Local Getaways & Day Trips
LOCAL GETAWAYS & DAY TRIPS
Is it just me or do we all need a change of
scenery to get away from it all? We are
so, so lucky in Barrie to be close and have access to many great places and
this doesn’t stop in winter which is fantastic.
I decided to list my top ten destinations for either day or
mini-getaways that don’t necessarily have to break the bank. I always keep that in mind!
1.
SKI RESORTS, I think it is quite obvious what
happens here however; we personally pay attention to these particularly in the
off-season as it is cheaper to stay. There
are lots of outdoor activities available all year. Some have spas and indoor facilities to make
the stay even better.
·
Blue Mountain - Collingwood
·
Horseshoe Resort – Horseshoe Valley
·
Mount St. Louis Moonstone -
Moonstone
·
Snow Valley – Minesing
2.
WASAGA BEACH – Ok maybe it’s
getting a little chilly out now to appreciate beach life but if you haven’t
been I feel like you should check it out.
If you are looking for cross country skiing or snowmobile trails in
Wintertime, you may want to try their many recreational trails. There are places to stay but we have only
ever daytripped. Best thing to do is
check out the tourism site…link below.
3.
TORONTO – Okay this may not be
an ideal getaway for some as it is not escaping the hustle & bustle. However, you can get a city pass so that you
save 33% on visiting a total of 5 attractions.
You can splash out on a downtown hotel or stay a little on the outskirts
for less with access to city transit for ease of travel. Why not try an Air BnB? If you like to shop…the possibilities are
endless.
4.
CANADA’S WONDERLAND – So this
place is closing for the season but it is the best time to snap up some season
tickets either for Christmas gifts or just to have. The waterpark alone is fantastic and all you
need to do is go twice to get your money’s worth. We have been fortunate to have these the last
couple of years. Season passes take the
stress out of having to make a full day of being at the park. Sometimes the weather and mood isn’t always
in everyone’s favour! We are so lucky to
have this place a reasonable distance away!
5.
ARROWHEAD PROVINCIAL PARK –
This park is gorgeous. We aren’t campers
but it nearly convinced us to convert.
The washroom facilities were clean and the forest is so picture
perfect. You can visit this park,
however, there is a fee typical of a Provincial Park which I suppose keeps all
our provincial parks in good condition.
In the wintertime they ice a trail to skate on which is such a great
feature. This park is close to Huntsville
which has a picturesque downtown with many local businesses to satisfy.
6.
SCENIC CAVES NATURE ADVENTURES– This place is in Collingwood so there are plenty of options for accommodation. Perfect for a day trip! A fantastic outdoor adventure but expect to
fork out for admission. Check out the
website for more information:
7.
Festivals, festivals, festivals...from the
Buttertart Festival in Midland, to the Potato Festival in Alliston. Great family days out if the weather is on
your side! Get connected on social media
for reminders of these great local events!
8.
AWENDA PROVINCIAL PARK – This one is on my
wish list for summer of 2018. I am told
it is a hidden gem…I had never heard of it before. There is an ancient dune system that is
thought to be over 11, 000 years old.
Lots of campgrounds, beaches (including a pet-friendly one) and
recreational trails. A little farther to
go but I heard it is beautiful!
9.
GANANOQUE – To satisfy the needs of visitors
that we had from England we chose to venture out to this town just East of
Kingston. A pretty cute town and if you
are here you must jump on the 1000 Islands Cruise which borders the American
coastline. Gorgeous spot and a little
history to be learned along the way. Pop
into Kingston…hats off to the hometown of Gord Downie…RIP.
10.
NIAGARA FALLS – Okay, okay not Simcoe County Local either but it is a fun getaway. If you are a family with children, the hotspot
seems to be Great Wolf Lodge. We have
not had the pleasure as I find it quite pricy even when it is discounted. Is it worth it? I mean it is quite a journey to Niagara Falls
and there is tax on tax there. A normal
visit puts a dent in the bank account. My
kids were happy staying at the Hilton with full access to the indoor pool and
waterslide. Again a visit off-season is
more affordable and highly recommended.
Well, I
hope you have taken something from top ten local-ish getaways! Post your pics or let us know about your
experiences at these locations. If you
have a place to recommend, please do!
N
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