natural Ressources. This exhibit is out until August 30th so I encourage you to try and get out there. The cost is minimal, only $5 for adults and free for children under 12! And I promise it's well worth a visit. There is also the Anderson Farm in Lively which displays antiques from some of the first Finnish farmers. The Northern Ontario Railway Museum (NORM) which displays many historical artifacts and memorabilia from the first years as a mining and lumbering town. There is a little cafe in the lobby and a box car house in the back yard. After watching the movie Nickel City Stories at Dynamic Earth and visiting the NORM, I feel a new appreciation for the way Sudbury shaped up and has evolved over the years. There is also St. Germain Farm in the valley which was a surprisingly great visit! The owner, Henry, is a jolly man who takes pride in his three garage display of antiques. He has been collecting and donated many interesting treasures over the years, and there is sure to be something that will capture your interest. He can tell you all about them if you'd like a guided tour or you're free to wander as fast or as slow as you please. As well as a yard full of old farm equipment he offers rides in the trailer attached to his tractor!

I'll quickly list off some other great things to do but it's really up to you to go out in the city and see for yourself! There's Josephine's Vegetables along with Dinosaur Valley Mini Golf, OLG slots, numerous Golf Courses, Go karting on Notre Dame, Dodge this Paintball on Falconbridge Road, several great hiking trails and the Sudbury Theatre Centre which often has plays to attend. To top off this list there is a festival just about every weekend of the summer, and Sudbury is known as the The City of Festivals!

You can usually find the other summer students and I at these festivals, in our red or green Tourism shirts. If you see us, don't hesitate to come and talk to us or even get your picture taken! We always have our camera with us and we're looking for new pictures to put on the posters, visitor guides and billboards of the city. And DO NOT run away from us if we ask you to participate in a survey. It would help us out so much, and it honestly takes no more than 30 seconds. Plus, you get a complimentary key chain or tatoo!

I choose to come back from school every summer to live here, and be surrounded by the beauty of the lakes and the city. I hope this has made you more excited about living or visiting in Sudbury!