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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Grandview Golf Club
Co-designed by PGA Tour veteran Mark O’Meara (1998 Masters and British Open champion) and renowned course architect Brit…
Co-designed by PGA Tour veteran Mark O’Meara (1998 Masters and British Open champion) and renowned course architect Brit Stenson, the Mark O’Meara Course at Grandview opened in 2001. The course is aptly…
The Lake Joseph Club
When it opened in 1997, The Lake Joseph Club caused jaws to drop around the golf world. Architect…
When it opened in 1997, The Lake Joseph Club caused jaws to drop around the golf world. Architect Thomas McBroom utilized the granite crags, towering trees and heaving topography of the incomparable…
Bracebridge Golf Club
Bracebridge Golf Club is a challenging and scenic nine hole favourite with wide fairways, mature trees, rolling hills…
Bracebridge Golf Club is a challenging and scenic nine hole favourite with wide fairways, mature trees, rolling hills and a beautifully groomed traditional design you can’t just play once. The terrain on…
Bigwin Island Golf Club
The Bigwin Island Golf Club has been designed to capture and reflect the spirit and elegance of the…
The Bigwin Island Golf Club has been designed to capture and reflect the spirit and elegance of the original grand resort known as the “Bigwin Inn”. The sweeping fairways drape naturally over…
Muskoka Chautauqua
Muskoka Chautauqua is a vibrant arts-based community where visitors come for personal growth, enrichment and renewal. It is…
Muskoka Chautauqua is a vibrant arts-based community where visitors come for personal growth, enrichment and renewal. It is an uplifting cultural hub that encompasses the arts, education and reflection; a place removed…
Wood’s End Studio
John de Lang’s lifelong fascination with birds led him to the art of wildfowl carving. His studies with…
John de Lang’s lifelong fascination with birds led him to the art of wildfowl carving. His studies with master carvers taught him the techniques, while his affinity to the world of birds…
Two Horse Gallery
Two Horse Gallery – originally residing in a renovated barn in beautiful Muskoka – has moved to a…
Two Horse Gallery – originally residing in a renovated barn in beautiful Muskoka – has moved to a storefront on Main Street in beautiful downtown Huntsville. The inspiration for the name is…
Stan W. Tait Studio & Gallery
At Stan W. Tait Studio & Gallery visitors are invited to watch Stan create his jewellery by appointment…
At Stan W. Tait Studio & Gallery visitors are invited to watch Stan create his jewellery by appointment and view his latest designs which are beautifully displayed. Stan’s designs are simple, elegant,…
Ryan Fine Art Gallery
Ryan Fine Art Gallery, located in Port Carling, offers three viewing rooms to comfortable browse the works of…
Ryan Fine Art Gallery, located in Port Carling, offers three viewing rooms to comfortable browse the works of numerous painters, both local and not. The gallery is open through the summer months…
Rob Stimpson Photography
Rob Stimpson Photography is based in Lake of Bays. Rob has photographed for Ontario Tourism and Ontario Parks…
Rob Stimpson Photography is based in Lake of Bays. Rob has photographed for Ontario Tourism and Ontario Parks for the past ten years, and his work has appeared on the covers of…
Oxtongue Craft Cabin & Gallery
For over 34 years the Oxtongue Craft Cabin & Gallery in Dwight has provided a unique shopping experience…
For over 34 years the Oxtongue Craft Cabin & Gallery in Dwight has provided a unique shopping experience just east of Huntsville in the heart of Muskoka. We represent more than 100 talented…
Muskoka Place Gallery
Welcome to Muskoka Place Gallery, located in Port Carling, Muskoka. Opened in June 2004, Muskoka Place Gallery showcases fine…
Welcome to Muskoka Place Gallery, located in Port Carling, Muskoka. Opened in June 2004, Muskoka Place Gallery showcases fine art by established and emerging artists, and hosts art classes, workshops, lectures and events…
Muskoka Bay Pottery
Muskoka Bay Pottery & Gallery is known as a place to get one-of-a-kind gifts and mementos. If you’re…
Muskoka Bay Pottery & Gallery is known as a place to get one-of-a-kind gifts and mementos. If you’re planning to enjoy cottage country this year, you might find it worthwhile to visit…
Jon Partridge Pottery
Form, function, and spirit. Every piece of pottery made by Jon at Jon Partridge Pottery bears this signature.…
Form, function, and spirit. Every piece of pottery made by Jon at Jon Partridge Pottery bears this signature. The work is created from a love to see it exist. It has an…
The Murden Gallery
The Murden Gallery is the artistic home of John Murden and showcases his work using oils, watercolours and…
The Murden Gallery is the artistic home of John Murden and showcases his work using oils, watercolours and acrylics. His subject matter is varied and he enjoys experimenting with different techniques. His…