Barrie

Travel Guide

Barrie Arboretum at Sunnidale Park featuring a park and hiking or walking as well as a couple
Barrie Arboretum at Sunnidale Park featuring a garden
Barrie Arboretum at Sunnidale Park showing a garden
Barrie Arboretum at Sunnidale Park featuring hiking or walking
Barrie Arboretum at Sunnidale Park which includes a garden

Ski in winter, explore Lake Simcoe in summer and see works by Ontario artists at any time of year in this large lakeside town.

Barrie is one of the largest cities in southwestern Ontario. Located on the shore of Lake Simcoe and surrounded by woods, this is a great point of departure for exploring the lush wilderness north of Toronto. Before heading into the forest, check out Barrie’s lively art scene.

In summer, explore the waterfront along Lake Simcoe. Take the 4.2-mile (6.7-kilometer) trail through Barrie’s lakeside area to reach several beaches. Swim at Centennial Beach in the refreshing lake water after enjoying beach volleyball on the sand or a game of miniature golf nearby. Rent a motorboat or a Jet Ski to explore Lake Simcoe’s vast 279-square-mile (722-square-kilometer) area.

Walk up to the Spirit Catcher, the 22-ton (20-tonne) steel sculpture on the Lake Simcoe waterfront. Originally designed for the 1986 World’s Fair in Vancouver by Ontario sculptor Ron Baird, the towering statue is influenced by the art of Ontario’s indigenous groups.

See more works by regional artists at the MacLaren Art Center. Temporary exhibitions of Canadian artists supplement a 26,600-piece permanent collection, with an especially large selection of Soviet press photographs.

Get out into the Ontario forest in the Ardagh Bluffs Natural Area. This 518-acre (210-hectare) plot of forest is in the southwest part of town. To visit a more remote stretch of wilderness, drive 40 minutes west of Barrie to reach the Minesing Wetlands Conservation Area. Here, creeks and rivers snake through 15,000 acres (6,070 hectares) of protected wetlands inhabited by deer and hundreds of bird species. Traverse the wooded landscape by canoe.

Barrie is also known for winter attractions. Rent a snowmobile in Barrie to explore the snowy woods outside of town. Several different ski resorts are a short drive from town as well. The closest resort, Snow Valley, is a perfect destination for families and beginner skiers.

From Toronto, make the 1-hour drive or the 3-hour bus ride to Barrie. Once there, get around this region of wetlands, rivers and lakes by boat.

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites

3 out of 5
81 Hart Dr, Barrie, ON
$80 nightly
The price is $96 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$96 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,128 reviews)
"The people that work there arw fabulous"

Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025

Monte Carlo Inn Barrie Suites
Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie

Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie

2 out of 5
300 Bayfield St, Barrie, ON
$66 nightly
The price is $80 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$80 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,580 reviews)
"Nice room"

Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Barrie
Super 8 by Wyndham Barrie South

Super 8 by Wyndham Barrie South

2 out of 5
441 Bryne Drive, Barrie, ON
$71 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$85 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barrie. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,392 reviews)
"I would recommend this place. It was nice Eastside Mario's right beside it. Walking distance to a lot of things dollar store across this street, very good location"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Barrie South
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie

Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie

2 out of 5
One Georgian Drive, Barrie, ON
Stay at this aparthotel in Barrie. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall value in our ...
7/10 Good! (651 reviews)
"Price was right and will stay at more now that i know"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Barrie
Parkside House

Parkside House

3.5 out of 5
15 Parkside Dr, Barrie, ON
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Barrie. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Barrie Centennial Park and Mady Centre for the Performing ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (304 reviews)
"This was a nice big place, clean and good value for the money. Better than a hotel room at any of the cheap hotels in town. Mark and Steve had some excellent freshly ground coffee, sugar and creamers for us to enjoy in the morning. Great location near downtown and the lake, but quieter than where ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Parkside House
CHARMING CUSTOM HOME BESIDE PARK,WALK TO BEACH

CHARMING CUSTOM HOME BESIDE PARK,WALK TO BEACH

Barrie
Stay at this vacation home in Barrie. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and in-room jetted tubs. Popular attractions Barrie Centennial Park and Wilkin's Walk ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Exceptional Unit
"The unit was wonderful, clean and the location convenient. The manager was extremely helpful a nd professional. It was everything we hoped for."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

CHARMING CUSTOM HOME BESIDE PARK,WALK TO BEACH
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Barrie

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
17
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
28
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Great waterfront

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Won't be back

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Getting ti be a very busy place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice city to visit and the lakeshore area is clean and easy to park at

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We live Barrie. We always visit on our way to the cottage

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Unique Ink Tattoo and Piercing Studio is top notch. Friendly staff and very reasonably priced.

Cities near Barrie