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8 Things to Do in Muskoka That You Won’t Find in Travel Brochures
- Explore and camp overnight at Arrowhead Provincial Park
- Glide through smooth ice at Hanna Park
- Conquer thrilling rides at Santa’s Village
- Enjoy a lavish stay at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
- Celebrate the farming season at Bracebridge Fall Fair
- Sail through Lake Muskoka on a sightseeing cruise
- Spend a day at Algonquin Park
- Sample drinks at Sawdust City Brewing Co.
When talking about summer destinations in Canada, Muskoka is often overlooked in favour of famous destinations like Banff, Niagara Falls, and Quebec City. It’s a shame, too, as there are tons of fun activities and beautiful sights available throughout the year!
This bayside district holds a lot more than what tourists, and even locals like us, have been led to believe. As someone who loves to discover hidden gems, we were blown away by Muskoka’s offerings.
Now, it’s our go-to destination those times when we want to escape the hustle and bustle, and we’re here to share our fondest experiences with you!
So, if you’re looking to go against the grain and discover fun things to do in Muskoka that you won’t typically experience in other spots in Canada, you’re in the right place! We’ve also included some helpful tips to make the most of your trip, so read on to start planning your trip!
Explore and camp overnight at Arrowhead Provincial Park
Media credit: arrowheadprovpark
Address: 451 Arrowhead Park Rd, Huntsville
Contact details: +1 705-789-5105
Operating hours: Daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates (Daily Use):
- Adults: Starts at CAD12.25
- Seniors: Starts at CAD9.75
- People with disabilities: Starts at CAD6
- Veterans and armed forces residing in Canada: Free
If you’re an adventure-seeker and you love staying amidst stunning landscapes, Arrowhead Provincial Park should be at the top of your list. It’s the perfect natural playground, featuring over 15 kilometres of hiking trails, a waterfall, and three sandy beaches.
However, our favourite thing to do here is explore its lakes, as it offers the most serene experience. These lakes are motorboat-free, and you can experience total zen by renting a canoe and setting off into the open waters.
Arrowhead Provincial Park also offers camping options, which makes sense since its offerings are way too much to fit into a day trip. You can opt for car camping or enjoy a more traditional experience by setting up your tent at one of the 300+ campsites across the park.
Pro tip:
If you prefer a more challenging hiking experience, we recommend visiting during winter to enjoy a fun snowshoeing adventure through the woods. Moreover, the park also opens its ice skating rinks during these snowy days.
Glide through smooth ice at Hanna Park
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Address: Bailey St, Port Carling
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Rates: Free
Sure, Rideau Canal Skateway is one of the most famous ice skating spots in Canada, but if you want a more serene experience, Hanna Park is a top-tier option! It features half the number of tourists, and it’s far more scenic!
Instead of the distant views of the Ottawa skyline (which we love dearly), Hanna Park will surround you with its towering pine trees and snow-covered trails. Moreover, you’ll have plenty of ground to cover, as the smooth ice trail spans 200 metres, which is perfect for beginners!
Speaking of beginners, they can also use the park’s skating aids to get a better feel for what skating feels like on real ice. This is especially important for kids so they can start their experience early.
Pro tip:
You can also visit during summer to enjoy fun activities like swimming on the sand beach and pedalling your own boat through the open waters. Moreover, you can pack your snacks and make your own picnic at the park’s gazebos!
Conquer thrilling rides at Santa’s Village
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Address: 1624 Golden Beach Rd
Contact details: +1 705-645-2512
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, depending on the season
Rates:
- Spring:
- Online: CAD49.95
- Walk-in: CAD52.95
- Summer:
- Online: CAD52.95
- Walk-in: CAD55.95
Santa’s Village is a fantastic family getaway destination that even adults will enjoy! It’s one of the best amusement parks in Ontario, offering over 20 rides and attractions that will either leave you feeling relaxed or walking in curves.
For instance, if you want a laid-back experience, we recommend riding swan paddle boats, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can conquer the Yeti Trek! The latter is the biggest and fastest roller coaster in the park, which will have you screaming at the top of your lungs with its fast turns.
The park also has a mini waterpark with a sand beach, a spray zone, and a boat bumper ride. However, we’re still just scratching the surface, as the park also offers a hiking zone, a river cruise, a mini golf course, and a go-kart race track!
Pro tip:
Download the official map on the amusement park’s official website to find your way around the overwhelming number of attractions and rides. To save some loonies, buy your tickets online, as the prices are cheaper compared to walk-in rates.
Enjoy a lavish stay at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
Media credit: jwmuskoka
Address: 1050 Paignton House Rd
Contact details: +1 705-765-1900
Rates: $$$
It’s nice to get away from it from time to time, and JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa is the perfect place to do it. This lavish 4-star hotel will surround you with lush greenery and breathtaking views of Wallace Bay and its islands.
The suites are also luxurious, featuring complete sets of amenities like flat-screen TVs, hot water, and fast Wi-Fi—plus, they’re elegantly designed! Their signature JW Suite even features multiple bedrooms and a balcony that overlooks the bay.
Lastly, the hotel offers numerous facilities where you can relax, including heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There’s also a hydro spa, where you can avail of relaxing massages, body wraps, facials, and more.
Pro tip:
If you want to work on your cardio but don’t want to be confined to the gym, you can also rent bicycles from the hotel and explore its beautiful surroundings! Moreover, they also offer kayak rentals so that you can admire Wallace Bay up close!
Celebrate the farming season at Bracebridge Fall Fair
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Address: JD Lang Activity Park
Contact details: (705) 645-8383
Date: Mid-September
Attending the Bracebridge Fall Fair will give you an idea of Muskoka’s sense of community. Held every mid-September, this festival celebrates the amazing work Bracebridge’s farmers put into the community by featuring showcases of crops, fun games, and a small carnival!
One of the festival’s most anticipated events is the contests, like the Gigantic Vegetable Weigh-Off, which once saw the breaking of a world record. Along with these shows are the stalls where you can score fantastic deals on fresh produce!
As for the kids, they can enjoy the mini carnival set up every year at JD Lang Activity Park to pass the time. It features small but thrilling rides and a handful of carnival games where you can win stuffed toys!
Pro tip:
While you’re in Bracebridge, consider booking a room at “The Inn at the Falls” for a relaxing and homey stay. Moreover, it’s near pubs and restaurants—plus, it’s only a four-minute drive away from JD Lang Park!
Sail through Lake Muskoka on a sightseeing cruise
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Address: 185 Cherokee Ln, Gravenhurst
Contact details: +1 705-687-6667
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Rates:
- Adult: Starts at CAD58.90
- Child: Starts at CAD29.90
- Infant: Starts at CAD10
Lake Muskoka is arguably the region’s best attraction, and fortunately, you can admire it in all its glory through cruises. Out of all of the cruise providers, however, we recommend Muskoka Steamships because it lets guests ride on a traditional steamship.
This vessel was introduced during the 20th century, but the ones offered by this provider are modernised, complete with viewing decks and benches to keep you comfy. They also come with dining rooms that serve fancy high tea!
You can either opt for a 1.5 or 2.5-hour cruise through the river, but regardless of which, you’ll leave the boat with satisfied eyes. Furthermore, the winding river may be the most peaceful place in all of Muskoka, so if you’ve been meaning to get away from noise, this is for you!
Pro tip:
Book your cruise in advance through Muskoka Steamship’s official website to secure your slots. Moreover, they’ll sometimes hold promotions only seen on this page.
Spend a day at Algonquin Park
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Address: Ontario 60
Contact details: +1 705-633-5572
Operating hours (Day-use permits): Daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Rates (Day-use permits):
- Per vehicle:
- Daily vehicle permit along Highway 60: CAD21
- Veterans and Armed Forces: Free
- Per bus:
- Bus permit: CAD125 per day
- Ontario School Bus Permit: CAD62.50 per day
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the best-preserved pockets of nature in Muskoka, offering acres of towering trees, lakes, and naturally formed cliffs. With that said, the park doesn’t fall short of fun outdoor activities.
For instance, one of our favourite things to do here is ride canoes in one of the park’s 20+ lakes and rivers for some “me” time. The waters here are mostly calm, so you won’t have to worry about going overboard as you’re admiring the surrounding forest and mountains.
If you prefer to stay dry, however, you can try your hand at the biking trails! There are plenty of them in this regional park, and some of them will challenge your manoeuvring skills with their ramps, drops, and sudden turns.
Pro tip:
Check out the official access points for canoeing here to find out where you can start your water adventure!
Sample drinks at Sawdust City Brewing Co.
Media credit: sawdustcitybeer
Address: 397 Muskoka Rd N
Contact details: +1 705-681-1100
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Rates: $$
Muskoka also has a vibrant drink scene, offering multiple breweries and wineries across different cities. Among these is Sawdust City Brewing Co., a brewery founded in 2014 that’s locally known for its experimental beers.
They never seem to run out of ideas on what to turn into a beer flavour next, and frankly, we don’t want them to stop! One of the best examples of this is the cherry cheesecake beer, which tastes exactly like what you’d expect: tart and creamy!
We also love the overall chill vibe of the bar, which can be attributed to its rustic interior, live music, and friendly customer service. The food is fantastic as well, with one of their best offerings being the Reuben Sandwich.
Pro tip:
We recommend visiting during the brewery’s happy hours, which run every Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This will grant you access to their exclusive menu, featuring Irish Nachos, empanadas, and cheeseburger spring rolls.
