Jessica’s Muskoka Guidebook
City/town information
Bala is the town where our cottage is located. The heart of the town is a 15 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the cottage. It is considered one of the hubs of cottage country located north of Toronto. Thus, its year-round population of several hundred is increased by thousands of seasonal residents and weekend day-trippers during summer months. It is known as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario.
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Bala
Bala is the town where our cottage is located. The heart of the town is a 15 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the cottage. It is considered one of the hubs of cottage country located north of Toronto. Thus, its year-round population of several hundred is increased by thousands of seasonal residents and weekend day-trippers during summer months. It is known as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario.
Port Carling is a quaint town located a 15 minute drive from the cottage. Port Carling has several different boutique shops and many restaurants with great lake views to visit.
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Port Carling
Port Carling is a quaint town located a 15 minute drive from the cottage. Port Carling has several different boutique shops and many restaurants with great lake views to visit.
Gravenhurst is one of the larger towns of the Muskoka Lakes where you can find big box Grocery Stores, Hardware Stores and shops. It is approximately a 20 minute drive from the cottage.
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Gravenhurst
Gravenhurst is one of the larger towns of the Muskoka Lakes where you can find big box Grocery Stores, Hardware Stores and shops. It is approximately a 20 minute drive from the cottage.
Bracebridge is one of the larger towns in the Muskoka Lakes with big box stores such as Walmart, Canadian Tire etc as well as large grocery stores. Bracebridge is approximately a 25 minute drive from the cottage.
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Bracebridge
Bracebridge is one of the larger towns in the Muskoka Lakes with big box stores such as Walmart, Canadian Tire etc as well as large grocery stores. Bracebridge is approximately a 25 minute drive from the cottage.
Bakery/Coffee
Don's Bakery is a must visit for homemade baked goods and coffee. We highly recommend the scones and cinnamon buns, but you really cannot go wrong with anything there! Generally open from Easter until Thanksgiving (check website for actual hours)
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Don's Bakery
3119 Muskoka District Road 169Don's Bakery is a must visit for homemade baked goods and coffee. We highly recommend the scones and cinnamon buns, but you really cannot go wrong with anything there! Generally open from Easter until Thanksgiving (check website for actual hours)
Olivers Coffee
1003 Mill StQuaint coffee shop opened year round with great coffee and baked goods.
Cute home interiors store with a small café (coffee, cookies, breakfast foods, sandwiches etc.) right next to Lakeside restaurant (walking distance from cottage) that has a beautiful patio on the lake for a coffee (check website for hours by season).
https://www.jackandstella.com/
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Jack and Stella
1004 Bala Falls RdCute home interiors store with a small café (coffee, cookies, breakfast foods, sandwiches etc.) right next to Lakeside restaurant (walking distance from cottage) that has a beautiful patio on the lake for a coffee (check website for hours by season).
https://www.jackandstella.com/
Groceries
Closest grocery store to the cottage that carries all of the essentials - located 15 minute walk or 2 minute drive.
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Bala Freshmart
1003 Mill StClosest grocery store to the cottage that carries all of the essentials - located 15 minute walk or 2 minute drive.
Farmer's Market that typically runs from the end of June to the beginning of September on Mondays from 9AM-2PM. This market is located in Jaspen Park which is a 10 minute walk from the cottage. They have several vendors that sell fresh fruit & vegetables, crafts, clothing etc.
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Bala Farmers' Market
1005 Pine Ridge RdFarmer's Market that typically runs from the end of June to the beginning of September on Mondays from 9AM-2PM. This market is located in Jaspen Park which is a 10 minute walk from the cottage. They have several vendors that sell fresh fruit & vegetables, crafts, clothing etc.
Things To Do
Great place to visit year round with lots to do. In the winter months, they have a 1KM lit up skating trail, snowshoeing, fire pits to sit around. In the fall, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery hosts the world famous Cranberry Fest the weekend after thanksgiving. In the summer, you can enjoy winetasting under the sun.
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Ферма и Винодельня Маскока Лейкс
1074 Cranberry RdGreat place to visit year round with lots to do. In the winter months, they have a 1KM lit up skating trail, snowshoeing, fire pits to sit around. In the fall, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery hosts the world famous Cranberry Fest the weekend after thanksgiving. In the summer, you can enjoy winetasting under the sun.
An amazing brewery located in Muskoka Lakes that produces the freshest, naturally crafted beer year-round for locals and seasonal visitors alike. Usually open year round, has a small menu and other beverages if beer is not your favourite!
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Clear Lake Brewing Co.
4651 Southwood RdAn amazing brewery located in Muskoka Lakes that produces the freshest, naturally crafted beer year-round for locals and seasonal visitors alike. Usually open year round, has a small menu and other beverages if beer is not your favourite!
Multiple different hiking trails with different difficulty levels. Routes and levels available to view on their website.
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Парк Hardy Lake Provincial Park
Highway 169Multiple different hiking trails with different difficulty levels. Routes and levels available to view on their website.
Spa located 10 minutes from the cottage. Offers services or day passes to use facilities (pools, steam rooms, relaxation areas etc). Bar available to purchase beer, spirits and beverages. Taco food truck on site. Check website for seasonal offerings and hours.
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Muskoka Beer Spa
1006 Clear Lake RoadSpa located 10 minutes from the cottage. Offers services or day passes to use facilities (pools, steam rooms, relaxation areas etc). Bar available to purchase beer, spirits and beverages. Taco food truck on site. Check website for seasonal offerings and hours.
Bala Area Restaurants
Walking distance from cottage, open for lunch and dinner (check website for seasonal hours), indoor and outdoor patio directly on the lake, great views. Upscale option.
https://www.lakesidebala.com/
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Lakeside Bala Limited
3068 Muskoka District Road 169Walking distance from cottage, open for lunch and dinner (check website for seasonal hours), indoor and outdoor patio directly on the lake, great views. Upscale option.
https://www.lakesidebala.com/
Short drive (5 min) into Torrance, open for lunch and dinner, large outdoor beer garden and a few tables indoors, beer and pub food, lots of fun events check the website.
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Clear Lake Brewing Co.
4651 Southwood RdShort drive (5 min) into Torrance, open for lunch and dinner, large outdoor beer garden and a few tables indoors, beer and pub food, lots of fun events check the website.
Walking distance, open for lunch and dinner, indoor dining and outdoor patio (lake views but not quite as nice as Lakeside), casual pub food.
http://www.balafallspub.com/
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Bala Falls Pub
1010 Bala Falls RdWalking distance, open for lunch and dinner, indoor dining and outdoor patio (lake views but not quite as nice as Lakeside), casual pub food.
http://www.balafallspub.com/
Short drive (5 min) into Torrance, right next to Clear Lake, open for lunch and dinner, smaller patio but right on the highway so takeout is likely preferred, great pizzas.
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Pie Wood Fired Pizza Joint - Torrance
2641 Muskoka District Road 169Short drive (5 min) into Torrance, right next to Clear Lake, open for lunch and dinner, smaller patio but right on the highway so takeout is likely preferred, great pizzas.
Great place for breakfast, brunch or lunch or dinner. Check website for seasonal hours. Smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, salads as well as frozen items available to take to the cottage to cook. Dinner requires reservations.
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Jack and Stella
1004 Bala Falls RdGreat place for breakfast, brunch or lunch or dinner. Check website for seasonal hours. Smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, salads as well as frozen items available to take to the cottage to cook. Dinner requires reservations.
Pizza Nova takeaway option! Offers delivery or takeout
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Bala Bay Takeaway Pizza Nova
3129 Muskoka District Road 169Pizza Nova takeaway option! Offers delivery or takeout
Ice Dreams Soda Shop
3131 Muskoka District Road 169Great family favourite to stop for ice cream!
Port Carling Area Restaurants
Water's Edge Restaurant at Lake Joe Club - Beautiful outdoor patio on Lake Joe, pricier but a classic, can go casual or more fine dining vibe (anything goes), always good food and good people watching, no reservations for the patio but you can have a drink at the bar.
https://lakejoseph.clublink.ca/about/dining/waters-edge-wine-bar-and-grill/
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Lake Joseph Club
1072 Elgin House RdWater's Edge Restaurant at Lake Joe Club - Beautiful outdoor patio on Lake Joe, pricier but a classic, can go casual or more fine dining vibe (anything goes), always good food and good people watching, no reservations for the patio but you can have a drink at the bar.
https://lakejoseph.clublink.ca/about/dining/waters-edge-wine-bar-and-grill/
Great food and beautiful atmosphere on Lake Joe but call in advance as services have been changing due to COVID .
https://www.sherwoodinn.ca/muskoka-resorts-ontario-dine
Sherwood Inn
1090 Sherwood RdGreat food and beautiful atmosphere on Lake Joe but call in advance as services have been changing due to COVID .
https://www.sherwoodinn.ca/muskoka-resorts-ontario-dine
Very casual taco joint right on the water in Port Carling, fun to go for lunch or a snack and cocktail
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Tulo's Taqueria Muskoka
2 James Bartleman WayVery casual taco joint right on the water in Port Carling, fun to go for lunch or a snack and cocktail
Casual dining lakeside, always a crowd pleaser and busy, indoor and outdoor patio dining. They have added a large beer garden patio area for COVID with TVs in a covered tent, fun to go and grab a beer right on the water. Check website for seasonal hours.
https://turtlejacks.com/locations/port-carling/
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Turtle Jack's Port Carling
123 Medora StCasual dining lakeside, always a crowd pleaser and busy, indoor and outdoor patio dining. They have added a large beer garden patio area for COVID with TVs in a covered tent, fun to go and grab a beer right on the water. Check website for seasonal hours.
https://turtlejacks.com/locations/port-carling/
Excellent restaurant right next to the locks with water views from the patio, indoor dining as well.
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Portside Fusion Restaurant
98 Joseph StExcellent restaurant right next to the locks with water views from the patio, indoor dining as well.
Not on the water but a long standing pub style restaurant very close to bass lake (about 5 min drive past Sherwood Inn).
https://basslakeroadhouse.com/
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Bass Lake RoadHouse
4700 Muskoka District Road 169Not on the water but a long standing pub style restaurant very close to bass lake (about 5 min drive past Sherwood Inn).
https://basslakeroadhouse.com/
Great spot with a small patio you can eat at or take it down to the public dock. Check online or call for seasonal hours.
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York & Mason
105 Maple StGreat spot with a small patio you can eat at or take it down to the public dock. Check online or call for seasonal hours.
Fine dining restaurant, not on the water but well known in the area for fancier dinners.
https://www.richwells.ca/
Richwell's
3842 Muskoka District Road 118 WestFine dining restaurant, not on the water but well known in the area for fancier dinners.
https://www.richwells.ca/
This is located up in Rosseau so quite far but a great spot if you are already up that way for a golf game or another reason!
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Crossroads
2 Cardwell RdThis is located up in Rosseau so quite far but a great spot if you are already up that way for a golf game or another reason!
Also located further away but timeless and beautiful atmosphere, good choice if you are in the area.
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Windermere House
2508 Windermere RdAlso located further away but timeless and beautiful atmosphere, good choice if you are in the area.
Bracebridge Area Restaurants
Restaurant and lakeside lounge for drinks - excellent food and views. Upscale dining.
http://www.touchstoneresort.com/muskoka-resorts/eat
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Touchstone Resort
1869 Muskoka District Road 118 WestRestaurant and lakeside lounge for drinks - excellent food and views. Upscale dining.
http://www.touchstoneresort.com/muskoka-resorts/eat