Private cottages are only one part of the Muskoka experience. Across Bala, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst, local restaurants, markets, breweries and accommodations give visitors plenty of reasons to plan a day trip, spend a weekend or build a longer journey through the region.
Share
Proudly presented in partnership with Discover Muskoka.
For many travellers, Muskoka begins with an image of a private dock, a grand boathouse, and a cottage that has been in the family for generations. That version of the region exists. It is also only one part of a much larger place.
A Muskoka trip can take the form of a day in Bala, a market stop outside Gravenhurst, dinner and a flight of locally made beer in Bracebridge, or a weekend at a resort where the bed, pool, restaurant, and recreation are already handled. Muskoka comprises six regions, and its character comes through most clearly in the independent places that give residents and visitors somewhere to gather. These five stops are highlights you shouldn't miss.
MUSKOKA BREWERY: A MUSKOKA ORIGINAL
One of Ontario’s oldest independent breweries, Muskoka Brewery opened on Taylor Road in Bracebridge in 1996, with Cream Ale as its first release. The brewery outgrew that original location and moved to Muskoka Beach Road in 2012, where its production facility and taproom remain today. Still independently owned and operated 30 years later, it has grown from a small founding crew into a team of nearly 100.
The taproom offers a full introduction to what Muskoka Brewery makes. Cream Ale remains a fixture, joined by easy-drinking lagers, hop-forward IPAs, vodka drinks, hard teas, seasonal releases and non-alcoholic options. The Moonlight Kettle program adds another reason to stop in, giving members of the brewery team an opportunity to create small-batch beverages that are available for a limited time, exclusively at the taproom.
Visitors can settle in with a fresh pour and something to eat, browse the retail shop, or join a brewery tour when available. There is a patio for warmer days, along with lawn games and dog-friendly areas. The varied drinks list also works well for groups whose tastes do not necessarily line up. Whatever you choose, it comes with the satisfying knowledge that it was made in the heart of Muskoka, just steps from where you are drinking it.
THE PEARL MAKES IT EASY TO EAT WELL IN BALA
The Pearl Muskoka sits in the heart of Bala, where the team behind Toronto catering company TOBEN Food by Design has created a place that works equally well for a proper meal, a quick stop, or provisions for later. Siblings Toben and Elana Kochman founded TOBEN in 2005, and their experience with large events and private dining shows in the food here: polished and flavour-driven, with enough ease to suit cottage country.
The format is part of the appeal. Travellers can sit down for daytime or evening service, pick up prepared food for a group, or browse pantry goods before heading onward. It is the sort of place that lets a Muskoka day stay flexible. Come hungry and linger, or leave with dinner taken care of.
THE BRACEBRIDGE BARRELHOUSE IS BUILT FOR MORE THAN A PINT
Lake of Bays Brewing Company has roots in Baysville, while its Bracebridge Barrelhouse has developed a personality of its own. Three large oak foeders sit on site, used to age the brewery’s limited barrel-aged beers. They also give visitors a visible connection to the work happening behind the taps.
The Barrelhouse functions as a full restaurant and community gathering place, with weekend brunch, a children’s menu, live music, a summer food truck, and regular programming such as trivia and game nights. The wider Lake of Bays range includes lighter and non-alcoholic options, which broadens the appeal beyond the traditional beer crowd. Beer may bring people through the door - food, events, entertainment, and an easygoing space offering a different experience from a traditional taproom give them a reason to stay.
HALE MUSKOKA GATHERS THE REGION IN ONE PLACE
Hale Muskoka occupies a historic five-acre farm on Bethune Drive in Gravenhurst, just off Highway 11. The open-air market and event space brings together local food, retail, art, live music, and events, giving visitors a compact introduction to the people making things across Muskoka and elsewhere in Ontario.
A visit might include the weekly Friday Market, a browse through Cabin boutique for contemporary country goods, food from one of the on-site vendors, or a ticketed culinary event. Recent programming has ranged from a charcuterie experience with Fat Rabbit to the Smash & Sear burger competition. Hale feels especially well suited to travellers who enjoy discovering a destination through its makers. The setting is relaxed, the mix changes, and every purchase has a clear connection to a small business.
In Spring 2027, Hale Muskoka will also be home to two remarkable venues under one roof: The Barn and The Grange. Designed with a contemporary country aesthetic and surrounded by outdoor entertaining spaces, these versatile venues will host everything from weddings and corporate events to milestone celebrations, setting the stage for experiences as memorable as the setting itself.
MUSKOKA BAY RESORT OFFERS A READY-MADE HOME BASE
Muskoka Bay Resort provides a direct answer to one of the region’s practical questions: where to stay when there is no family cottage waiting. Set in Gravenhurst, the four-season resort offers suites, villas, and penthouses, with enough on site to build a complete getaway or use the property as a comfortable base for exploring nearby towns.
Golf is a major draw. The public, Doug Carrick-designed course moves through Canadian Shield rock, wetlands, and dramatic changes in elevation. A stay can also centre on the outdoor infinity pool, barrel sauna, firepits, and year-round Cliffside Restaurant, set high above the course. The result feels recognizably Muskoka, with modern accommodations and a reservation taking care of the access.
MAKE MUSKOKA YOUR OWN
A visit here can be as simple as lunch and a market, a brewery afternoon, or one night away. It can also stretch into a longer trip linking Bala, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst, with lake views and forest stops folded in along the way. Muskoka’s famous scenery remains part of the draw. Its local businesses are what turn that scenery into a place travellers can actually enter, enjoy, and return to.
Go Canada Staff
Editorial
Go Canada is a digital travel publication dedicated to being a trusted resource for information and inspiration for those traveling to and within Canada. Our mission is to showcase the very best Canada has to offer while making travel planning and trip preparation enjoyable and easy. Our staff is a diverse group of travel experts, writers, and content creators who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love for Canada.
