wh-DiscoverManitoulin-Bridal-May7

About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to explore. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, ands show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover.”

At 2,766 square kilometres, Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is the largest freshwater island in the world — and features no fewer than 100 inland lakes. It is also the ancestral home to six Anishinaabe First Nations, with its name meaning Spirit Island in Ojibway. A three-day visit offers the chance to explore ancient hiking trails, a legend-steeped waterfall, First Nations heritage sites and hands-on Indigenous cultural experiences.

DAY ONE
In the morning

It will take a few hours to get to Manitoulin Island, so leave Toronto around 7:30 a.m. so you can maximize your time there once you arrive. Head north on Highway 400, which will turn into Highway 69, and follow it until you reach Highway 17 near Sudbury. Follow the roadway west and then take Highway 6 to Little Current, located on the island. The journey should take around five-and-a-half hours.

In the afternoon
Fill your tummy by enjoying an order of barbecue chicken flatbread or fish tacos from Elliott’s Restaurant. Eat in or nab one of the picnic tables at Low Island Park, located on the waterfront. From there, drive west on Highway 540 to the start of the Cup and Saucer Hiking Trail. This five-kilometre loop trail includes a stretch along a 70-metre-high cliff that offers great views of Lake Huron.

Drive back to Little Current and check in at the Manitoulin Inn and Conference Centre, which is First Nations-owned and operated. The room decor and teepee-like lobby reflect local Indigenous traditions, as does the food served at the North 46 Restaurant, where the menu includes bison chili and Anishinaabe tacos with fried bread.

In the evening

Visit the nearby Little Current Swing Bridge, which opens every two hours to allow boats through the North Channel. It’s one of the only swing bridges still operating in Canada. After, stop at the Outpost General Store for souvenirs you’ll use, such as custom-knit toques and Manitoulin-branded t-shirts, before enjoying a dinner of locally caught trout, white fish or pickerel at the Anchor Inn Grill.

[caption id="attachment_168044" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/wh-DiscoverManitoulin-Culture-May7-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-168044" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/wh-DiscoverManitoulin-Culture-May7-scaled.jpg" alt="Discover Manitoulin" width="2560" height="1707" /></a> M'CHIGEENG, ON- NOVEMBER 7 - A display of quill art by Nico Williams of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia is on display in the foyer of the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation. Anong Beam, is the curator of the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation on Manitoulin Island in M'Chigeeng. November 7, 2017. Steve Russell/Toronto Star[/caption]

DAY TWO
In the morning

Have breakfast at the inn before getting in your car for the 45-minute drive along Highway 6 to Manitowaning, where you can peruse the Indigenous art exhibits at K.B. Reynolds Mastin Gallery, located in the Debajehmujig Creation Centre. From there, it’s a short walk to the Assiginack Museum Heritage Complex, which is dedicated to the history of the island.

Across the road from the museum is Loco Beanz, where you can grab a Hot Smoothie or North Channel Chai for the drive along Cardell Street (which turns into Wikwemikong Way) to Wikwemikong, the island’s largest First Nation community.
In the afternoon
Wikwemikong Tourism offers a two-hour culinary excursion starting daily at noon that involves foraging and storytelling along the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail. It includes stops to admire the views of La Cloche Mountains, the North Channel and the traditional fishing grounds of the Anishnaabek of Wikwemikong. There are three different culinary outings, one of which is the Clay-Baked Georgian Bay Trout and Tea, with each hosted by Indigenous guides and ending with a full meal that you help prepare.

Following lunch, you can head to the gift shop at the Wikwemikong Tourist Information Centre to shop for hand-crafted jewellery or moccasins, rent a bike to explore the community, or head to King’s Bay Beach on the sandy shoreline of Lake Huron for a swim.

In the evening
Head for an early dinner at Ed’s Family Restaurant in Wikwemikong, where you can enjoy piles of homemade bread along with burgers, fish and chips or hot sandwiches. After dinner, visit the Meeshkodewaang boat ramp for Paddle the Night Sky. This canoe excursion is led by Indigenous guides who share stories and legends of water spirits, tales of battles with the Iroquois, and teachings about the constellations. The outing ends with fireside tea.
Drive back to Little Current and end your day with a Bridal Veil Pale Ale or Cup and Saucer English Ale at Manitoulin Brewing, which hosts evening entertainment during summer months.
DAY THREE
In the morning
After breakfast, drive west for 80 minutes on Highway 540 to Misery Bay Provincial Park. You can break up the ride with a stop at New Grain Kitchen in Gore Bay to purchase maple and oat sourdough along with some Thunder Oak Smoked Gouda as a snack. At the park, follow the hiking trails that take you past huge chunks of dolomite ground flat by glaciers along with bird-viewing platforms.

Hop back in the car and drive east on the 540 to the 10-metre high Bridal Veil Falls, located near the town of Kagawong. Interpretive plaques near its base tell the story of the Legend of Maswein, his experiences at the waterfall and his encounter with the Great Spirit Manitou

Head to the community of M’Chigeeng for lunch at Maggie’s Café – its cobb salad is worth a try – and to spend time at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation to learn more about the island’s various First Nation clans as well as traditional artwork, including porcupine quill boxes, ash and sweetgrass baskets and antler carvings.

In the afternoon

Head east on Highway 542 and then Highway 6 to South Baymouth to catch the two-hour car ferry that crossed Lake Huron to Tobermory. From there you can continue your journey back to Toronto.

For the drive

The “Island of Great Spirit - the Legacy of Manitoulin” podcast features short chapters that cover various aspects of the history and culture of Manitoulin Island, from the original Odawa peoples to today’s inhabitants. It is available through Apple Podcasts.

COVID-19 need to know

Manitoulin Island follows Ontario’s provincial COVID-19 guidelines. Contact individual businesses in advance to determine their preferred protocols.

Drive guide

Day one
<ul>
 	<li> 7:30 a.m. Leave Toronto</li>
 	<li> 1 pm. <a href="https://www.elliottsmanitoulin.com/menus">Elliott’s Restaurant</a></li>
 	<li> 1:30 p.m.Low Island Park</li>
 	<li> 2:30 p.m.Cup and Saucer Nature Reserve</li>
 	<li>5:30 p.m. Manitoulin Inn and Conference Centre</li>
 	<li>7 p.m. Anchor Inn Grill</li>
</ul>
Day Two
<ul>
 	<li> 10 a.m. K.B. Reynolds Mastin Gallery</li>
 	<li> 11 a.m. Assiginack Museum Heritage Complex</li>
 	<li> NoonBebamikawe Memorial Trail Indigenous Experience</li>
 	<li>5 p.m. Ed’s Family Restaurant</li>
 	<li>7 p.m. Paddle the Night Sky</li>
</ul>
Day three
<ul>
 	<li> 9 a.m. New Grain Kitchen</li>
 	<li> 11 a.m. Misery Bay Provincial Park</li>
 	<li> Noon Bridal Veil Falls</li>
 	<li>1 p.m. Maggie’s Café</li>
 	<li>2 p.m. Ojibwe Cultural Foundation</li>
</ul>

Ours to Discover: Manitoulin Island

wh-Discover-Main-March26

Barrie: About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to explore. This series of day trips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, and show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover.”

According to Statistics Canada, Barrie is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. But you needn’t scrutinize population charts to appreciate the development this community on the western arm of Lake Simcoe is experiencing. It’s obvious from the ever-increasing activities available to day visitors and overnighters. As the population has swelled, so too have the art and cultural opportunities, and the diversity of cuisines served in local restaurants. One constant about Barrie that’s always been a crowd-pleaser: its robust portfolio of outdoor pursuits, which starts on the city’s revamped waterfront.

In the morning: Follow Highway 400 north to Barrie and take the Bayfield Street exit toward downtown. There’s plenty of roadside and municipal parking near Bayfield and Simcoe streets near the Kempenfelt Bay waterfront.

Make a beeline to <a href="http://www.homesteadartisanbakery.com/contactus">Homestead Artisan Bakery</a>, which specializes in long-ferment sourdough breads and baked goods. A helping of sourdough waffles – slathered with fresh berries, whipping cream, berry compote and maple syrup – will fuel you for the morning activities ahead.

After your hearty breakfast, head to Centennial Beach and Heritage Park (a few minutes away by foot) where you’ll have options to walk, rollerblade or cycle the seven-kilometre waterfront trail, go kayaking or canoeing, hop on a stand-up paddleboard, or let the kids have fun at the 13,000-square-foot inflatable waterpark. If you are interested, <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/ours-to-discover/ours-to-discover-barrie/madcatebikes.ca">Born</a> to Ride offers cycle rentals and guided tours of the area.

Retrieve your car for a five-minute drive to <a href="https://www.barrie.ca/Living/ParksTrails/Parks/Pages/Parks-Listing.aspx">Arboretum Sunnidale Park and Living Walk</a>. It is home to the Every Kid’s A Hero Inclusive Adventure Playground that empowers youngsters with mobility impairments or disabilities, as well as people with hearing and visual impairments, to enjoy outdoor recreation. You can also follow the interactive QR code-based tree walk, which prompts visitors to identify trees and other elements in the local ecosystem.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166819" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/wh-Discover-MacLaren-March26-2048x1152-1.jpeg" alt="Downtown Barrie’s MacLaren Art Centre" width="2048" height="1152" />

Hop back in your car for a 10-minute jaunt over to Bayfield Street, and then north on Highway 26, which will take you to the Simcoe County Museum. It includes a collection of 16 heritage buildings, interactive displays and five indoor galleries chronicling local history. There’s even an outdoor ice-skating trail during winter.

Around noon: <a href="https://pizzeriaitaliarestaurant.ca/">Pizzeria Italia</a> has been serving traditional Italian food in Barrie since 1966. Its meatball sandwich is delicious, and, over the years, the kitchen hasn’t given in and dialled down the garlic intensity of its requisite Caesar salad.

After lunch, make time to visit the contemporary Canadian art collection at the <a href="https://maclarenart.com/">MacLaren Art Centre</a> across the street from the restaurant. Later, walk around the corner to the <a href="https://www.flyingmonkeys.ca/taproom/">Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery</a> to purchase a take-home six-pack of one of their award-winning craft brews.

After retrieving your car make a quick stop at <a href="https://sigridsbakery.com/">Sigrid’s Café &amp; Fine Bakery</a>, which is run by the fourth generation of European-trained bakers. Take your pick of cookies, pastries, torts or poppy seed cake to enjoy during your 20-minute drive to your next stop.

In the afternoon: Hop back onto Highway 400 and drive north until you reach Horseshoe Valley Road and <a href="https://horseshoeresort.com/">Horseshoe Valley Resort</a>. This four-season venue offers a variety of winter activities (skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding and snowshoeing), as well as warmer-weather adventures (fat biking, hiking, off-road riding and tree-top trekking).
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166820" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/wh-Discover-Fat-March26-2048x1368-1.jpeg" alt="Horseshoe Valley Resort" width="2048" height="1368" />

Your last stop for the afternoon will resonate with anyone who’s watched an episode of “Antiques Road Show.” <a href="https://roadshowantiquesmall.com/">Road Show Antiques</a>, just south of Barrie next to the 400 Market on Highway 400, is open daily. Browse its 32,000 square feet of antiques, collectibles, vintage and retro pieces. Making sure you have an empty car trunk will be handy for this day trip, because you will want to bring some of your finds home with you.

In the evening:  All that shopping will mean you’re ready for dinner. <a href="https://www.thecrazyfoxbistro.com/">The Crazy Fox Bistro</a>, a mainstay since 1986, is one of the finer casual dining options in Barrie. Appetizers range from flatbreads to Itsumo tuna, while main courses include pan-seared pickerel, duck confit, filet mignon and crab and lobster mezzaluna. Opt to sit on the patio during the warm months.

For your main event of the evening, you can sit back and watch horseracing at <a href="http://www.georgiandowns.com/">Georgian Downs</a> on the outskirts of Barrie, or take in a performance at the <a href="https://www.barrie.ca/Living/RecreationFacilities/Pages/Sadlon-Arena.aspx">Sadlon Arena</a>, formerly the Barrie Molson Centre. Before the drive back to Toronto, consider stopping at the <a href="https://www.commongoodcafe.ca/">Common Good Café &amp; Social House</a>, where you can enjoy a cocktail (if you aren’t the designated driver) or coffee on the patio or in the lounge while listening to live music. The perfect end to a perfect day in Barrie.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Consult the provincial website (ontario.ca) for the most up-to-date information and contact individual businesses ahead of your trip
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Listen to “<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/Barrie-Uncovered---The-Podcast-Edition-p1242560/">Barrie Uncovered: The Podcast Edition</a>.” <a href="https://tunein.com/radio/Arts--Culture-Podcasts-g3430/">This arts and culture program features conversations with Barrie-based artists and entrepreneurs. Find it at barrieuncovered.ca.</a>
<h3>TIMELINE: Drive guide</h3>
<ul>
 	<li>8 a.m.Leave Toronto</li>
</ul>
Drive north on Hwy 400
<ul>
 	<li>9 a.m. Homestead Artisan Bakery</li>
 	<li>10 a.m.Centennial Park &amp; Heritage Park</li>
 	<li>11 a.m.Sunnidale Park Arboretum and Living Walk</li>
 	<li>11:45 a.m. Simcoe County Museum</li>
 	<li>12:45 a.m. Pizzeria Italia</li>
 	<li>2 p.m.Horseshoe Valley Resort</li>
 	<li>4:45 p.m.Road Show Antiques</li>
 	<li>6 p.m.Crazy Fox Bistro</li>
 	<li>7:30 p.m. Sadlon Arena or Georgian Downs</li>
</ul>
NOTE: Times are suggestions only

Ours to Discover: Barrie

wh-Discover-Sleighs-Riverbend-Dec11 (1)

About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions having eased over the last few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province and across Canada, ands show you why this country is “Ours to Discover.”

There’s nothing like a hefty horse to drive home the holiday spirit faster than a Hallmark movie. Few traditions invoke Christmas cheer better than a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a snow-covered landscape. But it wasn’t always thus. True believers know that eight reindeer originally hauled Santa’s sleigh through the night skies on Christmas Eve. Clement Clarke Moore established that warm-and-fuzzy image in his 1823 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” which named all eight reindeer. While reindeers might feel more authentic, you will need to settle for horses these days. You have numerous options to enjoy the festive glow of a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Ontario.
<h3>Back of Beyond Equine Centre in Huntsville </h3>
You can enjoy a festive winter outing with your loved ones—and pay it forward—when you book a sleigh ride at the Back of Beyond Equine Centre. Cathy Foyston and Bill Statten care for 14 horses and one mule, some of which are rescue animals. Proceeds from sleigh rides pay for the upkeep of the older and rescued animals. There are six horses that pull the classic red sleigh: four black Percherons named Tom, Eddie, Duke and Phoenix, a Belgian named Caddy and a Norwegian Fjord called Kestrel. You can choose a daytime or evening Winter Sleigh Ride and Campfire outing or a Private Sleigh Ride with Santa. The sleigh rides take guests through woodland trails to an outdoor campfire for roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.

Rates: The 15-minute Private Sleigh Ride with Santa (which accommodates up to six people) costs $60. The one-hour Private Winter Sleigh Ride and Campfire costs $150 for the first two people, and $25 for each additional guest (<a href="http://www.backofbeyondequinecentre.com">backofbeyondequinecentre.com</a>).

How to get there: Take Highway 400 north and merge onto Highway 11.  Turn east on South Mary Lake Road/Muskoka District Road 44 in Huntsville, then follow Muskoka District Road 10 to the centre.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Sleighs-Beyond-Dec11-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163983" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Sleighs-Beyond-Dec11-3.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="1852" height="901" /></a>
<h3>Sentineal Carriages in Niagara on-the-Lake</h3>
Sentineal Carriages is currently taking bookings for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve tours of Niagara on-the-Lake. Guests board their decorated horse-drawn carriage outside the Prince of Wales Hotel and trot past stately homes and historic buildings, and then down by the waterfront and along the main street. Carriages can accommodate two adults and two children, who are welcome to bring hot beverages and blankets. The ornate carriages are ideal for romantic outings. Sentineal offers horse-drawn carriage rides all winter long.
Rates: $95 for a 30 minute-tour; $140 for a 45-minute tour; $180 for a 60-minute tour (<a href="http://www.sentinealcarriages.ca">sentinealcarriages.ca</a>).

How to get to there: Take Highway 403 west and the Queen Elizabeth Way to Glendale Avenue/Regional Road 89 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Then take Airport Road/Regional Road 90 and Regional Road 55 to Picton Street.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Sentineal-Beyond-Dec11-2-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163982" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Sentineal-Beyond-Dec11-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>
<h3>Riverbend Acres in Bright</h3>
Libby Peters and her family operate this 40-hectare farm that is home to a menagerie of horses, ducks, cows and other farm animals. Educational barn visits geared to children cost $50. The big draw in winter are the sleigh rides, which are pulled by two Belgian horses who, said Peters, “Welcome attention and affection.”  The horse-drawn sleigh ride takes guests over fields and woodland trails and along a dead-end gravel road to a 100-year-old steel bridge over the Nith River, with stops for photo ops and snowball tossing.

Rates: a sleigh ride (for up to 12 adults, kids on laps) costs $165 (<a href="http://www.riverbendacres.com">riverbendacres.com</a>).

How to get to Riverbend Acres: From Gardiner Express Way get onto Highway 403 driving west and continue to Middle Townline Road/Regional Rodd 25 in Brant. Take exit 16 to County Road 3 and then take Township Road 12 into Bright.
<h3>Valley Ridge Family Farm in Ravenna</h3>
Four Clydesdales (Penny, Ella, Eric and Ernie) takes guests on winter sleigh rides on Sarah McAllister’s farm in the Blue Mountains near Collingwood. The sleigh rides follow trails through 138 acres of forest and open fields. After the sleigh ride, guests are welcome to take selfies with the horses and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

Rates: $96 for a couple, $160 for a family of four; and a full sleigh of ten guests is $28 (<a href="http://facebook/valleyridgefamilyfarm">facebook.com/valleyridgefamilyfarm</a>).

How to get there: Drive Highway 400 north to Dunlop Street West in Barrie, then take exit 96B and follow Wilson Drive/County Road 53, Highway 26 west and County Road 32 to 3rd Line in The Blue Mountains.
<h3>St. Jacob’s Horse-drawn Tours in Woolwich </h3>
Enjoy a scenic 45-minute sleigh ride through open fields and a sugar bush in Mennonite country, where horse-drawn carts and sleighs are common sights on the roads. This winter sleigh ride includes a stop at a rustic sugar shack, where guests warm themselves with hot apple cider next to a wood stove. No sleigh rides on Sundays or Christmas Day.
Rates: The big sleigh ($200) can accommodate up to 15 adults; the small sleigh ($150) seats four adults (<a href="http://www.stjacobshorsedrawntours.com">stjacobshorsedrawntours.com</a>).
How to get there: Take Highway 401 west to Northfield Drive West in Waterloo. Take the Northfield Drive West exit from Highway 85. Then take Weber Street North and Apple Grove Road/Township Road 39.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Note that the government-mandated proof of vaccination rule is in effect. Check provincial guidelines before you head out on your road trip (Ontario.ca).
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Continue the retro experience by listening to classic holiday programing with “Christmas Old Time Radio.” Available from Apple podcasts, it features shows from the golden age of the medium.

Ours to Discover: Sleigh rides, Winter rides to make the season glow

Screaming Heads

About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions having eased over the last few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province and across Canada, ands show you why this country is “Ours to Discover.”

For most, Burk’s Falls and the nearby Muskoka region typically conjure up pastoral tableaus of the Canadian Shield, azure blue lakes and bent white pines that looked plucked from a Group of Seven painting. But there are edgier artforms — macabre, in some instances — to be behold a few hours north of Toronto: ghoulish concrete smiley faces emerging from the earth, five-metre monsters forged of steel, and sculptures made from motorboat engines. Here is how to go on an art crawl through the area.
<h3>The Screaming Heads of Midlothian Castle</h3>
Visitors get a true sense of the Screaming Heads outdoor art gallery the moment they breach the gates to sculptor Peter Camani’s thick-walled home, Midlothian Castle, which dominates the 125-hecatre outdoor art venue on the outskirts of Burk’s Falls. The gate is a massive metal spider web. On top of the castle, which also houses Camani’s studio, perches a two-headed dragon. But it’s the area surrounding this edifice that can require nerves of steel should you visit late in the fall.

A winding trail through woods, ponds and meadows reveals about 100 “screaming head” sculptures, some in form of concrete smiley faces, hands reaching up out of the ground and arches in the form of gaping mouths that threaten to swallow all who approach. Some of the sculptures stand about seven metres tall, with a few weighing as much as 30,000 kilograms. The Screaming Heads are frequently called “Canada’s Stonehenge.” This isn’t a typical museum experience: you drive up, park your car in a field and drop some cash into the contribution box at the entrance. Helpful tip: wear boots.

Directions: From Toronto, drive north on Hwy. 400 and then merge onto Hwy. 11 north. At Burk’s Falls, take Hwy. 520 west to Midlothian Road.
<h3>The Bala Bog Monster </h3>
The Bala Bog Monster (originally titled Koilis), has alternately wooed or weirded out people since its first public appearance in 2007. The tentacled monster is made of 900 kilograms of steel and stands (or, rather, crouches) at a height of four metres by a cranberry bog In Bala, Muskoka.

Orville and June Johnston, proprietors of <a href="https://cranberry.ca/contact-hours-directions/">Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery</a>, acquired the freakish monster in 2018 because, “It reflects the scary beauty we often see in nature. As cranberry growers, we are stewards of many creatures perceived as ugly or threatening: hog-nosed snakes, snapping turtles, frogs, rattlesnakes and carnivorous plants,” Orville said about the sculpture during a talk at the Bala Cranberry Festival in 2019.

“To us, they belong here and are an important part of our ecosystem.”

The sculpture hasn’t always been so warmly welcomed. When Koilis resided on Muskoka Region’s Baxter Island, boaters habitually called it The Beast of Baxter Island. When it was moved to downtown Bala, outside Mike Chesney’s Mystery Diner chip truck, some admirers proclaimed it fabulous art, yet to others it was a frightful eyesore. Beauty is in the heart of the beholder.

Directions: From Burk’s Falls, take Hwy. 11 south and then Muskoka District Road 169 to Bala.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bala-2-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162845" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bala-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Bala" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>
<h3>The Tree Museum</h3>
“Bring water and hiking boots when you visit the museum,” said E.J. Lightman, founder of The Tree Museum, a permanent exhibit of outdoor sculpture on the shores of Ryde Lake, near Gravenhurst. Viewing the installations, which celebrate the collusion between nature and culture, involves extensive walking over uneven terrain and scrambling up rocks. The first sculpture is about one kilometre from the parking lot.

Since The Tree Museum opened in 1997, Lightman and co-curator Anne O'Callaghan have invited guest curators to use the trees, lush meadows, rocky outcrops, lichen-covered rocks, wet shorelands, ponds, lakes and twigs in their artworks. One installation positioned horizontal tree trunks on granite rock to create the effect of a diving board—a common activity in cottage country. There are usually 15 temporary sculptures, and no admission for the self-guided visits. There is also an outhouse on site.

Directions: From Bala, follow Frank Miller Memorial Route and Muskoka District Road 169 to Doe Lake Road in Gravenhurst.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-Discover-OutdoorArt-Tree-Oct303-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162844" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-Discover-OutdoorArt-Tree-Oct303-scaled.jpg" alt="Tree Museum" width="1916" height="2560" /></a>
<h3>A natural art show</h3>
The Torrance Barrens Conservation Area became the world’s first permanent dark sky reserve in 1991. Thanks to the stunted trees and bushes —and an absence of light pollution — visitors to the 1,900-hectare Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve can enjoy incredible 360-degree views of the sky on a clear night. Stargazers are frequently rewarded with views of some of the planets, the Milky Way and other classic constellations. The Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) can also make an appearance in late summer and fall.

Directions: From Gravenhurst take the Frank Miller Memorial Route and Muskoka District Road 169 to Southwood Road/Muskoka District Road 13 to Torrance Barrens.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-Discover-OutdoorArt-Sky-Oct304.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162846" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-Discover-OutdoorArt-Sky-Oct304.jpg" alt="Outdoor Art Show" width="1800" height="1200" /></a>
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Download podcasts of the weekly radio show “Arts R Us” from Muskoka Radio. Learn about local painters, sculptors, musicians and other Muskoka-based artists with hosts Karen Cassian and Noreen Mitchell.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Most restaurants, stores and attractions are open with reduced capacity. Note that the government-mandated proof of vaccination rule is in effect. Check provincial guidelines before you head out on your road trip (Ontario.ca).

Ours to Discover: Unique artworks, An outdoor art crawl with a twist in Burk’s Falls and the Muskoka region

PE northcrest

About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions having eased over the last few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province and across Canada, ands show you why this country is “Ours to Discover.”

Haunted cemeteries, ghostly apparitions in windows, floorboards that creak when rooms are empty, this is the stuff of spooky daytrips around Ontario during Halloween season. But, be warned. These road trips are not for the faint of heart. If you slept well after screenings of “The Blair Witch Project” or “The Conjuring,” you’re good to go. If not, drive with caution. Here are some places with spooky stories waiting to be discovered.
<h3>Haunted Hamilton</h3>
For a spine-tingling daytrip to Hamilton, start at Dundurn Castle, the 40-room neoclassical mansion that was once the home of politician Sir Allan MacNab. Tragedy and death tainted the surrounding grounds before MacNab moved in. Eleven men were hung for treason across the street in 1813, and the nearby sheds were used for cholera victims. But it’s the ghost of MacNab’s second wife, Mary, who apparently is the cause of a persistent chill and a breeze that reportedly snuffs out candles.

In nearby Ancaster, head to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and follow the Main Loop Trail for about 20 minutes until you emerge from the tree-lined path to the eerie sight of the Hermitage Ruins and Gatehouse. These towering stone ruins are all that’s left of the Hermitage Estate, which is apparently haunted by the ghost of a long-dead coachman who one day professed undying love for his employer’s niece, but was met with scorn. The coachman’s body was found hanging in the barn the next morning.

Directions: Follow the Gardiner Express Way west to the Queen Elizabeth Way and then Hwy. 403 west to McQuesten High Level Bridge. You then follow York Boulevard in Hamilton to Dundurn Castle.
<h3>Creepy Cayuga</h3>
A 33-room Greek Revival villa is the last spectacle you’d expect to find along the banks of the Grand River, north of Cayuga, in rural Haldimand County. The Thompson family mansion (built in 1845) dominates the <a href="https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=860">Ruthven Park National Historic Site of Canada</a>. It sits adjacent to the long-abandoned ghost town of Indiana, a once-thriving mill town. All that remains, apart from the mansion and the family cemetery, are remnants of the mill and lock along the riverbank. Plus, there are the toppled tombstones in the Thompson family cemetery, where the 11-year-old Bessie Thompson is buried. She is said to haunt the mansion and the grounds of Ruthven Park.

In nearby Caledonia, you’ll be similarly spooked at the <a href="www">Edinburgh Square Heritage &amp; Cultural Centre</a> in Caledonia. The basement of the 1850s building, once the Caledonia town hall, formerly housed a jail — as well as meat market — and is still open to the public. The place induces shudders in the sturdiest of souls.

Directions: Take the Queen Elizabeth Way and Hwy. 403 west to Hwy. 6 in Hamilton. Take Hwy. 6 south and continue to Haldimand County Hwy. 54 in Cayuga.

[caption id="attachment_162624" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-DiscoverHaunted-Ruthven-4.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162624" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-DiscoverHaunted-Ruthven-4.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="1170" height="1926" /></a> KWR120103 - CAYUGA - Built between 1845 and 1847, Ruthven Park was owned by five generations of the Thompson family before it was donated to the Lower Grand River Land Trust in 1993. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1996. Brent Davis, Record staff - see story by Brent - 2 of 5 14:04:13 {120103} {CAYUGA}[/caption]
<h3>Eerie Eldorado </h3>
Located in Hastings County, Eldorado doesn’t completely qualify as an abandoned ghost town because around 50 people still reside in the mostly deserted settlement in eastern Ontario. Stepping out of your car on Main Street in front of the long-deserted gas station and dilapidated grocery store, it’s hard to imagine that 4,000 people once lived here. Eldorado appeared overnight after the discovery of gold in a farmer’s field in 1866. Alas, Ontario’s first gold mine was short-lived. Small amounts of the precious metal, fraudulent claims and whispers of “fake gold” spelled a quick end to the hysteria — and the eventual demise of Eldorado. An eeriness pervades the streets.
Upon leaving Eldorado, head down Hwy. 62 south and cut east across Hwy. 7 to Peterborough. First stop: the Little Lake Cemetery to seek out the statue of the “Black Angel” above the final resting spot (or so it’s assumed) of a one John MacDonald, who died in the 1800s. Local lore suggests the angel’s head turns at night and that a mysterious force turned the once-white statue to black. Most curious is the inscription: “He is not here.” Which prompts the question: “Is there a body buried in this grave?”

Next, visit the annual <a href="https://www.instagram.com/creepydollmuseum/?hl=en">Creepy Dolls Museum at Theatre on King in Peterborough.</a> Co-curators Kathryn Bahun and Ben Hatcher have collected 70 dolls from thrift shops, basements, attics and garage sales. Hatcher rescued one from the freezer of a newly-purchased home — taking bone-chilling to a new level.
Directions: To get to Eldorado, take Hwy. 401 east to Ganaraska Road/Durham Regional Rd 9 in Clarington and continue along Ganaraska Road. Follow County Road 9 and Route 45 to Hwy. 7 in Norwood then onto Hwy. 62 headed north.

[caption id="attachment_162623" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-DiscoverHaunted-Dolls-1-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162623" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-DiscoverHaunted-Dolls-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1864" /></a> A collection of creepy dolls from Creepy Doll Museum 2 are on display at The Theatre on King Thursday October 29, 2020 in Peterborough, Ont. Due to COVID-19, only 8 people at a time will be allowed entrance for 30 minutes.[/caption]
<h3>Spooky Caledon</h3>
The stark edifice of the abandoned Cheltenham Brick Yards creeps up on drivers as they travel north on Mississauga Road. Staring at the spooky structures (boarded-up brickworks and forlorn chimneys) through the chain-link fence gnaws at your nerves. In its heyday, circa 1914, the brickyard was home to six kilns, as well as 14 houses for the employees.
In nearby Boston Mills is the Boston Mills Cemetery (north on Mississauga and east on Boston Mills Road). The graveyard, first used in 1823, long ago expropriated a one-room schoolhouse for use as a mortuary. Ghost-believers say the cemetery is haunted by playing children, and that lights can be seen at night in former schoolhouse.

Directions: Take the Gardiner Expressway west and then follow Hwy. 410 north to Hurontario Street in Caledon. Follow Hurontario and King Street/Peel Regional Rd 9 to Mississauga Road.

[caption id="attachment_162622" align="alignnone" width="1950"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-DiscoverHaunted-BostonMills-3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162622" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/wh-DiscoverHaunted-BostonMills-3.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="1950" height="1302" /></a> Do you have a favourite scary spot in Caledon? Many believe some of Caledon's cemeteries, such as Boston Mills, Caledon East and Alton still get visitors. Where else have you had, or heard of, a spooky encounter?[/caption]
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Brandon Chiasson and Ashley Spurrell host “<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/ontarios-most-haunted-podcast-brandon-_zxV-8e4qIO/">Ontario’s Most Haunted Podcast</a>” in which they delve into proclaimed paranormal sites, exorcisms, and ghost sightings throughout the province. If you’ve only time for one episode, choose “<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-16-the-hermitage-ruins/id1544397425?i=1000519126124">The Hermitage Ruins</a>,” mentioned in the section of this article about Hamilton.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Most restaurants, stores and attractions are open with reduced capacity. Note that the government-mandated proof of vaccination rule is in effect. Check provincial guidelines before you head out on your road trip (ontario.ca).

Ours to Discover: Haunted Drives, Explore Ontario on these bone-chilling road trips

wh-DiscoverFall-Gorge-Sept18(1)

About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions expected to ease over the next few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and weekend drives highlights great experiences you can have in the province once conditions allow and show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover” this summer and beyond.

Dropping temperatures and shorter days signal not just the end of summer but also an annual ritual: leaf-peeping. The urge to witness the explosion of reds, yellows, golds and purples that are the hallmarks of fall foliage season is not an exclusively Canadian activity: the Japanese call it momijigari.

To really appreciate the burst of colours within driving distance of Toronto, fall foliage tours take a little planning. One big question is when to go. Nature can be fickle and doesn’t strut its stuff on demand. Generally, fall foliage runs mid-September to late-October, but changes in temperature and precipitation can impact the timing. Luckily, Ontario Parks makes it a bit easier to know thanks to its online Fall Foliage Report.

If you’re keen to experience the motherlode of fall colours in Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park is the place to go, but do so on a less-busy weekday and reserve your day-use permit in advance. Fall foliage-fuelled traffic along the Hwy. 60 corridor – along with more people hitting the road on social-distancing drives because of COVID-19 – makes planning essential. Or consider one of these five equally colourful leafy driving tours.
<h3>Blue Mountains</h3>
One of the best fall foliage vantage points along the Bruce Trail is the Blue Mountain Lookout (sometimes called the Bruce Trail Lookout), located about 10 kilometres west of Collingwood. Follow Scenic Caves Road to Grey Road 119 and watch for the lookout on the bend in the road. You’ll see great swatches of multicoloured deciduous trees — with leaves ranging from yellow to orange to red — stretching down the mountainside to the shores of Georgian Bay. You can time your fall foliage visit to coincide with the <a href="https://www.bluemountain.ca/things-to-do/events/blue-mountains-apple-harvest-festival">Blue Mountains Apple Harvest Festival</a>, which takes place Oct. 9 to 11. For a dose of adrenalin during your visit, strap into a harness at Wind Rider Trip Zipline, which will give you a bird’s-eye view of the red-orange-yellow treetops 15 metres below you.

How to get there: Take Hwy. 400 north and then turn west on Hwy. 26 toward Collingwood.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wh-DiscoverFall-Lovesick-Sept182-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-161828" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wh-DiscoverFall-Lovesick-Sept182-scaled.jpg" alt="Discover Fall" width="2560" height="1706" /></a>
<h3>Peterborough and the Kawarthas</h3>
This mostly rural region a 90-minute drive northeast of Toronto is known for the Trent-Severn Waterway, outdoor activities, organic food growers and maple syrup. The latter bragging point (all those maple trees) tells you it’s a must-visit destination during fall foliage. The tourist board has curated five fall foliage drives, like the 118-kilometre “To Burleigh or Bust” excursion, which takes between two to four hours to complete depending on how many stops you make along the route. In between leaf-gazing, be sure to visit Curve Lake Cultural Centre and Whetung Ojibwa Centre to learn more about Indigenous culture, grab ice cream at Lockside Trading Company or explore the Warsaw Caves. When the route takes you through Burleigh, allow time for the three-kilometre paddle on Trent-Severn Waterway to Lovesick Lake in Wolf Island Provincial Park so you can experience the colours from the water. You can rent a canoe from Adventure Outfitters.

How to get there: Take Hwy. 401 east before turning North on Hwy. 115.
<h3>Awenda Provincial Park</h3>
This provincial park offers leaf-peppers a 31-kilometre network of hiking trails that wind through 2,900 hectares of forest full of mature second-growth deciduous trees along the shores of Georgian Bay. The easy Brûlé Trail takes you past areas dominated by sugar maples and red oaks, so expect a blast of dark reds. Feeling peckish after your ramble? About 15 minutes south of Awenda is the small town of Perkinsfield. Just look for a food truck (with lineups and picnic tables) on County Road 6. There you’ll find Perky’s Fish &amp; Fries, a local favourite.

How to get there: Drive Hwy. 400 north to exit 121, just north of Barrie, where you’ll merge onto Hwy. 93 (also known as Penetanguishene Road). Awenda is 20 minutes northwest of Penetanguishene.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wh-DiscoverFall-Awenda-Sept183-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-161826" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wh-DiscoverFall-Awenda-Sept183-scaled.jpg" alt="Discover Fall" width="2560" height="1714" /></a>

Caledon

The rolling hills of the Caledon area include the Cheltenham Badlands, Belfountain Conservation Area, Forks of the Credit Provincial Park and numerous spots that turn into a patchwork of colour each fall. To take in the views while driving, start early in the day at the Cheltenham Badlands and head east along Olde Base Line Road to Chinguacousy Road. From there, you can drive west along Boston Mills Road before turning north on Winston Churchill Road to experience the leafy display at Robert Baker Forest. After, make your way to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, which is on the Bruce Trail, to hike among the trees or make a beeline to the nearby Terra Cotta Inn for a lunch or early dinner featuring rustic Italian fare.

How to get there: Drive north on Hwy. 410, exiting onto Hurontario Street (look for signs for Hwy. 10 or Orangeville). Turn left onto Olde Base Line Road to the Cheltenham Badlands.
<h3>Ferris Provincial Park</h3>
Not only is Ferris Provincial Park in Northumberland County known for its fall colours, but leaf-gazers can admire the seasonal show from the Ranney Ferris Suspension Bridge that spans 10 metres above the Ranney Gorge. After your park ramble, hop back in the car and head to Dooher’s Bakery in nearby Campbellford. It’s one of 50 stops on the popular and delicious Kawarthas Northumberland’s Butter Tart Tour.

How to get there: Drive Hwy. 401 east to County Road 30 and then County Road 8.

COVID-19 need to Know

As of Sept. 22, you will need to provide proof of vaccination to access certain businesses and settings during your fall foliage tour. More details are available at covid-19.ontario.ca.

For the Drive

Delve into the mysteries of trees by listening to the audiobook “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben from audible.ca. If you have kids along for the drive, consider downloading “Nancy Fancy and the Fall Foliage” audiobook to hear all about the title character’s fall adventures. It is available from audiobookstore.com.

Ours to Discover: Fall Foliage, A natural show of colour

HARBOUR SUNSET(1)

About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions expected to ease over the next few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and weekend drives highlights great experiences you can have in the province once conditions allow and show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover” this summer and beyond.

As an ardent hiker, I typically describe Owen sound as sitting in a valley below the limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, where I’ve logged many kilometres on the Bruce Trail. My cousin Rosanne (a three-decade Owen Sounder) tends to boast of the city’s location on the shore of Georgian Bay, known for its ships, waterfalls and beaches.

In the morning:

Follow Hwy. 410 to Brampton and then get onto Hwy. 10 through Orangeville. You’ll pass through a series of progressively smaller towns (Shelbourne, Dundalk, Flesherton) and then switch to ON-6 N when you reach Chatsworth. The main thoroughfare in downtown Owen Sound is 10th Street. Follow it over the Giche-name-wiikwedong Bridge and turn left on 2nd Avenue. This will take you through downtown to Harrison Park, a 40-hectare gem of greenery straddling the Sydenham River. The park includes gardens, playgrounds, a bird sanctuary, plus a section of the Bruce Trail leading directly to Inglis Falls. There is also free parking.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bike3-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-161581" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bike3-scaled.jpg" alt="Owen Sound" width="1709" height="2560" /></a>

The river itself can be explored with a rental canoe or paddleboat from Putt ‘n Paddle. Down near the river you’ll find the Black History Cairn, a memorial to Owen Sound’s first Black settlers, who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad.

Then it’s onto the Owen Sound Farmers Market in the historic waterworks building next to city hall. The market is open Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In addition to local and organic produce, you’ll find artisan crafts, pottery, knitted ware, soaps and lots of grab-and-go food stalls, which include Rajab Al Sheayer’s Syrian food booth (falafel, stuffed grape leaves, baklava), Susan’s Biscotti and the Lesperance family’s Sauble River maple syrup. Consider bringing a cooler to store these goodies in the trunk of your car.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/market4-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-161583" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/market4-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1696" /></a>

Around noon:

You can then explore the historic landmarks and cultural venues in downtown Owen Sound. The Tom Thompson Art Gallery offers immersion in work by various Canadian nature artists, including the Group of Seven. The Billy Bishop Home &amp; Museum is located in the 1884 Victorian house where the decorated Air Marshal grew up. It features military exhibits and veteran photographs. Afterwards, you can take a quick walk around the Marine &amp; Rail Museum (at the former CN station) to view the 1910 caboose, which was originally built as a box car for the Grand Trunk Western Railway.

In the afternoon: For an alfresco lunch, grab a table at the Bishop’s Landing patio overlooking Georgian Bay (behind the Best Western). The salads get rave reviews as does the Chi Cheemaun Burger, named after the popular ferry that transports passengers to and from Manitoulin Island. But hold off on ordering dessert. Retrieve your car, swing by the Artists Co-op (on 2nd Avenue) to peruse ceramics, paintings, sculpture, jewelry and other works by 45 local artisans. Then you’ll want to make a quick stop on your way out of town at one of the city’s best brewers of fine coffee and sweets: The European Bakery on 16th Street. One of their Skor chocolate brownies or raspberry-coconut squares will pair well with that cup of java (provided you’ve not already scarfed down your morning biscotti purchase).

Now that you’re adequately energized and caffeinated, it’s time for your four-waterfalls tour: Inglis Falls, Jones Falls, Indian Falls and Weavers' Creek Falls. Each is less than 10 kilometres from the downtown Visitor Information Centre on 1st Avenue West, where you can pick up a Waterfalls Tour map. For your late-afternoon return to Owen Sound centre, allow time for a restorative dip in the water at Kelso Beach Park, at the mouth of the Pottawatomi River. Just before dinner, take your Owen Sound selfie at the Georgian Bay Grain Elevator Silos down on the waterfront.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/park2-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-161584" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/park2-scaled.jpg" alt="Owen Sound" width="2560" height="1696" /></a>

In the evening:  Wrap up your day with a local brew (non-alcoholic for your designated driver) and food at Mudtown Station, Owen Sound’s newest craft brewery (1st Avenue East overlooking the water). The Bay Lake trout escabeche is fresh. Beers? Try the Turmeric Tripel but go easy—it’s 11 per cent alcohol.

Bid goodbye to Owen Sound and allow time to stop in Chatsworth, a small town about 15 minutes south at Hwy. 6. There you’ll find Kettles Back Home Cookin’, which makes tasty in-season pies. Consider a slice (or whole order) of rhubarb or apple to take home.
<h3>COVID-19 NEED TO KNOW </h3>
Owen Sound is part of Grey Bruce Public Health (publichealthgreybruce.on.ca) and is currently following provincial reopening guidelines. Some businesses, recreation services and attractions may be closed or operating at reduced capacity as COVID-19 guidelines continue to evolve. Masking and social distancing rules are essential. Contact individual businesses for details.
<h3>FOR THE DRIVE:</h3>
Listen to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eAEudeaqY">159th Owen Sound Emancipation Festival</a> recording (reflections, storytelling and music) for a one-hour primer on local Black history. Owen Sound was the northernmost terminus of the Underground Railroad and hosts the longest running (uninterrupted) emancipation picnic in North America. For a taste of local and regional music, listen to the <a href="https://podtail.com/en/podcast/georgian-bay-roots/">Georgian Bay Roots Podcast</a>, presented by the Owen Sound-based Georgian Bay Folk Society.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Restaurants, stores and attractions are now open in the Owen Sound area, albeit with reduced capacities in many cases. For specific information, visit the websites for each place you plan to visit.

 

TIMELINE: Drive guide
<ul>
 	<li>7:30 a.m.Leave Toronto</li>
</ul>
Drive north on Hwy. 410

Turn onto Hwy. 10
<ul>
 	<li>10:15 a.m.Arrive at Harrison Park</li>
 	<li>11 a.m.Farmers Market</li>
 	<li>11:45 a.m. Tom Thompson Art Gallery</li>
 	<li>12:15 p.m.Billy Bishop Museum</li>
 	<li>12:45m. Marine &amp; Rail Museum (brief outside walkabout)</li>
 	<li>1 p.m.Lunch at Bishop’s Landing patio</li>
 	<li>2 p.m.Artists Co-op</li>
 	<li>2:30 p.m.Grab coffee and sweets at European Bakery</li>
 	<li>2:45 p.m.Waterfalls road trip</li>
 	<li>5 p.m.Swim at Kelso Park Beach or hike the Pallisades Side Trail section of the Bruce Trail at the south end of 7th Avenue</li>
 	<li>6:15 p.m. Photo Op at iconic Georgian Bay Grain Elevator Silos on waterfront</li>
 	<li>6:45 p.m.: Dinner at Mudtown Station</li>
 	<li>8m.: Stop in Chatsworth for a pie stop on the way home.</li>
 	<li>8:30 p.m. Continue drive back to GTA</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

NOTE: Times are suggestions only

Doug O'Neill

Articles by Doug O'Neill

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Ours to Discover: Haunted Drives, Explore Ontario on these bone-chilling road trips

Ours to Discover: Fall Foliage, A natural show of colour

Ours to Discover: Owen Sound, Paradise on the southern shore of Georgian Bay