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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Toad Hill Pottery
Barbara Jackson of Toad Hill Pottery has been making functional pottery for over 28 years. Largely self taught, she’ll…
Barbara Jackson of Toad Hill Pottery has been making functional pottery for over 28 years. Largely self taught, she’ll steal ideas from wherever she can find them and make them her own! She…
Northwinds Pottery
Northwinds Pottery specializes in handmade, functional pottery by Tracy Cates. All pottery is oven-safe, food-safe and is available…
Northwinds Pottery specializes in handmade, functional pottery by Tracy Cates. All pottery is oven-safe, food-safe and is available at affordable prices, for everyday use. A wide range of pottery items are available…
Muddy Handshake Pottery
Art for everyday use is what Jeff Martens of Muddy Handshake Pottery strives to achieve with the functional pottery that…
Art for everyday use is what Jeff Martens of Muddy Handshake Pottery strives to achieve with the functional pottery that he creates. His pots are purposefully simple. Jeff works with a variety of clay…
Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere
Designated by UNESCO in 2004, the Georgian Bay Biosphere is an area of 347,000 hectares that stretches 200…
Designated by UNESCO in 2004, the Georgian Bay Biosphere is an area of 347,000 hectares that stretches 200 km along the eastern coast from Port Severn to the French River, in the…
Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts
The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts is located in Parry Sound and sits on a…
The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts is located in Parry Sound and sits on a 3.5-acre waterfront site overlooking beautiful Georgian Bay. The centre houses a 480-seat Festival Performance…
YogAloft Wellness Retreat
At YogAloft Wellness Retreat in McKellar we offer weekly Kripalu Yoga classes, Restorative Yoga, Laughter Yoga, and Chair…
At YogAloft Wellness Retreat in McKellar we offer weekly Kripalu Yoga classes, Restorative Yoga, Laughter Yoga, and Chair Yoga. Wellness services include acupressure massage, aromatherapy massage, an aromatic steam bath using therapeutic…
The Museum on Tower Hill – West Parry Sound District Museum
The Museum on Tower Hill is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, art, and culture of the West…
The Museum on Tower Hill is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, art, and culture of the West Parry Sound District. We do this through dynamic exhibits and programs, community involvement, and…
Bobby Orr Hall of Fame
The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame is an interactive hockey museum with a wide variety of photos, memorabilia and artifacts…
The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame is an interactive hockey museum with a wide variety of photos, memorabilia and artifacts about Bobby Orr, who was born in Parry Sound. Exhibits include Orr’s NHL rings,…
Yoga in the Sound
Yoga in the Sound is an intimate studio space located in close proximity to beautiful Georgian Bay. The…
Yoga in the Sound is an intimate studio space located in close proximity to beautiful Georgian Bay. The studio offers restorative yoga, prenatal yoga, sports specific yoga and Reiki, and are taught…
Perfectly Pampered Day Spa
Perfectly Pampered is your oasis of relaxation away from the stress of your daily routine. The spa offers…
Perfectly Pampered is your oasis of relaxation away from the stress of your daily routine. The spa offers a full selection of facials, spa treatments, massages, nail services and more. We combine…
Bel-Air Cottages
At Bel-Air Cottages, we look forward to welcoming our guests as friends and assisting them in enjoying their…
At Bel-Air Cottages, we look forward to welcoming our guests as friends and assisting them in enjoying their vacation experience to the fullest! For groups, families, couples and events, our resort can…
Manitou Ridge Golf Club
Looking for a unique northern golfing experience? Look no further than Manitou Ridge Golf Club, just outside Parry…
Looking for a unique northern golfing experience? Look no further than Manitou Ridge Golf Club, just outside Parry Sound on the shores of Manitouwabing Lake. Designed by Thomas McBroom, the course is…
Wawanaisa Resort
Wawanaisa Resort is located on a sheltered inlet ideal for many activities for the entire family. With lots…
Wawanaisa Resort is located on a sheltered inlet ideal for many activities for the entire family. With lots of islands and coves to explore by canoe, kayak, or a small motor boat,…
Diver’s Nook
The Diver’s Nook in Parry Sound offers an assortment of outdoor adventure opportunities as well as a retail…
The Diver’s Nook in Parry Sound offers an assortment of outdoor adventure opportunities as well as a retail store location stocked with a complete line of fishing accessories and complete dive store…
Elizabeth Steinebach – Stained Glass Artisan
Elizabeth Steinebach – Stained Glass Artisan creates original and custom designed stained glass including traditional leaded windows and…
Elizabeth Steinebach – Stained Glass Artisan creates original and custom designed stained glass including traditional leaded windows and doors, copperfoil panels, kiln fired paint, silver stain, enamel, acid etching, dalle de verre;…