Muskoka Travel Guide

Muskoka Voted Number One Best Trip by National Geographic

Muskoka, located in Central Ontario, is home to approximately 1600 lakes, which makes it a very popular destination for tourists. The three major lakes there are Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph and Lake Muskoka. In the last 20 years, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have built summer retreats there because of the grandeur and beauty of Muskoka.

Muskoka beckons you to come and leave behind all the cares of a busy life in the city. This is a place to get back to nature and breathe some cool, fresh air into your lungs. The tall, green pines and heavily wooded forests are wonderful places for hiking or hunting. On the shores of the various lakes, you will find a wide range of resorts and cottages to suit every taste and budget.

The area surrounding Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes has become known as “Cottage Country”. This region is sprinkled with picturesque towns, villages and shops. You will find some exceptional marinas along the lake shores, as well as upscale country clubs and golf courses. Muskoka is definitely a nature lover’s paradise. The soap opera, “Paradise Falls” is about a fictitious cottage community and is partly shot in Muskoka.

National Geographic has just named Muskoka the Number One Best Trip for summer 2011. One of the reasons is the abundance of fun, exciting activities available to tourists. Whether you want to stay in a rustic log cabin or a five-star hotel, you will have no trouble finding just the right accommodations.

There is also an endless list of places to go and things to see. You can take a lovely cruise on Island Queen Cruiselines or you can visit any one of the unique museums. Muskoka is a favorite hang-out for many of Ontario’s most famous artists. Each year in September, these talented artisans gather for the annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour.

The Muskoka Lakes Music Festival takes place in the summer usually from June to August each year. At the Music Festival, musicians and singers from all over the world gather to display and share their fine talents. The festival has something for everyone, from workshops to shows and exhibits for both children and adults.

As you might imagine, with so many lakes, waterfalls and rivers in Muskoka, there is an abundance of fishing, boating and water-related activities. You can rent a canoe and paddle your way down a lazy river or take an exciting fishing adventure tour with one of the local guided fishing tours.

The local farmers in the Muskoka area share their bounty at large and small area Farmers Markets. If you’re bringing the kids, then be sure to stop and spend a few hours at Santa’s Village. The whole family will also enjoy an afternoon at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre or an evening at the Echo Valley Observatory watching the starry night unfold.

Muskoka is a beautiful place where you can spend a long weekend or an entire lifetime. It’s one of those places that you should really visit at least once in your life. It will be a memorable and enjoyable vacation trip for you and your family.