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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Portage Inn
Portage Inn is located in a heritage home built in 1889 in Huntsville. Share your vacation or retreat…
Portage Inn is located in a heritage home built in 1889 in Huntsville. Share your vacation or retreat with friends, family or co-workers, hold a wedding or have a party – but…
Rodeway Inn King William
The Rodeway Inn King William is located in downtown Huntsville within easy walking distance of major attractions and…
The Rodeway Inn King William is located in downtown Huntsville within easy walking distance of major attractions and facilities like the Jack Bionda Arena, Algonquin Theatre, Muskoka Heritage Place, as well as…
Muskoka Shores Cottages
Muskoka Shores Cottages is a pet friendly, four season resort located on seven acres in the heart of…
Muskoka Shores Cottages is a pet friendly, four season resort located on seven acres in the heart of Muskoka. Nestled in a quiet cove with 810 ft of shoreline on Three Mile…
Quality Inn Bracebridge
The Quality Inn Bracebridge (previously Muskoka Riverside Inn) is located in the scenic town of Bracebridge, the hub of…
The Quality Inn Bracebridge (previously Muskoka Riverside Inn) is located in the scenic town of Bracebridge, the hub of Muskoka. We are only minutes from downtown, Santa’s Village, miniature golf, parks, beaches, shopping,…
Muskoka Bear Wear
Originating in 2003, Muskoka Bear Wear has continuously been committed to bringing the most comfortable, Canadian brand name to…
Originating in 2003, Muskoka Bear Wear has continuously been committed to bringing the most comfortable, Canadian brand name to Muskoka, while upholding the highest level of quality standards. Not only is Muskoka Bear Wear now…
Motel 6
Welcome to Motel 6 Huntsville. We are conveniently located directly off Highway 11, and a short distance from…
Welcome to Motel 6 Huntsville. We are conveniently located directly off Highway 11, and a short distance from local attractions, shopping, dining, and the world famous Algonquin Provincial Park. We are a…
Little Black Bow
Little Black Bow is a lingerie and bra fitting boutique located in downtown Bracebridge in the heart of…
Little Black Bow is a lingerie and bra fitting boutique located in downtown Bracebridge in the heart of Muskoka. We specialize in lingerie, sleep and loungewear, bath and body, bridal, maternity, shapewear…
Hidden Valley Resort
Nestled deep in the heart of Muskoka, along the picturesque shoreline of Peninsula Lake sits your ideal retreat…
Nestled deep in the heart of Muskoka, along the picturesque shoreline of Peninsula Lake sits your ideal retreat location at Hidden Valley Resort. The captivating scenery, and the only lakeside, skiside resort…
Purk’s Place
The bass and pike fishing in Lake Muskoka is fantastic and Purk’s Place is ideally situated on the perfect piece of waterfront…
The bass and pike fishing in Lake Muskoka is fantastic and Purk’s Place is ideally situated on the perfect piece of waterfront to facilitate your enjoyment of life’s greatest pastime. Set out from our dock in…
Rich Hill Candles
A clean burning, high quality candle is so much more than just wax and a wick. At Rich…
A clean burning, high quality candle is so much more than just wax and a wick. At Rich Hill Candles, our chandler has spent many years investigating, experimenting and perfecting the recipes…
Scuba Shack
The Scuba Shack is Muskoka’s only recreational and technical dive facility serving all central Ontario backed by over…
The Scuba Shack is Muskoka’s only recreational and technical dive facility serving all central Ontario backed by over 32 years in the diving industry. We offer a variety of services including charters,…
Sherwood Inn
Nestled among towering century-old pines at the very edge of Muskoka’s sparkling Lake Joseph, Sherwood Inn is a…
Nestled among towering century-old pines at the very edge of Muskoka’s sparkling Lake Joseph, Sherwood Inn is a retreat unlike any other. Each guestroom and cottage suite is decorated to reflect the…
Sleep Inn
Welcome to the Sleep Inn Bracebridge. We are conveniently located close to local dining, shopping, attractions and events,…
Welcome to the Sleep Inn Bracebridge. We are conveniently located close to local dining, shopping, attractions and events, and offer direct access to the Muskoka Snowmobiling Region trails. We offer traditional rooms…
Slice of Muskoka
Welcome to Slice of Muskoka, your favourite health and wellness restaurant in Huntsville. Organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free…
Welcome to Slice of Muskoka, your favourite health and wellness restaurant in Huntsville. Organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free – we do it all. We’re passionate about creating wholesome and homemade dishes with…
Tall Trees Muskoka
At Tall Trees, we believe that dining doesn’t have to be complex to be elegant and delicious. Here,…
At Tall Trees, we believe that dining doesn’t have to be complex to be elegant and delicious. Here, you will enjoy dishes with multiple flavours and textures that are appealing to both…