Tourism in the North Central Region
 

Tourism

The North Central Region encompasses Bruce County (which includes the Bruce Peninsula), Grey County, just to the southeast of the Peninsula, Simcoe County, directly north of Toronto and of course the Muskokas in the east. This is cottage country, this is Toronto's playground, there's more, camping parks, resorts, ski hills, paddling areas, beaches and trails than you will ever have time for. So we would suggest you had better get started!
Map of the Region

  
 
  The region is bounded by Lake Huron in the west, and Algonquin Park, Haliburton and Lake Simcoe in the east. To the south lies Durham County, Greater Toronto, Dufferin and Huron Counties. While the southern reaches of the region range from the suburban fringes of Toronto to rolling farmland, the northern sections give way to numerous country towns and interesting villages. The areas natural features mimic this transition as it sits on the boundary between the Canadian Shield and the deciduous forest of the south.
 
Within the region there are excellent areas for mountain bikers, hikers and campers who can pitch a tent in one of dozens of parks and conservation areas. Sea kayakers have an exceptional area for paddling in and around the Georgian Bay islands along the eastern shore of the bay. Canoeists can take advantage of the Saugeen, Beaver and Nottawasaga Rivers, and of course the thousands of kilometres of canoe routes in Algonquin Park. Backpackers have dozens of points of access to the Bruce and Ganraska Trails. Cyclists can choose from more than ten excellent mountain biking trail systems, along with a similar number of rail trails. Finally divers should have a look at the exceptional scuba area presented by Fathom Five National Marine Park which surrounds Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. Map

 

Ontario Tourism - Out-There's Ontario

Tourism Central Ontario North

The tourism information centre in Barrie is located on Molson Park Drive at the Highway 400 intersection, exit 90. The centre is open all year long. You'll find smaller regional tourism offices in most of the major towns and cities in the area, many of which are seasonal.

Ontario Travel Information Centre Barrie
21 Molson Park Dr. East
Barrie, Ontario
L4N-9A9
Ph: (705) 725-7280
Fax (705) 725-7280

If your coming through Toronto you can pick up information prior to your visit at the Ontario Travel Information Centre in the Eaton's Centre (downtown).

Ontario Tourism Information Center
Eaton's Centre
220 Yonge St., Level One
P.O. Box 104
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2H1
Tel: (416) 314-5899
Fax: (416) 314-5901

Most of the major vehicular entry points to Ontario also have Ontario Travel Information Centres. This includes:

Cornwall - 903 Brookedale Ave
Fort Erie - 315 Bertie Street
Fort Frances - 400 Central Ave.
Hawkesbury - (Chute a Blondeau, Quebec Border) 777 Highway 417 - Seasonal
Niagara Falls - 5355 Stanley Ave.
Hill Island - (Lansdowne) 700 Highway 137 - Seasonal
Lancaster - 20806 Country Road 2 at the intersection of the 401 - Seasonal
Kenora - Highway 17 at the Manitoba Border - Seasonal
Pigeon River - 7671 Highway 61 at the U.S. border - Seasonal
Prescott - 103 Highway 16 at the U.S. border - Seasonal
Rainy River - 301 Atwood Ave. - Seasonal
St. Catherines - QEW Westbound at the east end of Gardner City Skyway
Sarnia - 1415 Venetian Blvd.
Sault Ste. Marie - 261 Queen Street West
Windsor Huron - 1235 Huron Church Street
Windsor Park - 110 Park Street East

With the exception of Barrie and Toronto, all of the year round centres have currency exchanges. In addition the seasonal centres at Hill Island and Pigeon River also have exchanges.

Regional Tourism Guides & Directories
 

Festivals, Events & Attractions

Many of the regions larger centers have all of the entertainment facilities you would associate with a big city. You'll also find some excellent venues in some smaller villages, such as the Kee at Bala, which brings in some top name acts. As should be expected from such a popular vacation destination, there are wealth of cultural attractions, historic sites, events and festivals throughout the area. .

  

 

Golf

Spas

Beaches

  • Algonquin Provincial Park
  • Bruce Peninsula Provincial Park
  • Craigleith Provincial Park - Georgian Bay, Craigleith
  • Devil's Glen Provincial Park - South of Collingwood on Hwy 24
  • Dwight Beach - Lake of Bays, off Hwy. 60, Dwight
  • Georgian Bay National Park (Only accessible by water)
  • Hanna Park Beach - off Bailey Street, Port Carling
  • Hutchison Beach - Lake Vernon, west of Huntsville off Muskoka Road 2
  • Jaspen Park - Moon River, off District Road 38, Bala
  • Kirby's Beach - Lake Muskoka, off Beaumont Drive, Bracebridge
  • Muskoka Bay Park - Lake Muskoka, west of Gravenhurst on Muskoka Road 169
  • Pretty River Valley Provincial Park - Outside Rob Roy
  • Sauble Beach - 11km of sand and supurb sunsets, Sauble Beach, Bruce County
  • Strawberry Bay Beach - Stephens Bay Road, Bracebridge
  • Wasaga Beach Provincial Park - 14km, "The World's Longest Freshwater Beach", Georgian Bay, Wasaga
  • Windermere Park - Lake Rosseau, off District Road 4

 

Accommodations

Out-There's Central Ontario North Accommodation Listings

Out-There's Toronto Region Accommodations Listings

Restaurants Bars and Night Clubs

Out-There's North Central Region Restaurant and Bar Listings

Out-There's Toronto Region Restaurant and Bar Listings

Brew Pubs & Micro Breweries

Currency Exchange and Conversion

The Barrie Tourism Information Centre doesn't have a currency exchange (there is one in town) but most of the main vehicular entry points to the province have. If you're flying to Toronto Pearson has an exchange office as does downtown Toronto. If you're driving have a look at our listing to check your port of entry to see if it has an exchange. Ontario Tourism Information Centres

Currency Conversion

Custom House Currency Exchange - 17 Poyntz Street, (705) 735-6095, Barrie

Toronto

Thomas Cook - Terminal 3, Pearson International Airport
Thomas Cook - Downtown Toronto

9 Bloor St W 416-923-6549
10 King St E 416-863-1611
123 Queen St W 416-363-4867

Banks and Trusts

Credit Cards

Postal Services

Phone Directories Online

Maps

Toronto

For maps of the Toronto subway system, the bus system and the GO Train network see the individual headings.

Hostels

If you're idea of hostelling is pulling up a piece of the rug, in an urban fallout shelter, with a dozen strangers - think again. Hostels range from a place to unroll your sleeping bag, to something approaching resort like accommodations, in beautiful settings with you're own private room. Prices are still unbeatable and the company is usually interested and interesting world travelers. If you're a boarder or skier take note, there are hostels in most of the major resort areas throughout the country.

Links

Sailing, Boating and Cruising

Trent Severn Waterway - 384km (215mi.), rivers, lakes, locks and channels connecting Lake Ontario in the south and Georgian Bay in the northwest. This is one of North America's great cruises.

Hydrographic Charts

If you planning to sail or cruise to the region by boat hydrographic or nautical charts are essential. The maps can be obtained from the Canadian Hydrographic Service in Ottawa.

Canadian Hydrographic Service

Marine Forecasts

Marine Weather Forecasts

Marinas

  • Bayfield Marina - (519) 565-2233, Huron County
  • Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina - (519) 565-2632, Huron County
  • Harbour Lights Marina - (519) 565-2149, Huron County
  • South Shore Marina - (519) 565-2110, Huron County
  • Homan's Inlet Marina - (519) 524-9895, Huron County
  • Maitland Valley Marina - (519) 524-4409, Huron County
  • Snug Harbour - (519) 524-8813, Huron County
  • Bala Cove Marina - Bala, Muskoka
  • Beaumarismarina - Lake Muskoka, Muskoka
  • Lagoon City Marina - Lake Simcoe/Lake Couchiching, Orillia, Simcoe County
  • Starport Landing - Orillia, Simcoe County

    Boat Launches & Water Access

    Note: Some of the locations listed only provide access to the water - not a boat ramp. The listings are a mix of free and fee based access points. Keep in mind that a free launch may unfortunately be accompanied by a fee based parking facility.

  • Bala - Lake Muskoka, Weismiller Street
  • Bracebridge - Muskoka River, off of Santa's Village Road on Geord Street
  • Baysville - Lake of Bays, Hwy 117, the Baysville Town Dock
  • Collingwood Harbour - located in front of the Museum
  • Dwight - Lake of Bays, off Hwy. 60 on Portage Road
  • Gravenhurst - Lake Muskoka, Marlyn Drive
  • Honey Harbour - Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour Road at the end
  • Huntsville - Lake Vernon, Muskoka Road 2
  • Huntsville - North Muskoka River, Brunel Road
  • Inverhuron Provincial Park
  • Lake Joseph - off of Muskoka Road 7 on River Road
  • Meaford - McCarrol Park, off Hwy. 26
  • Port Carling - West Street
  • Skeleton Bay - Lake Rosseau, Hwy 141
  • Six Mile Lake - Beside the Six Mile Lake Marina off Hwy. 400
  • Thornbury - Beaver River, Bruce Street at the west end on Hwy. 26
  • Ufford - Three Mile Lake, Shea Road
  • Wasaga Beach - Sturgeon Point Marina, River Road east
  • Wasaga Beach Provincial Park

 
 
  Regional Tourism, Cities Towns and Chamber of Commerce - The North Central Region is made up of the Muskokas along with Simcoe, Grey, and Bruce Counties. Within these regions you find dozens of smaller regions, districts, cities, towns and villages. The major centres are Barrie and Orillia in the east and Owen sound in the west but the really distinctive locations are the small villages which allow you to acquire a true taste of the areas character.
The Great Lakes have excellent sailing and are very popular with cruisers, particularly in the Georgian Bay area. If your looking for beaches and crystal clear waters, head to Wasaga and the beaches above it or just to the east of this, into the cottage county of the Muskoka lakes.
North Central Region - Map

For information on getting around visit our Transportation Section.

Climate

The North Central region is essentially surrounded by the Great Lakes which help to moderate the areas temperatures. In the southern reaches of the region summer temperatures can reach or exceed 30°C for extended periods. As you move north the temperature generally declines. Of course the same is true of the winter months and the north areas of the region tend to seen more arctic air than the south. Of course if you love snow you'll usually find lots of it, particularly in the Muskokas which get great heaps of it coming in from Georgian Bay.

Spring - pants, rain gear, long sleeve shirt, a sweater and a medium weight jacket. Summer - bring pants, shorts, tee, rain gear, a sweater and jacket.
Fall - pants, rain gear, long sleeve shirt, a sweater and a medium weight jacket.
Winter - pants, sweater, long johns (if your playing outside you should layer), a winter coat and boots

Sudbury - Lows - January -9°C, April 8°C
Sudbury - Highs - July 25°C, October 10°C

Toronto - Lows -3°C January , 12°C April
Toronto - Highs - 27°C July , 14°C October

Note: Sudbury is north and Toronto is south of the North Central region

Weather

Air Quality
Firewatch
Marine Forcasts
Pollen Forcasts
Snow Reports
UV Report

 

Cities, Towns and Villages in the North Central Region

Counties, Townships, Regions and Districts

Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers & Media

 
All contents copyright © 1995-2004 by White Cat Media

 

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