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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Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop
At Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop, we’re experts & specialists; we do bikes. Whether you commute, spin the roads,…
At Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop, we’re experts & specialists; we do bikes. Whether you commute, spin the roads, or hit the trails, we’ve got something for you! Enhance your ride. Top quality with…
Muskoka Arts & Crafts
Muskoka Arts & Crafts (MAC) is the true heart of visual arts in the province’s favourite vacation area.…
Muskoka Arts & Crafts (MAC) is the true heart of visual arts in the province’s favourite vacation area. One of Ontario’s oldest and most well established arts organizations, Muskoka Arts & Crafts…
Morgan House Wool Works Studio
Welcome to the Morgan House Wool Works Studio. Pam’s Watercolours with Wool are inspired by the natural beauty that…
Welcome to the Morgan House Wool Works Studio. Pam’s Watercolours with Wool are inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds her in Muskoka. She takes wool from her sheep, dyes it and creates truly…
Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve
Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve is a peaceful, year-round wilderness haven with twenty private lakes and more than 10,000…
Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve is a peaceful, year-round wilderness haven with twenty private lakes and more than 10,000 unspoiled acres of mixed forest. Limberlost is famous for its varied hiking trails. Their development…
Lakewoods Cottage Resort
Welcome to Lakewoods Cottage Resort, our little piece of paradise on the shores of beautiful Oxtongue Lake. Situated 10 km…
Welcome to Lakewoods Cottage Resort, our little piece of paradise on the shores of beautiful Oxtongue Lake. Situated 10 km from the west gate of Algonquin Park, and an easy drive from both Huntsville…
Huntsville Festival of the Arts
The Huntsville Festival is an eclectic, multi discipline performing arts festival that provides year round entertainment for permanent…
The Huntsville Festival is an eclectic, multi discipline performing arts festival that provides year round entertainment for permanent and seasonal residents, as well as visitors to the Muskoka region. During the summer core…
Huntsville Art Society
The Huntsville Art Society is an exciting and active club with over 100 enthusiastic members who share their…
The Huntsville Art Society is an exciting and active club with over 100 enthusiastic members who share their artistic skills and knowledge in a rewarding fellowship. Our member artists work in all…
Oxtongue Lake Cottages
Oxtongue Lake Cottages is a year round, pet friendly beachfront resort, located on the shores of Oxtongue Lake…
Oxtongue Lake Cottages is a year round, pet friendly beachfront resort, located on the shores of Oxtongue Lake just 10km from the west gate of Algonquin Park and 30 km east of…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Swift Canoe & Kayak
When the Swift Team conceptualized, developed and started to build canoes in 1984 and kayaks in 1995, we…
When the Swift Team conceptualized, developed and started to build canoes in 1984 and kayaks in 1995, we set out to build the ultimate recreational, light touring and tripping boats to suit…