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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Henry’s Fish Restaurant – Sans Souci
Located on Frying Pan Island in the Sans Souci area on the coast of Georgian Bay, Henry’s Fish…
Located on Frying Pan Island in the Sans Souci area on the coast of Georgian Bay, Henry’s Fish Restaurant is known for its famous fish and chips including battered and pan fried…
Oastler Lake Provincial Park
Make Oastler Lake Provincial Park your convenient home base for exploring Parry Sound and Georgian Bay or relax…
Make Oastler Lake Provincial Park your convenient home base for exploring Parry Sound and Georgian Bay or relax in the park, enjoying the long, sandy beach. The park features scenic waterfront campsites…
Picnic Island Resort
Picnic Island is located in the quaint summer town of Honey Harbour on the south eastern shore of…
Picnic Island is located in the quaint summer town of Honey Harbour on the south eastern shore of Georgian Bay. We are on the inside navigational channel heading north, providing a natural…
Riverlake Resort Cottages & Seasonal Campground
Riverlake Resort Cottages & Seasonal Campground in McKellar near Parry Sound is located just over 2 hours from…
Riverlake Resort Cottages & Seasonal Campground in McKellar near Parry Sound is located just over 2 hours from Toronto. We offer two clean, fully equipped housekeeping cottages on the waterfront, as well…
Rolling Rock Cottages
Rolling Rock Cottages is located on Rock Island Lake, just north of Parry Sound and minutes from Pointe…
Rolling Rock Cottages is located on Rock Island Lake, just north of Parry Sound and minutes from Pointe au Baril. We are a private, family resort with a sandy beach and playground…
Sand Bay Resort
Sand Bay Resort has been family-operated Ontario cottage rental resort for more than 50 years, and we decided…
Sand Bay Resort has been family-operated Ontario cottage rental resort for more than 50 years, and we decided Georgian Bay is one of the best places to raise our family, surrounded by…
Shebeshekong Cottage Resort
Shebeshekong Cottage Resort is a quiet family resort on a beautiful sheltered area of Georgian Bay. Our resort…
Shebeshekong Cottage Resort is a quiet family resort on a beautiful sheltered area of Georgian Bay. Our resort has six 1, 2 or 3 bedroom fully equipped housekeeping cottages, which come with…
Snug Haven Resort
Make yourself at home amongst the rocks and pines of one of the most beautiful inlets along Georgian…
Make yourself at home amongst the rocks and pines of one of the most beautiful inlets along Georgian Bay. Snug Haven Resort caters to both family and fishing vacations, and offers 1,…
South Seguin Snowmobile Club
Maintaining over 125 kms of trails, South Seguin Snowmobile Club (SSSC) is one of the largest club trail…
Maintaining over 125 kms of trails, South Seguin Snowmobile Club (SSSC) is one of the largest club trail systems in the Parry Sound Snowmobile District network. The club manages the Seguin trail…
Parry Sound Cruise Lines
Parry Sound Cruise Lines offers sightseeing cruises of the 30,000 Islands and Georgian Bay, including restaurant cruises, dinner…
Parry Sound Cruise Lines offers sightseeing cruises of the 30,000 Islands and Georgian Bay, including restaurant cruises, dinner cruises, sunset cruises and private charters aboard the M.V. Chippewa III.
Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park
Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park offers a camping experience to appeal to visitors who would enjoy a small, quaint…
Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park offers a camping experience to appeal to visitors who would enjoy a small, quaint area. Choose from one of our 79 campsites, many which offer an electrical hook-up. Amenities…
Gilly’s Snug Harbour Restaurant
At Gilly’s Snug Harbour Restaurant, we serve many people boating from Pointe au Baril to the San Souci areas…
At Gilly’s Snug Harbour Restaurant, we serve many people boating from Pointe au Baril to the San Souci areas and beyond. We also serve many locals from the Parry Sound and surrounding area,…
30,000 Island Cruise Line
All aboard the Island Queen for a relaxing cruise through Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands, the largest concentration of…
All aboard the Island Queen for a relaxing cruise through Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands, the largest concentration of freshwater islands in the world! Passengers can choose between two cruises, our Original Two-Hour…
Festival of the Sound
In 1979, a few like minded people got together around a piano and decided that Parry Sound was…
In 1979, a few like minded people got together around a piano and decided that Parry Sound was the perfect place to hold a classical music festival. Since then the Festival of…
Harris Lake Marina & Cottages
Harris Lake Marina & Cottages offers a range of two and three bedroom cottages with a full service…
Harris Lake Marina & Cottages offers a range of two and three bedroom cottages with a full service marina on site. Each cottage comes fully equipped with all the facilities, and includes…