11 Best Things to do in Coldwater Ontario
With its vibrant community and beautiful surroundings, Coldwater makes for an ideal day trip destination, especially during the colorful autumn months.
In the northern reaches of Simcoe County is the charming village of Coldwater, Ontario. Conveniently located minutes off Highway 400, it makes for an easy day trip destination. While the village is small, every time I visit, I’m surprised by the number of things to do in Coldwater. You can browse the shops, explore historic sites like the Coldwater Mill, and enjoy plenty of fun festive events like their famous Witches Walk.
After countless visits, I’ve rounded up a list of my favourite Coldwater activities and attractions. This guide will share what to do as well as why fall is the best time to visit Coldwater! So, if you’re looking for a fun day trip or fantastic fall getaway, let me help you plan a trip to the village of Coldwater.
Visit the Coldwater Mill
A visit to the mill at the heart of town is one of the top things to do in Coldwater. This stunning grist mill, clade in red, was built in 1833. Sitting along the river, it offers great photo-ops and inside is a free museum, gift shop, and an art gallery. Plus, next door is a restaurant, the Mill St. Bistro.
However, the Coldwater Mill has a long, sad history as it was built for and funded by the Indigenous peoples who were sent to the area. I highly recommend visiting the mill museum to learn more. It’s full of photos and artifacts.
The mill’s gift shop is a great place to shop in town. It features a variety of items, many made by local artisans. Plus, my favourite is the art gallery on the top floor that showcases Indigenous art.
Grab a Coffee at Em’s Cafe
While wandering downtown Coldwater you’ve got to pop into Em’s Café! This cute café has all the cozy vibes inside with warm tones, eclectic wood furniture, and my favourite, an exposed brick wall.
Em’s Café has a great line up of coffee, tea, and an assortment of grilled sandwiches. But one of my favourite treats at the café is their amazing scones. They make different ones all the time, but my top pick is the chai scones with cinnamon glaze.
The café also has one of the most Instagramable patios in Ontario! Tucked next to the café is a little alley with seating and overhead is a colourful array of open umbrellas.
Shop Copperpot Nuts
In my opinion, one of the best things to do in Coldwater is shopping! There are so many great shops to pick up all sorts of great things from bath and body products to home décor. But my favourite shop is Copperpot Nuts! I stop in every visit for some of their amazing nuts.
This incredible women-owned shop sells a variety of fun and quirky kitchen items as well as local products like honey and maple syrup. But their best product is their double roasted nuts that are roasted and packaged on site. They have everything from cashews to peanuts in nearly 20 different flavours. My favourite is the maple roasted pecans!
Visit Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum
A wonderful place to visit for those looking for things to do in Coldwater, Ontario with kids, is the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum. Set on 6.5 acres just south of downtown, once the Woodrow Homestead, it’s now a museum to honour pioneer families.
The museum features the original Woodrow Homestead with period artifacts within. It’s like a living history museum that showcases what rural life was like in the 1830s. There are even a few original family pieces.
You can enjoy a self-guided tour, wander the scenic grounds along the Coldwater River. There are additional buildings set up as a pioneer village to highlight more of the area’s history.
For those interested in visiting, admission is by donation. Also, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from mid-May through to the end of August. However, they are open in September and October by appointment.
Enjoy Quayle’s Brewery
One of the best places to visit in Coldwater for a drink and bite to eat is Quayle’s Brewery! Perched atop a hill, 10 minutes south of downtown Coldwater, the stunning building looks like a historic site. Built in 2016, the brewery is a re-creation of a local 19th century landmark known as the Musical Barn.
Covering 12 acres, Quayle’s Brewery is home to a wraparound patio that overlooks the hop yards. The cool thing is that you can enjoy your drink and meal inside or out on the patio, all year long as they bring out firepits in the winter.
Quayle’s Brewery is not just a place to eat and drink, it’s an experience! It has three floors of seating, with a tasting room and loft. I love that there’s always something happening at the brewery! They have live music, featuring local talent, trivia nights, and various markets.
Beyond their craft beer, they also have an awesome menu that has everything from appetizers to full meals and desserts. I highly recommend their Beer Mac & Cheese, which uses their house-made beer cheese.
Plus, it’s a must-stop on the Tap into Maple Trail!
Insider Tip: The brewery is actually one of two replicas of the Musical Barn in Coldwater! The other is located behind the Coldwater Mill.
Attend the Coldwater Fall Fair
One of the best things to do in fall in Ontario is attend a fall fair. And the Coldwater Fall Fair is one of the best small town fall fairs I’ve been to! For over 125 years, the Fall Fair has been a must-visit in Coldwater.
The fair is held annually on the last full weekend of September. It’s a great event for the whole family, with plenty of activities. There’s a midway, demolition derby, and of course agricultural exhibits. Inside the arena, you’ll find it jam packed with local vendors selling all sorts of goodies, from maple syrup to fresh produce. The arena is also where the arts and craft exhibits are.
My favourite part of the fair was all the animals! There’s everything from horses to sheep. I loved being able to get up close with the adorable little baby cows too!
For those unfamiliar with the town, the fairgrounds are located right downtown.
Visit The Dark Bazaar
If you’re love Halloween then you’ll love The Dark Bazaar! A visit to this downtown shop is one of the top things to do in Creemore for the weird and obscure. You can get your spooky on year-round at the Dark Bazaar with its assortment of fun and freaky items for sale.
Inside the Dark Bazaar sells everything from clothing to home décor. There’s plenty of nods to horror movies and Halloween. Many of the pieces are made locally and are incredibly unique. Plus, every fall, she decorates the shop’s porch and outside with fantastic Halloween pieces like a giant skeleton, a coffin, and more.
Attend the Coldwater Witches Walk
If you’re looking for fun and free things to do in Coldwater, make sure you attend their Witches Walk! Running for nearly 20 years, this annual event takes place on a Friday night in October. The event is geared towards adults, with hundreds of people dressing up as witches to join the parade through town.
Beyond the witches walk, there’s a costume contest, live music and dancing, as well as cool photo-ops. Plus, there’s a number of street vendors. This year, it’s on October 18, 2024.
More Fun Things to do in Coldwater
Hewitts Farm Market & Bakery – A staple in the farm to table scene in Simcoe County is Hewitts Farm! And their market is one of the best places to visit for Tap into Maple for their maple products or any time of year for goodies. Inside you’ll find a variety of items including farm fresh produce, baked goods, home décor. I also that they sell other Ontario producers like Empire Cheese.
Hike the Uhthoff Trail – The Uhthoff Trail is one of the many trails in Simcoe County. It runs between Waubaushene and Orillia for 30 km and is part of the Trans Canada Trail. It’s an easy, flat trail, making it accessible and great for hiking or cycling. You don’t need to do it all but there is access in Coldwater via the parking lot beside the fire department.
Browse the Christmas Villager – One of the cutest Christmas stores in Ontario is the one in downtown Coldwater. The Christmas Villager shares the magic of the season year-round. Inside you’ll find everything from Christmas décor to greeting cards as well as great gift ideas and toys for kids and adults alike.
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Whether you’re looking to explore a new small town or keen for a fabulous fall day trip, the village of Coldwater offers a memorable escape. While exploring its heritage buildings or browsing the unique shops, Coldwater provides a perfect rural experience in Ontario.
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