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The Georgian Bay shores, especially to the south, offer a ton of beach and summer fun no matter where you go.
And when your shoreline trip brings you to Midland, there will be several activities from which to choose. These are all great for family vacations, solo trips, romantic getaways, or group trips.
Midland offers several types of water adventures, from swimming and paddling to speedboating and cruising around the Georgian Bay. What’s more, Midland makes a great effort to celebrate all the best parts of the town and culture through some key summer celebrations. Plan a trip to the beach, and get one of these events as a bonus activity!
Beaches & Georgian Bay Fun
- Little Lake Park’s beach is on the north shore of Little Lake, and it has a trail following the entire beach shoreline area. More activities onsite include beach volleyball, disc golf, and a playground. The park also has amenities like parking, washrooms, and a dog park.
- For Lake Huron beach experiences in Midland, head to the local Gawley Park, which has a small beach, picnic areas, washrooms, and more trails or picnic spots in the adjacent McCullough Park.
- Pete Petterson Park is Midland’s central park and beach area nestled between the harbour and the Sailing Club. The area has all the amenities needed for a picture-perfect day at the beach and is where you’ll find Midland’s public boat launch.
- The Georgian Spirit Cruises depart from the Midland Harbour during the summers with an exciting way to explore the Georgian Bay. Pick between sightseeing cruises or special dining cruise packages.
- Landmark Cruises has similar packages from Pentanguishene. For their Midland adventure, take part in the Speedboat Tours!
- A local water taxi can also bring your adventures to the Cedar Springs dock on Beausoleil Island across the Georgian Bay.
Historical and Cultural Attractions in Midland
The Rotary Waterfront Trail will reveal a lot of public art and historical monuments while also bringing your walk to the museum. Self-guided historical walks around town are made easier with the help of the museum, too.
- Huronia Museum and Huron Ouendat Village is an open-air museum in Midland with indoor and outdoor exhibits, including the feature exhibit, a replica of a “pre-contact” Huron/Ouendat village.
- Martyrs’ Shrine, a national historic site, honours the Canadian Martyrs and their 400-year influence on Canada. Covering 300 acres, it includes natural forests, gardens, and devotional spaces, offering visitors a place for reflection and connection with nature.
- A short drive east of Midland, in Tay Township, is Saint Marie among the Hurons, a second open-air museum to explore during your visit.
- Take the opportunity for a self-guided historical tour of Midland or Midland and Tiny. These historical buildings and locations can create a walking tour around town or a full-day driving tour of the area.
Exploring Midland’s Trails
Altogether, Midland’s Rotary Waterfront Trail is about 8.5km long. It covers the shoreline, then bends south to follow the small creek that feeds into Mud Lake. This expansive stretch of trail can get you from McCullough Park to the Wye Marsh. There are several viewing areas or photo-worthy stops along the way.
- The Wye Marsh Trails create 3-4km of hiking space, depending on which loops you take, or how many loops you make. Part of the trail is a boardwalk over the marsh, getting you great views of the small wildlife and varied types of birds.
- The Little Lake Park trail is 3.5km in one direction and is paved for ease of walking, cycling, dog walking, or jogging.
Summer Events, Markets, and More
The Midland Summer events and celebrations take place from June to October, with almost weekly events and annual parties.
- Take part in two summer-long events that happen each year in Midland: the Midland Famers’ Market (May-October), or Music in the Park (July-August) from Midland’s Rotary Stage.
- Make an early-summer visit to Midland for Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival, which guarantees that this will be the sweetest day of your year.
- The Georgian Bay Tugboat Festival (Midland Tall Ships Festival once every three years) takes place around Harbourside Park each August in conjunction with Midland RibFest. The festival will feature a variety of tugboat-themed events, along with plenty of food and drink, and carnival games.
- Midland’s September Mural Festival has helped decorate the town and made it one of Ontario’s most extensive outdoor art galleries. Visit later in the summer for the festival or enjoy the public works from a self-guided art walk.
Where to Dine this Summer in Midland
Midland’s King Street is lined with a huge variety of first-rate restaurants and eateries. Experience the local fare with a walk up and down King, and find something for any meal of the day.
- Fuel up for the day from local cafes like the Grounded Coffee Company or the Explorers Bistro.
- Enjoy the waterfront views from the Boathouse Eatery, or take in a meal from one of many other local spots like Globe Restaurant, Phil’s Pub & Eatery, or Lilly’s Italian Eatery
- For something a little different, browse the chocolate and fudge from The Elegant Gourmet, sit back on the Test Batch Brewing Patio, or book high tea with RoyalTea.
Where to Stay in Midland
- For short-term stays, consider one of Midland’s adorable B&Bs: Dragonfly Dreams Inn Bed & Breakfast or The Captain’s House Bed and Breakfast.
- Midland has a vast variety of Airbnb rentals for varying group sizes. Choose between full homes, single rooms, apartments, or even a boat!
- There are a handful of Midland VRBO rentals as well, with options like homes, apartments, a spot with a hot tub, or a waterfront view.
