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Barrie, Ontario & Area

Location

Barrie is the first major city north of the Greater Toronto area. Considered to be the gateway to Ontario's Cottage and Resort Country, Barrie is also home to Georgian College and one of Ontario's busiest tourist information centres in the Province of Ontario, Barrie is in an enviable geographic location as the strategic junction to the major highways leading to northern Ontario--Highway 400 and Highway 11. Barrie is part of two major watersheds, the Lake Simcoe and Nottawasaga watersheds.

Premier Ontario Resort Destination

Barrie 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. A variety of Barrie hotels are available with on-line bookings from the Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn and more. Book Barrie Hotels On-line

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.

Discover Ontario in and around Barrie with a Fall Colour Road Trip
A road trip around Lake Simcoe including Barrie and Orillia, provides seveval options and with side trips including spectacular fall colour maple sugar bush areas in Simoce County such as Horseshoe Valley Wasaga Beach, Elmvale and Miniesing with recommended events,festivals and fall fairs.

Accommodations in the Barrie Area

• Barrie Snow Belt (ski and snowboard areas)
• Carriage Ridge Resort
• Comfort Inn (Hart Drive)
• Georgian Conference Services
• Harbour View Inn
• Horseshoe Resort
• Hardwood Ski and Bike

Innisfil

• Kempenfelt Conference Centre

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

Attractions in the Barrie Area

The Barrie area includes Angus, Base Borden, Innisfil, Oro, Medonte, Minesing, and Midhurst. Accessibility to Lake Simcoe through Kempenfelt Bay, gives boaters quick water access to Lake Simcoe, and the Trent Severn Watery way running through Orillia east to the Kawartha Lakes, and west to Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.

• Barrie Sports Hall of Fame-Allandale Recreation Centre
• Black History North of Toronto
• Barrie Snowbelt Area
• Kempenfest Barrie 2008
• Maclaren Art Centre
• Park Place
• Serendipity Princess Cruise
• Simcoe County Museum

Studio Tours

• Image Studio Tour

Outdoor Experiences

Barrie Waterfront & Beaches

Fishing

• Barrie Bassmasters--hold open fishing tournaments throughout the year.

Ontario Parks

• We highly recommend a visit to Springwater Provincial Park, one of Ontario's most unique day use Parks in the province.

Culture and History

• Black History North of Toronto

Official Web Site: City of Barrie; Barrie Tourism, Simcoe County Huronia Tourism :

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