Parry Sound: The Bay & Beyond
Nestled on the rugged shores of Canada’s largest fresh water archipelago and part of the UNESCO-designated Georgian Bay Biosphere Mnidoo Gamii, the west Parry Sound district is home to some of Ontario’s best outdoor adventuring.
From guided paddle tours with Georgian Bay Tours to expeditions with Diamond Waters Sailing, to on-and-off road cycling with rentals from Parry Sound Bikes, the area is a four-season magnet for on-the-water and on-the-trails enthusiasts (snowmobiling, anyone?) And don’t forget all the fabulous golf courses, including the Ridge at Manitou Club, Seguin Valley Golf Club and Parry Sound Golf & Country Club.
From Parry Sound harbour you can set out along the region’s famous shoreline with 30,000 Islands Cruise Lines aboard the Island Queen or Islander X, or enjoy a dinner cruise on the MV Chippewa III. Get a birds-eye-view of this remarkable ecosystem during a flight with Georgian Bay Airways and take a guided island tour, or just enjoy the scenery from the float plane as you head out to lunch at the world famous Henry’s Fish Restaurant on Frying Pan Island. You can take a guided fishing expedition out of Georgian Bay Marina or spend the day visiting the makers of “Made in Parry Sound.”
Explore the stunning provincial parks located nearby, including Killbear, Massassauga, Oastler Lake, Grundy, Sturgeon Bay and French River – and take part in interpretive programming during the summer months to learn a little bit more about wildlife and ecosystems in this part of Ontario. You can also traverse the Park-to-Park Trail system – over 200kms of linking trails – and naturalist and Indigenous representatives from the Georgian Bay Biosphere Mnidoo Gamii also sometimes offer guided opportunities to explore the unique ecology area.
Downtown Parry Sound, check out the fascinating exhibits at the West Parry Sound District Museum, then afterwards head up the iconic on-site fire tower for an exceptional view of the bay, or enjoy a rest among the beautiful displays of Tower Hill Heritage Garden. Also discover the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame and the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts (home to great concerts, the Bands on the Bay series in summer, and the world-renowned classical music Festival of the Sound).
When you’re ready to experience some local flavor, enjoy dining at one of the many fine eateries located here. And if you’re a craft beer enthusiast then you’re in luck – the west Parry Sound district has two: Norse Brewery is located just north of town in Nobel and you’ll find Trestle Brewing Company nestled just underneath its namesake landmark, the Parry Sound Trestle Bridge, which was once painted by legendary Canadian artist Tom Thomson. And if you’re into craft spirits you’ll want to check out Legend Spirits Co., they can be found here too.
Additionally, there are many incredible marinas that dot the coast, welcoming sailors and motorboaters alike.
Be sure to explore all the municipalities of the west Parry Sound district, each with their own unique sense of place and wonderful stops along the way!
For more information on Parry Sound District – the Bay & Beyond – visit the following informative websites:
Parry Sound Tourism
Parry Sound Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Parry Sound
Absolutely Georgian Bay
Seguin Township
Carling Township
Township of McKellar
Municipality of McDougall
Township of the Archipelago
Municipality of Whitestone
Town of Parry Sound
See below for more great ideas on where to stay, where to eat and what to do in Parry Sound District – the ‘Bay & Beyond’.
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Jolly Roger Inn & Resort
Nestled on the edge of a wilderness forest, Jolly Roger Inn & Resort is located an area dotted…
Nestled on the edge of a wilderness forest, Jolly Roger Inn & Resort is located an area dotted with lakes and rivers, just minutes away from Georgian Bay’s renowned 30,000 Islands. Whether…
Midtown Hotel
The Midtown Hotel welcomes you to the center of downtown Parry Sound. Enjoy great comfort, customer service, and…
The Midtown Hotel welcomes you to the center of downtown Parry Sound. Enjoy great comfort, customer service, and a host of amenities while traveling. Whether you are staying for one night or…
Best Western Plus Parry Sound
The Best Western Plus Parry Sound – newly built in 2022 – is now open. Our modern rooms…
The Best Western Plus Parry Sound – newly built in 2022 – is now open. Our modern rooms are pet friendly and include free high speed wifi and wired internet connection, custom-design…
Katawoda Cottage Resort
Welcome to Katawoda, your lakeside retreat in the heart of the 30,000 Islands. As a year round resort…
Welcome to Katawoda, your lakeside retreat in the heart of the 30,000 Islands. As a year round resort we cater to everyone including families, fishermen, nature enthusiasts and other guests. Situated on…
Knights Inn Parry Sound
Rest easy in the heart of downtown Parry Sound at Knights Inn Parry Sound, located directly adjacent to…
Rest easy in the heart of downtown Parry Sound at Knights Inn Parry Sound, located directly adjacent to The Brunswick Sports Grill & Bar. Begin your day with free morning coffee and…
Grand Tappattoo Resort
Traditions begin here at Grand Tappattoo Resort. Under new ownership, our sixty-one room lakefront year-round resort is situated…
Traditions begin here at Grand Tappattoo Resort. Under new ownership, our sixty-one room lakefront year-round resort is situated on beautiful Otter Lake, just south of Parry Sound and twenty minutes from the…
Mill Lake Cottage Resort
Mill Lake Cottage Resort has a unique blend of proximity and privacy. Our year round cottage resort offers…
Mill Lake Cottage Resort has a unique blend of proximity and privacy. Our year round cottage resort offers five housekeeping cottages on the shoreline of beautiful Mill Lake, less than five minutes…
Parry Sound Inn & Suites
Welcome to Parry Sound Inn & Suites. We are conveniently located along Highway 400, the gateway to Northern…
Welcome to Parry Sound Inn & Suites. We are conveniently located along Highway 400, the gateway to Northern Ontario and the unique natural wonders of the Parry Sound area. This hotel has…
Log Cabin Inn
Owner-operated, Log Cabin Inn is a small and intimate country inn that provides the perfect ambience for its…
Owner-operated, Log Cabin Inn is a small and intimate country inn that provides the perfect ambience for its noted fine dining and extensive wine list. This four season inn, composed of six…
Key Marine Resort
Nestled on the shores of Key River, featuring direct water access to Georgian Bay, Key Marine Resort has offered the hospitality…
Nestled on the shores of Key River, featuring direct water access to Georgian Bay, Key Marine Resort has offered the hospitality of this beautiful landscape to visitors for over 25 years. Whether your goal is fishing, hunting, boating or camping, we…
Key Harbour Lodge
Fishing enthusiasts are not alone at Key Harbour Lodge. Year after year families, couples and friends return to…
Fishing enthusiasts are not alone at Key Harbour Lodge. Year after year families, couples and friends return to take in all that the Georgian Bay 30,000 Islands has to offer. As well…
Pleasant Cove Resort
At Pleasant Cove Resort, our four season premier fishing and vacation cottage resort is nestled among Georgian Bay’s prestigious 30,000…
At Pleasant Cove Resort, our four season premier fishing and vacation cottage resort is nestled among Georgian Bay’s prestigious 30,000 Islands, one of the best fresh water boating and fishing locations in North America.…
Rock Pine Resort Cottages
Rock Pine Resort Cottages in Pointe au Baril is the perfect family vacation resort located on the shores…
Rock Pine Resort Cottages in Pointe au Baril is the perfect family vacation resort located on the shores of Georgian Bay, just 25 minutes north of Parry Sound. Well appointed housekeeping cottages,…
Rockwood Resort
Welcome to Rockwood Resort. We invite you and your family to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of…
Welcome to Rockwood Resort. We invite you and your family to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of spectacular Georgian Bay. Rockwood offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom fully equipped, well appointed…
Shebe Resort Cottages
Shebe Resort Cottages is a year round resort catering to families, sportsmen, fishermen, birdwatchers, and other guests. Our lovely…
Shebe Resort Cottages is a year round resort catering to families, sportsmen, fishermen, birdwatchers, and other guests. Our lovely cottage resort is situated on the shores of Lake Shebeshekong, in Carling Township, just…