Muskoka Attractions
Access
Take Highway 400 north out of Toronto to Coldwater, then continue on Highway 69; the roads around Muskoka are Highways 118 (Glen Orchard-Port Carling-Muskoka Falls) and 169 (Foot's Bay-Gravenhurst).
Muskoka, about two or three hours' drive north of Toronto, is one of North America's prettiest lake districts, bounded by Georgian Bay in the west and the Severn River in the south.
Geologically, Muskoka is part of the Pre-Cambrian Canadian Shield, its granite and gneiss shaped by the last Ice-Age, which left behind hundreds of lakes as the glaciers receded. This allowed a slight rise in ground levels as the weight of the ice was removed.
This lake district is very reminiscent of parts of central Sweden, with a landscape of lakes and islands, rocky outcrops and crags amidst pine forests with occasional groves of mixed woodland.
Recreational area
Thanks to its relative closeness to the cities on Lake Ontario and Toronto Muskoka has become a place for holidaymakers and weekenders, with many marinas and holiday homes to prove it. Its waters are full of fish and ideal for angling, canoeing and in many cases even sailing. There are some beautiful trails that can be followed on foot or mountain bike. It is a landscape that is particularly attractive in winter as well.
Take Highway 400 north out of Toronto to Coldwater, then continue on Highway 69; the roads around Muskoka are Highways 118 (Glen Orchard-Port Carling-Muskoka Falls) and 169 (Foot's Bay-Gravenhurst).
Muskoka, about two or three hours' drive north of Toronto, is one of North America's prettiest lake districts, bounded by Georgian Bay in the west and the Severn River in the south.
Geologically, Muskoka is part of the Pre-Cambrian Canadian Shield, its granite and gneiss shaped by the last Ice-Age, which left behind hundreds of lakes as the glaciers receded. This allowed a slight rise in ground levels as the weight of the ice was removed.
This lake district is very reminiscent of parts of central Sweden, with a landscape of lakes and islands, rocky outcrops and crags amidst pine forests with occasional groves of mixed woodland.
Recreational area
Thanks to its relative closeness to the cities on Lake Ontario and Toronto Muskoka has become a place for holidaymakers and weekenders, with many marinas and holiday homes to prove it. Its waters are full of fish and ideal for angling, canoeing and in many cases even sailing. There are some beautiful trails that can be followed on foot or mountain bike. It is a landscape that is particularly attractive in winter as well.
Port Carling - Muskoka Lakes Museum, Canada
For visitors the main center is little Port Carling (pop. 700), on the site of an Indian settlement where sluices regulate the turbulent waters of the river running from the upper lakes (such as Lake Rousseau and Lake Joseph) into the much bigger Lake Muskoka. This is very busy especially in the summer. The town's Pioneer Museum is worth a visit. It gives an account of the history of the area, including its long tradition of boat-building.
Bala - Bala's Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Canada
Canada's famous author of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery, once vacationed here in the town of Bala. The home in which she stayed has now been turned into a museum and exhibits items that belonged to the famous author. The museum also covers the history of the town. Montgomery's book, The Blue Castle, was based on her trip here.
Bala's Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery
Box 14
Bala, ON P0C1A0
Canada
Box 14
Bala, ON P0C1A0
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 762-5876
Fax 1 (705) 762-5876
Hours
May 22 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
July 1 to September 4
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
September 5 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve features wilderness adventures that include the Wolf Centre, Walk in the Clouds forest canopy tour, groomed snowmobile trails, mountain biking, dogsledding, hiking, astronomy, wildlife observation and semi-wilderness camping. The Wolf Centre is home to a pack of captive Timber Wolves.
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve
RR #1
Haliburton, ON K0M1S0
Canada
RR #1
Haliburton, ON K0M1S0
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 754-2198
Fax 1 (705) 754-1179
Huntsville - Muskoka Heritage Place, Canada
The township of Huntsville in the north of the Muskoka district is also the western entrance to the Algonquin Provincial Park. Lion's Lookout Park has a fine view over the town and the district. For a good idea of the history of settlement locally visit the Muskoka Pioneer Village.
Nearby Williams Port has a botanical garden around the Dyer Memorial, commemorating a lawyer from Detroit.
Muskoka Heritage Place is the home of Muskoka Pioneer Village and the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway. Life in the late 1800s is historically recreated with genuine settlement dwellings from the Huntsville area.
Nearby Williams Port has a botanical garden around the Dyer Memorial, commemorating a lawyer from Detroit.
Muskoka Heritage Place is the home of Muskoka Pioneer Village and the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway. Life in the late 1800s is historically recreated with genuine settlement dwellings from the Huntsville area.
Muskoka Heritage Place
88 Brunel Road
Huntsville, ON P1H1R1
Canada
88 Brunel Road
Huntsville, ON P1H1R1
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 789-7576
Fax 1 (705) 789-6169
Hours
May 19 to October 6
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Different pricing for museum, train & village. Prices listed are for a full site pass.
Last admission at 3pm.
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
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