29 MUST DO-TRY-&-SEES IN SIMCOE COUNTY
One rarely falls in love with a place without experiencing its best kept secrets, local favourites, or top wow-factor attractions. We want you to fall in love with Simcoe County. So here you go. Your one stop shop for must-do, must-try, and must-see sights in Simcoe County. Enjoy the ride!
1. WATCH A SUNSET FROM WASAGA BEACH
Dip your toes in the water at the longest freshwater beach in the world, with 14km of safe, white sandy shore, and stick around to see the colourful, breathtaking sunset as it drops into the glistening waters of Georgian Bay.
2. SIP ON A CAESAR
Try Canada’s favourite drink at 1858 Caesar Bar in Collingwood – the first Caesar Bar in North America, offering over 30 unique Caesar “experiences”, using their very own premium handcrafted additive, Walker’s OneShot.
3. GO OFF THE BEATEN PATH FOR SOME…JERK CHICKEN
Chow Down at Angie’s Place Caribbean Eatery in Stayner, known for their jerk chicken roti, but give yourself some time as the lineups are always long (but well worth the wait).
4. BE INSPIRED BY THE LAND
Visit Georgian Bay Islands National Park, the landscape that inspired the Group of Seven, and let it inspire you. Oh, and to see some original artwork of the Group of Seven, be sure to stop by Huronia Museum in Midland.
5. CRUISE THE 30,000 ISLANDS
Hop on board the Georgian Spirit, Midland Flash, or Georgian Legacy Boat Cruise and experience the 30,000 Islands, the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, designated by UNESCO as a WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE. The area is home to 840 native plant species, 170 types of breeding birds, 44 mammal species and 34 species of reptiles and amphibians.
6. CATCH A FLICK UNDER THE STARS
Stay up late and watch a movie from the comfort of your car at Sunset Barrie Drive-In Theatre.
7. JUMP OUT OF A PLANE
You’ve always dreamed of flying, right? Well, you can do that here at Skydive Toronto and at Skydive Wasaga Beach.
8. SLEEP IN A YURT OR TIPI
Embrace the wild and observe nature at its best. Stay at Black River Wilderness Park and enjoy the setting of an island campsite in the midst of the beautiful Black River, which flows through the 180 acres of park wilderness.
9. PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL
Experience the thrill of race car driving on the best racetrack in the country, Sunset International Speedway in Innisfil. Or just catch a NASCAR race and watch it from the grandstands.
10. DO THE SHOE
Experience some serious family-fun at Horseshoe Resorts’ world-class adventure park. Wakeboard, mountain bike, swim, paddle, swing from the trees, zip-line, mini-golf, ATV, play beach volleyball, and much more.
11. ENJOY THE GREAT INDOORS
Play the slots, roll the dice, dine, stay, rock out, or relax at Casino Rama Resort, your complete entertainment destination and Ontario’s only First Nations Resort Casino. Or check out the brand new Playtime Casino in Wasaga Beach.
12. STOP AT A FRY HUT
Simcoe County is scattered with roadside food trucks and fry huts, but we are home to the original deep fried pickle poutine, made by the one and only: JJ’s Chip Wagon in Alliston. You should go. Like, right now.
13. SWAB THE DECK OF A TALL SHIP
Be amazed by the sheer size of the ship, as you step aboard the H.M.S Tecumseth at Discovery Harbour, the original British naval base from war of 1812.
14. HANG WITH THE MONKEYS, FEED THE GIRAFFES
Walk along shaded trails at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo and view majestic white lions and tigers, the playful monkeys and lemurs, and the rare and exotic birds in the natural surroundings of the zoo’s 30 acres.
15. TAKE A SHOT OF VODKA
Turns out the World’s Best Vodka comes from Alliston, right here in Simcoe County. Beattie’s Distillers is the 5th generation of potato farmer, and they are now proud Ontario distillers, crafting premium potato spirits. Try their sweet potato vodka for a sweet, caramelized flavour.
16. GET ACTIVE ON THE OLD RAIL TRAIL
Explore the Overhead Bridge Trail in Tiny Township by bike or on foot. The best place to unwind and get back to nature.
17. FALL IN LOVE WITH THE COLOURS
Jump in the car and drive through Awenda Provincial Park this fall. The bright, full colours of red, orange, and yellow trees will change your life.
18. TRY A BIG TASTE FROM A TINY PLACE
You can’t stop or stay in Simcoe County without checking out Creemore Springs Brewery. They fire-brew their beer in small batches in authentic copper kettles, and they don’t just use regular water either. They use water from their local namesake springs. Pretty cool, eh?
19. SCHEDULE SOME ME-TIME
Take some time for yourself and enjoy the ultimate relaxation, rejuvenation, and revitalization in the heart of nature at Vetta Spa in Oro-Medonte.
20. VISIT ONTARIO’S OLDEST EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
Step back in time to the 17th century at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, one of Canada’s National Historic Sites and learn about the French Jesuit mission in the heart of Huron-Wendat First Nation.
21. CHOW DOWN ON FARM FRESHNESS
Welcome to farm country! We grow fruits and veggies galore, so be sure to check out a local farmer’s market, swing by a roadside stand, or visit a farm gate location like Nicholyn Farms and see what you’ve been missing.
22. GET BACK ON THE SADDLE
Be amazed with the boutique trail riding experience offered at Glen Oro Farms in Oro-Medonte and ride off into the sunset. And – if you want to look the part, check out Herbert’s Boots & Western Wear, with two locations in Alliston and Innisfil.
23. HIT THE SLOPES
If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, or a pro – we’ve got mountains for you! From Snow Valley Ski Resort, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, and Horseshoe Resort to Blue Mountain, you’ll be thrilled! And if you’re into skiing up hills instead of down them, check out Hardwood Ski and Bike, Mountainview Ski Centre, or Highlands Nordic from some sweet XC skiing.
24. RIDE THE LOOP
Ride Sally ride! The Simcoe County Loop Trail is 160 kilometres of paved off-road and multi-use gravel trail that travels through 9 municipalities, reaches 3 major bodies of water, and is flat! Did we mention it’s a scenic ride too? Go on now, get on your bike.
25. EAT ALL THE BUTTER TARTS
We are loud and proud to be home of Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival. With over 200,000 butter tarts available for sale and 65,000 people in attendance, this is one not to be missed. Always the first or second Saturday in June! Mark your calendars!
26. CHECK OUT THE BACKDROP FOR ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
If you’re an Anne fan, then Simcoe County Museum needs to be on your bucket list. The Schoolhouse, one of 16 heritage buildings on site, was used to film scenes in 1985! There’s also a 1km skate trail through the forest each winter too! But, don’t forget to BYO skates!
27. MAKE IT A VACAY TO REMEMBER
With a number of family fun (and even all-inclusive!) resorts in Simcoe County, you can make memories to last a lifetime. One of our favs is Fern Resort in Ramara – which is open all year!
28. TAKE A BATH. IN THE FOREST.
Well, not actually! But forest bathing is a thing! Just not what you think. It’s a stroll through nature where one can deeply connect with your senses. You can do this at Lavender Fox in Adjala Tosorontio. Maybe a forest cleanse is just what you need!
29. WE’RE CRAZY FOR CARROTS.
We really love our carrots, and grow an insane amount of them too. In fact, Bradford West Gwillimbury produces the most amount of carrots in all of Canada! The carrot has sort of become our mascot, and Carrot Fest in August is where we like to celebrate our carrot farming roots (pardon the pun).
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