Barrie - Orillia Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Collingwood showing a small town or village, street scenes and heritage architecture
Barrie - Orillia
Barrie - Orillia featuring a bay or harbour
Barrie - Orillia
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park showing a sandy beach

The large and small lakes, quiet wooded areas, sophisticated dining and great festivals of these two Ontario cities provide excellent holiday opportunities.

Just a short drive apart, the two cities of the Barrie-Orillia region on Lake Simcoe offer your choice of exciting or relaxing holiday activities. Visit pretty parks with miles of walking trails throughout Ontario’s Lake Country. Enjoy varied watersports on the lakes.

Find a small lake or a quiet bay on Lake Simcoe or Lake Couchiching to kayak, canoe, learn how to stand-up paddleboard or simply relax on a beach. Jet Ski or rent a motorboat to explore the open waters. Fish for perch, bass and lake trout by boat, from shore or inside a winter ice-fishing shack.

For a great multiday walk, follow roughly 60 miles (100 kilometres) of the Trans Canada Trail between Barrie and Orillia by way of Midland. Hike the region to see spring wildflowers and fall foliage. Cross-country ski, snowshoe and even dogsled in winter.

Both cities have preserved historic buildings. In Orillia, see dinner and a show at the Opera House, built in 1895. Learn about Ontario history from early First Nations people through the War of 1812 to modern times on one of several self-guided Heritage Barrie Walking Tours. After your tour, have a meal at one of the more than 500 restaurants of Barrie-Orillia, from casual to fine dining and ethnic food.

While Barrie is significantly larger than Orillia, both cities have extensive festival schedules throughout the year. Come for Orillia’s winter carnival, spring perch festival or autumn jazz festival. Wander through downtown all summer to see the Streets Alive! artwork by local artists, featuring a common structural foundation and amazingly diverse execution. Barrie’s summer Kempenfest offers arts and crafts, music, antiques and kids’ events. Winter brings a tree-lighting celebration and Santa Claus parade.

Drive north from TorontoOpens in a new window for about 1 hour to reach Barrie and another 30 minutes northeast to arrive in Orillia. Build your holiday around one or more of the popular festivals and travel between the cities to fully appreciate this beautiful part of the province.

Where to stay in Barrie - Orillia

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Gilford

Gilford might not have many top sights, but Claredon Beach Park and Krates Marina are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Gilford
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Colling Woodlands

When in Colling Woodlands, you can plan a visit to Blue Mountain Ski Resort and Cranberry Resort Golf Course, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Colling Woodlands
Quality Inn & Conference Centre

Quality Inn & Conference Centre

2.5 out of 5
924 King Street, Midland, ON
The price is ฿2,455 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
฿2,455
฿2,872 total
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Midland. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Great eating area and swimming pool."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Quality Inn & Conference Centre
Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie

Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie

2 out of 5
300 Bayfield St, Barrie, ON
The price is ฿1,866 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
฿1,866
฿2,235 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,703 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie
Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites

3 out of 5
81 Hart Dr, Barrie, ON
The price is ฿2,816 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿2,816
฿3,373 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,153 reviews)
"Updated decor but not the beds. Very old and uncomfortable. Also, took an extra $150.00 deposit ( which I think is unnecessary) . Even in the higher end hotels we stay in didn't require that. Also, it is not reversed until several days later. Italian restaurant advertised in description (which we ..."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie

Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie

2 out of 5
One Georgian Drive, Barrie, ON
Stay at this aparthotel in Barrie. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall value in their ...
7.2/10 Good! (696 reviews)
"Good location, beds confort also good"

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie
Alton Lodges

Alton Lodges

2 out of 5
459 Mosley St, Wasaga Beach, ON
Stay at this cottage in Wasaga Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 5 beach bars. Popular attractions Tower Island and Wasaga Beach Nordic Centre are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (8 reviews)
"literally so bad had the best time ever"

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

Alton Lodges
Parkside House

Parkside House

3.5 out of 5
15 Parkside Dr, Barrie, ON
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Barrie. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Mady Centre for the Performing Arts and Spirit Catcher ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (309 reviews)
"If you were not looking for this place, you would completely miss it! Very nondescript from the street, just a nice old house tucked in beside a church. But what a find! Very walkable to everything, clean suite (we were in Suite #2 on the second floor), very comfortable bed. Steve and Mark were excellent ..."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

Parkside House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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