The Wonderful & Weird: Rural Road Trips North of Toronto
The open roads of Ontario’s cottage country are full of unexpected wonders, where each twist in the road reveals quirky roadside attractions, breathtaking landscapes, hidden cultural gems and nicely bizarre stuff too, all of which transforms an ordinary outing into an extraordinary adventure.
This summer, head out for an extended road trip and discover some spots that locals consider legendary. Here are just a few suggestions on where to go:
Monster Mayhem
Screaming Heads, Midlothian Castle It is the creation and home of retired art teacher Peter Camani, an artist and sculptor who’s created an unusual residence in the form of a castle complete with sculpture garden on an old 310 acre farm. Scattered throughout the property are more than a hundred sculptures created over a 30 year period, each one is approximately 20 feet high and can weighs as much as 30 tons.
Bala Bog Monster It is the creation of artist Michael Christian, who named it Koilos, and it started life at the 2007 Burning Man Festival near Reno, Nevada. It made its way to the Distillery District in Toronto before moving north to an island on Lake Muskoka and became the “Beast of Baxter Island”. It then headed to downtown Bala and was renamed the “Bala Bog Monster” before finding a home at the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery overlooking the south marsh, but with 350 acres there is lots of room for it to roam.
Statue-Worthy Sons & Daughters
Dr Norman Bethune Surgeon, inventor, political activist from Gravenhurst. In 1938, he travelled to China, where he became a battlefield surgeon. His commitment to the welfare of soldiers and civilians made him a hero in the People’s Republic of China
Greg Boyes a super heavyweight arm wrestling champion from Burk’s Falls
Rene Caisse Canada’s cancer nurse from Bracebridge
Bobby Orr Parry Sound’s most famous son and legendary hockey player. Not just a statue but a whole Hall of Fame
Francis Pegahmagabow An Ojibwe soldier, politician and activist from Parry Sound. He is the most highly decorated Indigenous soldier in Canadian military history
Tom Thomson adopted by the town of Huntsville, this influential painter called the area home while visiting Algonquin Park where he mysteriously died on Canoe Lake in 1917
Little Norway Memorial Home to a fascinating piece of wartime history. After Nazi Germany attacked Norway in 1940, King Haakon and his family fled to England. From there he established a government in exile and created the Royal Norwegian Airforce. These men were sent to Canada to train and Little Norway was created on Toronto Islands. They quickly outgrew the Island and in 1942 relocated to the Muskoka Aerodrome just outside of Gravenhurst. By the end of the war, more than 3,000 Norwegian men and women were trained for active service or worked in support services at Little Norway. It also has a lager named after it brewed down the road at Sawdust City Brewery!
The Bigger, The Better
The Big Muskoka Chair When a storm destroyed a larger-than-life Muskoka Chair outside Home Hardware in Gravenhurst in 2009, then owner Rob Clark decided to rebuild it – but bigger! It took two months, nearly 245 linear metres of cedar plank, roughly 130 square metres of plywood, and a lot of lemon-yellow paint but in April 2010 a new landmark was created. It was moved to Sawdust City Brewery in 2015 where it has become a must photo destination!
Burk’s Falls Pete the Bear From 1948 until 1979 Pete the bear was a must visit for anyone traveling north into cottage country. He was an orphaned black bear cub raised by Charlie Purdie and for 31 years resided at Purdie’s Gas Station in Burk’s Falls. As a 450-pound black bear, Pete became a huge attraction and loved splashing unsuspecting visitors with water. In 1979, Pete passed away, after living double the average life span for a black bear, and is now the town’s mascot.
Tower Hill Lookout This Parry Sound icon was constructed in the late 1920s as a fire tower with a twist. As it was one of the only of its kind set in the middle of a town, it was designed to allow tourists to visit. The tower became obsolete in the 1960s, but thousands of people have flocked there every year to climb the 30 metre-high tower with stunning views over the town docks and the famous trestle bridge.
Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery is a year-round, free, public art exhibition, featuring 103 recreations of art masterpieces, by Canada’s renowned Group of Seven artists and Tom Thomson. The Main Gallery is in downtown Huntsville and features 38 murals on the exterior walls of businesses and stores. There are also satellite galleries in Huntsville, Dwight, Dorset, Baysville, Oxtongue Lake, and Algonquin Provincial Park.
Unique To Canada (And the World)
Big Chute Marine Railway There is something special about waiting at a railway crossing and instead f a train, some boats get piggybacked across the road. The only railway of its kind still in use in North America. It carries boats up an 18-metre high slope at lock 44 of the Trent Severn Waterway. It was originally built as a temporary solution as construction on locks connecting the Severn River to Georgian Bay were going to be carried out in 1914 but never happened. It is also deterrent to stop the spread of the sea lamprey that was devastating the fishing industry in the Great Lakes. In 1976 a larger railway was built that can carry a boat up to 30 metres long.
Lake Bernard It has an odd claim to fame as it is the largest freshwater lake in the world without an island! Plus it is an amazing place to visit with awesome beaches, Discovery Routes Trails system for cycling, and some great picnic spots after grabbing food from a variety of eateries in sunny Sundridge.
Muskoka Drive In A tradition in cottage country since 1952 it is now oldest operating Drive In in Canada. It is famous for using a piece of Muskoka granite as part of the screen. In 2018 a second screen was added and as well as movies, has shown virtual events from the Toronto Raptor’s championship run in 2019 to virtual concerts from the likes of the Tragically Hip.
A few weird and lots of wonderful places to stay
It is not just the roadside attractions that are eye-catching. Check out these destination accommodations to cap off a memorable trip:
Algonquin Island Retreat South River Relax in your own couples-only private island cottage retreat on Kawawaymog Lake at Algonquin Park Access Point # 1. A canoe is included!
Algonquin’s Edge Resort Madawaska Three geodomes offer a perfect blend of modern comfort and natural serenity
Deer Lake Wilderness Retreat South River A glamping retreat where you can stay in a geodome perfect for stargazing
Four Corners Algonquin Whitney Prospector tents and tiny homes on the doorstop of Algonquin Park
Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve Huntsville A year-round wilderness haven with 20 private lakes and more than 10,000 unspoiled acres of mixed forest. There is an assortment of wilderness lodges, family cottages, fishing camps, family cabins and campsites available on site
Muskoka Dome Bracebridge Sleep under the stars surrounded by nature except on a soft bed, with fluffy pillows, and climate control
Pitstop 518 Kearney Three authentic four-season Mongolian Yurts set in a wildflower meadow
Tipi Adventures Bracebridge On an 80 acre property of lush forest with large freshwater pond, you will find three heatable tipis. Sleeps up to 10 people comfortably, and is equipped with cots and futons
