5 unique things to do in Muskoka, Ontario
Only two hours from Toronto, Muskoka is the lakeside wonderland where city slickers come to embrace nature. Here are their favourite things to do.
1. Embrace your inner leaf peeper
With a number of national and provincial parks in the vicinity including Algonquin, Canada’s oldest provincial park, Muskoka is one of North America’s prime ‘leaf peeping’ areas. In the autumn months the trees are ablaze with golden and auburn leaves.
Autumn leaves in Muskoka (Shutterstock.com)
The local tourist board puts out an annual list of Muskoka Fall Colour Routes, mapping out the best roads to take for the most spectacular displays. But really, the best ways to truly experience the changing leaves is to hike, bike or canoe along one of the many trails that criss-cross the region.
2. Learn how to make cranberry wine
Creating fruit wines is an art unto itself, and the Muskoka Lakes Winery in Bala is considered one of the best. Would-be sommeliers, are encouraged to take one of their daily tours the opportunity to learn the intricacies of producing fruit wine first hand and with a cold glass in hand.
Johnson’s Cranberry Marsh (Muskoka Lakes Winery)
The winery is most famous for its unique cranberry wine from Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh, which also hosts the Bala Cranberry Festival every October, when visitors don waders and head into the marsh themselves to join in the fun.
3. Ice skate at night through Tiki torches
Late November to mid-March transforms Muskoka into a winter wonderland and with it the opportunity to mush with huskies, ski, snowmobile and snowshoe. But for ice skaters – both beginners and old hands – the highlight is skating the Arrowhead Provincial Park Ice Skating Trail.
Torch-lit skate trail (Explorers’ Edge)
Set amidst towering, snow-dusted trees, the 1.5 kilometre trail winds its way through a variety of environments in the park. For a truly unique experience, visit during one of the park’s Fire & Ice nights when the trail is illuminated by hundreds of Tiki torches.
