Whether you’re here for a short visit, summer holiday, or a resident of Simcoe County, there’s something for everyone in Midland and the surrounding region. I’m sharing the top 10 things to do in Midland, Ontario, Canada. There’s lots to keep you busy.
Located on Georgian Bay and surrounded by trails and old forests, it’s no wonder this beautiful town attracts over 100,000 tourists every summer. Regardless of the season, if you like the outdoors, you will love it here.
Rich in Indigenous history with French roots, Midland was first settled in the 1840s. From culture, history, food, art, nature, and farming, there’s something for everyone. Here are the best things to do in Midland.
1. Connect with History at Saint-Marie Among The Hurons
Enjoy a journey through time at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons into the 1600s in Ontario’s first European Settlement Community.
See what it was really like to live in the 17th century, while touring the meticulously reconstructed village, including longhouses, a hospital, blacksmith shop, chapel, gardens, and cookhouse. Built at the original location of the headquarters of the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron-Wendat people.
Enjoy live re-enactments, connect with friendly costumed historical interpreters, meet farm animals in the stables, and walk through the award-winning museum. You can also download their app for a comprehensive audio tour, available in English, French, or German.
Experience First Light, November 16th-December 2nd. This must-experience holiday event takes you back in time at night with the glow of thousands of candles. There’s also family-friendly activities, live music and performances, a vendor market, all decorated for the holiday season.
Book your tickets online early, First Light, in its 23rd season, sells out quickly.
2. Visit the Downtown Core
Take a stroll downtown, with a view of the harbour and enjoy one of Ontario’s largest outdoor art galleries with over 30 murals and sculptures, including the largest historic outdoor mural in North America. You can find this 80 foot high painting at the Midland Harbour.
Enjoy great restaurants, cafes, bakeries, art galleries, artisanal boutiques, local shops, and a new brewery, Test Batch Brewery, all along King Street. Grab a coffee at Grounded Coffee Company and stop into some unique shops, like Tiny Gems, Simply Country, The Mouse Trap, or RoyalTea on King.
Every Sunday morning you’ll find the local Farmer’s Market, downtown. A popular local spot to grab your fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouts, homemade soaps, cheese, breads and baked goods, and other wonderful items.
Don’t miss Ontario’s largest Butter Tart Festival here, June 8th 2024. Selling over 200,000 Butter Tarts, this festival boasts 200 vendors and food trucks and draws in 60,000 Butter Tart loving visitors.
The waterfront hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Tugboat festival, Tall Ships Festival, Rib and Beer fest, and Poutine Feast.
3. Explore Midland’s Trails and Parks
Midland, ON is surrounded by trails with over 46 km of pathways, bike lanes and trails just in town. There’s lots of incredible nature to explore in this designated Bee city.
Check out the Rotary Waterfront Trail, through town and along the waterfront to Midland’s Town dock or the 18km Tay Shore Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail throughout the township along an abandoned CN rail corridor from Midland to Waubaushene.
Cycle the 30 km Tiny Beach Loop to Balm Beach in Tiny Township and don’t hesitate to stop at the two bike fix-it stations on King St.
Have a picnic, enjoy a playground with your kids, or play disk golf at one of the town’s 27 parks.
4. Immerse Yourself in Nature at the Wye Marsh
The Wye Marsh is a hidden gem, loved by local nature enthusiasts and home to a wide range of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. It’s a tranquil experience that allows you to truly connect with nature and appreciate its wonders.
Explore 3,000 acres of Wetlands and Woodlands at the Wye Marsh. Go Canoeing through the cattail channels, or experience the Marsh by Moonlight Kayak tour. Walk, bike, or ski over 25km of trails.
Meet Becker the Great Horned Owl, Ziibi the Bald Eagle and other rescued raptors at the Birds of Prey Field. Observe Trumpeter Swans at Swan Landing, turtles basking in the sun or in the interpretive centre, and feed the Chickadees along the trail. Visit a screened Bee House and learn all about their active honey bee hive.
There are always special events and workshops going on so check out their site for the latest activities like P.A. Day activities, stone carving, guided tours, crafts, the Sweetwater Harvest Festival, Halloween on the Trails, etc.
Wye Marsh is more than just a nature reserve; it’s also committed to environmental conservation and education. By visiting Wye Marsh, not only do you have an unforgettable experience but also contribute to their efforts in preserving the marshland for future generations to enjoy.
5. Tour the Midland Cultural Centre
Located in the downtown core, the Midland Cultural Centre is a hub of entertainment, offering concerts, family entertainment, comedy, performing arts, magic shows, and more. There’s always something to seem including productions by Huronia Players, a local community theatre group.
Huronia Players produces three large productions every year, as well as workshops, Studio Nights, youth camps and classes, and special performances. This modern facility also houses three art galleries, including an Indigenous Art Gallery on the first floor.
It is also home to Quest Art School and Gallery, which hosts adult and kid classes, workshops, camps, and Art Slams.
6. Visit Huronia Museum and Huron/Ouendat Village
Step back in time into a replica “pre-contact” Huron/Ouendat village from the 1500-1600’s. Walk through a full-size longhouse, wigwam, shaman’s lodge, sweat lodge, lookout tower, and explore other incredible parts of the village.
Check out the museum with thousands of historic artifacts, including photographs and native archeology like stone and bone tools, trade axes and arrowheads. Displays that show the evolution of technology and culture from the 1200s to 1650.
It also houses an art gallery, which includes artwork from the Group of Seven, who painted the Georgian Bay shoreline.
Huronia Museum is an inexpensive must see activity, located at Little Lake Park.
7. Explore Georgian Bay
One of the best things is the town’s location on Georgian Bay, the gateway to 30,000 islands, with more navigable bays, inlets, and shoreline than any other body of water in Canada.
Take your boat or Sea-Doo out on the water or book a local boat cruise. Enjoy exceptional views and breathtaking sunsets, go fishing or play water sports, while touring some of the 30,000 beautiful islands, including Beausoleil Island, Giant’s Tomb, Hope Island, Beckwith Island, and more!
There are boat tours and cruise trips for everyone; whether you’re looking for a dinner cruise, sightseeing tour, sunset cruise, a private event, live music, speedboat, or private boat tours.
Georgian Spirit Cruises and the Midland Speedboat depart from Midland Harbour and the Penetanguishene Georgian Legacy departs from the Penetanguishene Harbour.
Launch your boat at Pete Pettersen Park, Midland’s public boat launch or in Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Victoria Harbour and Marinas throughout the area.
8. Play at Little Lake Park
This picturesque park is the largest in town and has been a central spot since before the town was named Midland. With mature trees, a trail around the small lake, gardens throughout and lots of sitting areas, there are activities for everyone.
You will find two play structures, including a brand new playground, beach volleyball, baseball diamond, an 18 hole disc golf course, skate park, rowing club, tennis courts, popular tobogganing hill, community gardens, dog park, brand new amphitheatre seating, a large covered pavilion, and public washrooms.
This park is also home to Tony’s Restaurant, a great place to grab ice cream or a burger while exploring the park. You will also find the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, YMCA, Huronia Museum, and the Midland Curling Club within the park.
During the summer Little Lake hosts festivals and special events, including their annual Canada Day Celebration, music in the park, and outdoor movies.
9. Discover Historic Martyrs’ Shrine
For over 100 years, Martyrs’ Shrine has been a historic and holy place of worship. It is the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs, honouring the eight Jesuit Saints who helped establish the Saint-Marie among the Hurons settlement and died here over 350 years ago.
This internationally recognized place of pilgrimage is a peaceful historic and holy location, that attracts over 125,000 visitors every year from all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures. It has even been visited by St. Pope John Paul II.
Take a self-guided tour to discover the rich history of Martyr’s Shrine, have a moment of connection under the incredible vaulted church ceiling, observe works of art and devotional monuments and receive blessed Holy Water. It typically takes about an hour to walk through.
Feel free to attend weekend mass May through to October or weekday mass during the summer. There are also opportunities to attend in-person spiritual retreats or virtual retreats throughout the year.
When you pay for admission to St-Marie Among the Hurons you get free admission to Martyrs’ Shrine as well. There is a walking trail to connect to the other historic site.
10. Get Active with Sports and Recreation
Regardless of the season, you’ll find outdoor sports and activities to keep you busy, surrounded by forest and Georgian Bay.
Warm weather brings opportunity for water sports like fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, SUP boarding, and boating. Surrounded by nature, and close to Awenda Provincial Park and Georgian Bay Islands National Park, you’ll want to spend time camping, hiking, cycling, or join a yoga class on the beach.
If you love sports, there’s lots of opportunities for you, from disc golf, beach volleyball, pickle ball or tennis, and plenty of sports leagues for adults and children to join.
For the avid golfer, there are three local golf courses at the Midland Golf and Country Club and Brooklea Golf and Country Club, which has a championship 18 hole, academy 9 hole course, and indoor golf simulator. Both are semi-private with green fee play and memberships.
While in the winter you can find endless trails to snowshoe, cross country ski, including at the Wye Marsh, Awenda, and Mountainview Ski Centre. With our location in the snow belt, it is a popular destination for snowmobiling and ice fishing.
Bonus — More To See In North Simcoe
Midland is the central hub for North Simcoe but close by you will find Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Tay.
Beautiful areas to explore, with incredible beaches and trails, Awenda Provincial park, farms, shops and restaurants to explore in the surrounding area, like Wendy B’s in Tiny or the Cheeky Mama Bakery in Victoria Harbour, or the Elmvale Zoo.