Known for its ski resorts, leafy parks and picturesque beaches, Barrie sits on the western shore of Lake Simcoe on Kempenfelt Bay. It offers diverse attractions, from wildlife watching and water sports to a wildlife sanctuary and an iconic spirit sculpture.

Things to do

Walk along Barrie’s waterfront to reach Barrie Centennial Park, where you can swim, set up a picnic or play volleyball. Walk along Kempenfelt Bay’s 6.7-kilometre-long scenic trail to see the iconic 21-meter-high spirit catcher sculpture, then let the kids loose at the children’s playground featuring a splash pad.

Barrie is just as lively in the wintertime, with Horseshoe Resort, Snow Valley and Blue Mountain offering snowboarding, snowmobiling and tubing. In the evening, enjoy craft beer at Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery or try your luck at the Casino Rama.

For a dose of culture, meander through the three galleries in the MacLaren Art Centre, best known for its bronze cast of Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker”. You can also admire notable pieces of art by Canadian and international artists then sit for a light lunch in the on-site cafe.

Nature enthusiasts can tour the Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can get up close with exotic animals, such as tigers, wolves and coyotes. If you want to get rowdy with locals, snag tickets to one of the Barrie Colts hockey games held at the Barrie Molson Centre.

Getting around

You can access Barrie by flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport, located 85 kilometers away, while buses and trains also travel from Toronto to Barrie. You can walk or catch public buses around the town centre, but will need a vehicle to explore further.