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Things To Do In Gravenhurst
Known as the Gateway to Muskoka Lake, Gravenhurst is an incredible place to visit if you are planning a trip to Southern Ontario. With great hiking trails, museums, and art, this place has a long list of fun things to do throughout the year. It is also a perfect destination for your road trip. If you are visiting Toronto, make sure to include Gravenhurst in your itinerary as it is just a two-hour drive north of Toronto.
Check out Things To Do in Toronto for a detailed list of amazing places you can visit here.
Gravenhurst has a vibrant history and tourists visiting the place can get a glimpse of the same in the museums of this town. Apart from that, the place is most famous for its breathtaking views. You can find something fun to do here, all year long. In the summer the parks are open for swimming and boating and many other annual festivals. Whereas in the winter it is famous for ice hockey, snowboarding, and the Winter Carnival.
Let’s jump straight into our list and discover Gravenhurst some more.
Muskoka Steamships
To experience Gravenhurst at its finest, Muskoka Steamships Cruise is the best place. These cruises provide an entertaining and educational experience to all the tourists and some of the most beautiful sights you will see on your entire trip. To book the cruise you can either go to their website or book on the spot. It is more preferable to book well in advance so that you do not miss the chance. There are various options to choose from and you can easily find the one that suits your interest.
The steamships are open only in the months of May to October and if you are planning to take a ride in the beautiful Georgian Bay, make sure you plan your visit accordingly.
Timings: 9 am to 4 pm. Mondays and Fridays are closed.
Do not miss: do not forget to check out the Muskoka Discovery Centre while you are here. It is open year-round and offers amazing exhibitions and fun activities.
Check out their website for bookings and more information about their tour packages.
The Gravenhurst Opera House
Gravenhurst Opera House is the cultural hub of the city which attracts hundreds of locals and tourists for their performances. This place is owned and operated by the Town of Gravenhurst and offers a unique and enjoyable theatre experience. Not only are the performances so lively, but also the design of the theatre is an architectural marvel. It is built beautifully and is equipped with professional sound and lighting equipment. If you are also planning your road trip to Gravenhurst, you should include this place in your list and definitely catch a live performance.
The major attraction is the Summer Theatre which is said to be the most important theatre festival in Ontario. Gravenhurst Opera House is the home for such a historic event and launches the annual festival every year.
Timings: you can check out Gravenhurst Opera House for the latest information about their shows.
Things to do: there is also an art gallery which is a must-visit. You should definitely attend a live event. They also host movie nights and regular comedy shows, which are also a great way to spend your quality time.
Sawdust City Brewery Gravenhurst
Sawdust City Brewery is a nice spot to hang out when you are in Gravenhurst. Located right in the center of the main city, this famous palace has been the master of producing fresh and tasty beers for almost a decade. This brewery is famous for its variety of beers all over Ontario. If you are slightly interested in trying out new flavors then you should definitely visit this place. Apart from serving fresh and cold beers, they also have a food truck that serves amazing food. You can spend a nice relaxing day here with your friends and also shop for some flavors on your way back.
They organize a number of events throughout the year and we highly recommend that you attend one of them. Their most famous event is the Oktoberfest, inspired by the Germans. It is a fun 4-day event with lots of beer, music, and culinary events and is a must-see if you are here in October.
They also have a special event for celebrating Canada Day which is attended by people from all over Ontario.
Timings: open on all days. 11 am to 9 pm.
Things to do: spend a day with your friends and family tasting beers. Attend their events.
You can find out more about their events here.
Bethune Memorial House Gravenhurst
This famous Victorian-style house is an important place that preserves the legacy of Dr. Norman Bethune. He was a Pioneer medical practitioner of Chinese origin who advocated Canada’s health care system. Now his legacy has been preserved here in this house and has become a place of cultural importance.
Along with the museum, the other important places to visit are the WWI trench, the Visitor Center, and the Chinese center. It is a great place to learn about the history and also a nice drop-by activity.
You should definitely visit this place if you find yourself in Gravenhurst and enjoy this historic site.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the place. Visit the surrounding places. Check out the famous WWI trench.
Timings: you can check out the timings and other relevant information on their website here.
Muskoka Wharf
It is spread across an 89-acre area that celebrates the town’s rich heritage and vibrant life. There are some amazing restaurants and cafes that you should try out. Some of the most popular ones are the Blue Willow Tea Shop, Boston Pizza, and the Wheelhouse Cafe. There are also many places where you can shop and explore the local taste. One such market is the Shipyard Muskoka Marketplace where you can find anything that you like.
Apart from these major attractions they also hold some community events which are widely celebrated. If you are planning to visit this place make sure you attend some live events.
Timings: Open all day.
Things to do: you can find anything that you like here. Go for a nice walk. Do some shopping and visit restaurants.
Muskoka Beach Park Gravenhurst
Muskoka Beach Park is a wonderful place to spend your time in Gravenhurst. It is a calm and peaceful place and has a small beach. The entire area is well maintained and has a special barbecue area. There are picnic spots and playgrounds too, which makes it a perfect place for you to visit if you are traveling with your family and kids.
It is a nice place overall and you should definitely check this out and enjoy some quality time.
Timings: Open all days. 8 am to 11 pm.
Things to do: go for a picnic. Enjoy at the beach.
You can find out more information about the latest timings and bookings for the picnic spot on their official website here.
Heritage Walking Tours
The best way to explore any new place is by taking a walking tour. We recommend you do the same while you are visiting Gravenhurst. This town has wonderful self-guided tours that will take you around the city. Famous for its local art, heritage, and vibrant culture, it only makes sense if you take a trip and explore the important sites. The Gravenhurst Heritage Walking Tour lets you explore 26 heritage sites and gives an educational experience as well.
You can also find beautiful murals on the main street of Muskoka Road. These large murals are a great price of history that presents a moment in time. Throughout the town, you will find beautiful murals that will tell you the story of this town. Make sure you take the walk and enjoy every part of the story.
Timings: you can find out the information about the packages and tours on the website here.
Things to do: visit the Gravenhurst Town Hall. Explore the city by a self-guided tour. Attend a live event at Music on the Barge.
Peninsula Trail
The perfect place for hiking and adventure sports in Gravenhurst is the famous Peninsula Trail. It is a picturesque pathway around the Muskoka Bay Peninsula and offers all kinds of activities to its visitors.
You can find benches, picnic spots, and gazebos all along the path if you wish to take a break or enjoy the scenery. The trail is widely preferred by tourists who want to go hiking, trekking, or simply enjoy the natural beauty. We recommend that you check out this trail and click some amazing photographs as memories.
Timings: Open all days.
Things to do: go hiking, trekking, or biking with your friends. Go for a walk. Spend a relaxing day enjoying the beautiful views.
Lookout Park
Gravenhurst is full of parks and recreational centers for all nature lovers. One such beautiful place that we recommend you to check out is the Lookout Park Located on George Street. This park offers stunning views and lovely vibes for you to spend a perfect day out. You can enjoy a small hike or a picnic with your family while also enjoying the natural surroundings.
This park is famous for its unique flora and trees that will give a wonderful vibe to your entire visit.
Timings: Open all day. 7 am to 11 pm.
Things to do: go for a picnic or a walk.
Gull Lake Rotary Park
Gull Lake Rotary Park is the largest beach in Gravenhurst which is supervised by lifeguards. There are various activities that you can enjoy and we recommend that you check this place out. Apart from swimming, there are picnic shelters and playgrounds which makes it a perfect destination to spend your day.
They also have a splash pad which is available only seasonally. There are other fun activities that you can do here to have an overall delightful experience.
Timings: Open all days. 7 am to 11 pm.
Things to do: this beach offers extremely beautiful sunrise views, if you get a chance make sure to start your day here.
The Tree Museum
Located on Doe Lake Road, this place is a perfect mix of outdoor walks in the woods and exploring unique contemporary art. Spread across an area of 200 acres, this unique museum has art installations that can be explored while you’re hiking. This combination attracts hundreds of tourists year long and is definitely worth the trip.
Timings: Open from May to October. 10 am to 6 pm.
Things to do: take a self-guided tour of the entire region. Go for a walk and explore the art.
You can find out more information about their latest exhibitions and events here.
If you are planning to visit Gravenhurst, make sure you take a road trip to the nearby areas. Check out our posts to find out more about Canada!
Read Things To Do in Milton and Top Things to Do In Orangeville here.
