Let’s take a scenic drive! This itinerary requires you to take the road less traveled around South Georgian Bay, discovering the hidden gems and beautiful views. Motorcycle friendly!
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Day 1
Begin by entering the South Georgian Bay Area through Duntroon. Stop by Dunridge Farms and Duntroon Cyder House and try their sulphite free, gluten-free and nut-free cyders. They are made only using delicious Duntroon Parish and Ontario heritage hand-picked apples. Duntroon Cyder is a true taste of South Georgian Bay!
Continue your journey in Pretty River Provincial Park and explore the winding trails. This park is along one of the highest points of the Niagara Escarpment! The trails are best used between April and October but makes for a beautiful drive year-round.
Continue your drive to The Rusty Star, a stunning store full of unique solid wood furniture, home decor, fashion accessories, and more! There is so much to explore at The Rusty Star. If you’re visiting friends or family, this is a great stop for a hostess gift.
The next stop is Eugenia Falls, a gem in South Georgian Bay. The falls are a minute or two from the parking lot if you would just like to take in the beauty. If you’re looking to explore, there are trails between Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls that make for a challenging, yet rewarding hike. Please note it is a paid parking lot that can be paid ahead of time on the app at MacKay Pay.
Loop back to Highway 26 and spend the night at the Georgian Bay Hotel where you can enjoy Gustav’s Chophouse and Bar for dinner.
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Day 2
Start your morning off by exploring the charming town of Thornbury. Walk up and down Bruce St and explore the local shops and cafes – there is so much to discover on the main street!
Next stop is Grandma Lambe’s – a local favourite! It’s a family-run market with fresh baked goods and local produce and products. When you get there, head to the back of the store to check out their baked goods. We’d recommend giving one of their famous pies a try, but you can’t go wrong – they have scones, cookies, tarts and more!
When you continue your drive to downtown Meaford, you can’t miss the stunning Meaford Hall. It is a beautifully restored century old landmark that has become South Georgian Bay’s premier arts and cultural centre. Check online ahead of time to see if you can catch a show or concert. Either way, we would recommend making a stop at their gallery on the upper level of the Hall. It is free and open 7 days a week, and they constantly have new artwork and exhibits open to the public.
Make sure to bring your camera for this one! At the Irish Mountain Lookout, there is an incredible panoramic view of Georgian Bay. It is accessible year-round and has a picnic pavilion so that you enjoy a picnic with your friends and family. Take a seat and snap a picture in the Big Red Chair while you’re there!
Spend the night in Meaford at Meaford Inn after grabbing takeaway from the Pierogi Palace and enjoying it by the water as the sun sets.
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Day 3
Take Highway 26 on your way out of town. Enjoy the views from Meaford to Collingwood as you make your way into town. Stop at Millennium Park, home of the Collingwood Terminals. While you can’t go inside, you can see the landmark up close and take in the views from the park. You’ll be able to see the Collingwood Harbour and the Blue Mountains. Enjoy a coffee and treat from one of the many businesses downtown Collingwood and prepare to head East.
South Georgian Bay prides itself on being home to many local artists and businesses. Leishman Pottery is a perfect example of this! Stop by the shop and actually meet the artists – Mike, Connie and Ivy Leishman. Make sure to check out the Georgian Bay collection while you’re there, it’s the perfect way to remember your time here. The drawing on these pieces were inspired by the wind blown pines along the coast of Georgian Bay!
You may have had the beer from Creemore Springs, but you will get to learn so much by stopping in the brewery. View the history of the brewery and sample the beer. Make sure to explore the town of Creemore while you’re there. It is a community of talented artists and small town charm. From Creemore, located in Clearview Township, you can be on your way in whatever direction you choose. Get ready to start planning your next road trip to South Georgian Bay!
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Check out the Scenic Drives page of our Four Season Guide to see these routes mapped out!
For additional routes and maps, see Ride Simcoe County!
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We hope you have a fun and safe time exploring South Georgian Bay with this itinerary! Share your memories with us by tagging @SGeorgianBay on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Planning to visit South Georgian Bay in the near future? Please contact individual businesses to confirm method and hours of operation and plan ahead by making reservations when possible. Visit our “Know Before You Go” page by clicking here.
