Gravenhurst

Gravenhurst is a small town in the Muskoka region of Ontario. Norman Bethune, the Canadian doctor who became famous in China for battlefield surgery, was born here, and is the town's most famous former citizen. The town refers to itself as 'The Gateway to Muskoka' as is indicated on a large archway in the south-end of town. The town is a drawing point for summer cottage season. Many cottagers in the Muskokas use Gravenhurst for groceries and supplies and visit the town once or twice a week during cottage season.

Get in

By car

Gravenhurst is located approximately 170 kilometers north of Toronto. The easiest way to get to Gravenhurst is by automobile, as commercial bus service is limited and there are very few passenger trains to the area. To reach Gravenhurst, take Highway 400 north from Toronto through Barrie to the Highway 11 cutoff (direction North Bay). Proceed up Highway 11 and take Muskoka Road 169 - Bethune Drive (formerly Ontario Highway 169) right in to downtown. Summer travel can be time consuming, as it is a popular tourist destination and the gateway to the Muskoka Lakes region. The roads in Gravenhurst are well-maintained, so no need to worry about using a sport utility vehicle.

By plane

There is no commercial airport in or really anywhere near Gravenhurst, so the easiest way in for international travellers to access the region is to fly to Toronto Pearson International Airport, rent a car and proceed north. There is an airport in Bracebridge for propeller planes and/or private jets. Bracebridge is approximately 20 minutes by car away from Gravenhurst. If you're coming in from other domestic locations, it is possible to fly to Sudbury or North Bay and drive in if Toronto doesn't appeal to you.

Get around

On Foot

Gravenhurst is easily seen by foot. No public transit system is currently in use.

By taxi

There are private taxi companies offering local transportation. Intertown/city transport is by private bus companies. Casino Rama transportation provided by PMCL.

By bus

Private Carriers, Ontario Northland, PMCL, Hammond Transportation (705) 687-2301. Connections to major airports and Metropolitan Toronto.

See

• The World's Largest Muskoka Chair. Located in the south end of town. Great photo opportunity. 

Do

RMS Segwun (built 1887)

• Reelpro Fishing Charters, 1217 Muldrew Lake Rd. Gravenhurst, ☎ +1 705-238-3637, e-mail: mike@reelpro.ca. Daily fishing charters on Lake Muskoka, great family fun. 

Museums

• Bethune Memorial House, 297 John Street North, ☎ +1 705-687-4261. The Victorian church manse where this great Canadian was born in 1890 and where he lived for the first three years of his life. Bethune was a doctor who was an early proponent of universal health care, who was a key role-player in the development of humanitariran rights in China. 

• New Heritage Museum, 820 Bay Street, toll-free: +1-866-687-6667. The recently built museum pays tribute to the history of a region that has shared its beauty and nature with generations. A great place to see the old wooden boats that at one time, were a common site on the great Muskoka lakes. 

• Grace and Speed - Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre, 275 Steamboat Bay Road, ☎ +1 705-687-2115. One of Canada's Top 10 New Attractions of 2006 . 

• Ontario Fire College Museum, 1495 Muskoka Road North, ☎ +1 705-687-1388. Training facility for provincial fire fighters. Has a small museum. 

Boating Heritage

• RMS Segwun and Wanda III, 185 Cherokee Lane, ☎ +1 705-687-6667. Fully operational restored steamships, cruises on these small vessels are a wonderful throwback to a simpler time. At one point in time, the Segwun (built 1887) was used to transport vacationers to their cottages and deliver cargo and mail; it currently offers tourists a chance to take a boat ride in to the past. 

Opera

• Gravenhurst Opera House, 295 Muskoka Road South, ☎ +1 705-687-5550. One of Muskoka's most significant landmarks is the heart of cultural activities, featuring both local and commercial entertainment year-round. The beautiful heritage theatre features excellent lighting and sound systems, a large stage with offstage storage areas, 338 comfortable upholstered theatre seats and the most up-to-date public safety systems available. 

Buy

• Gravenhurst Farmers Market (Wednesday) - Muskoka Wharf, (705) 684-8731. Showcases over 70 vendors with high quality fruits and vegetables, plants, organic produce, homemade goods, fresh honey, maple syrup, preserves, meat, fish, cheese more. Local artisans sell carefully handcrafted jewellery, sewing, knitting, carvings, woodworking, soap and fine art. Shop at the market and enjoy a freshly-made crepe, sausage on a bun.

Eat

Budget

• Blue Willow Tea Shop, 900 Bay Street, ☎ +1 705 687-2597. Unit #1 

• Silver Pines Restaurant, 1613 Kilworthy Road, ☎ +1 705 689-2813.  

• Taboo Patio Café, 1209 Muskoka Beach Road, ☎ +1 705 687-2233.  

Mid-range

• Boston Pizza, 1100 Bay Street, ☎ +1 705 684-8024.  

Splurge

• Elements by Taboo, 1209 Muskoka Beach Road, ☎ +1 705 687-2233.  

• Severn River Inn, 1002 Cowbell Lane, ☎ +1 705 689-6333.  

Drink

• Taboo Boathouse Bar & Grill, 1209 Muskoka Beach Road, ☎ +1 705 687-2233. Only open from June through the first weekend in September. 

• Lakers Tap, Grill & Games, 435 Bethune Drive, ☎ +1 705 687-0062.  

Sleep

Budget

• Arundel Lodge - Highway 169 - Walker's Point Road - +1 705 687-4030

• Star Motel, 469 Bethune Drive North, ☎ +1 705 687-0123.  

• Skyways Motel - R.R. # 1, Hwy 11 North +1 705 687-6608

• Camp Hillbilly Estates - 1633 Highway 11 South, RR #2 Kilworthy, +1 705 689-2366

Mid-range

• Howard Johnson, 1165 Muskoka Road South, ☎ +1 705 687-7707.  

• Blaincroft B&B, 180 Hughson Street, ☎ +1 705 684-8994.  

• The Inn on Bay, 291 Bay Street, ☎ +1 705 684-8860.  

• Pine Gardens B&B, 390 Winewood Avenue West, ☎ +1 705 687-2068.  

• Oakwood Motel/Muskoka Adventure, 1060 Muskoka Road South, ☎ +1 705 687-4224.  

• Trenanthia Cottage, Sparrow Lake, ☎ +1 416 800-0219. A beautiful lakeside 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom cottage available to rent year-round in the Muskokas. Built-in Hot Tub open throughout the seasons. Surrounded by forest on 3 sides - a nature lovers paradise. 

Splurge

• Taboo Resort Golf and Spa, 1209 Muskoka Beach Road, ☎ +1 705 687-2233.  

• Pine Lake Cottages - 1383 Highway 169 North - +1 705 687-2072

Go next

The wonderful thing about visiting Muskoka is that there are plenty of small towns in the area to visit. Port Carling, Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Huntsville, Sudbury and North Bay are all within a few minutes or 1-2 hours driving distance. Toronto is close by if you're a visitor to the province coming in from Highway 17 to the north. The region is rich with museums, shopping, and attractions. For those who like to gamble, there is Casino Rama (located near the small town of Rama) near Orillia. Webers Burgers (go south 25-30 minutes drive on Highway 11) is an attraction unto itself with it's rail-car dining area and unique (to the region) overpass walkway. And in Muskoka, one can always find a secluded lake to just sit and admire the scenery.

North Bay ← Bracebridge ←

N  S

→ Orillia → Barrie