Barrie, Ontario, Canada, is a fantastic spot for a day trip or weekend retreat. Whatever your favorite activities are, use our list of the finest attractions and things to do in Barrie to organize your sightseeing.
1. Barrie city in Canada
About 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Toronto, in Southern Ontario, Canada, is the city of Barrie. The city is a part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, an expansive urban agglomeration in southern Ontario.
Barrie was given its name in honor of Sir Robert Barrie. The region was first established during the War of 1812 as a supply station for British forces. The city’s diverse economy includes significant segments in the fields of manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and education.
2. What is Barrie in Ontario famous for?
Barrie is currently a year-round vacation destination with a service- and manufacturing-based economy. Among its attractions are Centennial Park, the Simcoe County Museum and Archives, and Springwater Provincial Park, which are all located directly to the north.
3. Is a trip to Barrie worthwhile?
Barrie is a popular summer vacation spot in Ontario, especially when traveling from Toronto! It should come as no surprise that getting out on and in Lake Simcoe is one of the most popular Barrie attractions, given the city’s extensive shoreline, several beaches, and great bay and lake to explore.
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4. Fun activities and attractions in Barrie
Go to the Barrie City Hall
Depending on the time of year, you should go to Barrie City Hall. The hub of administrative activity in Barrie is the recognizable structure with the clock on top.
Despite this, you are only in the area in front of City Hall. There is a circular fountain with a covered patio that is present in the summer. The Barrie Farmer’s Market is held here on weekends (Saturdays).
The same fountain that can be found at the “Circle at the Centre Rink” may also be enjoyed in the winter. This is one of many public skating rinks that the city maintains; there are also dozens of other rinks maintained by volunteers throughout the city.
Adventures throughout the year at Horseshoe Resort
Located in the charming Horseshoe Valley, approximately 20 minutes from the heart of Barrie, Horseshoe is particularly well-liked by novice skiers and has over 100 ski instructors stationed at their ski school.
Not that ardent snowboarders and skiers won’t enjoy themselves. The resort offers excellent night skiing and has a 91-meter vertical with lots of lifts to bring you to the top of the slopes swiftly.
There are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained, including cross-country skiing, snow tubing, the increasingly popular choice of fat snow biking, and a wide range of lodging alternatives. Mountain biking, ATV riding, and kids’ day camps are all summer resort activities.
Walk through Centennial Park and Waterfront Barrie
Barrie has Ontario’s most stunning shoreline. Barrie’s six-kilometer shoreline, which circles Kempenfelt Bay from Johnsons’ Beach on the north to Minet’s Point Park on the south, has been maintained for decades. Mostly flat, paved paths and sidewalks connect it. Along the way, you’ll encounter quieter parks and the wonderful Heritage Park with its gazebos and ponds.
Most activity is in Centennial Park. With its expanded beach area, it’s a great spot for kids to splash and play. You can even eat downtown despite the snack stalls.
Cyclists love Barrie’s waterfront. From here, the almost 40-kilometer Oro-Medonte Rail Track connects Barrie to Orillia to the north. Because the path is flat, it’s popular with families and runners. Shanty Bay, a picturesque lakeside town, is a nice place to stop for a picnic.
Take to the skies with Spirit Catcher
The famous Spirit Catcher sculpture is also situated in Barrie. This famous monument graces the waterfront between Heritage Park and the city’s marina boardwalk, serving as a backdrop for many selfies, wedding photographs, and family portraits.
The artwork, which is 20 tons in weight and 21 meters tall with a span of 25 meters, moves, believe it or not. At least a portion of it does. When the wind blows, the 16 enormous, dangling “quills” on its wide wings gently swing back and forth, creating an unexpected effect.
Explore Barrie’s downtown
Downtown Barrie has grown to be a fun location to explore, stretching a few streets from east to west and roughly tracing the gently curving shoreline of Kempenfelt Bay. You may do a lot of fun things in this area, like shopping and dining.
It serves as a focal point for leisure and cultural pursuits. For those interested in culture, the MacLaren Art Centre near the eastern edge of the downtown area offers a variety of ongoing and one-time exhibits, in addition to a fantastic café and gift store.
The cutting-edge Five Points Theatre at the other end of town presents a diverse range of musical and theatrical performances. Additionally, Memorial Park has a contemporary amphitheater that hosts year-round events like the well-liked summer Rib Fest, Canada Day celebrations, and concerts.
View local art exhibitions at the MacLaren Art Center
The MacLaren Art Centre, one of Central Ontario’s most significant art galleries, can trace its origins to 1989 when a local collector gave her Victorian home to the arts.
This art gallery-turned-museum is now located in the city’s former library, an attractive heritage structure only a few steps from the shore. It also houses a large collection of pieces created by some of Canada’s most well-known painters.
At the Arboretum at Sunnidale Park, reconnect with nature
Another beautiful green area to explore is Sunnidale Park at the Arboretum in Barrie. It is one of the top Barrie attractions you should not miss. Sunnidale, the largest park in the city, is located on a former golf course and is adjacent to the “Golden Mile” shopping area on Bayfield Street. In addition to its arboretum, Sunnidale offers a variety of other activities, from sports to horticulture, in the community garden.
The arboretum, which covers over 14 acres and has a rich collection of 1,800 shrubs and trees as well as various flower beds, is encircled by a two-kilometer trail that rounds the park. In addition to the summer events held elsewhere in Sunnidale, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are two excellent winter sports.
Explore Historic Fort Willow to relive the past
Utopia, a 100-person village 20 minutes outside Barrie, is home to Fort Willow. Before the War of 1812, First Nations people used this vital position. European explorers and fur traders used Nine Mile Portage later.
A visit today reveals much about the old fort’s famous past, even though little remains. Several fascinating exhibitions describe the architecture and people who lived and worked here. Because of its wildlife, monarch butterflies spend the summer there before traveling south.
Fort Willow also starts many hiking trails. The Trans Canada Trail and North Simcoe Rail Trail are famous. Try to visit during the Fort Willow Festival. Every September, costumed reenactors portray British soldiers and explorers. The property has many picnic tables.
Visit the Simcoe County Museum to learn about local history
Minesing, Ontario, approximately 20 minutes by car in the opposite direction (this time northwest and just past the Snow Valley ski resort). The Simcoe County Museum holds statistics and artifacts from Barrie to Orillia in the north, Collingwood in the west, and York Region in the south. This 300-acre estate features 16 1800s heritage buildings, including a church, log cabin, and train station.
There is even a historic schoolhouse from 1900 that was featured in the popular television series Anne of Green Gables. The five galleries with exhibits of relics like tools and machinery, a replica of a Wendat longhouse, and antique shops are very interesting to view.
At the Base Borden Military Museum, meet members of Canada’s armed forces
Canadian Forces Base Borden, one of Canada’s largest military installations, is located thirty minutes due west of Barrie. CFB Borden was founded in 1916 and expanded quickly to become the greatest military training facility in Canada. It was heavily involved in Canadian efforts during World War II, hosting half of the country’s troops.
The Base Borden Military Museum honors this heritage as well as Canada’s overseas military history. The museum is open all year long and houses a huge number of battle vehicles and armaments.
It also has a large collection of military equipment, including tanks and planes, that are situated at various locations throughout the base and in its “Tank Park.” Displays of uniforms and other war-related relics are among the highlights.
Attend a show at Five Points Theatre
Barrie also provides excellent amenities for cultural vultures. Five Points Theatre is the newest addition to Barrie’s vibrant and varied cultural landscape. It is one of the top Barrie attractions you should not miss. This cutting-edge, modern venue, located in the city’s center, accommodates various shows and events all year round.
Theatre by the Bay, a professional theater company that has presented everything from Shakespeare to current musicals here and in various sites throughout the city since 2002, is a frequent user of the facility.
Georgian Theatre, another prominent location, is a part of Georgian College and presents professional theater and shows all year long. Numerous well-liked activities and performances are also held at the Park Place Theatre in Barrie’s south end.
