Fall is Fabulous in Muskoka Lakes!

Huckleberry Rock view: G. Popadynec

Still have Cottage Country Spirit travel vouchers left? Great! Make sure to use them before they expire on October 12th. Scroll down to see our list of Chamber members taking your Cottage Country Spirit vouchers at the bottom of this post. Meantime, here are just some of the things you can do in and around Muskoka Lakes during our beautiful fall season.

Nature offers a cavalcade of colour. You won’t need a voucher for this: our trails, lookouts and falls are free and the views never disappoint. For the best lookouts over Lake Muskoka, check out Huckleberry Rock in Milford Bay or the Lookout Trail in Walker’s Point.

Gaze down Moon River from the Bala Falls or hike Fish Hatchery Trail to see the falls at the end of that trail. A river runs through it in Rosseau and Hekkla for beautiful photo opportunities. There are spots to fish and if it’s a beach or park you’re looking for, we’ve got those, too, along with picnic and playground areas, such as Windermere Beach, Hanna’s Park in Port Carling, Jaspen Park in Bala and the beach on our fourth biggest lake – Skeleton Lake at Utterson. For star gazers, our Torrance Barrens was the first designated Dark Sky Preserve in the world.

Cruise the lakes on one of our famous cruise ships (yes, you can use your vouchers at Muskoka Steamships right up until October 12th) or rent a boat to venture out on your own from one of our marinas. Our tour boats cruise the three big lakes in Muskoka: Lake Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph. And did you know? Muskoka Lakes is the only place in North America where you can rent an antique boat to experience our grand boating heritage on your own.

Yum. Cranberries. Make it a culinary adventure. See why Bala is Ontario’s cranberry capital and try our area’s distinct wines and spritzers at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery (you can use your vouchers here!). Definitely you want to hop on the fall Muskoka Cranberry Route to taste all sorts of cranberry inspired dishes. In Torrance, check out Clear Lake Brewing with its spacious beer garden. And on your way to Bracebridge, you can use a voucher at Muskoka Brewery to taste their ales. Both breweries offer a cranberry beverage. Plus, we have all types of restaurants with a wide variety of foods to tempt your taste buds. Like sushi near Walker’s Point, pizza in Torrance, Bala, Rosseau, Port Carling (we love our pizza) or Muskoka’s best fish and chips in Wahta. Our bakeries battle over who bakes the best buttertarts (use your vouchers at Don’s Bakery or Cottage Cravings in Bala). And you should always take home some Milford Bay Smoked Trout from one of our grocers.

Book your stay at a Muskoka Lakes resort or charming bed and breakfast. Sherwood Inn. Windermere House. The ‘New’ Baldwins. The JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa. The Rosseau Retreat. Cottage Country Spirit is alive and well at all of these top Ontario resorts. You can also stay right in downtown Port Carling all year round at Muskoka Lakes Hotel Suites.

Shop for unique items you won’t find elsewhere. You can count on an abundance of comfy cottage clothing along with some surprises in Muskoka Lakes. How about a piece of antique furniture from a more than century old barn? Our décor stores showcase the best of old and new. Maybe you’re in search of a classic rope fender for your boat? And from warm fall sweaters to Tilley Hats to clothes for kids, our stores offer a wide variety of brands you know and love. Tip: It’s good to call ahead as hours often change in the fall. Art lovers: watch for the purple banner indicating an open art gallery as you tour around the lakes.

Still have questions about what to do in Muskoka Lakes Township? Scroll our list below of tourism operators taking part in the Cottage Country Spirit travel voucher program for more ideas. You can drop in to our Visitor Information Centre in Bala, call the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce at 705 762 5663 or email info@muskokalakeschamber.ca for more insider tips about what to see in Muskoka Lakes.

You can spend your Cottage Country Spirit Vouchers at these Muskoka Lakes Chamber Members:

Bala

Cottage Cravings Cafe & Gift Shop

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery

Pratt’s Garden Gift Shop

Bala Bay Takeaway & Pizza Nova

Moon River Lookout Restaurant & Catering

Minett

Cottages Restaurant

The Deck Poolside Restaurant & Bar

Lakes Lobby Bar & Patio

Muskoka Chophouse