Things to see and do in Parry Sound

Here's a brief list of things to see and do in and around the Parry Sound area. Sign up for our Newsletter today, and we'll keep you in touch with what's new.

Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve

Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve is one of only 13 UNESCO sites in Canada. The eastern coast of Georgian Bay where Parry Sound is located is known as the "30,000 Islands" and is considered the world's largest freshwater archipelago. It covers 347,000 hectares of shoreline ecosystem, and over 100 species of animals and plants that are at risk in Canada and Ontario, including unique reptiles and amphibians.

On the Water

Island Queen Cruise

The Island Queen Cruise departs the docks at 9 Bay Street and offers a three-hour unforgettable trip along the narrow channels and shallow waterways of the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay. In July and August, they also offer a two-hour inner harbour tour, featuring some of the homes and cottages. The triple deck Island Queen is a modern, well-equipped cruise ship, accommodating 550 passengers. The Island Queen is wheelchair accessible. Open June 1 to mid-October.

Spirit of the Sound Schooner Company

Cruise and dine through the 30,000 Islands aboard the M.V. Chippewa, a former Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist.
The M.V. Chippewa is a 65 ft. Classic Georgian Bay tug with charm & charisma. She is fully equipped with washrooms and is also licensed by the L.L.B.O. Commentators explain the sights and points of interest along the way with informal talks. They offer: daytime excursions, dinner/sunset cruises, island restaurant stopovers, fall colour tours and two-hour sightseeing tours. Open daily June 27 - August 31, weekends in September & October.

White Squall Outfitters

National Geographic Magazine rated White Squall the fourth best paddling outfitter in the world. They are the leaders in sea kayak instruction and tripping; many of the staff are nationally certified instructors and wilderness guides. They have two shops in the Parry Sound region with paddling accessories and camping gear & clothing. At the waterfront-paddling centre (open at the beginning of May) you'll find one of the largest selection of sea kayaks and canoes for rent and for sale. Tuesday evenings during the summer you can try out your paddling skills at the Town beach, or at any time at the paddling centre. In the winter, equipment rentals of kick-sleds and snowshoes, as well as any other cold-weather gear you might need is available. White Squall celebrates spring with the Georgian Bay Kayak & Canoe Festival every May.

Beaches/Swimming

Located on Georgian Bay, there are two beaches in Parry Sound - Waubuno Beach and Park offers a variety of recreational choices, comprising of a beach, basketball court, snack bar, comfort station, and large playground. A variety of community events are held here each year, including the annual Dragon Boat Festival. The "Old Town Beach" doesn't have any amenities, just a beautiful sand beach, a giant outcropping of rocks, and a fantastic view of Sail Parry Sound - a sail training facility. Killbear Provincial Park also offers a wonderful beach to swim at.

Fishing

Fishing is a year-round past time in the Parry Sound area. Most Canadian residents need an Ontario-issued Outdoors Card and fishing license tag to fish in Ontario if they are at least 18 years old but have not reached their 65th birthday. Non-resident anglers may purchase a fishing license that is effective immediately at the local sporting goods store (Canadian Tire). If you have your own boat, there are several boat launches in town, and 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast has great off-street parking available for your boat and trailer. No boat? No problem! Boat charters are available on Georgian Bay or inland lakes , while great fly-in fishing adventures are available on some of the remote lakes. In the winter, there are a number of Ice Fishing Derbies throughout the area at various times - bring the whole family for a day of fun, fishing in-land lakes and on the Bay. Local provincial parks have a "Tackle Share Program" were participants can sign out an assortment of fishing tackle at no fee for the day.

Big Sound Marina

Big Sound Marina is a 120-serviced slip marina for transient vessels up to 60 feet. Reservations a re accepted, but not required at this "Clean Marine" participant. Washrooms, hot showers, barbeques, laundry facilities, marine pump-out and internet access are all available. 40 Bay Street is just a short stroll up the street to accommodate extra boating guests. Open June - September.

Diver's Nook

Water Taxis

Annual Dragon Boat Festival

Held on the second weekend in June, this festival is in its eigth year. Dragon boats are the largest flat water racing canoes in the world. Constructed of solid teak, dragon boats weigh 700 kgs. and are over 12 meters in length. Each Dragon Boat team consists of 20 paddlers (with a minimum of 8 females), a drummer, and a steersperson. The Festival includes entertainment, vendors and children's activities.

From the Air

Georgian Bay Airways

Golfing

With the season generally starting in May and lasting until October, golfers have three public courses and one Club-Link golf course to choose from, in the area. Parry Sound Golf and Country Club has a course rating of 132 on a 6,000-yard course. Newly opened Ridge at Manitou is a 7,027 yard, par 72 on 300 acres and designed by Tom McBroom. Deer Run Public Golf Course offers 18 holes, a snack bar and licensed lounge. Rocky Crest Golf Club is a private, Thomas McBroom designed private course that celebrates the natural features of the Canadian Shield in Ontario's Muskoka region.

Bearclaw Tours

Provides half-day, guided ATV adventures. All equipment (ATV, helmets, goggles and gloves), safety instruction, and refreshments and snacks are supplied. Experienced guides take riders along private trails that cross long forgotten pioneer passages, secret lakes and awesome forests.

Spring Jam

Spring Jam is Canada's largest ATV Jamboree. A variety of routes and skills levels are accommodated in this kick-off to spring in Ontario! To ensure enough mud, sand and dirt are available to make for fun times; this event is generally held at the end of April.

Sportbike (Motorcycle) Rally

This three-day annual event features a professional stunt show, national trials, a manufacturers' expo of new products, auction, demonstrations and a poker run. It is always held the first weekend in July after Canada Day.

Park-to-Park Trail

The Park-to-Park Trail was developed to connect Killbear Provincial Park with Algonquin Provincial Park through utilizing existing multi-use trails in the area. Other than two small sections remaining, the trail is almost complete. The Seguin Recreational Trail is part of this system, and begins at the Information Centre (10 minutes south of Parry Sound) and extends 61 km eastward. The trail is available for walking and biking, with designated areas for motorized recreational vehicles in the summer and fall.

Algonquin Regiment Rotary Fitness Trail

A former railway bed, this trail walks you along the picturesque Parry Sound shores and allows one to enjoy Georgian Bay in its natural splendour.

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary's mission is to care for injured and orphaned wildlife, and once they are rehabilitated, to return them to the wild. If the animal cannot be returned to the wild, it is cared for. Open limited hours to preserve the animals' natural habitats as much as possible, this is one of the best places to see and learn about Canadian wild-life such as bears, moose, and raccoons, as well as abandoned exotic animals. Open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, mid-May to mid-October.

Provincial Parks

There are a number of provincial parks in the area. Killbear Provincial Park offers an interpretive centre with exhibits, displays and educational events related to the natural, wildlife and cultural resources of the area. Access to the sand beaches, trails and special events are all included in the cost of a day pass. All Ontario Provincial parks are officially open and staffed mid-May to mid-October.

Shopping
Downtown Parry Sound features a number of small boutiques featuring Canadiana crafts and souvenirs, as well as men and ladies' clothing, home decor and books.

Rainy day?

Not to worry! The Twin Strand Movie Theatres offer the latest releases, while Georgian Lanes offers a fun and inexpensive way to exercise and pass the time with 5-pin bowling. You can rent the special shoes, and everything else required is provided in the lane rental costs.

History and Culture

Canada Day Festivities
Celebrating Canada's birthday every July 1st, this event features  entertainment showcasing a variety of performers. Family activities will be held in the Stockey Centre parking lot, with a fireworks display that takes place at dusk.

West Parry Sound District Museum

The modern facility retraces the history of the Parry Sound Area with displays on logging, shipping and life as it was in a small northern town. The Museum also features many travelling exhibits of lumbering, homesteading and ghostly shipwrecks as well as children's programs over the summer. The West Parry Sound District Museum offers picnic gardens, a lookout tower, a panoramic view of Georgian Bay and a wonderful location for taking photographs.

Observation Tower

Located next the museum on Tower Hill, this former fire tower is 96-feet tall. It is an easy climb up the 131 steps to reach the top. The view over the town and Georgian Bay is breathtaking and well worth the climb.

Fire Hall
Constructed in 1893, the original bell called the volunteer firefighters for 73 years and sounded the nine o'clock curfew until WW II. The historical landmark has been refurbished and is open to the public during the summer months. It is located at Market Square, downtown Parry Sound.

Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts

The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts is located in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. It houses a 480-seat Festival Performance Hall and the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. The Stockey Centre sits on a 3.5-acre waterfront site overlooking beautiful Georgian Bay. Performances of all genres are presented in the Performance Hall during the year including music of all types (pop, rock, folk, blues, jazz, country, chamber, classical and world music), theatre, contemporary dance, comedy, literary readings, performances for children, and community events.

Festival of the Sound

For three weeks each summer beginning in mid-July, Parry Sound comes to life with the music and special events of the Festival of the Sound established in 1979. Winner of the Lieutenant Governor's Award for the Arts, the Festival of the Sound is one of Canada's most exciting and creative summer music festivals. As well as hearing noon and evening concerts featuring Canada's finest classical musicians, Festival-goers can choose from sunset cruises on the Island Queen, sunrise cruises on the M.V. Chippewa, free family concerts, elegant dinners and concerts at exclusive resorts or special events in bayside homes. Each season brings something new with more than 50 musical events. There is an Annual Prelude Gala, held the first Saturday in June. This gala fundraiser for the Festival of the Sound is a wonderful kick-off to the summer. Eclectic entertainment, fabulous food and wines, and live and silent auctions make for a fun evening.

First Nations Pow-wows
Typically held in later August, Shawanaga Anishinabe Pow-wow is a two-day event showcasing the culture of these First Nations people.

Seasonal Activities

Fall Fairs
Fall is the time to celebrate the bounty of the season and many of the activities occurring reflect the history of the area. Scattered throughout the Parry Sound area are villages and towns that hold fall fairs that offer the opportunity to see animals, purchase local crafts and goods and partake of local entertainment. Mid -August - October

Fall Colours

Ontario's hardwood trees are ablaze with colours, and Parry Sound offers many great ways to experience them - during the drive up (with maybe a little detour to stroll down a laneway or two along the way), on a 3 hour cruise on the Island Queen, from the air with Georgian Bay Airways (until October 13th) and finally, with a panoramic view from the Observation Tower . Of course, the views from the enclosed sun porches at 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast are spectacular too! Parry Sound is a shutterbugs delight at any time of the year, but when you couple our famous Georgian Bay sunsets with the fantastic fall colours, you have a combination that can't be beat! End of September to mid-October.

Hockey

Hockey is big in Parry Sound, and we know that hockey fans come in all ages and sizes. The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame offers memorabilia and hands-on activities to learn more about this sport.

Snowmobiling

Parry Sound Snowmobile District member clubs operate a trail network of over 1,100 kilometers containing both a mix of looping or family trails along with several Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) Trails. Trails in the Parry Sound Snowmobile District span from the Moon River in the South to the Key River in the North and from Georgian Bay in the East to Hwy 11 in the West. The "C" trail passes 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast, and we have off-street parking available for your machines. Snowmobile rentals are available. January - March.

Cross Country Skiing

Georgian Nordic Ski Club is just a 10-minute drive from 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast. With 25 km of trails winding through lush forest, Georgian Nordic offers great cross country skiing for the novice through to the expert. The Club offers performance (combined classic and skate), back country and single-track trails plus snowshoe trails. Skis, boots and poles are available for rental at the clubhouse. January - March.

Annual Seguin Dog Sled Mail Run/Mush Rush
This annual event sees teams of sled dogs and their mushers are hitting the trails for a 17-kilometre route to speedily deliver hundreds of letters. The day after the Mail Run, the Mush Rush gets families within patting range of the harness pups at the Foley Township Fair Grounds. Mushers show off their team's stuff, while another team introduces children to "true north" transport on sled rides. Mid-February.

Maple Syrup Festival

From sap to syrup, this annual festival takes place at Killbear Provincial Park, a 20-minute drive from 40 Bay Street. Events include Wagon rides, a tour of the sugar bush and sugar shack as well as the new Visitor Centre, plus a meal of pancakes with pure maple syrup. Admission to the park is free but the pancake meal is $4.00 per person. Weather dependent, the sap normally starts running near the end of March.