Travel back in time at Muskoka Heritage Place - Discover Muskoka: Plan Your Trip

Discover Muskoka: Plan Your Trip

Travel back in time at Muskoka Heritage Place

A hidden gem for family fun in Muskoka

Take a step back into the area’s fascinating past with a visit to Muskoka Heritage Place.

There is lots to experience and fun for all ages, from little kiddos, to parents, to grandparents.  Feel yourself transported to another era with on an open air train ride, a historic pioneer village, and two fascinating museums.

Get a hands-on history experience and immerse the entire family in Muskoka’s days of yore. Muskoka Heritage Place shows off the very best of Muskoka’s natural and historic beauty, just steps away from picturesque downtown Huntsville.

 

All aboard the Portage Flyer Train

One of the most popular attractions in all of Muskoka, the Portage Flyer is a favorite for locals and guests alike.

The Portage Flyer has had a profound impact on north Muskoka, pioneering the very first vacationers to Lake of Bays. This diminutive steam train began its proud legacy as part of the world’s smallest commercial railroad, operating from 1904 until 1959 in nearby Dwight. During the first half of the Twentieth Century countless guests and supplies chugged along the Muskoka River aboard the steamship Algonquin from Huntsville to the far end of Peninsula Lake. That’s where the Portage Flyer took over, running cargo and passengers from Peninsula Lake to the docks on Lake of Bays where the next steamship would take them to their final destination.

Purchased in the 1990s and moved to Muskoka Heritage Place, the Portage Flyer now makes regular 30 minute return trips along the scenic Muskoka River into Fairy Lake Station.

For the ultimate train enthusiast, inquire about their Engineer for a Day program.

For more information, visit their website

 

Dive into Muskoka’s rich heritage at the Pioneer Village

Day-to-day life at the turn of the century takes place right before your eyes as you set foot in the Pioneer Village at Muskoka Heritage Place.

The 90 acre outdoor site includes 20 meticulously cared for settlement dwellings from the Huntsville area, live animals, costumed narrators, regular demonstrations, as well as a series of nature trails along Cann Lake.

This is a fascinating journey that brings Muskoka’s storied pioneer days to life.

For more information, visit their website

 

Two museums to explore

Muskoka Heritage Place offers not just one but two museums where guests can find out more about Muskoka’s past.

Beginning with the First Nations peoples who originally lived in the area, the Muskoka Museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through the region’s past. Spend anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours learning about the area’s development, industry and its emergence as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

Right next door, the Steam Museum is located within a typical train station of the 1920s. Guests can browse exhibits featuring the area’s rich legacy of steamships and locomotives. The Steam Museum is a real amazing find, so make sure you carve out some time to admire the legacy of train travel in Muskoka.

 

Plan your trip to Muskoka Heritage Place

The full site is open from May to October. Summer is a great time to visit, especially with the kids when they are out of school. Fall is another great time to visit when the leaves begin to change. The forested Pioneer Village and the Portage Flyer Train are especially spectacular during the fall colour display.

For more information on when to visit and admission, visit their website

The park does open two more times later in the year for family-friendly events that have become a huge hit. Mark your calendars for the Great Pumpkin Trail in October and A Portage Flyer Christmas in December.

For more information on their annual events, visit their website