OTMPC
Visiting the Bruce Peninsula this summer? Here are 50 things to do in the region!
Relax on Sauble Beach
This beautiful freshwater beach is nestled between restaurants, shops, golf courses, and fishing spots. Its long stretch of white sand allows you to enjoy the summer sunshine, play a round of Frisbee, or play a game of volleyball.
Discover Driftwood Cove
Parks Canada has opened a new place to explore in Bruce Peninsula National Park — Driftwood Cove. Driftwood Cove is home to a globally rare ancient cliff-edge ecosystem with the oldest trees in eastern North America, 10 federally listed species at risk, as well as important ecologically, geologically and culturally significant cave systems.
Explore Fathom Five National Marine Park
Established in 1987, Fathom Five National Marine Park was the first National Marine Park in Canada. The park covers an area of 130 square kilometres of surface water surrounding 20 islands on the northern and eastern sectors of the Bruce Peninsula.
Take a glass-bottom boat tour
At the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, enjoy a scenic glass-bottom boat tour to see the shipwrecked schooners and steamers that lie at the bottom of the Georgian Bay. Details
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Hike the Grotto at the Bruce Peninsula National Park
The Grotto sits on the Georgian Bay shoreline in the Bruce Peninsula National Park. This popular attraction is a large scenic sea cave that carries a pool of sparkling blue water, where many like to take a dip in the middle of a hot summer’s day.
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Head to Indian Head Cove
Indian Head Cove is an impressive inlet next to the Grotto at the Bruce Peninsula National Park. It is a popular place for swimming along the Georgian Bay Trail.
Visit the Little Cove Provincial Park
The Little Cove is a protected area with a rugged Lake Huron shoreline and interesting features like high rocky cliffs, sea caves, cobble beaches, and dolomite shores to explore.
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Get star-struck with Bayside Astronomy
Meet astronomers and look through telescopes to view some of the most spectacular parts of space every Friday and Saturday at dusk this summer at the Peninsula Observation Deck steps from the Lion’s Head Marina.
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Walk on the Bruce Trail
Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath is the Bruce Trail and it ends (or begins) at the National Park. A hike on this trail will lead you to the incredible Niagara Escarpment – a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
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Experience breathtaking Scenery from Lions Head Lookout
Credit: Loon Lodge Cottage Rental
Go hiking at Lion’s Head Provincial Park (5 McCurdy Drive, Lion’s Head). From Lion’s Head Lookout, you can see Cape Dundas and Barrier Island, cliffs of White Bluff, Cape Chin, and Cabot Head and more!
See some live music at Harbourside Place
Bring your chair, and sit back and enjoy the live music on Friday nights during the months of July and August at the Lion’s Head Harbor.
Stand on a rock outcropping and view the Georgian Bay in Tobermory
The Georgian Bay is surrounded by cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, that loom over beautiful waters popular for watersports and the like. Rock outcroppings are common and offer stunning views of the area.
Hike to Spirit Rock Conservation Area
Spanning 87 hectares, the Spirit Rock Conservation Area carries a lot of local history and offers a remarkable view of Colpoy’s Bay. The star of the site is the historical “Corran”, a former 17-room ornate mansion.
Visit the Mountain Bike Adventure Park in Wiarton
Just north of Wiarton, this Mountain Bike Adventure Park consists of 15 kilometers of double- and single-track trails. This site is constantly upgrading, and making use of the rocky outcrops and challenging terrain.
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Go scuba diving at Big Tub Harbor
Tobermony is the home of the Little Tub and Big Tub harbours and offers the quaint atmosphere of a small village and clear waters for diving, which contain some of Canada’s best-preserved shipwrecks from the mid-19th to early 20th century.
Go boating on Lake Huron
Several must-visit boating itineraries have been created for Lake Huron, as it is considered a boating gem in Ontario for a boating experience for sailboats, small ski boats, and larger boats.
Visit one of Lake Huron’s 130 historic lighthouses
Across Lake Huron, there were once around 250 lighthouses that dotted the area. Today, over 130 of them still remain, and most still remain active. These iconic lighthouses are not to be missed!
Eat local whitefish at Shipwreck Lee’s
Shipwreck Lee’s is a small neighbourhood grill/bar run by a retired merchant marine and his wife. They serve fresh eats like beer battered Pollock, local whitefish, seasoned breaded butterfly shrimp, and slow-baked pork ribs!
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Take a dinner cruise with the MS Chi-Cheemaun
The MS Chi-Cheemaun is a symbol of Owen Sound’s hospitality and love for nature. The ship carries memories from great voyages across the Georgian Bay, from two special cruises: the Sunset Dining Cruise, and the Stargazer’s Delight.
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Go snorkelling with GS Watersports
The coastline of the Georgian Bay in Tobermory is teeming with little fish and rock formations that will excite you in a snorkeling tour to view the underwater world.
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Climb the aerial park at Little Cove Adventures
Add some more adventure to your summer in the Bruce Peninsula with Little Cove Adventures. Climb the challenging rope courses and test your strength and agility with nets, beams, tires, rope crossings, and swings.
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Go golfing at the Cornerstone Golf Club
Go for a round of golf at the Cornerstone Golf Club – a fun course for players of all levels that adopts the atmosphere of an old Scottish Course with stone hedges and gentle terrain.
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Pick up some treats at Solway’s Farmers Market and Bakery
Carrying an extensive assortment of baked goods for all dietary requirements, giftware, plants, and fresh produce, stop by the farm market and pick up some of the freshest groceries to take home.
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Shop for some trinkets at The Frog & Nightgown
The Frog and Nightgown is a quirky gift shop where you can purchase a little souvenir to remind you of the Bruce Peninsula. CDs and cassettes, sundials, ornaments for gardens, frogs, and much more, this store and its wonderful gardens are unique in its own way.
Hike the trails at Greig’s Caves
The Grieg Caves are a natural wonder in Ontario – a surreal cave system that was formed around 400-500 million years ago.
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Enjoy a baked good in the sculpture gardens at the Harvest Moon Bakery
This organic bakery offers pies, breads, artisan desserts and pastries, that can be enjoyed in the sculpture gardens, or on their outdoor tea patio.
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Play a round of Mini Golf at the Putterama Mini Golf
Go back to classics with a round of Mini Golf at the beloved Putterama Mini Golf. Check out what the lucky hole is on that day and get a hole-in-one and win a free game!
Grab some Mexican food at the Casero Taco Bus
Casero was born from a love of homemade food. Hop aboard the double decker Casero Taco Bus in Owen Sound and munch on some classic Mexican eats.
Take a photo at the Kincardine Lighthouse
The Kincardine Lighthouse served as a busy fishing and local salt shipping industry in the 1880s. This octagonal wooden lighthouse is a familiar sight in the Bruce Peninsula due to its red iron lantern and balcony.
Rent a waterfront cottage
Nothing is more summery than having a cottage getaway by the waterfront, and Wireless Bay Cottages provides just that. With fully equipped kitchens, barbecues, and a dock and beach area there is plenty of time for rest and relaxation.
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Participate in the Fired Up Fridays event at the Grasssroots Rural Retreat
Fired Up Fridays is an evening of wood-fired pizza and music. Enjoy the community feeling, the delicious food, and live music on the farm.
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Spend a day on the Huron-Kinloss Ice Cream Trail
Start your adventure on this photo scavenger hunt that takes you around ice cream stops past beaches, splash pads, trails, parks, and golf courses
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Bike along the waterfront North Shore Trail
The North Shore Trail is a 6-kilometer trail that connects Port Elgin to Southampton along the scenic Lake Huron Shoreline. There are several lookouts and photo opportunities along the way, so don’t miss this outdoor adventure!
Learn how to craft cider at Hoity Toity Cellars
Go out to the Hoity Toity Cellars and experience and learn about the creation of wine and ciders with a guided tour from vineyard to production. Finally, a tasting opportunity in the cellar is offered for some of their home-made products.
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Visit the Folmers Botanical Gardens
The Folmers Botanical Gardens are nestled within 108 acres of pristine countryside, containing lush hardwood forest, farm fields, beautiful natural limestone outcroppings, and a coldwater creek. Of course, the formal gardens are the main attractions, with its diversity of flora and visually stunning landscaping.
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Spot some wildlife on the Saugeen River Trail
Running along the Saugeen River, this accessible trail is a 5.5-kilometer trail used for cycling, walking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing that teems with wildlife in the summertime.
Play some games at the Giggles Arcade
Located on Sauble Beach, the Giggles Arcade is a family-friendly arcade to play all the latest arcade games and win prizes and souvenirs.
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Go on an adventure at the Apple Rail Trail
This apple-tree lined trail begins in the heritage flower garden and branches off into two paths, so visitors can pick their path and explore their surroundings.
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Cool off at the Fairy Lake Lookout
The Fairy Lake Lookout is a sweet summer spot to watch the peaceful creatures at the lake like swans, ducks, turtles, and fish, take a stroll around the peaceful nature trails that wrap around the lake. Details
Picnic at St. Andrew’s Park
With a good array of restaurants and cafes around the area, pack and picnic and head to St. Andrew’s Park for a relaxing day under the natural shade of the lush green trees.
Play some paintball at Cherilawn Paintball
Get your adrenaline pumping at the Cherilawn Paintball. With indoor and outdoor paintball fields, this activity can be experienced all year long.
Go surfing on Station Beach
Station Beach is a hot spot for surfing the Great Lakes. It was named as one of Canada’s top 9 destinations for surfing.
Climb the red spiral staircase to the Spirit Rock Conservation Area
Trek the easy, one-hour loop at the Spirit Rock Conservation Area and discover the spiral staircase that takes you down to the shoreline. Construction begins on the spiral staircase on June 25th, so keep your eye out this summer for improvements.
Pick up some local treats at Northern Confections
Local delights like Wiarton Willie Droppings or Bruce Trail Mix, as well as sweet classics such as barks, brittles, caramel corn, and fudge.
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Build some castles at the Sauble Beach Sandfest
On the weekend of August 10th and 11th, head to the annual Sauble Beach Sandfest and enjoy a fun weekend of sandcastle building, prizes, and a big classic car show.
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Pick up something local at Circle Arts
Circle Arts represents some of the country’s finest artists and artisans that have been inspired by the Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula. Since 1969, Circle Arts displays and sells artwork, jewellery, ceramics, glass, sculpture, fabric, and wood pieces from these artists.
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See the sights with the Blue Heron Tours
Take to the skies and see the sights from a whole other perspective with Blue Heron Tours. The colors, sights, and shores are incredible from a height, whether you’re looking for a custom private tour, or just to explore from above.
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Attend the Starry Night Art & Gallery Tour
On August 24th, the streets close for the Starry Night Art & Gallery Tour where this late summer evening aims to provide a great opportunity to share the artistic quality of the community.
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Climb to the top of the Lookout Tower
Climb to the top of the 65 foot lookout tower that provides great views of Georgian Bay. The tower is located near the visitor centre of Bruce National Park visitor centre.
Go Bouldering
Are you a bouldering enthusiast? Then you will feel right at home at Bruce Peninsula National Park. The shoreline boulders at Halfway Log Dump along the Georgian Bay are the place to sharpen your skills. The area is remote and you will enjoy nature as you try to conquer it.
Go Camping in Tobermory
The Tobermory Village Campground is a picturesque and peaceful campground between two national parks. Family owned and operated, this homely piece of nature is bustling with activity in the summer.
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Take your little ones to Singing Sands Beach
Singing Sands Beach is an ideal location in Bruce Peninsula National Park to spend the afternoon playing in the water for little kids. Singing Sands Beach is located on the west side of the Peninsula.