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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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…
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…
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…
Hinterglas Gallery – Bonnie Bews
At Hinterglas Gallery, Bonnie draws and seeks her inspiration from Muskoka’s natural environment, it’s brought energy to her…
At Hinterglas Gallery, Bonnie draws and seeks her inspiration from Muskoka’s natural environment, it’s brought energy to her paintings, not only with ideas, but also by the way she perceives and applies…
Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village is a unique 60-acre attraction nestled in a bend of the Muskoka River in Bracebridge, Santa’s…
Santa’s Village is a unique 60-acre attraction nestled in a bend of the Muskoka River in Bracebridge, Santa’s summer home. Visitors may tour the village by miniature train or cruise the Muskoka River…
Northern Escapades Mini Putt
We have 18 holes of spectacular Mini Golf set on the beautiful Muskoka River in Bracebridge, ON! Great…
We have 18 holes of spectacular Mini Golf set on the beautiful Muskoka River in Bracebridge, ON! Great for any age, our course has been a family friendly staple of the community…
Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower
The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower, tower kiosk and picnic site are operated and maintained for your enjoyment by…
The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower, tower kiosk and picnic site are operated and maintained for your enjoyment by the Township of Algonquin Highlands. The lookout tower, located off Highway 35 just north…
Woodchester Villa
The year is 1882. Henry J. Bird and his family have just moved into Woodchester Villa, their new…
The year is 1882. Henry J. Bird and his family have just moved into Woodchester Villa, their new eight-sided hill-topped home in Bracebridge. Three generations and over a hundred years have passed…
Bethune Memorial House
Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Henry Norman Bethune.…
Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Henry Norman Bethune. A battlefront surgeon, promoter of public health care, inventor, teacher and artist, Dr. Bethune…
Dorset Heritage Museum
Dorset Heritage Museum features museum exhibits of early pioneer life, local settlers, traditional logging practices, and historic information…
Dorset Heritage Museum features museum exhibits of early pioneer life, local settlers, traditional logging practices, and historic information pertaining to pioneer settlement of the Dorset area. Our museum operates around a CARE…
Muskoka Lakes Museum
The Muskoka Lakes Museum is situated in the centre of the village of Port Carling, located on scenic…
The Muskoka Lakes Museum is situated in the centre of the village of Port Carling, located on scenic James Bartleman Island Park, adjacent to both the large and small locks. Portraying cottage…
Muskoka Heritage Place
Touch the Past in Huntsville at Muskoka Heritage Place, the home of the Muskoka Museum, Muskoka Pioneer Village…
Touch the Past in Huntsville at Muskoka Heritage Place, the home of the Muskoka Museum, Muskoka Pioneer Village and the Portage Flyer Train. Life in the late 1800’s is historically recreated with genuine…
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is the place to ski and snowboard in Muskoka! Located in Huntsville and…
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is the place to ski and snowboard in Muskoka! Located in Huntsville and offering 13 runs ranging from easy to extreme, there is something for everyone from…