A TREASURE TROVE OF SILVER STORIES

Take a lunch break at the Silver Café, an unpretentious spot with good diner fare. Or nab fresh baked goods at the wittily-named Fresh AF Market & Eatery. It’s a farm-to-market grocers, hence the name: Fresh (A)s (F)arm Market. Then head to the Cobalt Mining Museum, a literal treasure trove with the world’s largest display of native silver ore, plus a deep-dive collection of silver rush artifacts. At its mining peak Cobalt had over 100 mines, and it’s credited with creating the Toronto Standard Stock and Mining Exchange in 1908. As the joke of the day went, Toronto was the place you changed trains to get to Cobalt! No wonder Cobalt’s been called Ontario’s Most Historic Town and is a Parks Canada National Historic Site.

A LITTLE BROWSING, A LITTLE HIKING

White Mountain Books provides excellent browsing as well as the opportunity to learn more about local history. The bookstore is even housed in an historic site, the Coniagas Shaft House #4 at Silver Street and Prospect Avenue. Check out Poor Boy Soles Bespoke Shoe Co. for made-to-measure footwear and leather goods using traditional techniques. Then visit Laura’s Art Shoppe for locally-made sculpture, pottery and glass creations, as well as cards and prints reflecting Temiskaming’s beauty. From shopping to hiking  — a fifteen-minute drive east takes you to the magnificent cliff originally known as Manidoo-Wabikong, today as Thunder / Devil’s Rock. The 40-minute hike (two to four kilometres, depending on the trail) ends with superb views of Lake Temiskaming. Thunder / Devil’s Rock has literary history too, featured on the cover of the Hardy Boys mystery, The House on the Cliff, ghost written by local (and highly successful) author Leslie McFarlane.

DELICIOUS DINING, CRAFT BEER AND LIVE MUSIC

Just north of Cobalt is Temiskaming Shores, the amalgamation of the towns of New Liskeard and Haileybury and the township of Dymond. (You may want to motel it in either Haileybury or New Liskeard — a ten minute drive apart. The latter’s Waterfront Inn has terrific lake views.) For a pub stop in Cobalt the place to go is Miner’s Tavern, boasting live local music. Or check out the Classic Theatre, the only remaining theatre from the silver boom, with shows ranging from theatre and music to comedy. Heading straight to Haileybury? Consider dining at L’Autochtone Americaine Taverne, with its “contemporary take on North American classics as seen through an Indigenous lens.” Makes sense, given the area is home to three cultures: Indigenous, Quebecois and English. Coffee hounds note: L’Autochtone Americaine also runs Busters Mini-Mart, a hybrid café-specialty food store. As for craft beer fans, your destination is Haileybury’s The Whiskey Jack Beer Company.

THE HOME OF MILLIONAIRE’S ROW

Haileybury was founded in 1889 by Charles C. Farr, an employee of Hudson Bay Company. As a lakeside neighbour to Cobalt, many mining bigwigs made it their home, evidenced by beautiful houses from that era that still exist on Lakeshore Road, once known as Millionaire’s Row. Walking in downtown Haileybury and out to the marina is a great way to see the town and its lovely sand beach, complete with waterslide.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE IN HAILEYBURY

Drop into the Haileybury Heritage Museum to explore the town’s history, in particular the 1922 fire (one of the ten worst natural disasters in Canadian history). It’s an essential stop for Northern Ontario history buffs and kids alike. The latter will beeline to the fire truck, streetcar and tugboat on display. The former will be intrigued to know that, after the fire, Toronto sent a fleet of streetcars… for relief housing. Next, head to the Temiskaming Art Gallery, a showcase for both local artists as well other artists from Ontario’s north. The gallery is also home to Open Studio Libre, a free-access art studio

A LAKE LUNCH STOP

New Liskeard, the biggest of the three towns making up Temiskaming Shores, is on the northwest tip of Lake Temiskaming, making it a perfect place to savour the vast lake’s beauty. Savour lunch too, with options including Tap That Bar & Kitchen’s “barrel aged cocktails to craft burgers and comfort food” or Ali’s Grill & Bar’s “casual fine dining.” Café and book/game lovers check out Chat Noir Books with its vast collection of books and games, plus specialty coffees. The Riverside Farmers’ Market is a seasonal stop on Saturdays for farm-fresh produce, and local crafts and artwork. Also on the waterfront, take time for reflection at the moving monument to Shannen Koostachin, who led a campaign to have a new school built in her Indigenous community — the largest youth-led rights movement in Canadian history.

WINING, DINING, AND WALKING

A popular spot for dinner is 28 On The Lake for high-end pub food and a great view of Lake Temiskaming. Or check out Zante’s Bar & Grill, with farm-to-table cuisine. Take a post-dinner stroll along the lovely waterfront boardwalk trail before enjoying live music at either of the above (Zante’s is also home to trivia nights). Note to Francophiles: check out Le Centre culturel ARTEM for everything from Francophone bingo to singing barbers.