10+ Amazing Things to do in Midland Ontario: A Southern Georgian Bay Gem
Nestled into southern Georgian Bay, Midland is a treasure of Simcoe County. Located two hours north of Toronto, Midland is the perfect Ontario getaway any time of year. There’s a wealth of things to do in Midland Ontario for everyone’s interests, whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a history buff, or love exploring small towns. In this guide, you’ll find the best this Georgian Bay gem has to offer, including where to eat, sleep, and other great things to do near Midland.
14 Top Things to do in Midland
Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Barrie or looking for a great getaway in Ontario, there is a wealth of things to do in Midland. There is something for everyone! Outdoor enthusiasts will love the parks and trails. History buffs will be blown away by all the historic information you’ll learn here. So, if you’re looking for an Ontario small town that has it all then travel to Midland!
Meet the Silver Swan
When planning what to do in Midland, I always encourage visitors to start at the waterfront. Here you can see just why this charming small town is loved by many. The sweeping views of southern Georgian Bay reaching out, a lovely path winding its way along the shore, and standing center stage is the iconic silver trumpeter swan sculpture.
The stainless steel Trumpeter Swan sculpture in Midland is 2700 pounds and was created by Ron Hunt. It was erected in 2001 at the Town Dock in Midland and pays tribute to these incredible creatures that were bought back from near extinction thanks to the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Be sure to grab your selfie with it when you visit!
Visit Little Lake Park
One of the best things to do in Midland is to visit Little Lake Park! There are a bunch of great little parks in Midland! The Midland Town Parks System actually covers over 320 acres throughout including 28 community parks. But Little Lake Park is the crowning jewel with a long list of fun things to do in the park. The park has seen plenty in its day, from Wendat villages to campers in the 1920s and even a royal visit in 1959!
Today, Little Lake Park is a great place to visit any time of year. In the spring, the park is filled with incredible cherry blossom trees. In the summer, grab your swimsuit and head to the beach or head out on a paddle of the lake. Other fun things to do in the park include the skate park for the kids, a disc golf course, hiking trails, enjoying a picnic under one of the incredibly towering oak trees, and visiting the Huronia Museum. And if you’re feeling peckish head over to the Little Lake Restaurant that has been serving visitors for over 70 years! They have amazing burgers, friends, and ice cream!
Address: 606 Little Lake Park Rd, Midland, ON
Midland Murals
Midland is one of my top choices for places to find street art in Ontario. There are over 40 murals that can be found throughout downtown. Inspired by postcards by J.W. Bald, the murals were mostly painted by Fred Lenz.
Midland’s murals tell the story of the town, the area, and its history. You’ll find massive murals, like the one found on the old grain elevators on the bay, which is the largest historic outdoor mural in North America! It depicts a Huron Native and Jesuit Priest at Sainte-Marie, and stands 80 feet high and 250 feet wide. Plus, there are also smaller ones across many of the storefronts along King Street and tucked down side streets.
You can pick up a brochure at the Tourism office or a few of the small businesses that tell you where to find each mural and what each signifies.
Local Tip: Be sure to look for new murals that are coming to downtown Midland!
Related Post: Charming Ontario Small Towns
30,000 Island Cruise
One of the tops attractions in Midland is the 30,000 Island Cruise. You can catch the Georgian Spirit Cruises (the new boat taking over for the famous Miss Midland) boat from the downtown dock and enjoy an incredible two and a sightseeing cruise.
The cruise takes you through Georgian Bay and around its beautiful islands, like Beausoleil Island, which is part of Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Along your cruise, you’ll learn all about the history and legends of the area and its islands.
Take in the sparkling blue waters, the windswept pines, and islands that span large swatches of land to small granite rocks. Not only can you enjoy a wonderful cruise aboard the Georgian Spirit but they also have lunch and dinner specials to complete your experience.
Address: Dock, 165 King St, Midland, ON
Butter Tart Festival
There’s always something going on in Midland, especially in the summer when the festival season is in full swing. Of all the Midland Ontario events the best is Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival! The festival takes place every June, during the second weekend.
The whole main stretch of King Street becomes pedestrian-only. Along the street, you’ll find everything butter tart related, from dozens of different flavoured butter tarts to butter tart flavored items like popsicles and other weird but tasty ideas.
Beyond the thousands and thousands of butter tarts, there are street performers, various vendors selling everything from clothing and jewellery to unique local artisan pieces, live music, and so much more! All of the downtown shops, cafes, and restaurants are also open to browse and dine at.
Not only is this a free festival but you can even enjoy a free butter tart tasting! At the Midland Cultural Centre you’ll find the annual event to judge the best butter tart. Here, you can find pieces of butter tarts from contributors for free!
But here’s a note of caution, for the best butter tart selection make sure you go first thing in the morning, many sell out fast!
Local Tip: Parking downtown fills up fast. Shuttles run out of the parking lot at Georgian Bay District Secondary School as well as from Wye Valley Business Park on Hwy 12.
Related Post: Fun Festivals in Simcoe County
Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is one of my favourite places to visit in Simcoe County, especially if I need a dose of the great outdoors. Covering 3000 acres, the Wye Marsh is home to incredible trails that can be accessed year-round, a plethora of wildlife (the chickadees will even come feed from your hand), a sugar shack (perfect for one of Ontario’s best Maple Syrup Festivals), and a host of activities and festivals throughout the year. It’s one of the best places to see in Midland!
Some fun things to do at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre include; taking in the marsh, canoeing, snowshoeing, seeing the once critically endangered trumpeter swans, climbing up the lookout tower, taking in a bird of prey show, and wandering the trails to soak in the serenity only nature can provide. One of the highlights at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is the incredible boardwalk that takes you over and through the marsh. It’s one of the best boardwalk trails in Ontario!
Address: 16160 Highway 12 East, Midland, ON
Sainte Marie Among the Hurons
Another main attraction in Midland is Sainte Marie Among the Hurons. This living museum takes you back in time to show you what mission life was like in the 17th century in the area. Sainte Marie Among the Hurons is a National Historic Site and Ontario’s first European settlement.
Here you’ll find staff in period costumes throughout the site and in its reconstructed buildings that will tell you tales about what life was like back when it was a Jesuit Mission. There’s also a museum and it’s connected by a path underneath the bridge up to Martyr’s Shrine.
One of the most magical times of year to visit is during First Light, held from November to December. During First Light, you can see the beauty of Sainte Marie Among the Hurons at night and lit by over 5000 candles that line the walkways and illuminate the buildings. There are a host of activities, performers, a market full of local artisans, and purely amazing.
Looking for more incredible places to see light displays? Check out these magical Christmas Lights in Ontario!
Martyr’s Shrine
Another incredible historic place to go in Midland is Martyr’s Shrine. Thousands of people every year make a pilgrimage to this Roman Catholic Church that is consecrated in memory of the Canadian Martyrs from Sainte Marie Among the Hurons. Perched atop a hill it’s a beautiful sight to see, offering awesome views of the area, full of stain glass windows, and is wonderfully lit with candles during First Light.
Address: 16163 Ontario Highway 12, West, Midland, ON
Midland Food Tours
If you’re a foodie and looking for things to do in Midland Ontario then you’ve got to book a Midland Food Tour! Owned and operated by Kelly Kurtz, a former teacher in the area, the tours are so much more than food! The big draw is tasting incredible treats and dishes from some of the best Midland restaurants and shops. However, you’ll also learn about the people behind the food as well as intriguing stories of Midland’s history and culture.
Food stops along the tour can include the best coffee shop in town, a Vegan gem, and a long-standing bakery where you’ll get to go behind the scenes! But you’ll also stop various attractions in Midland!
Options include both a guided downtown Midland walking tour as well as a driving itinerary. Each tour incorporates both the best food stops and attractions in the area. Tours are roughly 3 hours in length and have six to eight stops. You can find more information as well as booking details here.
Sown Art Piece
One of Midland’s latest art pieces is Sown! Located on the corner of King Street and Bayshore Drive, Sown was installed in 2021. The piece was created by local artists, Holly Archer and Camille Myles. For them the piece stands for, “the unnamed heroes who shape our community, and ode to the underrepresented who are vital to the fabric of our history.”
Some, including myself, think at first it looks like a deer. However, there are five pillars holding up the body. It is not a deer! The five pillars represent the industries that built the community, logging, shipping, the railway, agriculture and manufacturing. They also stand for the five bays from the foundational Indigenous legend of Kitchikewana. It all leads to the seed that connect them all and in turn connect the community.
The Chief Administrative Officer of Town of Midland said at its inauguration, “The Town of Midland recognizes that art and culture have been and will always be integral parts of our community.”
Southern Georgian Bay Farmers Market
For those visiting on the weekend and looking for things to do in Midland, be sure to pop over to the farmer’s market. You’ll find the market in the parking lot behind Subway and across from Grounded Coffee. The Southern Georgian Bay Farmers Market runs from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving, every Sunday from 9am to 1pm.
The market brings local farmers, artists and food producers together to sell their goods. Like all farmers markets, its dedicated to promoting local businesses and creating a more sustainable future. You’ll find farm produce, baked goods, artisans, and more! There’s usually also a local musician performing too!
Address: 526 Bay Street, Midland, ON
Awenda Provincial Park
For nature lovers looking for what to do in Midland, you’ll love Awenda Provincial Park. Located just outside of town and wrapped around the shores of Georgian Bay, Awenda is home to over 30 kilometres of trails, a wealth of wildlife, and over 200 bird species. It’s great for day use or you can book camping spots.
Awenda Provincial Park is wonderful to visit at any time of year. In the summer you love swimming off its pristine white beaches or hiking the shaded trails. In the fall when the leaves are dressed in brilliant colours you’ll be amazed. And even in the winter, you can enjoy over 15 kilometres of backcountry ski trails.
Address: 670 Awenda Park Rd, Tiny, ON
Related Post: Best Hikes in Ontario with Awesome Views
Discovery Harbour
If you’re looking for things to do near Midland then you’ve got to add a visit to Discovery Harbour to your itinerary! Totted as one of the top things to do in Penetanguishene, Discovery Harbour is the home of a 19th century British naval and military outpost. It’s most well-known for the incredible tall ships that calls it home, the replica H.M.S Tecumseth and H.M.S. Bee.
The old base is now home to a variety of reconstructed buildings, an interpretive centre where you’ll get to see and experience a 200-year-old ship wreck, as well as a theatre. During your visit you’ll learn all about the people who called the outpost home, what life was life then, and more.
Discovery Harbour is also a fun location if you’re looking for things to do in Ontario in fall! During summer and into fall you take one of the awesome ghost tours at Discovery Harbour. It’s considered one of the most haunted places in Ontario! Learn all about the paranormal activity that takes place here. Plus, hear stories of real ghost encounters by both visitors and staff!
Another fun fall activity here is Pumpkinferno! Wander through the historic site on a ghost walk and see tons of incredible artistic pumpkins carved in all sorts of designs and shapes!
Shop
I always recommended local shops for every place I write about. Not because I’m trying to push consumerism but because I believe in supporting local businesses. If you don’t need anything ok, maybe just browse. Or if you like picking up a little souvenir from your trip, shopping local businesses puts money back into the community.
There are some great shops in Midland that range from clothing to home décor and even antiques. A great new shop is the Culture Coven. It sells a variety of pieces like jewellery, art, and more! All of which are created and made by women. You’ll find so many unique finds here!
There are a bunch of boutique clothing shops, a great place to start is Saturday Afternoons. They have a ton of Georgian Bay merchandise, from sweatshirts to fun décor items, to remind you of your time on the Bay. I also love the high quality pieces at The Pebble Tree!
Another fun shop I love to browse is Simply Country. This massive shop has everything from furniture to candles. But it’s all the little items that really speak to me, especially if you love to surround yourself with country chic pieces. And, as always, I have to showcase bookstores. If you’re a book nerd like me, pop into the independent book seller, Georgian Bay Books.
More Things to do Around Midland
The top ten things to do in Midland, plus all the shops, restaurants, and cafes, will keep you busy! But if you’re looking for more things to do around the Midland area then I have a few more suggestions!
Huronia Museum – On the edge of Little Lake Park is the Huronia Museum. Like Saint Marie Among the Hurons, this museum is all about learning about the aboriginal people who called this place home long before we stepped foot on their land. At the Museum there is a reproduction of a Huron/Ouendat village before contact with white man. The Village includes a full-size longhouse, lookout tower and wigwam. Within the museum you’ll see a wealth of historic artifacts, art from members of the Group of Seven, as well as information on the marine heritage of Georgian Bay.
Hike – There are over 18 kilometres of trails throughout the Town of Midland. A couple to consider if you’re looking for places to hike in Midland include the Mid-Pen Trail, which is a 2 kilometre forest trail that links to the Penetanguishene Trail, and the 1.8 kilometre Little Lake Park Trail. One of the best trails in Midland is the Midland Rotary Waterfront Trail. Stretching out over 8 kilometres on various terrain, linking to the Tay Shore Trail, and with information plaques along the route, it’s also part of two other great trails in Ontario! The Midland Rotary Waterfront Trail is also part of the Trans Canada Trail and the Great Lake Waterfront Trail. You can find more about the trail here.
Midland Cultural Centre – If you’re looking for fun things to do indoors in Midland then pop into the Midland Culture Centre is see what shows and programs they have going on. Or you can check their website here before you go. The Midland Cultural Centre is one of Simcoe County’s top entertainment centres. They put on a wide range of programs and shows, from free Open Mic Nights to Huronia Players musicals, as well as headlining concerts. The Centre is also home to three galleries and a café. One of their galleries is now dedicated to exhibiting Indigenous art.
Visit Penetanguishene – If you’re looking for day trips from Midland, a ten minute drive away is Penetanguishene. This is another charming small town set on the shores of Southern Georgian Bay and has a bunch of great restaurants and a fabulous café, Café Kittyhawk. There are a couple of fun shops to browse, like the Green Block Trading Post and The Reading Room Bookstore. Penetanguishene is also home to a fabulous waterfront park, Rotary Champlain Wendat Park, that’s full of incredible sculptures and awesome views. There’s also the Wharf Theatre and Discovery Harbour. Whether you’re looking for haunted places in Ontario to visit or to learn more about the area’s past, this 19th-century outpost turned living museum is a must!
Other Attractions Not to Miss – Can’t get enough?! There are a ton of great little attractions in Midland and the surrounding area. If you love art or looking for a great gift pop into Newton Street Art Barn in Victoria Harbour. This shop is filled to the rafters, quite literally with fabulous pieces made by local artisans ranging from pottery to jewellery. Another must-see is the S.S. Keewatin! Located in the waters of Port McNicoll, this Edwardian-era steamship is a sight to see.
Where to Eat & Drink in Midland
While enjoying all the things to do in Midland your belly will be satisfied too as there are endless options for places to eat in Midland, as well as a bunch of great cafes. If coffee and light fare is what you’re after my top pick is Grounded Coffee. Other options are The Elegant Gourment and the adorable tea shop Royal Tea on King. Be sure to book in advance to enjoy one of the best afternoon teas in Ontario!
If you’re looking for where to eat in Midland my top picks are The Boathouse Eatery, right on the water it offers great food with a view, and if you’re looking for the best burger in town head to Cellarman’s Alehouse, I love their Barbeque Burger with bbq sauce, cheese, and onion rings. Other great places are Maple Canadian Pub, Dillon’s Wood Fired Pizza, and Arch Steakhouse and Tavern. And don’t leave town without heading to Georgian Bakery – they have the best donuts in Simcoe County!
Where to Stay in Midland
There are a variety of places to stay in Midland. Many larger hotels are located just outside the downtown core, but you can also find bed and breakfasts located right downtown. One of the most popular accommodations in Midland is the Quality Inn & Conference Centre. The rooms are large and modern with all the amenities you’ll need. Along with a continental breakfast, you can also enjoy their indoor pool, fitness centre, as well as a bar and lounge.
Book your Stay at the Quality Inn & Conference Centre today
If it’s a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of town you’re looking for then consider the 1875 A Chartres Inn. This lovely oasis offers a large breakfast, private charter cruises, and views of Georgian Bay. And all in the historic setting of an 1875 Victorian home with a wraparound porch, garden, and hot tub.
Book your Stay at 1875 A Chartres Inn today
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. By booking through these links I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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