Barrie Buzz

Mosaic Art Studio Barrie to Open September 18
Mosaic Art Studio is a new addition to the artistic community in Barrie. Starting this September a very unique, creative and artistic Art Studio Owner and entrepreneur Victoria Mestres has a mission..... "discover, educate and encourage the creative and artistic talents of children and adults in her new Barrie location" at 411 Huronia Road and the corner of Big Bay Point Road.

Savour Simcoe
...a beautiful new venue this year, where we can be outside among the trees and historical buildings at the Simcoe County Museum. For more information and how to buy tickets…(we are recommending purchasing tickets prior to event, ... OCTA is on a mission OCTA Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance - http://ontarioculinary.com/ is currently made up of 27 organizations representing over 10000 businesses across the province. ...Visiting in Simcoe County and need overnight accommodation in Barrie

New Wine Appreciation Courses at Georgian College
Georgian College is offering several new and exciting Wine Appreciation courses, scheduled for various dates from September to December 2010, at the Barrie campus. Wines from Ontario, Nappa, Chile, and Ontario's renowned Ice Wines....

Simoce County Tourism Benefits from Forest Cetification
The Simcoe County Forest Council Council Certification is a bonus for long term sustainable Tourism in Simcoe County. Aditional elements will be protected for Ontario outdoor recreation inlcuding hiking, walking, mountainbiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing and in some areas motorized sports such as snowmobiling............

Barrie Fall Fair In Cookstown 2010
For the first time the traditional Barrie Fall Fair will be hosted at the the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown Ontario. The Barrie Fair and Horse Show annually is a family focused event targeting families of all ages. The event presents agriculture in an entertaining, educational fashion with farm animals, horse shows, arts & crafts, flowers, fruits & vegetables, grandstand attractions, musical entertainment and a spectacular midway with rides & games. Shuttle Bus service will run from the Old Barrie Fair Grounds parking lot at Essa Road and Highway 400. Free Parking available. Barrie Hotels & Accommodation, or Alliston Hotels & Resorts.

For Sale: MarketTown Condominiums
Lake Simcoe, Ontario - Lake Simcoe only 1 hour from Toronto. ... Stewart Lake Ontario - Enjoy the ultimate in privacy in this one of a kind, 4 bdrm, 3 bath, ...

Hitting the ale trail in Guelph and Muskoka, with a Flying Monkey in the middle
National Post
Herewith, we provide a compendium of microbrewers from Wellington County Barrie, Braacebridge, Baysville up to the wilderness of Muskoka (with a quick stop in between). ........ 400ELEVEN Publisher says, "Ale trails are great with during the fall colour season north of Toronto, of course with a DD."

Barrie goes fair trade ‎
The Barrie Advance
Barrie goes fair trade. Mark Hamley, proprietor of Hamley's Tea & Coffee Co. in ... the largest in Ontario) with the right to call itself a Fair Trade City. ... 400ELEVEN PUBLISHER says "my favourite spot in Barrie for Coffee....to go, beans, or ground....you can find Hamley's Coffee at Minet's Point Plaza...Minet's Point at 10 Sideroad (Huronia 10) and Yonge Street.

City worth investing in: report
The Barrie Examiner
"Ten years ago, it (Barrie) jumped onto our Top Ontario cities," Campbell said. "I just love the plan of what they're trying to do downtown. ...

Barrie Area Family Getaways
Barrie Staycations close to home but far enough away to celebrate a family vacation in Ontario Enjoy a Barrie Family Vacation

Tourism has sizzle
The Barrie Examiner
Mother Nature has let the sun shine on Simcoe County tourism operators this summer, a marked increase over last year's wet and cool season. ..."It's been an outstanding summer so far for water-based attractions and beach-front communities," said travel promotion officer Jack Lynch, of the Ontario Travel Information Centre at Mapleview Drive and Highway 400." See the Highway 400 Way for Travel links into Simcoe County and beyond.

Barrie Colts round out coaches stable
‎ The Barrie Examiner - Ian Mcinroy Barrie As Dale Hawerchuk waits for a crop of Barrie Colts hopefuls to make their way to ... for the Ontario Hockey League club after inking a three-year deal. ...

Celebrating seven decades with the SCFA
‎ The Barrie Advance - 2010
SIMCOE COUNTY - Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture..started with talks in the kitchens of farmers across Simcoe County. Seventy years later, meetings of the Simcoe County Federation of ..and a significant partner with Simcoe County Farm Fresh

Barrie Speedway
Nascar September 11, 2010
NASCAR racing has become one of the most popular spectator sports in North America, drawing millions of television viewers and hundreds of thousands of fans to single race events all over the United States. On September 11th, the Wild Wing 300 Presented DriveWise, one of 13 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Races in 2010, will be hosted in Canada, right here in our own back yard.

Barrie Beach Getaways
Stay overnight in Barrie and experience Lake Simcoe Beaches along Kempenfelt Bay in the Barrie Areaalong with waterfront hikes, picnics biking, and family Fun.

Georgian Mall - Georgian Mall WINS Tourism Green Champion
The Georgian Mall is the recipient of the inaugural Tourism Green Champion Award from Tourism Barrie. Georgian Mall was selected for our committment to ...

Barrie-Cottage Country in the City
The Charming area of Minets Point offers up
a cottage country atmosphere on Lake Simcoe. Old fashioned ice cream parlours, fresh sweet corn, and BBQ dogs and sausage all close to a family park and beach setting.

Gallery hopping north in Ontario
Out-of-town galleries beckon with worthy shows by renowned artists
Toronto Star By Peter Goddard Visual Arts.....Diana Krall inspired this whimsical necklace by Donald A. Stuart, showing
at the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie. 400ELEVEN Editor's Note: This story features northern galleries in Flesherton Ontario, and Owen Sound Ontario and would make a nice Ontario road trip for art and jewelry lovers.

Theatre By the Bay 2010
Barrie Ontario: Show scheducle includes Taming of the Shrew, and Alladine and
Jasmine's Summer Adventure....August 2010. Barrie on the Bay.

Romance in Barrie? Who knew Barrie was considered as one of Canada's most romantic cities. See story and links to Barrie Area Romantic Getaways.

Barrie Ontario Golf Getaways
Barrie Golf Getaways with accommodation
in inns, resorts and hotels in Barrie Area.

Barrie Area Romantic Getaways
If you are planning a little romance
and need a getaway consider the romantic
getaways available in the Barrie area.

Summer in Barrie

Barrie summer festivals and waterfront events are major tourism draws for visitors and boating enthusiasts on the Trent-Severn visiting and travellng through Ontario's cottage country. Barrie is often a natural first stop on a summer road trip to Northern Ontario. With unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities Barrie offers unlimited water sports on Lake Simcoe, hiking trails, bike trails, canoe routes, and waterfront parks for beaches, swimming and playground fun. See Barrie scenic sunsets and photos, beach photos, and check updates on Simcoe County Beach reports including Barrie.

Barrie Fall Colour Road Trips

Barrie is a starting point with a Fall Colour Road Trip around Lake Simcoe including Orillia, Lagoon City, Beaverton, Jackson's Point, and provides seveval options with side trips including spectacular fall colour maple sugar bush areas in Simoce County such as Horseshoe Valley Wasaga Beach, Elmvale and Minising with recommended events,festivals and fall fairs. In Ontario there are two autumns, the second autumn provides late yellows and golds from the Oaks and Tamarack trees.

Winter in Barrie

Barrie Area Ski Passes Now On Sale

It is never too early for skiers to start thinking about starting the 2010-2011 downhill ski season at Snow Valley and Horseshoe Resort. Downhill skiing is less than 6 months away.

Barrie Snowbelt activities provide fun and excitement for families and couples. Discover one of Ontario's fun winter destinations (see 2010 winterfest photos of family fun) close to Toronto. See all of the outdoor winter snow sports and getaway package options including snow tubing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing. Minet's Point is always entertaining with ice windsurfing, snowferring with kites, and winter surprise visits, by dog sleds, skaters, cross country skiers. Check Ontario Ski and road conditions with the current Ontario Ski and Snowboard report originates in Barrie from the Ministry of Tourism Information centre just off of Highway 400 at Mapleview Drive. Book winter getaways at Barrie hotels and resorts on-line.

Spring in Barrie

Maple Syrup in the Simcoe County area initiates the beginning of spring and summer. It is not too early to start thinking about Mother's Day and Victoria Day May 24 weekend in the Barrie Area, where a number of kids activities, getaway packages, are available for Day Trips or overnight vacations (staycations). When the ice fishing has stops the spring fishing begins on Kempenfelt Bay and Lake Simcoe fishing tournaments signal a start to summer. A visit to a Barrie park can create a Northern Ontario feeling, especially in the wild outdoor park overlooking Lake Simcoe. See the Gables Park accessible off of Lakeshore Drive to Tollendale Road.

Event Centre Barrie

The Barrie Molson Centre is the home to the Barrie Colts Junior hockey team, and is one of the largest venues for major events, shows, and entertainment in the Barrie-Simcoe County region north of Toronto

Lake Simcoe Resort Destination

Barrie is the largest city in Simcoe County was put on the international map as host of the Live 8 concert. One media outlet defined Toronto as being "a little below Barrie". Many of the Barrie hotels and resort accommodation are easily accessible off of Highway 400. Barrie is a good starting point for a road trip to tour the province or to take one of the many Ontario Spring, Summer or Fall travel routes. There are several boat launching areas close to highway 400 for fishing in Lake Simcoe.

Barrie Go Train To the Beach from Toronto:
Like many Toronto residents the thought of starting your weekend North of Toronto was avoided as many did not want to drive Highway 400 north. There is good news. Now with the Go Train going to Barrie, you can leave Friday afternoon from downtown Toronto, and return Monday morning. This will be of benefit to those who like to enjoy the fresh Barrie air, beaches, hiking or biking around the Kempenfelt Bay, but don't like the drive. Arrive relaxed for your romantic weekend away or time at the beach.

Barrie Downtown on Lake Simcoe

The Barrie downtown, has one of the most beautiful waterfronts in Ontario, and is a must visit on your way north. The downtown has many exceptional restaurants, and unique shops. It depicts turn of the century Ontario architecture, and many of the buildings have been restored to their original state. A portion of Barrie's History can be viewed through the Ontario Historical Association Plaques.

Barrie Emerging As Regional Culinary And Entertainment Hub

In addition to exciting restaurants and theatre venues, the Hospitality and Tourism program at Georgian College at Barrie's north end has a number of culinary events and a special 'Dinner and Wine Series" . For the Highway 400eleven traveller, a stop can be a refreshing half way point to the cottage or ski hill and is a quick exit off of Highway 400 at Duckworth Street. Toronto residents are discovering one of the region's best kept secrets.......At a recent Stuart McLean show The Vinyl Cafe hosted by the Gryphon Theatre, a number of Toronto residents were overheard raving about the Georgian Dining Room. See Georgian College Hospitality and Tourism Web site

Reserve on-line from a variety of hotels, inns, resorts in the Barrie area for ease of booking your Barrie vacation or overnight accommodation

Ron Baird, Spirit Catcher, 1986, Corten Steel, 21.3 metres (65ft).

Quick Bits

Distance from Toronto:
90 km

Driving Time from Toronto:
~ 1 hr

Downtown Barrie Map

Map Of Ontario
(Official Government of Ontario Road Map)
This site requires Adobe Reader and may take a bit longer to download

Barrie Tourism and Travel News

Avoid Barrie Gridlock

Barrie Trivia
Where is the Barrie Weather measured?
Also see Lake Simcoe Marine Forcasts.