17 Outstanding Things to do in Orillia
Orillia, a city with all the charm of a small town makes for a great day trip destination. Tucked between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, it’s a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts with a host of parks to hike and explore. In addition to all the outdoor activities, there’s a wealth of things to do in Orillia for those who love the arts as well as foodies.
Being so close to where I live, the diversity of things to do is one of the many reasons I visit Orillia so often. Plus, who can resist the massive fresh donuts from its famous bakery, Mariposa Market. I know I can’t! Another reason I love this city is its thriving art scene. I love how every season there’s new pieces lining the main street, as well as art galleries and live theatre.
The best part is that there’s always fun festivals and events going on throughout the year. So, it’s a great year round destination in Ontario. One of which is their world famous Mariposa Folk Festival that’s been celebrating music for over 50 years.
So, if you’re planning a day trip to Orillia, or a weekend getaway, my guide has everything you’ll need to know before you go. Below you’ll learn about the top Orillia attractions, places to eat, events as well as where to stay.
Visit Mariposa Market
The most famous of all Orillia attractions is Mariposa Market! And I think it’s the sweetest reason to visit!
Visiting Mariposa Market is like stepping back in time. Set in a building that’s over a 110 years old, with creaky floors and a tin tile ceiling, its part of the magic of Mariposa. This family owned shop has been a staple in downtown Orillia for 35 years.
It’s best known for serving up some of the best donuts in the province. But be prepared–they are massive! The bakery sells a long list of baked goods, from breads to tasty treats. You’ll also find a large selection of preserves and local products like maple syrup and honey.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on the Sweet Shoppe downstairs! Along with kitchenware, there’s a variety of sweets. Be sure to grab your free sample of their incredible fudge!
Browse Shops Downtown
Orillia’s main street, Mississauga Street, is one of my favourite downtowns in Simcoe County! It’s lined with trees, striking heritage buildings, and plenty of art.
Downtown Orillia is full of great shops to browse. You’ll find a mix, with everything from women’s apparel to home décor. But my favourite are the specialty shops!
A few of my favourite downtown shops:
- My Moon Collective – Inside this gem of a shop you’ll find a beautifully curated collection of items, from jewellery to crystals. I also love the fun and unique cards they sell!
- Bird House Nature Company – The birder in me can’t resist this shop for its fun gift items and creative bird feeders.
- DWN Craft Chocolatier – This is one of the best chocolate shops in Ontario! Each are handcrafted in the back of the shop, using natural and local ingredients. My favourite is the award-winning Old-Fashioned.
Stephen Leacock Museum
This National Historic Site is one of the many hidden gems in Orillia! I love visiting in the fall to walk the trail along the water through.
Located on a 10 acre property, minutes from downtown, the site includes the Stephen Leacock Museum, two different trails, and specular views of Lake Couchiching.
The grand home, built in 1928 with its thatched room, was the summer house of author Stephen Leacock. Famous for his book – Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, a love letter to Orillia, which he calls Mariposa.
The museum hosts a number of fun events and workshops throughout the year, ranging from afternoon tea to family-friendly activities.
The Stephen Leacock Museum is also one of the most haunted places in Simcoe County. And they run ghost walks too!
Orillia Opera House
In the heart of downtown is one of the must-see Orillia landmarks – the Opera House! This striking building looks like a red-bricked castle.
The Orillia Opera House has been a central hub for residents for over 100 years. It has seen a lot in its life, the building has served as a town hall, jailhouse and now a thriving theatre.
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Orillia, I recommend grabbing tickets to one of the performances at the Opera House! Shows include everything from musicals to concerts.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Gordon Lightfoot statue near the front entrance! He was born in Orillia.
Orillia Museum of Art & History
To learn more about the history of Orillia, plan a visit to the Orillia Museum of Art & History. The museum is located downtown in what’s known as the Peter Street Arts District.
FUN TIP: Peter Street is where you’ll find the big ARTS sign!
Within the museum you’ll find a wealth of pieces that range from local artifacts to artwork. I love their mix of artists; there’s everything from local artists to famous ones – like Franklin Carmichael from the Group of Seven.
Plus, in the basement, there’s jail cells! I remember doing a ghost tour of the building a few years back and was able to get a photo of me and my family behind bars.
In addition to ghost tours, the museum runs a variety of events and experiences. One cool experience is Night at the Museum, where you get to sip and nibble while browsing the museum. There are workshops for adults and camps for kids too.
Couchiching Beach Park
One of the best places to visit in the summer is Couchiching Beach Park. This 14 acre park runs along the shores of Lake Couchiching and features a scenic waterfront boardwalk.
I love wandering along the boardwalk in the summer, watching the boats leaving the dock, families picnicking in the park, and enjoying the views.
The park is home to the historic Champlain Monument, a beautiful gazebo, and a fun playground for the kids. Plus, there’s plenty of events that take place here like the free music in the park concert series.
Hike Grant’s Woods Nature Preserve
One of my favourite places to visit in Orillia in the spring is Grant’s Woods. This park, which is part of the Couchiching Conservancy, is covered in wildflowers in the spring.
It’s also one of the top places to see trilliums in Ontario, with blankets of them across the forest floor. The park has a 4 km trail hiking system that can easily be done in an afternoon.
In the summer, it’s a great place to hike thanks to the dense forest canopy that keeps the area cooler. But one of my favourite highlights is the old Ford Fargo truck that’s being reclaimed by nature. It’s such a fun sight amongst the forest and flowers.
Visit Tudhope Park
Another one of the waterfront parks on Lake Couchiching is Tudhope Park. Best known for being the location for the Mariposa Folk Festival, but there’s so much to do and see here.
Covering 65 acres, Tudhope park is a great spot for families. There’s an accessible playground, beach, and picnic tables to enjoyed a packed lunch at. And one of my favourite things –an ice cream stand!
The park also has winding trails throughout, both paved and gravel. Along the pathways you’ll find a number of sculptures and monuments too. One of which, my favourite of the collection, is the Gordon Lightfoot Sculpture, called “Golden Leaves.”
Dine at Orillia Restaurants
Orillia is a fabulous place for foodies to visit! You’ll find a mix of cute cafes, Italian cuisine and farm to table restaurants.
A few of my favourite places to eat in Orillia:
Rustica Pizza Vino – This Italian restaurant is the perfect spot for date night! I love the vibe inside with all the plants, plus the food is incredible! Two top menu picks are the chicken parmesan and their Neapolitan-style pizza. Plus, they have the cutest patio!
Eclectic Cafe – This unique restaurant is all about using fresh local ingredients! It has a seasonal menu that features various elevated sandwiches, soups and salads.
Shine Plant Based Kitchen – If you’re looking for the best vegan restaurant in town, this is the spot! With a seasonal menu, they also source ingredients locally for the freshest flavours. Plus, they also can make nearly everything on the menu gluten free.
More Places to Visit in Orillia
Scout Valley
You’ll find plenty of parks in and around Orillia. One of the best is Scout Valley, especially in the fall!
Scout Valley is a park located along the Highway 11, a 10 minute drive from downtown Orillia. Covering 230 acres, the park has three different access points and three trails.
All three trails are interconnected and combine to form the Scout Valley Loop trail. It’s one of my favourite trails in Simcoe County. One reason is that it’s a bit of a hidden gem! I’ve hiked Scout Valley on a weekend and only run into a couple of people.
Ontario Provincial Police Museum
One of the many hidden gems in Orillia is the Ontario Provincial Police Museum. The museum showcases the history of policing in the province, going all the way back to 1791.
It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Orillia. There’s a variety of interactive elements, like a spot for kids to put on a puppet show and uniforms to try on.
Exhibits range from uniforms to forensic science aspects. As an old car buff, I love that they have vintage vehicles–like a 1931 Henderson motorcycle.
Casino Rama
When it comes to things to do near Orillia, the most popular attraction is Casino Rama! For 25 years, it’s been a fun spot for not just gaming but for entertainment.
Casino Rama boasts an epic line up of artists every year! Shows include everything from concerts to comedy. I’ve attended a few concerts at Casino Rama over the years, and I love the venue!
You can plan a whole weekend getaway at Casino Rama! Along with all the things to do and see (there’s also shops!), it is home to 8 dining options. Plus, there’s a luxury hotel attached, with highlights including an indoor saltwater pool, a spa, and a rooftop patio.
Bass Lake Provincial Park
One of the closest provincial parks to downtown Orillia, 10 minute drive west, is Bass Lake Provincial Park. The park is open year round and a great place to soak in nature.
Bass Lake has a hiking trail that’s just under 3 km. I love hiking the trail in the spring, as it’s lined with wildflowers. The trail also features a boardwalk and an old homestead that dates back over 100 years.
If you’re visiting in the summer, you can take advantage of the sand beach, which is great for a swim. The park store also rents out canoes and kayaks that you can take out on the water.
When looking for things to do in Orillia in winter, visit Bass Lake to enjoy snowshoeing or cross country skiing.
Farmer’s Market
If you’re like me and love shopping local for farm fresh produce than I recommend checking out the Orillia Farmer’s Market. It’s one of the longest running markets in Ontario, dating back to the 1840’s.
The market takes place every Saturday morning throughout the year. During the summer, you can find the market in the parking lot across from the Orillia Public Library. In the winer, it takes place in the library.
Along with the classic items like fresh produce, the market features other food, like baked goods and chocolate. Plus, there’s an assortment of craft and artisan vendors selling things like soaps, candles, jewellery and more.
Top Orillia Events & Festivals to Attend
Tap into Maple
One of the best things to do in Simcoe County in the spring is the Tap into Maple trail. This annual event takes place every March through the beginning of April and celebrates maple syrup.
There is a wide array of fun stops on the Tap into Maple trail in Orillia and in communities nearby. On the list are maple syrup farms, restaurants serving maple infused dishes and great places to shop for maple items.
It’s perfect as a day trip or for those looking for a spring getaway.
Mariposa Folk Festival
The most famous festival in Orillia is the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toted as one of the best music events in Canada, the festival began in Orillia back in 1961.
Celebrating music and the arts, the 3 day festival takes place every summer in Tudhope Park. It’s a family friendly event that boasts an epic line of over 50 artists.
In addition to the music, there’s kid’s activities as well as food and artisan vendors.
Orillia Fall Fair
One of my favourite autumn activities is attending a fall fair! And Orillia’s Fall Fair has a long history dating back over 170 years.
The Orillia Fall Fair takes place every October at the fairgrounds. Over the course of 3 days, attendees can enjoy everything from tractor pulls to pumpkin chucking as well as a demolition derby and livestock competitions.
Plus, what’s a fall fair without a midway! And the best part is that tickets are cheap!
Where to Stay in Orillia
The Champlain Waterfront Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
If you’re looking for the best place to stay in downtown Orillia, the Champlain Waterfront Hotel is it! It’s a short walk to Lake Couchiching and you’re right downtown.
This Orillia landmark, since 1932, has fully modernized rooms with comfortable beds. Plus, some rooms have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.
Hotel amenities include free continental breakfast, parking, and a gym. Plus, there’s a restaurant.
Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre
Located a short drive from downtown, the Best Western Plus, is another great option. Rooms are larger, with some featuring kitchenettes and fireplaces.
It’s also home to an indoor pool, fitness room, and hot tube.
Are you looking for more places to visit near Orillia? Check out the following guides:
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