Bracebridge

Bonnie Bews paints in the art form of Hinterglas (reverse glass painting).  Her preference in medium is watercolour, graphite or charcoal, this is applied to frosted glass giving the work luminosity, translucency and depth.

Bonnie draws and seeks her inspiration from Muskoka’s natural environment. Reflecting on the majestic wildlife to the delicate hummingbirds are illustrated amongst the flora and fauna in her whimsical way.

Visit Bonnie’s unique studio/gallery in a restored livery in the historical area of Bracebridge, Muskokaville.

Be certain to observe her 14’x20’ glass mural depicting Muskoka’s rich history on the back wall.

Address: 5 McBride Lane, Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 0A1
Hours: Mid-June to mid-September 10am-4:30pm (closed Wednesdays). All other times, open when the purple banner is out or by appointment

For more information, visit their website

Rated as some of the most technically challenging mountain biking trails in Ontario, Porcupine Ridge is a long standing favourite to those riders seeking to test their skills and endurance. This is an advanced trail system that requires both physical fitness & technical skill.

The mountain bike park is designed, and caters to advanced and expert level riders only. Riders are rewarded for their efforts with stunning landscapes, including a bird’s eye view of Lake Muskoka, many rolling granite outcroppings, and moss carpeted woodland. Trails continually surprise with countless rock gardens, roots, drop-offs, and many man made technical trail features including bridges, teeter-totters and jumps.

For more information, visit their website

The trail travels along the Muskoka River and around Bracebridge Bay. The surface is pavement and gravel. The only incline is the stairs by Bracebridge Falls. Ten historic information plaques identify points of interest along the route.  There is ample parking at Bay Park for this 1.3km ‘near urban’ hike.

For a trail map, visit the Muskoka Trails Council

Located right down town, the Silver Bridge and Bracebridge Falls is an iconic scene. Head down Wharf Rd to Bracebridge Bay Park and see ten historic information plaques identify points of interest along the route.

For more information, visit their website

Form, function, and spirit. Every piece of pottery made by Jon Partridge bears this signature. Since 1976, Jon has made his living entirely by his own hands. It’s a remarkable accomplishment that’s been achieved because of a dedication to a philosophy to make work he enjoys, to make it well, and to make it completely by his own hand.

For more information, visit their website

The Pasta Shoppe takes great pride in crafting Gourmet Gluten-Free products that use quality wholesome local ingredients. They feature an ever expanding line of products ranging from fresh gluten-free pastas to Butter Tarts and beyond. The bakery produces hand crafted Muskoka Maple Butter Tarts as well as gluten-free Artisan Breads and bagels that are unique and delicious. Their gluten free butter tarts are absolutely delicious, and you don’t need to be gluten free to enjoy these scrumptious bites. Try one out for yourself and put them up to the test!

Order products from their online store or visit the physical store The Pasta Shoppe by Beat the Wheat right in the heart of beautiful downtown Bracebridge.

For more information, visit their website

As a child, Wendy Moses could be found in the boathouse Saturday mornings on Lake Rosseau, enjoying art classes with her grandmother, Alexandra Luke – a member of the Painters Eleven. Her love of art led her to picturesque Partridge Lane, located a few kilometers outside of Bracebridge, where, in 1998, she opened the Alexandra Luke Gallery, named in honour of her grandmother. Wendy paints with watercolour, acrylic and oil. Her subjects are mostly flowers and scenes of nature that shy away from realism into abstraction. She is also a photographer with a keen eye and good sense of composition. Gallery open by appointment or chance.

For more information, visit their website

Nestled around Santa’s Village, the Muskoka Zip Lines and Aerial Park offers all the excitement of a modern Aerial Adventure Park with the added bonus of the amenities available within the bustling amusement park. The facilities offer an adventure experience for all ages. Spend the day with us and try everything or spend a few minutes and take a leap from the Jump Tower for a quick shot of adrenaline!

Be sure to check out the combo packages and plan your day! Open for the season on May 16 through Thanksgiving.

For more information, visit their website

Muskoka runs deep in Lynda’s soul

With her studio located in Bracebridge, Lynda is a fifth generation Muskokan, her family received land grants from the Crown in the mid 1800’s and have been located in the region ever since.

She attributes her love and fascination with light and colour to both her grandmother and mother, who made beautiful quilts and nurtured summer gardens full of luscious texture and vibrant hues. Together they encouraged Lynda as she explored and developed her creative talent.

Lynda enjoys nothing more, than playing with a new medium or subject matter. This “fun” side of art is promoted by Lynda in the classes that she teaches. She wants her students to have “fun” with their creative side.

Lynda works in a variety of media and has continued to study art throughout her life. Her first formal training was with noted landscape painter Robert Emerson Everett, a family friend. Lynda has herself become a teacher in her field teaching a variety of courses in the art field. She instructs at the Muskoka Summer Art School as well as privately at her studio.

In addition to her painting, Lynda has worked as an interior decorator, using her eye for placement, colour and harmony assisting home and cottage owners. She was co-owner of a successful Christmas and Gift Shop and in 1995 she was a founding director of the Muskoka School of the Arts. Lynda is an award winning real estate Broker with Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka where she uses her knowledge and passion for Muskoka to assist her clients.

Watershed Wonders at Muskoka Discovery Centre, Gravenhurst – The original artwork in this show are Lynda Lynn’s attempt to express through her medium of paint – the understanding that Dr. Norman Yan tries to express in his – science writing. It’s well worth the visit to experience Watershed Wonders, i.e. the interactive displays, importance, and beauty of the minuscule living world of our lakes.

For more information, visit their website

Woods Clothing Co. is a t-shirt factory outlet store in Bracebridge, Muskoka that is definitely worth a stop. Pick up a Muskoka souvenir t-shirt, with tons of selection to choose from.

Check out their 2 dozen garment styles, hundreds of prints, and factory direct pricing, and pick up some t-shirts for you or a as a gift.

For more information, visit their website

L1FE Outdoors rents ATV’s and SideXSides for use anywhere in Ontario. Whether it’s arranging an off-road trip, using for hunting, a work weekend, or just testing out the sport… L1FE OUTDOORS wants to share the joy of Ontario’s backcountry with as many people as possible.

You can pick-up and trailer our machines to anywhere in Ontario…. However if trailers are not your thing, delivery is also available.

The Muskoka area is not only well known for its beauty & cottage life but also for its abundance of crisscrossing trail networks. Let us help you with an off-road adventure!

For more information, visit their website

The Bracebridge Resource Management Centre offers groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and mountain biking trails within a woodland setting along the Muskoka River. Hikers can enjoy up to 19km of trails during the spring, fall and summer.

The area features attractive wooded areas, a vairety of flora, fauna and bird life as well as scenic vistas along the Muskoka River.

For a trail map,  visit the Muskoka Trails Council

We have 18 holes of spectacular Mini Golf set on the beautiful Muskoka River in Bracebridge, ON! Great for any age, our course has been a family friendly staple of the community for over 25 years and offers a great way to get out and have some family fun and spend time together while getting some fresh air and sunshine.

We also have a snack shack that offers real fruit smoothies, Kawartha scooped ice cream, Chapman’s novelty ice cream and popsicles, cold drinks, and build-your-own frozen yogurt! The snack shack is the perfect place to end your game with a refreshing snack or beverage on those hot summer days! Visit our Snack Shack page for more information.

We are pet friendly! We simply request that your furry friends are on a leash at all times and you stoop and scoop.

For more information, visit their website

‘Muskoka’s ONLY Indoor playground for children 0-10 years of age and parents. The Play Pit is an entertainment facility combining recreational activities, a cafe lounge & birthday party services. The establishment will be focused on creating an exciting environment for children to gain physical, social, and mental development and also ensure a safe, relaxing and stress free environment for parents!!’

For more information, visit their website

Saturdays, 8:30am – 1pm
May 18 – October 12, 2019
Memorial Park

For more information, visit their website

Hike the nearby trail, with trail head access at the end of Sander Dr. Wilson Falls is the wildest and most scenic falls on the North Branch of Muskoka River. Located just to the north of the Downtown area off of River Road, Wilson’s Falls has a great walking trail which provides a spectacular view of the falls. A picnic area is also available.

For a trail map, visit the Muskoka Trails Council

The Grand Tour
Start & End @ Bracebridge
Approx. 245 km / 150 miles
About 4 – 6 hours depending on number of stops

Click here for a Map with Points of Interest

Directions:

• From Bracebridge, follow Highway 11 north to Muskoka Road 117
• Take Muskoka Road 117 east through Baysville to Dorset
• Left on Highway 35 in Dorset to Highway 60
• Left on Highway 60, through Dwight and Huntsville to Highway 11
• South on Highway 11 to Highway 141
• West on Highway 141 through Utterson and Rosseau to Highway 69
• South on Highway 69 to Muskoka Road 169
• Follow Muskoka Road 169 through Bala to Muskoka Road 41 (Bethune Drive) in Gravenhurst
• Left on Bethune Drive to Highway 11
• Take Highway 11 north back to Bracebridge

Tour Highlights:

• The town of Bracebridge, with 22 waterfalls and where Santa Claus has his summer home
• The sites of an historic cranberry marsh in MacTier and a commercially-operating cranberry marsh in Bala
• Muskoka’s (and the world’s) first Dark Sky Reserve, just outside Torrance at the Torrance Barrens

Liv Outside is your home base for adventure, right in the heart of Muskoka, Bracebridge. This adventure store features great savings and promotions on outdoor apparel and adventure gear. Aside from getting you outfitted in the latest gear and apparel, this store also provides rentals and guided tours across all four seasons.

Spring, Summer and Fall Rentals and water/trail access. Optional to add a guided tours:

• Canoe, kayak and SUPs
• Bike Rentals

Winter rentals and trail access. Optional to add a guided tour:

• Winter Fat Biking
• Ice Climbing
• Snowshoeing
• Back country skiing

For more information, visit their website

Savour the flavour of liquid gold. Delicately sweet straight from the maple tree. The only maple syrup products company in the world to qualify and enjoy the honour of representing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Our Ontario Maple Syrup and Maple Products are attractively packaged and make great personal and corporate gifts, excellent for incentives and premiums. And don’t forget to check out our Gift Baskets – a gift for all occasions!

For more information, visit their website

Unveiled to the public near in January 2016, the Memorial Park Winter Village in downtown Bracebridge has had tremendous reviews. Featuring an ice skating rink that wraps around the park and carves in and out of Bracebridge landmarks, the Winter Village brings its own exciting take on a skating trail. The winter village exemplifies small town charm, especially at night when the trees are covered in twinkling lights create a magical backdrop for Canada’s favourite pastime.

Probably the coolest thing about the Memorial Park Winter Village is its location right downtown allows you to get creative with your winter plans. If you want to take your hunny bunny for a romantic skate, you can really impress by going out for dinner after at one of the many local restaurants. If you’ve planned an afternoon with the kids, stopping in at one of the local shops for hot chocolate and cookies will certainly put a smile on their face.

Check out their Facebook page for the latest updates

Sportsland is a separate area of Santa’s Village that is geared towards older kids as well as adults who are kids at heart! In Sportsland you’ll find exciting attractions including single and double go karts, bowling, soccer, a bungee trampoline, laser tag, batting cages, climbing wall, mini golf, an arcade and much more!

Admission to Sportsland is FREE, Just pay-as-you-play. After 7:30 p.m. on weeknights, Sportsland attractions only require half the number of points to play.

For more information, visit their website

Starting in and ending in Bracebridge, this 27km track takes you through charming downtown Bracebridge with views of three spectacular waterfalls; Bracebridge Falls, Muskoka Falls and High Falls.

An exciting outdoor adventure for family and friends to share together, Muskoka Zip Lines & Aerial Park offer an adventure experience for all ages. Nestled around Santa’s Village, the Muskoka Zip Lines and Aerial Park offers all the excitement of a modern Aerial Adventure Park with the added bonus of the amenities available within the bustling amusement park.

For more information, visit their website

Situated in picturesque Bracebridge, “the Heart of Muskoka”, the 300 passenger Lady Muskoka offers an incredible sightseeing opportunity you’re sure to remember. We offer full food and bar service ranging from snacks to 3 course meals on both public cruises or for special functions. The Vessel has comfortable table & chair seating on our two fully enclosed decks ideal for luncheon & dinner cruises. Or touch up your summer tan while you enjoy the quiet panoramic view from our open third deck unequalled anywhere in Muskoka.

For more information, visit their website

You’re invited to Downtown Bracebridge.

One of Muskoka’s many charms is its laidback way of life. It is the feeling you get as you escape the city. Long known as “Muskoka’s Downtown”, Downtown Bracebridge is located just steps away from the natural beauty of the Bracebridge Falls. A stroll along our streets and alleyways will lighten your spirit and tempt your taste buds.

Welcome to the only year round art studio in Muskoka offering classes and workshops for all ages and artistic levels! Let The Cat Go supports local Muskoka artists who teach in the studio as well as show in the gallery where you can buy original one of a kind art.

For more information, visit their website

The Chapel Gallery is an art gallery in Bracebridge that features renowned exhibits throughout the year.

Housed in a reconstruction of the first Presbyterian Church in Bracebridge, the Chapel Gallery hosts exhibitions of art and craft by local Muskoka as well as provincial artists. Exhibitions are selected by the Gallery Committee and change every three to four weeks.

For more information, visit their website

Three Exciting Parks, One Great Campground. Santa’s Village + Sportsland + Muskoka Zip-Lines and Aerial Park + Santa’s Whispering Pines Campground, all on-site with affordable camping packages. Please check santasvillage.ca/hours for specific dates and times the various parks are open. Spring and Fall have reduced hours of operation.

Where Kids are Elves for a Day. Your kids will spend the day as an elf on over 50 acres of family fun. Rudolph’s Roller Coaster, the Christmas Ball Ferris Wheel, Santa’s Summer Sleigh River Boat Cruise, Santa’s Express Train and many more rides and attractions await the young and the young at heart. Visit Santa’s deer, see the animals in Santa’s farm, splashzone just for kids, and visit Santa in his summer home. SPORTSLAND, a free admission, pay as you play park – go-carts, mini-golf, batting cages, lazer tag and arcade. Muskoka is soaring to bigger heights in 2015! Nestled around Santa’s Village, the Muskoka Zip Lines and Aerial Park offers all the excitement of a modern Aerial Adventure Park with the added bonus of the amenities available within the bustling amusement park. The facilities offer an adventure experience for all ages. Spend the day with us and try everything or spend a few minutes and take a leap from the Jump Tower for a quick shot of adrenaline! Be sure to check out the combo packages and plan your day!

For more information, visit their website

Algonquin Outfitter’s Bracebridge location – AO Swifty’s Surf and Snow – is a new addition to the Algonquin Outfitters family but carries on the same tradition of quality and service started back in 1961. Tucked into the heart of the Muskoka Lakes area, “Swifty’s” features the active lifestyle of cottage country in true four season fashion. This location features a great stock of surfwear, outdoor clothing & footwear for all ages, along with the best names in wakeboards, water skis, and water toys for the cottage.  For the winter months, we offer a great selection of snowboards, Nordic skis, snowshoes and outerwear to go along with your winter activities.

Swifty’s also offers a complete selection of kayak, canoe and SUP rentals. Free parking is available year round.

For more information, visit their website

Welcome to the only year round art studio in Muskoka offering classes and workshops for all ages and artistic levels! Let The Cat Go supports local Muskoka artists who teach in the studio as well as show in the gallery where you can buy original one of a kind art.

For more information, visit their website

Original artwork created by over 40 artists inspired by the gardens and displayed in an outdoor Muskoka garden gallery.

From sculptures to wall hangings, jewellery to bird feeders and ironwork to stonecarving; all displayed in the gorgeous Muskoka gardens of Jon and Suzann Partridge.

For more information, visit their website

This 55km track starts and ends in Bracebridge. When you are on Milford Bay Rd, instead of turning left onto Butter & Egg Rd, go straight for 500m until you reach the Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail. This is well worth the climb (will probably have to walk your bike, it is a little steep) to see the spectacular view of Lake Muskoka. Also, you can take the trail to look at The Huckleberry Rock Cut, one of the most famous in Canada.