The town of Huntsville Ontario is a popular four-season family vacation area in the heart of Muskoka's cottage country. The historic Town Centre is surrounded by large rural areas of forest, 144 lakes and many wetlands. Huntsville is well known as a nature, recreation and resort destination and has Arrowhead Provincial Park and the world-famous Algonquin Provincial Park close by. Visitors won't want to miss the Muskoka Heritage Place. A local attraction that features a genuine pioneer village and a working 1902 Steam Train.
Things to do in Huntsville
Dyer Memorial
Dyer Memorial, 11 km (7 mi.) n.e. via Hwy. 11B and Williamsport Rd., is an impressive stone tower erected by Detroit lawyer Clifton G. Dyer in memory of his wife. The tower is built on a flagstone terrace; it is surrounded by a 4-hectare (10-acre) botanical garden and park overlooking the East River.
11 km (7 mi.) n.e. via Hwy. 11B and Williamsport Rd., Huntsville, On P1H 2J4
Muskoka Arts and Crafts, Inc. (The Chapel Gallery)
Muskoka Arts and Crafts, Inc. (The Chapel Gallery), on the grounds of Woodchester Villa, is housed in a reconstruction of the first Presbyterian church in Bracebridge. In addition to its permanent collection of works in various media by Muskoka artists, the gallery presents monthly exhibitions by local and provincial artists and offers workshops, lectures and other special events. It holds a spring arts and crafts show in April, a summer show in July and a holiday show in November. Call (705) 645-5501 for more information.
15 King St., Bracebridge, On P1L 1H4
Muskoka Heritage Place
Muskoka Heritage Place is 1 km (.6 mi.) e. at 88 Brunel Rd. The 36-hectare (90-acre) village overlooking Cann Lake is an outdoor living-history museum that re-creates the life of the area's early settlers. Among the displays are pioneer homesteads from the Huntsville area, a church, a general store, an inn, a schoolhouse, sawmill, blacksmith, First Nation's encampment, nature trails, farm animals and gardens. Blacksmithing, pioneer baking, spinning, butter churning, candle making and sawmill operations are among the demonstrations given by costumed interpreters. The Portage Flyer, a restored steam-powered train, runs a 2-kilometre (1.3 mi.) route along the Muskoka River to Fairy Lake. Call (705) 789-7576 for more information.
88 Brunel Rd., Huntsville, On P1H 1R1
Muskoka Lakes Museum
Muskoka Lakes Museum, on CR 118 in Island Park, presents the area's history through changing and permanent exhibits. Highlights include the Hall Family Homestead, a two-story log cabin built in 1875; antique wooden rowboats, canoes and marine artifacts; and such various antiques as glassware, china, furniture, tools, postcards, photographs and toys. Call (705) 765-5367 for more information.
CR 118 in Island Park, Port Carling, On P0B 1J0
Woodchester Villa
Woodchester Villa, close to the center of town, following signs from Manitoba St. to 15 King St., is a restored house notable for its octagonal shape. Built in 1882 of concrete, the house boasted indoor plumbing, forced-air heating, ventilation shafts and electric lighting—all unusual features at the time. This historic house museum contains the René M. Caisse Exhibition, dedicated to this Bracebridge nurse. Call (705) 645-5501 for more information.
15 King St., Bracebridge, On P1L 1H4