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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Touch Spa
Touch, the world-class spa located onsite at Touchstone on Lake Muskoka, celebrates the harmonious meeting of forest and…
Touch, the world-class spa located onsite at Touchstone on Lake Muskoka, celebrates the harmonious meeting of forest and lake with services that incorporate the healing properties of the plants and minerals indigenous…
AMBA Health & Beauty Spa – Deerhurst Resort
Find a Little ‘Me Time’ at Amba Spa at Deerhurst Resort. Set in beautiful Muskoka, our hotel spa…
Find a Little ‘Me Time’ at Amba Spa at Deerhurst Resort. Set in beautiful Muskoka, our hotel spa provides an intimate and private setting for your wellness escape. Experience the place where…
AMBA Health & Beauty Spa – Windermere House
Housed in the historic Windermere House Resort on beautiful Lake Rosseau, AMBA Health & Beauty Spa offers six…
Housed in the historic Windermere House Resort on beautiful Lake Rosseau, AMBA Health & Beauty Spa offers six treatment rooms (including a couple’s room), comfortable lounge, enclosed manicure and pedicure area, indoor…
Tally-Ho Inn
Tally Ho Inn is a welcoming Muskoka cottage resort that is family and pet friendly. Located on the…
Tally Ho Inn is a welcoming Muskoka cottage resort that is family and pet friendly. Located on the shores of Peninsula lake just outside of Huntsville and minutes from Algonquin Park, Tally…
Bala’s Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery
Bala’s Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery is a family-owned museum that offers costumes and free freckles…
Bala’s Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery is a family-owned museum that offers costumes and free freckles for children as well as numerous photo opportunities out of the Anne of Green Gables stories.…
Deerhurst Resort
Embracing Peninsula Lake, Deerhurst Resort is your year-round retreat to Ontario’s famous “cottage country” lifestyle in Muskoka, one…
Embracing Peninsula Lake, Deerhurst Resort is your year-round retreat to Ontario’s famous “cottage country” lifestyle in Muskoka, one of National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s “Best of the World 2012” recommended places to visit.…
The Tree Museum
The Tree Museum was established in 1997 and is a site set on the pre Cambrian shield amidst…
The Tree Museum was established in 1997 and is a site set on the pre Cambrian shield amidst the cottage county-side of Muskoka. It is located on Ryde Lake near the town…
Santa’s Whispering Pines Campground
Santa’s Whispering Pines Campground is a camping and trailer park located adjacent the beautiful Muskoka River and directly opposite Santa’s…
Santa’s Whispering Pines Campground is a camping and trailer park located adjacent the beautiful Muskoka River and directly opposite Santa’s Village. We are a family centred campground offering busy days and quiet nights under…
Red Canoe Gallery
Red Canoe Gallery features the art and craft of over 100 of Canada’s award winning artists and craftspeople…
Red Canoe Gallery features the art and craft of over 100 of Canada’s award winning artists and craftspeople and has been the gallery of choice in Muskoka since 1992. Located on the…
The Rock Golf Club
The Rock Golf Club is a world class facility. Designed by legendary golfer Nick Faldo, this 18 hole…
The Rock Golf Club is a world class facility. Designed by legendary golfer Nick Faldo, this 18 hole course has been artfully sculpted on the shores of one of Muskoka’s premier lakes,…
Muskoka Jewellery Design
Muskoka Jewellery Design is a beautiful boutique style jewellery store specializing in handmade jewellery. We carry one-of-a-kind pieces from our…
Muskoka Jewellery Design is a beautiful boutique style jewellery store specializing in handmade jewellery. We carry one-of-a-kind pieces from our 3 in house jewellery designers, as well as pieces from other metalsmiths in North…
Knights Inn Huntsville
Knights Inn Huntsville offers you and your family clean and quiet accommodations close to amenities and attractions, as…
Knights Inn Huntsville offers you and your family clean and quiet accommodations close to amenities and attractions, as well as Algonquin Provincial Park. Our 23-room motel overlooks Hunter’s Bay, an ideal spot…
Peter’s Players
Peter’s Players hosts a variety of musical acts at the Gravenhurst Opera House, Muskoka Discovery Centre and on…
Peter’s Players hosts a variety of musical acts at the Gravenhurst Opera House, Muskoka Discovery Centre and on Peter’s Cruises (formerly from their own venue in Gravenhurst). For a complete lineup of…
The Griffin Pub
With the pub doors opening 26 years ago, there have been a few key factors in proving that…
With the pub doors opening 26 years ago, there have been a few key factors in proving that a “hard to find pub” in small-town Bracebridge can not only succeed, but thrive.…
Skyways Motel
Skyways Motel is located directly adjacent Hwy 11 N between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. We offer clean and affordable…
Skyways Motel is located directly adjacent Hwy 11 N between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. We offer clean and affordable motel rooms with fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, lots of free parking, an outdoor…