25 Magical Things to do in Muskoka All Year Long
Home to boundless lakes, countless outdoor adventures, and a calming peace, the Muskoka region is one of the best places to visit in Ontario! Muskoka is a top destination for locals and world travelers alike. Muskoka is only a two-hour drive north of Toronto, making it an ideal getaway where you’ll be transported from the noise and smog of city life to the peace and fresh air of cottage country. There are endless things to do in Muskoka for every traveler, whether you’re keen on outdoor activities, culture and art, or simply a relaxing vacation to recharge your inner battery.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Muskoka
Most people think of Muskoka as strictly a summer destination. But they’re so wrong! So, when is the best time of year to visit Muskoka? Any time of year! It all depends on what you’re interests are and what kind of experience you’re after.
Summer – If you’re looking for all the top things to do in Muskoka, like boat cruises, swimming, camping, and hiking then summer is the perfect time to visit. But note that its peak season and cottages, hotels, and Airbnbs fill up fast, especially on weekends, and other attractions could be busy. If you’re set on visiting in the summer try booking ahead and plan for visiting during the week.
Related Post: Unforgettable Summer Ontario Road Trips
Fall – Fall in Muskoka is truly a magical time of year when nature becomes a magnificent canvas of brilliant bright colours. With the heat of summer gone and most of the bugs, fall is a great time to go hiking, chase waterfalls, enjoy a fall cruise, and so much more.
Winter – Don’t hibernate and don’t put off the idea of a winter getaway to Muskoka. Winter in Muskoka is a wonderland of snow, outdoor adventures, festivals, and plenty of family-friendly things to do, like skate trails, frozen waterfalls, ice climbing, and more!
20 Best Things to do in Muskoka
The region of Muskoka and the district is filled with a host of fun activities, museums, and places to explore. There’s always something going on in Muskoka. But be sure to add these top things to do in Muskoka to your itinerary!

Explore Muskoka’s Small Towns
Ontario small towns are the best and Muskoka is full of them. And of course, most of which are set right on the water, making them not only charming but incredibly beautiful too. One of the best parts of Muskoka’s small towns is they’re always full of local shops and restaurants and I encourage you to visit these, and not the big chain stores when exploring. You’ll always find unique and handcrafted pieces as well as fresh and delicious homemade food – many from recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Where to go? A few top picks for small towns to visit in Muskoka are Bracebridge, Huntsville, Baysville, Gravenhurst, Port Carling, and Bala.

Take a Cruise
You can’t visit Muskoka and not get on the water in some way. And a cruise in Muskoka is the perfect way to explore a slice of its incredible natural beauty. There are a variety of cruises to choose from, lunch and dinner cruises, sunset ones, standard cruises, and even adventure ones.
You can cruise aboard historic boats like the R.M.S Segwun, North America’s oldest operating steamship, out of Gravenhurst. Or consider setting sail with Miss Midland and cruise around the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay while taking in the grandeur and learning about the area’s history, legends, and intriguing facts.
But if you’re looking for a cruise with a slice of adventure then try the Islander Adventure Tours out of Parry Sound. Not only will you get to cruise around the world’s largest freshwater archipelago that is Georgian Bay’s 30,000 islands but you can opt to take a guided tour of Huckleberry Island by a naturalist or stop at Wreck Island to explore.
Rent a Cottage
Whether you’re looking for a central base to explore from or a relaxing retreat in the woods – maybe even without Wi-Fi, then renting a cottage in Muskoka is ideal. Muskoka cottage rentals are a great option if you have a large family or planning a group getaway with friends. There are countless vacation rental options to choose from, from ones with all the amenities you could want to rust backwoods options.

Go for a Hike
Some of Ontario’s best hiking trails are in Muskoka! With a trail network that spans 4000 square kilometres you’re bound to find a trail that ticks all your boxes, whether it’s waterfalls, epic views, wildlife, or enchanting forests. There are a bunch of awesome provincial parks, a national park, and other great places to hike in Muskoka.
A few top choices for trails and places to hike in Muskoka are; Oxtongue River Trail to Ragged Falls, Wilson’s Falls trail, Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail, Hardy Lake Provincial Park, Arrowhead Provincial Park and of course, Algonquin Park.
And don’t forget to bring your snowshoes in the winter as many of the trails in Muskoka are maintained year-round. Here’s a list of what to pack for a day hike!
Related Post: Epic Lookouts in Muskoka for Views

Visit Museums in Muskoka
Whether you’re looking for a little culture and history or rainy day activities in Muskoka there are some interesting and historic museums in Muskoka.
For Anne of Green Gables fans, there’s the Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum in Bala. If you want to visit a National Historic Site of Canada head to the Bethune Memorial House in Gravenhurst.
A great place to learn more about the area, its people and more is the Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville. The Muskoka Heritage Place is home to a steam train, museum, and even a pioneer village.
Or pay a visit to the Muskoka Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst. Other museums in Muskoka to check out include Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling and the Tree Museum just east of downtown Gravenhurst.
Go Camping
One way to escape into nature is by sleeping under a blanket of stars. And Muskoka is full of camping options for everyone’s taste, whether its backcountry camping in Algonquin, slumbering to the howls of wolves in Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, or on the shores of Beausoleil Island in an oTENTik, tent/cabin. There are even luxury glamping options for those that don’t want to forsake comfort to stay in the great outdoors.

Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery
In every guide, I slip in a little street art and my guide to Muskoka is no different! Scattered around Muskoka, from Algonquin Park to Huntsville and beyond there are recreated pieces of art inspired by the Group of Seven works. This outdoor gallery is an incredible way to see Muskoka. There are roughly 100 pieces that make up the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery. You can pick up a pamphlet to see where to find them all or go on a fun scavenger hunt to find them for yourself. You can find over 30 of the murals in Huntsville, above storefronts, across the sides of buildings, and other locations across town.

Attend the Muskoka Maple Festival
Is there anything more Canadian than maple syrup? Late winter and early spring are when the sweet water flows in Muskoka. So don’t forget to check out one of the best Maple Syrup festivals in Ontario, the Muskoka Maple Festival. The festival takes place every April in downtown Huntsville. Here, you can try all the different kinds of maple syrup-inspired foods and drinks. Plus you can take part in the Muskoka Maple Trail where you can stop at one or all of the 25 stops at shops, cafes, and restaurants around the region to test out their tasty maple goods.
Looking for more fun events in Muskoka? It’s home to one of the best Christmas Markets in Ontario – the Muskoka XMUS

Chase Waterfalls
One of the best things to do in Muskoka is to chase waterfalls. With over 1500 lakes, it’s no surprise to find the water a falling in Muskoka. There are dozens of waterfalls in Muskoka and while some are tricky to track down, most are easy to find. Some are right in town, like Bracebridge Falls and Bala Falls, some are right off the highway like Muskoka Falls, and others you’re going to have to work for.
A few more top picks for waterfalls to see in Muskoka are; High Falls in Bracebridge, Stubbs Falls in Arrowhead, and Rosseau Falls in – you guessed it – Rosseau.

Take a Scenic Drive
Jump off the highway and choose nearly any of Muskoka’s back roads and you’ll fall in love. Muskoka’s winding roads lead to charming small towns, like Baysville, Port Carling, and Bala, to stunning swatches of parkland rich in wildlife, and are lined with granite cliffs that make up the Canadian Shield.
Muskoka is one of the best places for fall drives in Ontario. With its winding tree-lined roads, rolling hills that from the top give epic views over a sea of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, you’ll love creating a tradition of a scenic fall drive. And if you’re driving up from Toronto, try this epic Toronto to Muskoka road trip.

Attend the Bala Cranberry Festival
In case you need another reason to visit Muskoka in the fall, here it is – the Bala Cranberry Festival. Held the weekend after Thanksgiving the wee town of Bala explodes with an event to showcase the area’s bounty of cranberries. The festival includes craft, food, and local vendors, a midway, and more.
Plus, don’t forget to visit Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh for an epic Instagram shot of you in the cranberry marsh! You can spend the day at the marsh, hiking the trails, enjoying a wine tasting and more!

Go for a Paddle
As mentioned before, with over 1500 lakes and boundless rivers and streams, Muskoka is best experienced by getting on the water. And one of the best experiences in Muskoka is to paddle along the sparkling waters, soaking in the area’s finest natural beauty. A few of the best lakes in Muskoka are Lake Joseph, Skeleton Lake, and of course, Lake Muskoka.
You can choose from a number of canoe routes, some of which have been traversed for hundreds of years. But don’t worry if you don’t have your own craft, there are numerous places, like Algonquin Outfitters, where you can rent a canoe or kayak.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
Ontario is full of awesome train rides and one is right here in Muskoka. At Huntsville’s Muskoka Heritage Place you can board The Portage Flyer steam train, now over 100 year’s old. The train runs from late May to early October and takes a scenic route along the picturesque Muskoka River. After your 30 minute train ride take time to wander the Rail Museum to learn more.

Visit Georgian Bay National Park
Plan a visit to or stay in the Georgian Bay National Park. The park is set among the incredible 30,000 islands that make up the largest chain of freshwater islands in the world.
Be inspired by the natural beauty of the world’s largest freshwater archipelago and explore its islands, like the beautiful Beausoleil Island. You can grab the Day Tripper boat out of Honey Harbour to visit Beausoleil.
A visit to the island entails hiking its incredible trails through various terrain, past the windswept pines that inspired the Group of Seven, and swim in the refreshing waters of Georgian Bay. Plus, keep an eye out for the wealth of wildlife that calls the islands home.
Or you can plan a stay, whether it’s camping or staying in one of the Parks Canada accommodations, cabins or oTENTiks. Whether you stay or just visit for the day, a trip to Georgian Bay National Park is a must for your list of things to do in Muskoka.
Take in the Night Sky at Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the night sky head to Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve in Gravenhurst. This over 4,500 acre conservation area was the world’s first permanent Dark Sky Reserve. Here, without the deluge of light pollution, you’ll be amazed by the brilliant stars that blanket our sky and if you go in the late summer or early fall you may even catch the northern lights.
But Torrance Barrens Conservation Area is great night and day. Enjoy hiking across Precambrian bedrock, wetlands, and keep an eye out for wildlife like the rare Eastern Bluebird and the five-lined skink – Ontario’s only lizard.

Have a Beach Day
One of the top things to do in Muskoka in the summer is enjoy a beach day! With hundreds of lakes, you’ll also find plenty of white sandy beaches.
On nearly every lake and in each small town you’ll find a fabulous beach. Some are busier than other and some are complete hidden gems.
Gravenhurst is home to one of the best Muskoka beaches. Just steps from downtown is Gull Lake Rotary Park. The park is full of fun things to do, especially in the summer. There are trails, picnic tables, and a large parking lot. It’s also home to the largest beach in Gravenhurst. Plus, it’s supervised by a lifeguard.
The dreamy Lake Joseph is home to a hidden gem of a beach! On the top end of Lake Joseph is Centennial Beach. This beautiful sandy beach is a must. Plus, it’s the ideal spot to work on your tan or take a refreshing swim.
A couple more beaches to check out are the Port Sydney Beach and Dwight Beach in Lake of Bays.

Chase Ghosts
With hundreds of haunted places in Ontario, it’s no surprise that many can be found in Muskoka! Along with numerous ghost towns scattered throughout, there are plenty of haunted places in Muskoka.
So, whether you like a bit of a spooky fun or love digging into the history and stories of a place, I recommend adding chasing ghosts to your Muskoka itinerary!
One of the most interesting buildings in Bracebridge is also reported to be haunted. The Woodchester House is one of the oldest and largest octagonal houses in Ontario. Dating to 1882, it saw three generations of the Bird family living within. Now, nearly 100 years after their deaths, the building is said to be haunted by the two members of the family.
In the town of Gravenhurst, one of its most haunted places is the Opera House. So, be prepared for a double show when you visit! While you enjoy the performance you just might come across a ghost.
Muskoka is home to buildings as well as outdoor places that are haunted. One such place is Fairy Lake in Huntsville. While reports of a few different ghosts have arisen over the years, one story stands out. One of the ghosts is of a young girl. Out at night dressed in a bear skin for warmth looking for her father and was accidently shot.
Plus, if you’re looking for haunted places to stay, there are a few in Muskoka. One of them is in the heart Bracebridge, Inn at the Falls.
Take a Walking Tour
I highly recommend taking a walking tour of a place. There are 5 historic walking tours in Muskoka. Each in one of the adorable Muskoka small towns.
You’ll find a self-guided walking tour in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Baysville, Dwight, and Dorset. All of which take you around to historic places in town. Each shares the story of the place and the people behind it.
The Bracebridge Bay Trail is one of the top things to do in Bracebridge! It covers just over one kilometre and takes you to a variety of points of interest in town. Plus, in front of many of the stop are information plaques.
You can pick up brochures for the Dorset Heritage Trail at the Dorset Heritage Museum. The tour includes 21 places in Dorset. It’s a great way to learn about the interesting history of the area.
In Gravenhurst the walking tour takes you to 26 locations across town. Along with learning about the history of Gravenhurst, you’ll also uncover a few of the hidden gems in town!

Eat at the Best Muskoka Restaurants
When planning a Muskoka getaway, you’ll want to check out a few of the awesome restaurants across the region. There’s a restaurant to suit everyone’s appetite! You’ll find everything from Thai to Indian as well as classic Canadian cuisine.
Sitting along the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst is Dock of the Bay Steak & Seafood Grille. The menu includes a steak, seafood and pasta. Plus, it has a long wine list. This restaurant is a must in the summer as it has one of the best patios in Muskoka looking out over the water.
In Bracebridge, one of my favourite restaurants is The Old Station. Located downtown, this restaurant has all the warm cozy cottage vibes inside and a lovely patio outside. The menu is full of family classics like fish and chips as well as burgers.
Downtown Huntsville is packed full of great restaurants! One of the most popular ones is The Mill on Main. This restaurant screams Canadian pub that’s elevated. You’ll find a menu with epic nachos, pizza, and lamb shank. Plus, there’s a great second story covered patio with views of the river.
Other delicious restaurants to dine at include El Pueblito, Marigold Unique Flavour, and The Oar Restaurant.
Enjoy a Show
You don’t need to go to the city to enjoy live entertainment! Across Muskoka you’ll find a number of theatres and great places to enjoy a show.
The most famous live entertainment venue in Muskoka is The Kee to Bala. For close to 100 years, the concert hall and bar has been a staple in cottage country for good times. Located in the town of Bala, along the shores of Lake Muskoka, The Kee to Bala has hosted a ton of epic performers and bands over the years. Some top ones include Louis Armstrong, The Tragically Hip, Aerosmith and 54-40.
Enjoy a night of theatre in downtown Huntsville at the Algonquin Theatre. In the entry hall is a free gallery that you can check out before the show. And this over 400 seat theatre puts on a variety of shows including concerts and plays.
At the Gravenhurst Opera House visitors can indulge in live theatre in Muskoka. Many of greats have graced the stage, like Donald Sutherland. The Opera House hosts entertainment throughout the year, which is great for those visiting Muskoka in the off season.

More Amazing Places to Visit in Muskoka
Enjoy Tea at Blue Willow Tea Shop – A fabulous experience in Muskoka is to enjoy one of the best afternoon teas in Ontario. On the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst sits the darling Blue Willow Tea Shop. The tea room serves classic afternoon tea with views of the water.
Visit Santa’s Village – If you’re looking for fun things to do in Muskoka with kids then head to Bracebridge. Here you’ll find Santa’s Village! This Christmas themed park is set along the Muskoka River its full of summer fun! There’s a splash pad, tons of rides, a beach and so much more.
Go Dog Sledding at North Ridge Ranch – A great winter destination in Muskoka is Huntsville! One of the coolest winter activities is dog sledding at North Ridge Ranch. They offer a variety of tour lengths, including half-day tours. Its one of the top things to do in winter in Ontario!
Arts at the Albion – Muskoka is full of incredible community of artists! Throughout the region are a number of art galleries and shops. One of the best places to visit in Muskoka to find art is at the Arts at the Albion. In Gravenhurst, this heritage building is now home to an art gallery showcasing various pieces by artists from the area.
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area – Another place to visit in the winter is Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area. For winter adventurers seeking hills to ski or snowboard, this is the place to go! Hidden Valley is home to over a dozen groomed trails, plus there’s night skiing.

Where to Stay in Muskoka
If you’re looking for perfect places to stay in Muskoka I have a few great options. But on top of all the hotels, inns, and resorts there are a ton of vacation rental options. You can stay in everything from a tiny home to a luxury lakeside private retreat.
A few popular choices for accommodation in Muskoka include the following. At Taboo Muskoka, located in Gravenhurst, you can enjoy the longest private sandy beach in Muskoka, a variety of facilities that include a restaurant, golf course, and use of their bikes, canoes, and kayaks. And even in the winter you can enjoy bonfires, their skate pond and use of their 8 kilometres of trails for cross country skiing or snowshoeing. ~ prices average around 164
Stay in Port Carling at the Sherwood Inn located on the banks of Lake Joseph if you’re looking for a beautiful wellness retreat in Muskoka. The Inn has a spa, wellness centre, fitness centre, and a restaurant overlooking the water. ~ prices average around $170
For more budget-friendly options, yet still traveler favourites, try the Quality Inn in Bracebridge, the Best Western Plus Muskoka in Huntsville with complimentary full breakfast and close to Arrowhead, and Comfort Inn that offers complimentary hot breakfast and is located close to Huntsville’s downtown.
You’ll also find a few of the most haunted hotels in Ontario right in Muskoka!
Frequently Asked Questions about Muskoka
Gravenhurst makes for the perfect day trip in Muskoka in the summer. There’s plenty of things to do including boat tours, museums, shopping, and more!
The nicest town in Muskoka is Bracebridge! This small town has plenty to offer visitors along with all the charm you could ask for.
Muskoka is known for its scenic landscape that includes hundreds of freshwater lakes, Canadian Shield, and windswept pines.
The three most popular areas in Muskoka are Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville.
Billionaires row in Muskoka is on Lake Joseph.
The most beautiful lake in Muskoka is Lake Joseph, one reason is that it’s one of the clearest lakes in Muskoka.
The most scenic drive in Muskoka is along Frank Miller Memorial Route between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, especially in the fall.
What are your favourite things to do in Muskoka?
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