Barrie - Orillia Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Collingwood featuring heritage architecture, a small town or village and street scenes
Barrie - Orillia
Barrie - Orillia featuring a bay or harbour
Barrie - Orillia
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park which includes a beach
The large and small lakes, quiet wooded areas, sophisticated dining and great festivals of these two Ontario cities provide excellent vacation opportunities.

Just a short drive apart, the two cities of the Barrie-Orillia region on Lake Simcoe offer your choice of exciting or relaxing vacation 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 kilometers) 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 vacation 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

Default Image

Gilford

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

Gilford
Default Image

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
Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie
Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie
2 out of 5
300 Bayfield St, Barrie, ON
The price is AU$90 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$90
includes taxes & fees
2 Mar - 3 Mar
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,181 reviews)
"Great price,convenient and affordable,lots of parking available ,the breakfast is fairly decent. The room was clean and comfortable,My only complaint is that the bathroom is dated ,needs some repair,the shower wasn’t as clean as it should be,also didn’t drain well the curtain should be replaced as ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jan. 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 AU$132 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
AU$132
includes taxes & fees
3 Feb - 4 Feb
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,756 reviews)
"All good"

Reviewed on 31 Jan. 2025

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites
Super 8 by Wyndham Barrie South
Super 8 by Wyndham Barrie South
2 out of 5
441 Bryne Drive, Barrie, ON
The price is AU$96 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
AU$96
includes taxes & fees
17 Feb - 18 Feb
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,304 reviews)
"The hotel located close to lots of amenities ( restaurants, shopping,gas station, TD Bank...) The staff is very nice and friendly. No complaints at all"

Reviewed on 30 Jan. 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Barrie South
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.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Barrie - Orillia