The
Sunshine
City
Eat, Drink and be Merry in Orillia!
Orillia is a well-known destination for great dining – with dozens of restaurants, pubs, breweries, and cafés, located within walking distance of Sunshine Harbour.
Here are Five Favourites:
STUDABAKERS
211 Mississaga St W
Great quality food, large portions and fair prices. Menu is always updated to keep everyone informed of new trends and staying with some classics that we all love.
KENZINGTON BURGER BAR
85 Mississaga St E
Whether you’re in for the live music, or just looking for the best burger you’ve ever eaten in your life, KBB will satisfy your most intimate culinary desires!
RUSTICA PIZZA VINO
132 Mississaga St E
Open concept pizzeria serving beautiful Neapolitan-style pizza. Fueled solely by wood, watch the 900 degree oven force the handmade dough to rise and blister. Apps, pasta, wine, espresso, dessert.
SUSHI WADASI
66 Mississaga St E
Featuring an assortment of fresh sushi, soups, salads and more.
THE COMMON STOVE
27 Mississaga St. W.
Built around a wood-fired grill, cooking locally sourced meats and vegetables, its farm-to-table ethos focuses on local growers
Sunshine Harbour Orillia
Charming Upscale Townhomes on Lake Couchiching in Downtown Orillia. Let Life Shine!
Sunshine Harbour Orillia
Charming Upscale Townhomes on Lake Couchiching in Downtown Orillia. Let Life Shine!
Steps to Exciting Downtown Orillia
RECREATION CENTRE
The Orillia Recreation Centre, located at 255 West Street South, includes a variety of amenities and programming accessible to the public. With its Fitness Centre, Aquatics Centre and two FIBA-sized Gymnasiums there is something for everyone at this facility.
PORT OF ORILLIA
Known as “The Jewel of the Trent” the Port of Orillia is a popular destination, a special stop on a voyage through the historic 386 km Trent-Severn Waterway. The adjacent waterfront parks offer scenic trails, sand beach, picnic areas, and free Saturday and Sunday evening band concerts. The Port is right across the street from Sunshine Harbour and steps away from Downtown Orillia with its excellent restaurants, pubs and shopping.
WATERFRONT PARKS
The City of Orillia is well known and well regarded for its impressive parks. From tranquil waterfront spaces, fun playgrounds, and splash pads to beautifully manicured lawns and flower gardens, these public spaces are designed to enhance and complement the natural beauty of this vibrant, outdoor-loving community.
FARMER’S MARKET
With year-round events and local fresh food, home baking, organics and produce, the Farmers’ Market is one of Orillia’s most popular places. Enjoy their tributes to Butter Tarts, Apples and Maple Syrup.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Located at 36 Mississaga Street South, Orillia’s new library is a showpiece of contemporary architecture and the very latest in library technology. They offer an amazing number of programs and events for all ages.
MUSEUMS
Orillia has fascinating museums to explore, paying tribute to locals like Stephen Leacock and a variety of local artists. One popular destination is the OMAH – The Orillia Museum of Art & History. There’s even an OPP Museum to enjoy!
4-Season Living
Orillia in the Spring
Spring is in the air, with budding trees, tulips and crocuses and the unmistakeable excitement of the approaching summer! Orillia comes alive with spring festivals, music and art – everything reawakens from its winter slumber while locals shed their parkas for spring jackets.
Celebrate the
“Art of Spring in Orillia”
For the past 30 years, The Orillia Concert Band has been a harbinger of spring with its Art of Spring concert, held at St. Paul’s Centre in late March.
Things to Do
Spring Boat, Cottage and Outdoor Show
This annual event is one of the first signs of summer in Orillia, with residents and visitors alike coming to the Port of Orillia to enjoy the beautiful waterfront. The show features a wide range of vendors showcasing what’s new in outdoor summer adventure gear, along with food trucks. The Port of Orillia’s Spring Boat, Cottage and Outdoor Show is one of the largest in-water used boat sales in Ontario.
Hewitts Fun Farm
For a day of outdoor fun for the whole family, Hewitts is the place! The Fun Farm offers seasonal attractions, a farm yard play area with animals and pedal cars. The Farm Market Store provides fresh Ontario produce, meats, home baked goods, and decor/gifts.
PARKS
Orillia is well known for its impressive parks. From tranquil waterfront spaces, fun playgrounds, and splash pads to beautifully manicured lawns and flower gardens, these public spaces are designed to enhance and complement the natural beauty of the community.
Summer in Orillia
Orillia comes alive in the summer! As the gateway to cottage country, Orillia is the heart and soul of summer with its lakes, parks, waterfront, beaches and non-stop fun!
Orillia Really is a Day at the Beach!
Orillia is nestled between two beautiful lakes and offers many places to swim and enjoy water sports. There are two public beaches: Couchiching Beach (across from Sunshine Harbour) and Moose Beach at Tudhope Memorial Park.
The Sunshine City!
There is so much to do in Orillia in the summer!
Waterfront Parkland and Trails
Directly across the street from Sunshine Harbour, The Port of Orillia is connected to beautiful Centennial Park, which features stunning beaches and picnic areas. Couchiching Beach Park offers residents and visitors places to play and relax.
There are dozens of parks within Orillia, many just a few minutes from Sunshine Harbour and just west of Orillia – close to historic Huronia, Bass Lake Provincial Park is a popular spot for swimming, hiking, fishing, and boating.
Things to Do
Braestone Club
18-Hole and 9-Hole Golf Courses, Tournaments, Golf Clinics and Golf Instructions, Wedding and Special Events, Membership, Chipping Area, Lessons, Putting Greens, Range Balls, Junior Golf, Outings, Teaching Professionals & Cart Facilities.
Scout Valley
A 230-acre city-owned oasis, Scout Valley is located at the south west edge of Orillia, bounded by Hwy. 11 and Old Barrie Road. Enjoy a refreshing spring of water and a stream as well as a lookout with great views across Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe.
Orillia By Bike!
If mountain biking, road cycling or trails is what you are looking for, Orillia has it! Cycle Tourism in Orillia & Lake Country is growing. From flat and family friendly routes to challenging 92km of rolling hills there are a lot of cycling opportunities to offer along the waterfront or country roads.
Festivals and Events
Mariposa Folk Festival
Canada’s most iconic music event, The Mariposa Folk Festival was first held in Orillia in 1961. It later moved to Toronto and other sites in Ontario until returning home in 2000 to Orillia. The 3-day Festival is a family-friendly celebration of song, story, dance and craft in the bucolic setting of Tudhope Park.
More than 50 artists appear on stages throughout the park including a pub stage and outstanding evening main stage performances. Special areas for children’s activities, artisans, and food vendors make Mariposa a magical experience for people of all ages.
The festival is a celebration of song, story, dance and craft, and so much more. Taking place in a beautiful lakeside setting, Mariposa features some of the most renowned artists on the North American and international scenes, as well as emerging artists for you to discover. Some of the iconic performers over the years include Ian & Sylvia, John Prine, David Bomberg, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Stan Rogers, to name but a few.
It is a 3-day getaway with 100+ performances on 11 stages.
MARIPOSAFOLK.COM
Autumn is Transformative in Orillia!
As the autumn colours paint the landscape, and a crisp chill hits the air, this is the perfect time to indulge in activities that are certain to please.
Hiking and Biking on Magnificent Trails!
The City of Orillia maintains more than 29 kilometres of trails that complement a growing system of parks and open space. These trails are used by walkers, joggers, cyclists, and others who enjoy a cost-effective way of keeping physically active while enjoying the great outdoors.
Grants Woods
1485 Division Road West, Orillia
This is a beautiful park with several short (less than 2 kilometres) hiking trails that go into a forest. There are lots of different plants, neat wooden bridges, and super big trees. It’s ideal for taking the kids.
Bass Lake Provincial Park
2540 Bass Lake Sideroad E, Orillia
This is a popular Provincial Park that is the ideal place to view the colours of autumn. The trails are easy to navigate and are great for families.
Things to Do!
Fall is an Art Lover’s Dream in Orillia!
The Art of Living Well
The birthplace of legendary folk singer, Gordon Lightfoot, and summer home of Canada’s most famous humourist, Stephen Leacock, Orillia has inspired outstanding artistic creation for generations. Group of Seven painter Franklin Carmichael and renowned sculptor Elizabeth Wyn Wood were also born in Orillia, a city where arts and culture are important – and a city that continues to produce and sustain a wealth of painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, and other artists. If you’re looking for arts and culture, look no further than Orillia!
The Peter Street Art District is brimming with galleries and studios, including:
Zephyr Art Gallery
Lee Contemporary Art
Mad with Rapture Studios
Festivals and Events
Autumn Mariposa
Held in neighbouring Oro Medonte in October, the Autumn Mariposa is a one-day special event echoing the popular summer festival while making memorable new experiences around Orillia & Lake Country. The event includes a unique outdoor afternoon festival in Oro-Medonte and lively evening show at the Orillia Opera House. Dates for the upcoming Autumn Mariposa will be announced.
Orillia Annual Fall Fair
ODAS Park – 4500 Fairgrounds Rd., Orillia
Held in September, the Annual Severn, Orillia & District Fall Fair provides great exhibits and fun for the whole family. Featuring a tractor pull, demo derby, junior fair for kids, vendors, and farm olympics!
Orillia in the Winter
Winter transforms Orillia into a wonderland. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a variety of recreational activities and of course, it’s the ideal setting for the holidays! With skiing, skating, snowshoeing, sledding and other winter activities nearby, winter takes on a whole new excitement.
Under a canopy of sparkling, snowy trees, Orillia’s green spaces are the perfect place to enjoy the unique beauty of winter. Consider a brisk walk alongside expansive lake views, get your blood pumping with exhilarating fat biking through the woods, or try your hand at a cozy, torchlit evening skate.
Ski Resorts
Orillia is home to ski resorts that offer outstanding winter activities. Hardwood Ski & Bike is just 20 minutes away. Mount St. Louis Moonstone and Horseshoe are – less than a half an hour drive from Sunshine Harbour. And just 40 minutes away, Snow Valley is a great venue for a day on the slopes.
Fat Biking and Snowshoe Trails
Enjoy the trails surrounding Orillia on a fat bike or with snowshoes. Either choice offers great exercise and a chance to enjoy the pristine, snow covered outdoors that makes Orillia a winter wonderland. Scout Valley Loop Trail is just an 11-minute drive away from Sunshine Harbour and offers an excellent trail system for fat biking or snowshoeing.
Horseback Riding and Wagon Rides
If you prefer to enjoy the countryside by horse, there are great options when you live at Sunshine Harbour. Less than 15 minutes by car, you can be at Gardy’s Training Centre or Langman Farms Equestrian Centre. For great family fun, consider a wagon ride at Twin Maples Farm or Maple Grove Syrup – both just minutes away by car.
Things to Do!
Family Fun
Home to Ontario’s longest snow tubing hill, Horseshoe Resort was named by BlogTO as one of the most amazing snow tubing destinations in Ontario! Less than half an hour drive from Sunshine Harbour, you can get your heart pumping with the all-thrill, no-skill fun of snow tubing! Fly down the hill and then let the magic carpet whisk you back up to the top!
Horseshoe Resort
Festivals and Events
CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN ORILLIA
Christmas is a magical time in Orillia. Enjoy Gospel Choirs, Brunches, Santa Claus Gift Distribution, and wonderful Christmas Dinners at the local eateries.
DOWNTOWN ORILLIA CHRISTMAS MARKET
Rediscover a traditional Christmas in an non-traditional way! Visit the Christmas Market and the vibrant downtown stores, restaurants and galleries of Orillia. You’ll enjoy finding just the right gifts for your loved ones, visit Santa and more!
SANTA CLAUS PARADE
For over a century, Orillia’s Santa Claus Parade has thrilled locals and visitors with its more than 100 floats, bands and Santa himself, ushering in the Holliday season. Held in early November, the Parade is the largest north of Toronto.