Local Scoop

Barrie offers four-season activities for every age and lifestyle. Parks, beaches, ski hills and craft breweries await you in Barrie.

Chances are you'll find some locals in the more than 300 hectares of the city's park space. In the summer, many people head to the beach. Centennial Beach is a popular hot spot with a large children's playground, beach volleyball courts, and a large sandy beach that is perfect for swimming. If you forget to pack a picnic, don't worry. There are plenty of restaurants and stores within walking distance of the beach. Other spots to check out for shoreline swimming include Johnson's Beach and Minet's Point Beach.

If you'd rather pack a picnic and lie in the grass, check out the 11 acres at Allandale Station Park. There are walking and bike paths, a community centre, and fish habitat learning areas. For an even larger green space, check out The Gables. This northeastern park has more than 42 acres and includes woodland trails, a beach, and a permanent picnic shelter.

Another popular spot is the Ardagh Bluffs Natural Area, offering over 17 kilometres of walking and hiking trails.

If you and your kids are more adventurous, try Barrie's treetop trekking at Horseshoe Resort. The resort also has mini-putt and go-karts. Another option is to spend the day fishing. While you can shoreline fish in most places in Barrie, there's nothing more exciting than catching a fish on the open water. You can rent a boat or charter a fishing tour. Kempenfelt Bay is home to Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Whitefish and Lake Trout. Just remember that you will need a fishing license for anyone over 18.

Families will enjoy Chappell Farms. In October, the farm hosts a fall festival with a sunflower maze, pumpkin picking, and petting zoo.

In the winter, locals hit the slopes. The air is cold, and the snow is falling—might as well make it fun! Snow Valley and Horseshoe Resort both offer skiing and snowboarding. If you don't own the equipment, you can rent the gear or try snow tubing instead. Each resort also has ice-skating rinks and a chance to play shinny hockey. Or just relax in the on-site chalet and restaurants. Further from the city in Coldwater, Mount St. Louis Moonstone offers a stunning ski weekend getaway destination.

Outdoor space and activities aren't the only things to keep you occupied in Barrie. There are numerous restaurants, from fast-food and take-out places to tea rooms and cafes to fine dining.

Locals and visitors visit Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery in Barrie’s historic downtown area. The brewery is known for its lively atmosphere and unique beverages.

For a night out on the town, consider taking in a performance at Theatre by the Bay or the Georgian Theatre, seeing a Barrie Colts game at the Sadlon Arena, or heading to the Last Level Arcade Lounge to play vintage arcade games.

Art lovers will be enthralled by the MacLaren Art Centre, housed in an architectural landmark building in downtown Barrie. The building combines the 1917 Carnegie Library with a contemporary addition designed by Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects. Exhibitions change throughout the seasons, and the permanent collection includes over 4,000 works of contemporary and modern Canadian art. Admission to this public art gallery is by pay-what-you-can donation.

Get a glimpse of Barrie's past with a trip to one of the city's museums or historical sites. Base Borden Military Museum is one of Canada's largest military museums, and Discovery Harbour tells the story of the original 19th-century naval and military outpost that was stationed here. Just outside of the city, the Simcoe County Museum offers exhibits highlighting life in Simcoe County from prehistoric through modern times. In addition, they host numerous events and fairs throughout the year.