Local Attractions and Distractions
for those who can't sit still .....
Barry's Bay is a service town for a fairly large community of residents and cottagers, so most of what you'll need you'll find there. There are 2 grocery stores (Valu-mart and IGA), beer/liquor (Beer Store, LCBO), drug store, hardware and housewares (Yakabuski's Home Hardware), post office, banks (ATM), chamber of commerce (tourist info), etc.
 | For crafts and antiques, try Barry's Bay, Wilno, Killaloe, or Maynooth, all within a half hour's drive. |
| For the adventurous, the Madawaska Kanu Centre offers Family Float Trips Mondays through Thursdays. Follow the link for maps and booking info. Approximately an hour away are the awesome Bonnechere Caves - refreshingly cool even in the heat of summer and definitely worth the drive! Of course, for walking trails and canoeing, and an excellent logging museum, the East Gate to "the Park" is approximately 45 minutes to the west. If you haven't been, Algonquin Provincial Park is a great place to breathe in some wilderness. Smaller, but closer (20 min) and still a treat is Bonnechere Provincial Park. |
| For something slightly different and spiritual, why not make a visit to the Algonquins of Golden Lake First Nation. The Anishinabe Experience offers traditional meals and activities, but families should definitely make prior arrangements in order to participate in the activities. |
| Off the beaten track, but a "high point" in the region is Foymount - Ontario's highest populated point and home of Blackwater factory outlet (maker of Sierra Designs outerwear). |
| A casual meal out can be found in Barry's Bay, but for up-scale dining, try Fortune's Madawaska Valley Inn (right on hwy 60 west of Barry's Bay), Spectacle Lake Lodge (a few kilometres west on 60), or Ash Grove Inn south on Hwy 62. If you are driving around the region, a pit stop for perogies at the Wilno Tavern or home baked goodies from Granny's Kitchen in Maynooth will make your tummy happy. |
| Speaking of tours, an excellent site for driving, cycling, walking, and even waterfall seekers is ValleyExplore.com . |
| Other sites with historical and cultural info, events, and other points of interest are Barry's Bay and Algonquin East (you might find the latter a bit slow, but it is packed with info). |
If you are out and about and want to recommend a country gem to others, please let us know!
