Muskoka, Ontario is a popular vacation destination for many urban dwellers in the Toronto or GTA Region, not only due to its proximity to Toronto, but because it is home to well-known lakes including Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph.
Characterized by the Muskoka rock, or pink quartz seen jutting out along highways, the Muskoka Region is also famous for its local blueberries, which are smaller and sweeter than the blueberries found in the grocery store. In the fall, a mass of colour sweeps across the terrain, framing local lakes, as maple, birch and oak trees turn into crimson reds, burnt oranges and glittering gold tones.
Muskoka is not only the destination of Ontario cottage dwellers, but is home to some of Ontario's finest five-star resorts, as well as over 25 golf courses:
Gravenhurst Resorts
Gravenhurst is only 1 1/2 hours north of Toronto and is home to the Segwun cruise boats that tour the Muskoka lakes, as well as the following deluxe resort:
- Taboo Resort, Golf and Spa, Gravenhurst, 1-800-461-0236, offers chalets and rooms with balconies that overlook Lake Muskoka. Amenities include dining rooms with tasting menu, swimming pools, sandy beach, tennis courts, waterski and wakeboard lessons, canoes, kayaks, sea-doo rentals, fitness centre, biking trails and 9 and 18-hole golf courses.
Bracebridge Resorts
Bracebridge, home of Santa's Village, is a two hour drive from Toronto and features this quaint resort:
- The Inn At The Falls, Bracebridge, 1-877-645-9212, is a 39-room resort spread across a former Victorian residence and six adjacent houses. Facility includes an outdoor pool, and access to a public beach, walking trails, riding stables, boat cruises and a golf course. The patio at the Inn's Fox and Hounds Pub has a scenic view of Bracebridge Bay. Rooms start at $125 per night.
Port Carling Resorts
The Village of Port Carling has been dubbed "Hub of the Lakes" because it has access to Lake Joseph, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Muskoka. Luxury resorts in the area include:
- The Delta Sherwood Inn, Port Carling, 1-866-844-2228 occupies a prime spot on Lake Joseph and includes 35 rooms and cottages, with swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness centre, mountain biking, and nature trails for bikiing and cross-country skiing. The inn is close to the Lake Joseph Golf Club. Rooms start at $247 per night.
- Windermere House, Windermere, 1-888-946-3376, offers rooms and cottages overlooking Lake Rosseau, with outdoor pool, fitness centre, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. The resort, a popular wedding venue, has three restaurants, a bar, and is close to Windermere Golf and Country Club. Rooms start at $220 per night.
Huntsville Resorts
Huntsville hosts the year-round Huntsville Festival of the Arts, which offers theatre and music performances. Huntsville resorts include:
- Delta Grandview Resort, Huntsville, 1-877-472-6388, situated on Fairy Lake, has hotel rooms and cottages, and is equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, beach, and a 9-hole Clublink golf course designed by Mark O'Meara. Rooms start at $197 per night.
- Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, 1-800-461-4393, host of the G20 Conference in June 2010, offers rooms on Peninsula Lake, with swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness room, spa, beach, water park, sailboat rentals and lessons, nearby hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails and its own Deerhurst Highland Golf Course. Includes five restaurants, and one bar. Rooms start at $219 per night.
Whether enjoying boating, swimming, or golfing in the summer, the glorious colours of the fall, or cross-country skiing and spa pampering in the winter, Muskoka's luxury resorts in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Port Carling and Huntsville offer many relaxing places to stay for vacationers no matter what the season.
Related Articles:
For information on cross-country skiing in Barrie and Muskoka, read here.
For information on Niagara-on-the-Lake, read here.
Lori Bosworth - Hi! After having worked as a writer in the government for several years, I decided to return to university full-time to finish my ...
