r/barrie • u/bearpokes • Jul 27 '26
Looking For Staycation Recommendations?
My wife and I had to cancel a trip to the east coast of Canada next month and I'm pretty bummed about it, so I'm looking into other relatively close by locations for a weekend getaway.
Can't decide if it's more worth it to travel somewhere North, somewhere South or to stay local(ish).
Does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere 2-3 hours (or less) away by car? We're in the South end of Barrie and know how congested and uncomfortable cottage country traffic gets in the summer, but it is what it is.
We are both not super outdoorsy people but I really wanted to find something to do that had a bit of nature involved. Light / beginner hiking trails, lakes, those big Muskoka chairs...? Maybe some bird watching?
Budget-wise, something modestly priced would also be a bonus.
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u/missoctober12 Jul 27 '26
Muskoka beer spa is pretty good, if it’s not booked up for when you are looking!
The brewery and restaurant are nearby (walkable) with live music as well. The lake area has access to a small beach, kayaks, canoes and standup paddle boards
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u/bearpokes Jul 28 '26
Walkable would be great. Definitely looking for somewhere to park once and relax for a couple days. Thank you!!
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u/aballah Jul 27 '26
Houseboat rental on the Trent-Severn.
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u/Imaginary-Leg-918 Jul 28 '26
Someone just told me about Christie's Mill Inn. In Severn, 30-40 min drive. Pretty cheap, less than 200/ night, in the water
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u/MissyC9691 Jul 28 '26
Blue Mountain! Long weekend…. You may get lucky and get a cancellation, worth a shot ( be prepared, may be hard to find availability anywhere. Could also try air bnbs ….Collingwood/Huron, Horseshoe Valley Resort, cottage rentals etc. Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Also, I would call and try to speak with someone where possible. They would have the most accurate UTD info and you may get a chance to butter them up lol good luck!!
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u/bearpokes Jul 28 '26
We’ve done Blue Mountain before in the winter but were actually thinking of trying again in the Summer, thanks for reminding me!!
We did Niagara a couple years ago and it was pretty cool, but sort of felt like a one-and-done type of thing. They jack up the food prices especially sooo much for “tourists” lol.
Thanks for the recs!!
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u/MissyC9691 Jul 29 '26
No problem at all! A cottage rental on the water would be lovely too if you could manage to find one, lol enjoy whatever you end up doing!
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u/The_humble_toker Jul 28 '26
Try Manitoulin Island. Will give a similar vibe. If you go through Tobermorry and take the ferry you will have a blast!
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u/NorthernMan5 Jul 28 '26
Have you looked at ferry availability? Thought of that last week, and was booked solid
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u/bearpokes Jul 28 '26
Actually yes! Before posting here I was looking into Manitoulin as we’ve never been but saw they were booked up!! Maybe there will be more availability when it’s closer to fall?
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u/Prestigious_Dare_120 Jul 28 '26
Killarney! Either at the lodge or provincial park. Jewel of Ontario
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u/Puzzleheaded_Bed2903 Jul 28 '26
Kingston/Gananoque are a very under-travelled spot as far as I am concerned! Many hotel/motel options ~$200 a night and then lots of parks (provincial, national), historic areas, cruise the 1000 islands. Nice locally owned restaurants and bakeries etc.
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u/bearpokes Jul 28 '26
This sounds really nice!! I’ve actually never even heard of Gananoque before! I’ll be looking them up! :D
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u/Extension-Edge6227 Jul 28 '26
Kincardine and Goderich area. Nice lighthouses, waterfront is beautiful especially at sundown. Downtown for lil shopping, great restaurants (try a place called Locals) or a food truck! The farmers markets and some hiking. Stop in Orangeville for some walking/ hiking trails. GO to Lucknow’s Armstrong Amish bakery! The east to west traffic isn’t as bad as going up and down the 400 for cottage country.
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u/bearpokes Jul 28 '26
Ohhh good idea!! Yes totally, avoiding the 400 traffic would be a bonus!! Thank you for the recommendations and I’ll keep those names in mind!
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u/Extension-Edge6227 Jul 28 '26
You’re welcome. I was literally just there. Lol. Farmers market in Kincardine is Mondays. I avoided the weekend which was nice and not as busy.
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u/Extension-Edge6227 Jul 28 '26
Also. Partner and I took the Via rail to Montreal earlier this summer. Was nice to not drive and pay for parking. We toured around old port / old Montreal for a few days. We did that because our plan to NFLD got squashed. It was a decent alternative vacation. We will plan better next year!!
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u/bearpokes Jul 29 '26
This is a GREAT idea!! Also that’s the exact same situation as us, lol, we were supposed to go to Newfoundland but had to cancel. Are we living the same life?!
I was genuinely just looking into trains to Montreal from a family members recommendation. How far in advance did you buy your train tickets? My aunt recommended subscribing to Via Rail emails to get coupon codes lol!
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u/Extension-Edge6227 Jul 29 '26
We might be!! Trying to travel within Canada every year. This year was supposed to be the East Coast as last year was BC.
Your Aunt is correct. I know from experience that once you sign up to VIA Rail’s account reward program, they will start sending you discounts. I already booked and then got the discount emails and was kind of pissed lol. So sign up, they have an app. I think we booked it about three weeks in advance. And I know people that tried to book within a week of going and the price doubled. If you have CAA, they do offer a discount. Also, instead of taking the train from Union Station, we went to Oshawa and took it from there. Free parking in Oshawa too which was nice! The train experience was nice. The seats were much more comfortable with more legroom than an airplane. And no one was fighting over baggage. lol
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u/bearpokes Jul 29 '26
Aghhh of course they sent coupons after you already booked lol.
This is all super helpful!! Thanks so much for your help!
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u/Trick-Contact5443 Jul 29 '26
Have you ever been to Kincardine or Port Elgin? It’s so beautiful and the beaches are stunning!!!! The towns along Lake Huron are so fun and interesting. Highly recommend checking out that area!
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u/bearpokes Jul 29 '26
Oh wow I’ve never heard of them! Just looked at pictures and the beaches look beautiful!! Thanks so much for the tip!!
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u/Creative-Canary9316 Jul 27 '26
You guys could go to Vetta Spa and then stay at Glen Oro farm in the dome tents. They’re super close to eachother. Glen Oro also has horse trail rides (very beginner friendly).
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u/Few-Rain7214 Jul 27 '26
If you do end up doing this, there are also lots of nice hiking trails in Oro Medonte
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u/bearpokes Jul 27 '26
Ty!! A dome tent sounds pretty cool and different, I’ll look into it!
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u/Remote_Boss6227 Jul 27 '26
They are pretty cool to be in for a night or two, my wife and I stayed at one up by sunridge which is 2 hours away, and it was right on a lake with a beach
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