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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Spark Adventure Photography
Cobi Sharpe is an award-winning adventure and landscape photographer, and a graduate with honours in digital photography. When…
Cobi Sharpe is an award-winning adventure and landscape photographer, and a graduate with honours in digital photography. When she’s not on solo canoe trips, you can find her instructing photography workshops with…
Diamond Waters Sailing
Diamond Waters Sailing has been formed to help adults and families discover nature’s wonders and their potential while…
Diamond Waters Sailing has been formed to help adults and families discover nature’s wonders and their potential while experiencing the finest freshwater sailing in the world. The 30,000 islands of the Georgian…
Trestle Brewing Company
Trestle is a small independently owned craft brewery located in downtown Parry Sound on the waterfront where the…
Trestle is a small independently owned craft brewery located in downtown Parry Sound on the waterfront where the Seguin river flows into Georgian Bay with a spectacular view looking towards the iconic…
King’s Portage Park
King’s Portage Park is a small, twenty-four site family run campground located on Georgian Bay – where the…
King’s Portage Park is a small, twenty-four site family run campground located on Georgian Bay – where the bay connects to Baxter Lake by an 118 year old dam. The docks are…
Tailwinds Georgian Bay
Whether you’ve arrived by plane, train, automobile or boat, we are excited to offer you a dockside table…
Whether you’ve arrived by plane, train, automobile or boat, we are excited to offer you a dockside table north of the Toronto tension line. Unwind and enjoy some of our original creations,…
Di Salvo’s Bella Cucina
Di Salvo’s Bella Cucina is a fine dining Italian restaurant located in downtown in Parry Sound. Di Salvo’s…
Di Salvo’s Bella Cucina is a fine dining Italian restaurant located in downtown in Parry Sound. Di Salvo’s serves authentic Italian cuisine in modern style, with an emphasis on quality and freshness.…
The Detour Store
The Detour Store is a family run camping and cottage supply store that’s been serving customers with a…
The Detour Store is a family run camping and cottage supply store that’s been serving customers with a smile since 1979. Located just minutes from Killbear Provincial Park, stop by to stock…
The Duck Rock Restaurant
The Duck Rock Restaurant is located onsite the Duck Rock Resort in Whitestone. Take the short drive down…
The Duck Rock Restaurant is located onsite the Duck Rock Resort in Whitestone. Take the short drive down the 124 to see them. Their friendly staff and wonderful environment will have you…
Ice Palace Golf Simulator
Welcome to the Ice Palace Golf Simulator Training Facility and Club. Our sports club offers training and practice for…
Welcome to the Ice Palace Golf Simulator Training Facility and Club. Our sports club offers training and practice for individuals and groups, and boasts two state-of-the-art sports simulators, a pool table, shuffleboard table…
Georgian Bay Marina
Georgian Bay Marina offers water taxi services to local island cottages, dinner trips to Henry’s Restaurant Sans Souci,…
Georgian Bay Marina offers water taxi services to local island cottages, dinner trips to Henry’s Restaurant Sans Souci, or just sight seeing trips on the bay with an option to stop for…
Jacknife Cottages
Jacknife Cottages, on the shores of Georgian Bay, offers three self catering cottages for rent. Ranging from four…
Jacknife Cottages, on the shores of Georgian Bay, offers three self catering cottages for rent. Ranging from four to six guests, choose from Jackpine Cottage, Lakefront Cottage, or Bayshore Cottage, all located…
Don Cherry’s Sports Grill
Don Cherry’s Sports Grill in Parry Sound is a great place to have a meal, get a drink…
Don Cherry’s Sports Grill in Parry Sound is a great place to have a meal, get a drink with friends, or catch the big game! With an extensive menu offering all your…
Manitouwabing Outpost
The Manitouwabing Outpost is a family owned and operated business located on Lake Manitouwabing in McKellar, just a…
The Manitouwabing Outpost is a family owned and operated business located on Lake Manitouwabing in McKellar, just a short drive from Parry Sound, Georgian Bay and Muskoka. We come from a lifelong…
18 James Street
Jessica Vergeer is an artist and fashion designer with a studio, gallery and dress shop located in the…
Jessica Vergeer is an artist and fashion designer with a studio, gallery and dress shop located in the heart of downtown Parry Sound – the 18 James Street Studio & Gallery. Taken…
Sail Parry Sound
Anyone can learn to sail! Throughout July and August, people of all ages, 8 to 70-plus, can be…
Anyone can learn to sail! Throughout July and August, people of all ages, 8 to 70-plus, can be on the water enjoying the great winds for which the Big Sound is famous.…