Muskoka
Ontario’s summer ‘cottage country’ capital is also one of the province’s most popular four-season travel destinations, offering something for every visitor in every season.
Just two hours north of Toronto, situated amidst a backdrop of thousands of sparkling freshwater lakes and majestic forests, Muskoka is a world-renowned vacation spot that offers exceptional accommodation, shopping, dining, golf, entertainment, and outdoor adventure – all in an unforgettable wilderness setting.
This is where you’ll find hundreds of Canada’s most popular lakes, including the “big three” (Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph).
And where there’s water, there are boats. Learn about the area’s boating culture at the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre and head out for a gorgeous cruise on the RMS Segwun or Wenonah II. You can also view the lakes on the 1940s era Peerless II of Sunset Cruises, and the newly-restored SS Bigwin out of Dorset. And travel the Muskoka River with Muskoka Cruises.
Hundreds of attractions will entertain family and friends off the dock, including Santa’s Village in Bracebridge (a must-do for families with younger kids), the historic Bethune House and Opera House in Gravenhurst, and the Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling. The Huntsville Festival of the Arts runs exceptional programming year-round, and hosts Nuit Blanche North in July.
Known for the iconic Canadian resorting tradition, Muskoka is home to some of the nation’s finest accommodations. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, inns and campgrounds are available to suit every traveler, from those who like a pampered vacation to those who enjoy roughing it in a tent. And beloved Algonquin Park is close by too, as well as its lesser know sister, Arrowhead Provincial Park (home to the mesmerizing Ice Trail – a meandering loop through snow-frosted forests in winter).
Muskoka is also a designated arts community, and artists and studios are everywhere. It’s also home to the oldest fall studio tour in Canada, the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. Other studio tours abound as well, including that of the Artists of the Limberlost. Not to be missed is the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Annual Summer Show at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge.
Culinary adventures await as well, with six craft breweries and one winery to be found here: Canvas Brewing Co., Clear Lake Brewing Co., Katalyst Brewing Company, Lake of Bays Brewing Co. (which includes their flagship location in Baysville, as well as the Huntsville Brewhouse and Bracebridge Barrelhouse) Muskoka Brewery, Sawdust City Brewing Co., and the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery. Head to the famous cranberry marsh in Bala all year round, and sample all sort of products made from the ruby red berry.
There’s always something happening in Muskoka – events in every season. From the summer concerts at the iconic Kee to Bala, to Huntsville’s Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend in November, from numerous sporting events and triathlons to fall and winter carnivals, to cooler fun on Arrowhead Provincial Park’s Ice Trail, you’ll be entertained here all year round.
For more information, visit these helpful sites:
Muskoka Tourism
Around Lake of Bays
Experience Gravenhurst
Huntsville Adventures
Visit The Bridge
Check out the links below to discover more incredible things to see, eat and do, and where to stay in Muskoka.
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Zig Zag Escape Rooms
Zig Zag Escape Rooms is the first of their kind. Not only are we the only escape room…
Zig Zag Escape Rooms is the first of their kind. Not only are we the only escape room in Huntsville, but we are also the first ‘Escape Cabin’ in Canada. Come and…
Fibre Studio & Gallery
Fibre Studio and Gallery is the culmination of Karen Thorn’s love of textiles and fibre artistry. Determined to…
Fibre Studio and Gallery is the culmination of Karen Thorn’s love of textiles and fibre artistry. Determined to highlight and educate people to the many possibilities of fibre based arts, the purpose…
Tea on the 45TH
Tea on the 45TH offers a carefully curated assortment of 100 blends. Our assortment includes the Tea Families of…
Tea on the 45TH offers a carefully curated assortment of 100 blends. Our assortment includes the Tea Families of White, Green, Black, Oolong, Pu Erh and Matcha. Organic Herbs and Roots, Rooibos, Fruit…
Pure Muskoka
Muskoka is impossible to put into words, but once you’re here, you get it. It is our hope…
Muskoka is impossible to put into words, but once you’re here, you get it. It is our hope that you are reminded and inspired and fall in love with this place again,…
Boiler Room Tap & Grill
Boiler Room Tap & Grill is more than just a local watering hole. We are a fresh, family…
Boiler Room Tap & Grill is more than just a local watering hole. We are a fresh, family owned restaurant located on Highway 35 in Dwight, which has been a local landmark…
Bracebridge Barrelhouse
Lake of Bays Brewing Co. (LB) has a third location in Bracebridge, ON. The Bracebridge Barrelhouse offers barrel-aged…
Lake of Bays Brewing Co. (LB) has a third location in Bracebridge, ON. The Bracebridge Barrelhouse offers barrel-aged and experimental beers, both brewed on-site, as well as LB’s regular beer lineup and…
Kala House of Colour
Kala House of Colour sells beautiful handcrafted goods for you, your home and your loved ones. Our complete…
Kala House of Colour sells beautiful handcrafted goods for you, your home and your loved ones. Our complete collection is curated based on things we love, and we love handmade! Handprinted “nature-inspired”…
Don’s Bakery
Don’s Bakery has been an institution in the heart of Muskoka – a sweet and tasty tradition for…
Don’s Bakery has been an institution in the heart of Muskoka – a sweet and tasty tradition for many local and seasonal residents of the area – since 1947. Located at Portage…
Canvas Brewing Co.
Canvas Brewing Co is Huntsville’s newest craft brewery, born out of a love for the local landscape and…
Canvas Brewing Co is Huntsville’s newest craft brewery, born out of a love for the local landscape and a passion for fresh, well-made craft beer. Kolsch, our debut brew is a German-inspired…
Bala Bay Takeaway
Bala Bay Takeaway is located in the heart of Bala at River Street right on Muskoka Road 169.…
Bala Bay Takeaway is located in the heart of Bala at River Street right on Muskoka Road 169. Check out their website for their complete menu including Pizza Nova pizza, homemade char-grilled…
Sopher’s Landing Marina
Sopher’s Landing Marina has 45 dock slips offering daily and seasonal slip rentals as well as daily boat…
Sopher’s Landing Marina has 45 dock slips offering daily and seasonal slip rentals as well as daily boat launching. We currently have 3 rental boats for fishing or just taking a nice cruise…
Muskoka BeerSpa
Escape the mundane and lift your spirits at Muskoka BeerSpa. Try our refreshingly different approach to relaxation by…
Escape the mundane and lift your spirits at Muskoka BeerSpa. Try our refreshingly different approach to relaxation by exploring our eight acre oasis, complete with hot and cold pools, Swedish infrared and…
CanAm Pro Guide Fishing Charters
Join professional tournament angler and pro fishing guide Brian Gardy and his team at CanAm Pro Guide Fishing…
Join professional tournament angler and pro fishing guide Brian Gardy and his team at CanAm Pro Guide Fishing Charters out on the water this season. CanAm specializes in tours on Lake Muskoka,…
The Record Shoppe
The Record Shoppe is Muskoka’s premiere vinyl destination. Come and browse our curated new and used collection of…
The Record Shoppe is Muskoka’s premiere vinyl destination. Come and browse our curated new and used collection of vinyl. We specialize in rock, metal, punk, blues, country, hip hop, funk/soul, classical, new…
Helen E. Grose Photography
What’s better than exploring the great Canadian wilderness with a professional photographer whose mission is to find all…
What’s better than exploring the great Canadian wilderness with a professional photographer whose mission is to find all the picture perfect places the region has to offer? How about learning how to…