This attractive town in southern Ontario is a gateway to some of the area’s ski resorts, and blends fascinating history with beaches, parks and outdoor recreation.
With year-round outdoor pursuits, festivals and a vibrant food scene, Collingwood’s attractions are varied and celebrated with pride. The town’s natural scenery ranges from tree-lined parks and rocky beaches to the lake waters of Georgian Bay.
Downtown Collingwood, home to heritage buildings, boutique stores and restaurants, is pleasant to explore on foot. Discover 150 years of maritime history at the Collingwood Museum. Spot work by local artists at Collingwood Town Hall and then check out the street murals that adorn buildings on Hurontario Street. Enjoy people-watching from the outdoor terraces of the downtown cafés.
Within a short walking distance from downtown Collingwood you can experience the town’s natural beauty. Stroll among tall coniferous and deciduous trees at Collingwood Arboretum. Find picnic areas and watch local fisherman at Harbourview Park. Enjoy great views of Collingwood Harbour and nearby mountains from Millennium Park. Find more picnic sites, superb sunset viewpoints and a popular swimming and windsurfing beach at Sunset Point Park.
Weaving through Collingwood’s downtown, parks and waterfront is the Collingwood Trails Network. Walk or bike the trails during the summer and enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Travel on foot, bike or snowshoe along the 21-mile (34-kilometer) Georgian Trail, which stretches between Collingwood and Meaford, on the southwest banks of Georgian Bay.
For more outdoor adventures, visit Collingwood Scenic Caves. Walk into millennia-old caves, learn about native tribes, hike to observation decks and thrill to the zip-line ride. Experience Ontario’s Apple Country and its famous apple pie on the Apple Pie Trail.
Throughout the year Collingwood hosts an eclectic schedule of events. Summer happenings range from a wake-boarding competition to a farmers’ market and an Elvis Presley impersonator festival. Visit in winter for the ice sculpting contest.
Collingwood is about a 2-hour drive north of Toronto. The picturesque setting makes getting around enjoyable on foot, skis, snowmobile and rental car or bike. Collingwood is also the gateway to the Blue Mountain Ski Resort.