Things to Do in Lake Simcoe

Lake Simcoe at a Glance

Lake Simcoe, a 722‑square‑kilometre inland sea less than an hour north of Toronto, is the beating heart of Simcoe County and York Region.

Ringed by the lively cities of Barrie and Orillia, the resort community of Innisfil, and the heritage towns of Georgina and Beaverton, this four‑season playground blends sandy beaches, hardwood forests, and ice‑fishing villages into one easy‑to‑navigate destination.

With Highway 400 unfurling from the GTA to the lake’s western shore and GO Transit trains linking downtown Toronto to Barrie, you can trade urban bustle for crystal‑clear water and whisper‑quiet pine groves in under 90 minutes.

Ready to explore? Together we’ll map out the most memorable things to do in Lake Simcoe—from July’s folk‑music marathons to February’s perch‑derbies, from cedar‑fringed provincial parks to chef‑driven breweries—and show you how to book every moment through Lake.com with confidence.

What cultural festivals light up Lake Simcoe’s shoreline?

Few Ontario lakes pack a festival calendar as stacked as Lake Simcoe’s. Kick off summer at Mariposa Folk Festival (July 4–6, 2025) in Orillia’s Tudhope Park, where Iron & Wine, Serena Ryder, and The Sheepdogs headline three days of lakeside sets and craft workshops.

One month later, Barrie’s waterfront explodes with Kempenfest (August 1–4, 2025), Canada’s largest outdoor arts‑and‑crafts show, boasting 300 vendors, two concert stages and a poutine village stretched along two kilometres of Kempenfelt Bay.

If you visit on a holiday weekend, detour to Innisfil’s Friday Harbour Resort for the Soundtrack of Summer concert series, pier fireworks and pop‑up artisan markets—most events are free and run Thursday through Sunday.

Where can you trace Lake Simcoe’s history and heritage?

Begin in downtown Orillia at the red‑brick Orillia Opera House, an 1895 landmark staging year‑round theatre and comedy. A five‑minute walk away, the Leacock Museum preserves humorist Stephen Leacock’s lakefront retreat; costumed guides share tales of his 1910 novels while you sip lemonade on the verandah. Drive south to Sutton’s Georgina Pioneer Village, a cluster of 19th‑century log buildings that hosts blacksmith demos and maple‑taffy pulls each weekend. Finally, detour to Eildon Hall inside Sibbald Point Provincial Park, once home to the literary Sibbald family and now displaying Regency‑era furnishings beside the park’s trailhead.

Where can you hike and bike near Lake Simcoe?

Trails spider out in every direction. On the east shore, Sibbald Point Provincial Park offers a gentle 4‑kilometre Maidenhair Fern Loop through shady hardwoods that erupt with trilliums each May.

West of Barrie, cyclists flock to the crushed‑limestone Oro‑Medonte Rail Trail, a 28‑kilometre car‑free corridor linking Shanty Bay to Orillia with lake views galore. Families gravitate to Innisfil’s Innisfil Beach Park, where a 2‑kilometre paved promenade accommodates strollers and rollerblades. In winter, trade wheels for runners: the Simcoe County Forest grooms 100 kilometres of Nordic‑ski and snowshoe routes, many dog‑friendly and lit for night skiing.

Why it matters
Spring and fall shoulder seasons mean cooler temps, empty parking lots and vibrant wildflowers or foliage—ideal for photography walks.

How can you get on (or under) the water?

Swim & Sun: The lake’s warmest water (24 °C/75 °F) arrives in late July. Claim a patch of sand at Sibbald Point, De La Salle Park or Barrie’s Centennial Beach, all patrolled by lifeguards in peak season.

Paddle: Rent a kayak from Downtown Orillia’s Kay‑Too kiosk or book a guided SUP eco‑tour through Lake Simcoe Adventures to weave between the Marl Islands’ lily‑pad flats.

Sail & Cruise: Want a captain? Serendipity Princess departs Kempenfelt Bay nightly for sunset dinner cruises, while Big D Water Sports in Beaverton charters half‑day wake‑surf sessions behind a Malibu ski boat.

Fish: Lake Simcoe is Ontario’s perch capital. Join the virtual Lake Simcoe Jumbo Throwdown (May–Dec 2025) or buy a $25 ticket for the Great Outdoors Fishing Derby, which lets you upload eight fish photos for a shot at the prize pool.

Ice Adventure: Once the lake freezes (usually early January), outfitters in Jackson’s Point tow heated huts onto the flats; reserve through Lake.com and they’ll supply rods, minnows, and hot chocolate.

Adrenaline Zone: tubing, zip‑lining and winter thrills

For year‑round speed, head to The ROC (Recreational Outdoor Campus) in Keswick. Summer brings a 100‑metre zip‑line, aerial ropes and mountain‑bike pump track; winter unveils eight tubing lanes, a terrain park and $25 two‑hour lift tickets. Add a night‑ski session under LED lights, then warm up in the chalet’s fireplace lounge with poutine and butter‑tarts.

Further north, trail‑riders tackle Hardwood Ski & Bike’s 80 kilometres of singletrack, home to the 2025 Ontario Cup Mountain‑Bike Finals. Powder hounds should bookmark Mount St. Louis Moonstone, a 15‑minute drive from the lake, boasting Ontario’s longest snow park and super‑pipe.

Relaxation & wellness: where to recharge

If pampering tops your list, book a lake‑view suite at The Briars Resort & Spa in Jackson’s Point. Swedish massages, eucalyptus steam rooms, and sunset yoga on the dock make switching to vacation mode effortless. Over in Innisfil, Friday Harbour’s Beach Club shakes up Aperol spritzes beside a 1‑kilometre private shoreline, while golfers test their swing on The Nest, an 18‑hole Doug Carrick design carved through fescue‑topped dunes.

Ready to book? Browse Lake.com’s wellness filter to compare spa packages, tee‑times and marina slips in one click.

Lake Simcoe’s flavour trail: eat, drink, repeat

Craft Beer & Cider: Start at Quayle’s Brewery in Oro‑Medonte, a farm‑fresh operation pouring crisp German pils and seasonal strawberry‑rhubarb sour under twinkling patio lights with live music Thursday–Monday. In Barrie, sample the award‑winning New England IPA at Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, then wander to Barnstormer Brewing for wood‑fired pizzas.

Farm‑to‑Table Dining: Orillia’s The Common Stove plates Georgian Bay whitefish over charred corn succotash; reservations vanish fast during Mariposa weekend. Further south, Georgina’s Lake Simcoe Arms Pub specializes in perch tacos caught that morning off Snake Island.

Markets & U‑Pick: Every Saturday since 1846, the Orillia Farmers’ Market fills Mississaga Street with heirloom tomatoes and Mennonite baking. Berry hunters converge on Brooks Farms in Mount Albert for July strawberries and September pumpkin festivals, while Maple Grove Syrup near Beaverton hosts spring sugar‑bush tours and maple‑taffy pulls.

Cooking Classes: Sharpen your knife skills at Sharon Cooks in Keswick, where Chef Sharon Robinson leads three‑hour modules on pike ceviche and butter‑tart pastry—hands‑on, BYO apron.

Nightlife & live entertainment

Evenings on Lake Simcoe lean relaxed but never dull. Summer Thursdays cue acoustic sets on Friday Harbour’s beach; Fridays spotlight jazz quartets inside The Lake Club, and Saturdays crescendo with DJ sets on the CIBC Pier until midnight. In Barrie, Mavricks Music Hall books indie rock, while Orillia’s Horseshoe Tavern North offers Honky‑Tonk Tuesdays. Prefer stargazing? Board Kempenfelt Bay’s Astronomy Cruise on new moon nights, telescopes provided.

Family‑friendly fun that beats “Are we there yet?”

• Scales Nature Park, Oro‑Medonte: Handle live turtles and watch feeding demos featuring Ontario’s only rattlesnake.
• Georgina Pioneer Village: Kids churn butter, hammer tin lanterns, and ride a heritage wagon.
• Lagoon City waterways: Rent a family pontoon from Ramada Marina and navigate 16 kilometres of Venetian‑style canals.
• Splash ON Waterpark, Barrie: A floating obstacle course of trampolines and climbing walls anchored 50 metres off Centennial Beach—life jackets mandatory, belly laughs guaranteed.

Budget Savers
• Choose mid‑week cottage stays for up to 30 % off peak rates.
• Buy a Simcoe County Museum & Pioneer Village combo pass to save $6 per adult.
• Pack a picnic; most provincial parks waive day‑use fees on Wednesdays.

Shopping & souvenirs: from lake art to smash‑burgers

Stroll Friday Harbour’s Promenade for eco‑chic swimwear at Kaya Clothing, nautical‑rope bracelets at Anchored Jewelry, and S’mores macarons at Sweet Harbour. In Orillia, the century‑old Mariposa Market tempts with cinnamon‑bun loaves the size of your head, while Barrie’s MacLaren Art Centre Shop showcases Group‑of‑Seven prints and hand‑carved paddles.

For something edible, grab a six‑pack of Quayle’s SMaSH IPA or a wedge of Upper Canada Cheese Co. Niagara Gold—both TSA‑friendly if you’re flying home from Billy Bishop Airport.

Seasonal snapshot & practical planning

Accommodation runs the gamut: glamp in a safari tent at Four Season Glamping, dock your cruiser at Lefroy Harbour Resorts, or cozy up in a cedar‑clad cabin at Rawley Resort, Port Severn—all searchable on Lake.com’s Lake Simcoe hub.

Final thoughts

Lake Simcoe isn’t just a waypoint between Toronto and Muskoka—it’s a standalone playground where folk‑music legends share the stage with artisan brewers, where cedar‑lined hiking trails meet Canada’s busiest ice‑fishing flats, and where boutique resorts sit minutes from heritage farm gates. By weaving cultural deep dives, outdoor thrills, and culinary discoveries into one compact region, the lake delivers a trip that feels both expansive and effortless.

So pack your paddle, charge your camera,and let Lake Simcoe’s shimmering horizon guide your next Canadian adventure. We’ll see you on the dock!