Barrie

Understand

Barrie has emerged as a popular tourist destination in Central Ontario, known as "The Gateway to Cottage Country", and is easily accessed by all forms of transportation. In the winter months, Barrie flocks with skiers and snowboarders as they attempt the slopes at nearby hills Snow Valley, Horseshoe Resort, Mount St. Louis Moonstone and Blue Mountain. Barrie also has several festivals and other events held in the city centre during the same season. Throughout the humid summer months, Barrie transforms into a city of gardens as visitors and locals alike jump to the waterfront to bask on the beaches, swim in the waters and boat in the lake. The city's historic downtown core also comes to life in the warmer months as shops, restaurants and boutiques all flourish with people.

Get around

Barrie is served by an efficient bus service and several taxi companies. It takes no more than about 20 minutes in good weather to drive from anywhere to anywhere else in Barrie. There are also many bicycle and walking trails.

Warning: avoid driving on Bayfield street (Hwy 26, Hwy 27) on weekends and statutory holidays. All car traffic from Toronto to and from Wasaga Beach and other beach destinations on Georgian Bay (during summertime) or Horseshoe Ski Resort (in winter) goes through this street and it could get quite congested.

See

The city of Barrie is on the shore of Kempenfelt Bay, a part of Lake Simcoe and is the largest city in Simcoe County. thumb|MacLaren Art Centre In the summer, Barrie's beautifully landscaped lakefront parks are a popular destination for Toronto visitors seeking a break from city life. These parks include walking and bicycle trails, a fountain park, three public beaches and free parking. thumb|right|upright|Ron Baird's The Spirit Catcher (1986), installed along the waterfront in Barrie

Do

Barrie is within easy reach of many of Ontario's major ski resorts. Visitors to the area should really visit at least one of these to enjoy some of the area's most popular winter activities.

Buy

There are three major commercial centres in Barrie. The oldest is the downtown near the shores of Kempenfelt Bay. North of this is Bayfield Street's Golden Mile which consists of three major malls and numerous other retail outlets which include local and international retailers. It is a major shopping destination for area tourists. The third commercial centre, Park Place, is on the south end of town near the highway exit to Mapleview Drive. This is the newest of the three and is a very large shopping complex where individual retailers are accessible from common parking areas.

Eat

There are interesting restaurants, including a number of Italian, Indian, Middle-eastern and Asian restaurants, in the city centre near Kempenfelt Bay.

Drink

Much of Barrie's nightlife is centred on the 5-block area where Dunlop and Bayfield Streets meet in the downtown Core. Many lounges and pubs feature live music on weekends. Clubs like The Roxx and SkyBank caters to the college Crowd. The Queens is in a historic hotel and features two bars in one. Further down Dunlop those wishing for a more laid-back night should try Monsoon, where overstuffed leather furniture, martinis and sushi set the mood. Many other pubs and bars dot Dunlop Street including the Simcoe Hotel a flatiron building which features a more varied, and somewhat rougher crowd. Those wishing to venture just off of Dunlop may venture into The Ranch, a warehouse-style country bar featuring a mechanical bull.

Sleep

Visitor accommodation in Barrie includes chain hotels like the Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn, near Highway 400, as well as some Bed and Breakfasts and executive apartments.

Go next

Collingwood — another snow belt community on Highway 26, near the Village at Blue Mountain. Midland and Penetanguishene — on Georgian Bay, near Awenda Provincial Park. Orillia — north east of Barrie on Highway 11, on the way to cottage country. Wasaga Beach — the world's longest freshwater beach, and one of Ontario's favourite beach towns. York Region — the northern suburbs of Toronto.