Barrie - Orillia Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Collingwood showing a small town or village, street scenes and heritage architecture
Barrie - Orillia
Barrie - Orillia featuring a bay or harbour
Barrie - Orillia
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park showing a sandy 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

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Gilford

Gilford might not have many top sights, but Big Cedar Golf Club and Krates Marina are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Gilford
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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
Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites

3 out of 5
81 Hart Dr, Barrie, ON
The price is ₹6,900 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹6,900
₹8,265 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,120 reviews)
Decent enough
"Decent, reasonably priced place to stop for the night. Clean, AC worked well, hot water in the bathroom, good WIFI, and a comfortable bed. Breakfast was very minimal though; weak, lukewarm coffee and cold cereal. Fortunately, there is a Tim’s just down the street."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites
Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie

Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie

2 out of 5
300 Bayfield St, Barrie, ON
The price is ₹5,475 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹5,475
₹6,558 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,580 reviews)
"Nice room"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie
Days Inn by Wyndham Orillia

Days Inn by Wyndham Orillia

2.5 out of 5
5850 Rama Road, Ramara, ON
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,207 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹8,207
₹9,274 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ramara. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,580 reviews)
"Room requires undating."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Orillia
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.
Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie

Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie

2 out of 5
One Georgian Drive, Barrie, ON
Stay at this aparthotel in Barrie. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall value in their ...
7/10 Good! (650 reviews)
"Price was right and will stay at more now that i know"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie
Parkside House

Parkside House

3.5 out of 5
15 Parkside Dr, Barrie, ON
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Barrie. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Barrie Centennial Park and Mady Centre for the Performing ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (304 reviews)
"This was a nice big place, clean and good value for the money. Better than a hotel room at any of the cheap hotels in town. Mark and Steve had some excellent freshly ground coffee, sugar and creamers for us to enjoy in the morning. Great location near downtown and the lake, but quieter than where ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Parkside House
Alton Lodges

Alton Lodges

2 out of 5
459 Mosley St, Wasaga Beach, ON
Stay at this cottage in Wasaga Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 5 beach bars. Popular attractions Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and Tower Island are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5 reviews)
"I love the place ❤️❤️❤️.And the owner is very friendly and easy to communicate. Definitely we will come back again ❤️❤️❤️."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2024

Alton Lodges
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.

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